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Klamm · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:33 pm Post subject: Are skinheads a real problem?

Webmaster:

Im southamerican, I live in Santiago, Chile. I speak spanish, english and some words of basic russian. I want to visit Russia soon. I have seen news about russian skinheads attacking black haired people just because they dont like them and because they think dark haired are caucasians.

Of course as a southamerican descending from spaniards. I am dark haired, browned eyes, but I am not black. Is it possible for me to be taken as a caucasian despite my language, my passport and my tourist visa?...am I in a real danger in St Petersburg and Moscow?. Are skinheads a real danger and a real problem for foreign visitors? or it is just a problem inflated by the media?

asyoka · Just Starting Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1

Skinheads are a real problem in Russia. There is a total of about 50,000 skinheads in Russia (and that's a rough estimate), and the number is growing at a fast pace.
Basically whoever has dark hair, or a long nose, or dark skin, or narrow eyes, will be a target for skinheads. It is a growing problem, and is definitely not inflated by the media. In fact, things are much worse in reality than is portrayed in the media, if you look at how many people have suffered and died.
Being South American, you might not be in that much danger (depends on certain features of your face), but still, be very careful and don't walk out in empty streets, especially when it gets dark.

uday · WayToRussified Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 323

When I was over there, I never seen one skinhead. Poland, now that's a different story...

bryanboy · Lounge Lizard Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 90

Hi!

I'm in Moscow right now and I'm flying back to the Philippines tomorrow -- I'm definitely coming back.

Anyway, I spent 1 week in Moscow, 1 week in St. petersburg and 1 week in Moscow again and I had a fantastic time.

To be honest, I haven't really been to a lot of places in both cities because I have spent almost all of my time clubbing at night, going to restaurants and bars and to my russian friend's homes.... I've only been to Hermitage, Pushkin Palace, Red Square and that's about it. I haven't even been inside the Kremlin!!! It's sad really but I'll definitely come back again, perhaps in February, and stay for like 1 or 2 months to fully "appreciate" it.

But yeah, I saw 2 skinheads the whole time I was here. One in the metro and another one in Starry Arbat. But they didn't do anything to me.

I think the best way to avoid them is NOT to take the metro. there's a lot of scary looking people in the metro... like gopnyiki etc. I only went to the metro once, with several russian friends... and to starry arbat just to buy souveneirs.

*ALWAYS* take a car whenever you go to places or be with people to "feel" safe.

The only thing I didn't like is when I go to restaurants or bars etc and literally EVERYONE in the room stare at me... but not in a bad way... perhaps in a "curious" way. It's actually kind of fun.

But yes... I think you can walk around the main streets alone at night... like Tverskaya. I have and I think it's safe.

Just avoid going to places where people wear sports clothes (gopnyiki) and stay at "elitny" places and you'll have a blast.

bryanboy · Lounge Lizard Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 90

By the way, I am filipino, with black hair, dark eyes, tanned skin, you know the drill. You CANNOT get any more "ethnic" than me. LOL

hoops · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:49 pm Post subject:

do you guys really think people get killed right in the streets in russia? Rolling Eyes

there is no much skinnheads now. there were bunches of them in 1999-2001.
see, there was not much ideology of skinnheads in them, they were just kids from poor families
with nothing to do but hanging out in metro drinking beer and fighting others,
who look like they gonna give their money away.
those were not real skinnheads, but just a bunch of pimpled pricks.
now they all requalified to football hooligans (im serious).
so feel free to go wherever you want. some of those skinbutts still remain
in the suburbs, where you obviously ain't gonna go because there's absolutely nothing to do for a foreigner. There are some punks in center, especially on Teatralnaya Square, but they are quite peaceful. They might ask for a couple of rubles for beer, but they are good if you just like 'no guys, im empty'.
forget about all the crappy skinheads, hairylegs and other scary things when you're in center. try dont look like a babyboy that is ready to get into a trouble,
enjoy... Wink

but avoiding metro may be a good idea. it's way TOO crowded in winter.
thats exactly a place where you can find the type of non-smiling
drunk russians in ear-flapped caps, long overcoats and all the stuff.
they are becoming extinct, so if you wanna get some real stereotypes of russians you better hurry up.
good luck

rms · Just Starting Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

bryanboy,

Thanks for your post. I'm also Asian and have been thinking of visiting Russia (intersted in Russian literature & Culture). Did you meet any Russian university students (i.e. your friends homes) and if so how friendly were they to asians? Also, did you ever go to a pub/bar without any Russians? Interested in your experiences.

rgds,
rms

Vic · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:53 am Post subject:

I would be more afraid of those "Tolkiens" (The fans of Lord of the Rings that get together with wooden swords and wooden shields and meet up in the park near Metro Oktyabrskaya and have "battles") Last week I was in the metro when about 10 of those guys walked in to the car. They are harmless but I just didn't feel comfortable Laughing

Vic

brandalpayne11 · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:06 am Post subject:

i have a shaved head, and i find that if i put aftershave on it after i shave it there is no problem Cool

gonethesun · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:56 am Post subject:

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599

errrrr... actually the guys who do make fun of my race are not Russians, but the Caucaus guys.

And Gul, what are you doing here if you have nothing positive or USEFUL to contribute to a Russian travel site??

snoof777 · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 57

the only racism problems i have had in russia were with the guys from the caucus' thinkin that i am russian, and wanting to start a fight with me ( did, actually )

my gf is asian (rusian-asian, buratyian) and she hasnt had ANY problems, and when we are together we never had problems.

nice postings with the news links, but i happen to think that moscow is one of if not the safest city that i have ever lived in.

sure, bad things happen, but dont forget, that according to a popular journalism quote, its not important if a jet lands at jfk, only if it doesnt.

Keoki · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: Well

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599

Not only is he talking out of his ass, he a very racist person talking out of his ass.

Keoki · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject:

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