Way to Russia Talk Lounge

gonethesun

After being a bit frustrated with reading some topics in this forum, I felt compelled to write a little something. I will call this my advice to all these people who are curious to visit Russia, but haven't yet travelled there.

Go see Russia for yourself. I highly recommend it. Make friends with some Russians and look at your world through their eyes. Learn some Russian language and Russian history.

As for these topics of fear that I keep reading about ... I am sort of embarassed at how westerners ask such questions. Some bad things do happen in Russia and there can be some racist people ... but I think that is not the common everyday occurence in the lives of Russians. The same is true here in the US also.

Consider the news stories about the US and Japanese students who were attacked or shot ... and how the Japanese might view the US because of these real and horrible things that happened. Have you ever seen a Japanese student shot? Neither have I. I've never seen anyone robbed here in the US either, but I know it happens.

Meanwhile, I feel the constant asking of these questions regarding Russia just makes native Russians feel defensive .. and also gives them the impression that many westerners are sort of foolish.

I believe that Russia is a very interesting place. It has some problems and a complicated future ... but I also think it has tremendous opportunity for its people. As a nation, it has sort of an edge to it ... plus to westerners it seems a bit mysterious. But the only way for you to learn and form your own impressions ... is to go there yourself.

mr. barley · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:57 am Post subject:

Well said. I spent a total of a months time there in the last year and we had no problems. Although some of the Russians we knew in Moscow were concerned with us walking around alone at night. Just don't put yourself in stupid positions and you'll be fine.

sourabh · Just Starting Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 8

yes, well said indeed....

each country has its problems and there are certain aspects of all countries that are not very flatering...however thsi shoudl not deter anyone who truly wants to explore new cutures. the media is sometimes biased in its representation and am not saying western media or far -eastern media , but just media in general. so the best way of finding the truth is trusting your own judgement and the best way of doign that is to travel to Russia and explore the truths and the myths

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599

brilliant. I'm stickying this for the meantime.

Rick · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:19 pm Post subject:

nice statement gonethesun,
Let's hope it will reduce this endless repetition of 'skinhead/racism/danger' threads we've been bored with recently. If the panicking guys would have just stuck to one thread, it would still have been bearable..

gonethesun · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

Rick · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that's why i'm happy too mediashark made your piece a sticky.

I wouldn't call the average 'skinhead' thread as we saw them here a discussion on social issues though. Merely the paranoia of very badly informed people. Keeping your story at the top like this for a while might help people to focus on real issues or (especially) real travel questions again..

chandra · Just Starting Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 9

rina · Just Starting Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 4 Location: UK

Thanks for the advice. The only reason the question was posed in the first place was because all guide books (rough guide to lonely planet) have mentioned the difficulties asian travellers have had with locals, and also the police. The British embassey website also have a warning alert, and it has been announced that Putin, concerned at the level of attacks on tourists, is now installing panick buttons along St Petersburg shopping streets. Given all this, I don't think there is any reason to feel embarrassment at posing such a question. After all, only a fool would embark on a journey without first taking advice from all around.

I guess from your mail that they (guide book writers, russian government etc) must all be over-reacting then. Thanks very much for taking the time to write, your level headed views were much appreciated.

xxatti · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

You know, Im not sure what to make of this thread. We all know that things can get blown out of proportion, but there's no doubt that these racial attacks do occur. I find it interesting that the starter of this thread appears to be white himself. What you say may very well be true, but where are all the minorities and people of color who have been to Russia that are willing to back up your statements? They certainly havent made themselves known on this thread. The experiences of any white people in Russia may be entirely different than what an Asian or African might experience. Therefore, the views on this thread really dont hold a lot of weight IMO, because they are largely comming from people on the other side of the fence looking in.

Rustranslator · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject:

I would say racism and xenophobia have rather similar roots, so people who have talked about it in this thread had the right to be saying what they said. Respect from a Russian! In Russia this problem does exist, but just like everywhere else.

Hasiem · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 5:02 am Post subject:

to xxatti,
I have been to Russia on three different occasions, to no less than ten different cities, and I must tell you, that the most common question I have been asked by the Russian people is, Why do Americans treat black people so badly? Everytime I just stand there and have on Idea what to say ! I usually reply, I have no idea, because I dont treat them any different than any other race of people! But just being asked that question, and too see the look on the face of the person asking it, you immediately understand they are really wanting to know why one race would be treated differently than another! I am not saying that all Russian people can not understand why there is racism in America, but I do find it refreshing that there are in this world, a lot of people with no concept of why one race would treat another race badly!
The first trip I made to St Petersburg, I was walking with a lady down the street, and suddenly I realized that I had not seen any black people, so I asked her, Why is there no black people in St Pete, she thought for a moment and said, I dont know, perhaps because we didnt bring them here from africa to do our work for us! In other words, she was saying that they are not so lazy as American's! She said this without even a hint of a smile, so I know it wasnt a joke to her, she really thinks that Americans only think of blacks as slaves! It opened my eyes a bit as to the way some other people think about the way our country is perceived!

xxatti · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

wiccagirl · Just Starting Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 1

vitalsigns, you make russia sound like the devil's lair. im sure it's not that bad! Smile