Cultural Differences...

[chipmonk]

Russian is a land of extreme contrasts.  Its vast territories stretch through 11time zones and two continents.  Within it stews a mixture of both Eastern European and Central Asian cultures.  The people are the result of many generations of czar rule and to add to this complexity is some 70 years of comunism.  

On a more local level, most Russians live below western standards.  Often, if not universally, the city water is not up to American standards and maybe in fact harmful to one whom is not accustom to its contents.  Issues of nuclear waste, natural and industrial toxins have not been resolved. Many of the basic infrastructures (water, heat, transport, etc.) are antiquated and break down often.  Many of the governing bodies are less than what we consider fair and equal.  I have heard it said that the Russian people serve the government and not the other way around.

 In most towns and cities, many live in concrete apartments that average from 200 to 300sq.ft.  It is not unusual to have whole extended families living in one apartment. Many own kitchen gardens (small plots of land, typically ~1/6 acre, to grow food outside) or dachas (cottages with slightly larger garden plots) outside the city limits.  Few people drive or own cars (Moscow, SPB, and perhaps Kiev are exceptions).  The educational system is good; however there is an emphasis on wrote memory skills and obedience. More like our educational system pre-1960.  Higher education was free as of the 1990s, but is quickly becoming less so.  

Russians are a pragmatic people.  Many live in a cold climate zone were the winters come early and are very long.  The communist era has left and indelible mark on them, so don't expect cheers and smiles, especially from strangers. They are only open to trusted family members (artifact of the KGB).  Life is viewed as a sum-zero game (for a person to gain… someone must lose).  

All Russian men are required to join the military at the age of 18 for a 2 year term.  A fair number don't return or acquire some physical, mental or social disability.  The most favorite Russian pastime is a toss-up between vodka, smoking and arguing… any one of which can lessen one's lifespan in Russia.  This is evident in the demographics where the average life expectance for a Russian man stands at 58 years.

Out of all this chaos stands the Russian woman.  They are encouraged to become ladies from birth, however at the same time don't be surprised if they can handle an AK-47.  They are still taught home economics and at the same time can work in partnership (not compete) to support their family. Nearly all aspire to become mothers before the age of 30.  

For the young ladies, their fashion sense is more sensual and sexy.  Their nuances of poise and movement are like sweet honey to a love starved man.  They will taunt you like a temptress yet at the same time possess the innocence of a child.  They are driven to look gorgeous for their man.  

Does this sound too good to be true?  It is not.  However, there are some bumps, pot holes and rabbit trails along the way.  This forum can guide you through the straight and narrow.

[PeeWee]

Russian is a land of extreme contrasts. Its vast territories stretch through 11time zones and two continents. Within it stews a mixture of both Eastern European and Central Asian cultures. The people are the result of many generations of czar rule and to add to this complexity is some 70 years of comunism.

On a more local level, most Russians live below western standards. Often, if not universally, the city water is not up to American standards and maybe in fact harmful to one whom is not accustom to its contents. Issues of nuclear waste, natural and industrial toxins have not been resolved. Many of the basic infrastructures (water, heat, transport, etc.) are antiquated and break down often. Many of the governing bodies are less than what we consider fair and equal. I have heard it said that the Russian people serve the government and not the other way around.

In most towns and cities, many live in concrete apartments that average from 200 to 300sq.ft. It is not unusual to have whole extended families living in one apartment. Many own kitchen gardens (small plots of land, typically ~1/6 acre, to grow food outside) or dachas (cottages with slightly larger garden plots) outside the city limits. Few people drive or own cars (Moscow, SPB, and perhaps Kiev are exceptions). The educational system is good; however there is an emphasis on wrote memory skills and obedience. More like our educational system pre-1960. Higher education was free as of the 1990s, but is quickly becoming less so.

Russians are a pragmatic people. Many live in a cold climate zone were the winters come early and are very long. The communist era has left and indelible mark on them, so don't expect cheers and smiles, especially from strangers. They are only open to trusted family members (artifact of the KGB). Life is viewed as a sum-zero game (for a person to gain… someone must lose).

All Russian men are required to join the military at the age of 18 for a 2 year term. A fair number don't return or acquire some physical, mental or social disability. The most favorite Russian pastime is a toss-up between vodka, smoking and arguing… any one of which can lessen one's lifespan in Russia. This is evident in the demographics where the average life expectance for a Russian man stands at 58 years.

Out of all this chaos stands the Russian woman. They are encouraged to become ladies from birth, however at the same time don't be surprised if they can handle an AK-47. They are still taught home economics and at the same time can work in partnership (not compete) to support their family. Nearly all aspire to become mothers before the age of 30.

For the young ladies, their fashion sense is more sensual and sexy. Their nuances of poise and movement are like sweet honey to a love starved man. They will taunt you like a temptress yet at the same time possess the innocence of a child. They are driven to look gorgeous for their man.

Does this sound too good to be true? It is not. However, there are some bumps, pot holes and rabbit trails along the way. This forum can guide you through the straight and narrow.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking, Chipper.

 

Peewee

[rose]

Chipmonk, you forgot to mention bears walking along the streets.

[Bruno]

Chipmonk, you forgot to mention bears walking along the streets.

Good one :D:D

It seem that several always think that Russia is some type of primitif country where the western man is like the new God... A lot of people forget that Russia have progress a lot in the last 20 year.... big city like Moscow, St Peterburg, Kiev are not very different that our main city...

Of course, Russia have little village who seem to be the image of the past... but you can find similar place in the US, little city or village in middle of nowhere, with bad transport connection, little road, where people life like 60 year ago... so situation is normal in big country like USA or Russia... not every place have the same evolution rate...

You can find everything in FSU... same in little city like Odessa, you can fid the last plasma TV 2 meter widescreen... of course, it is expensive and not everybody can affort it... but i think that in each country, not everybody is able to buy so TV...

And about water... if i good remember, a US business take care of water for Moscow... the quality of water in these city is very good... seem that the problem is more about American with weak health... Russian don't go dead from drinking russian water...

Maybe the real problem is the superiority syndrom from western man who visit the FSU...

[rose]

How about Darwin, CA or Amboy. Who ever has been there will know what I mean...
I've been on 3 cross country trips, and have seen a lot of places, which look like from the 19th century. So, Chipmonk, I'll give you advice (free of charge) go around your own country and come here back to tell us what you've seen.

[Bruce]

Chipmonk, granted your posts are good starting points of conversation, but they are rapidly becomming dated.

[Jet]

So, Chipmonk, I'll give you advice (free of charge) go around your own country and come here back to tell us what you've seen.

 As I was driving through a section of our city the other day, that I don't go through very often, the similarities between that area and my wife's town were suddenly very obvious to me. I though it might be cool to do a photo essay and see if people could tell which pictures were taken in the US and which in Russia....

[Taz]

Is it just me or does chipmonk seem like he quoting some text dated before the Cold War ended? There is a detached quaility about  his posts that I find boring and not really worth commenting on the subject matter at hand.

I think a good FAQ would help more guys out. When I was involved in meeting RW years ago there were no real resources to speak. I didn't even know that AFA had catalogs of women.

[Roger]

So, Chipmonk, I'll give you advice (free of charge) go around your own country and come here back to tell us what you've seen.

 As I was driving through a section of our city the other day, that I don't go through very often, the similarities between that area and my wife's town were suddenly very obvious to me. I though it might be cool to do a photo essay and see if people could tell which pictures were taken in the US and which in Russia....
[/quote]
 

Very true. Have a look at the photographs here http://www.stormfront.org/whitehistory/hwrdet.htm

 

and here...

http://www.derelictlondon.com/derelict_london_com.htm

[Voyageur]

It is funny that I used to think that some of the buildings that I saw in Russia were bad. Then, I understand how others - those not born here in the US - see it when I was driving through North Philadelphia with my wife and her daughter. 

[Jay Patches]

Chipmonk, you forgot to mention bears walking along the streets.

I had a beautiful, intelligent Russian woman ask me recently if I thought bears walked the streets of Moscow.  I laughed so hard I could not breathe.  I told her the next time in the coffee shop at the mall at Red Square, I will sit and watch for bears walking by.  She laughed at this too and soon we were both laughing so hard it was difficult to breathe. 

That lead to another conversation about how the world is full of ignorant people, everywhere.  She told me of a Frenchman she met who wanted to know where Moscow was.  My point is that there is ignorance everywhere.  I think anytime anyone tries to learn about another unfamiliar place, we should be thankful.  At least they are trying to learn, and this is the first step on a wonderful journey.

JP

Ps. When I get home, I'm going to Photoshop a picture of a bear on Tsverskaya and send it to her

[Jooky]

I saw a bear walking down Nevsky Prospekt when I was in St. Petersburg... no kidding.

Funny thing is, bears DO walk down the street where I live, so I feel at home when I go to Russia. ;-)

[Rvrwind]

Funny thing is, bears DO walk down the street where I live, so I feel at home when I go to Russia. ;-)

I was about to say the same thing!!!:D

I lived in the NWT (North West Territories) in Northern Canada, 250 miles north of Churchill, Manitoba right on the shore of Hudsons Bay in a little Hamlet called Eskimo Point for a time. Weren't nothin' to see Polar Bears wandering down the street year around & black & brown bears in the summer month. LOL Somethings ya' just take as a given.

Always had moose, deer & wolves & lots of coyotes wandering down the streets in Tofield. Can't expect any different when we keep encroaching on their habitat.

Couple of years back they had a moose in a fountain in Moscow. Watched them on the news trying to lasso it like the cowboys do. They seriously needed my help cause cowboys they weren't, LOL. Finally got him out of pure luck & at least one hundred practise throws!!! LMAO

RVR-Canadian Cowboy/Agency Owner

[vlxv]

I was driving down the road in a Southern state and a black bear ran across the road in front of me.

If y'all want to know something about Russia and its culture from a different angle, check out a copy of Genevra Gerhart, The Russian's World or The Russian Context.

[tim 360]

Bears?  No problem.  I live in Vermont and we have plenty of bears.  They like food,  any kind very much.  Sushi is Ok.  British Columbia has alot too.  I have seen many hungry bears dumpster-diving at Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia.  Moscow?  Bears?  Sure,  gotta be 1.  Lots of bears on Wall St. lately too.