I am Russian. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a brand name whore?

no, a generic one

I like you.

thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What Russian food do you think would be the most unpalatable to an American? Be brutally honest.

Never thought of this actually... Maybe "rassolnik"? the soup which has meat broth, pearl barley, potatoes, carrots, onions, and - ugh - pickles? I hate it

[Anonymous]

Why do Russian accents sound so harsh and guttural? Kind of. . monotone? (?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do Russian accents sound so harsh and guttural? Kind of. . monotone? (?)

I was wondering that, too (I don't have much of an accent so don't mind discussing it )
I think it's two things. First, the Russian phonetics makes it more difficult to acquire the English phonetics (than, say, for Scandinavians or other Europeans). Second, ESL studies in Russia were extremely poor at the high school level (we are not talking college level) up until recently. Now the situation has improved, and I would expect more advanced English speakers and less heavy accents pretty soon...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What part of Russia? Why do the Russians hate the Georgians? Is there a status associated with certain last names in Russian society? How prevalent is spying on other's activities within Russian culture? Sorry, but I have many questions.

No problem, happy to answer
I am originally from Central Russia (a mid-size town), but worked and lived in Moscow for over 5 years. Russians don't hate the Georgians, its all politics. Many Russians are somewhat prejudiced towards all ethnicities from the Caucasus, but those don't really distinguish between Georgians and, say, Armenians or Azerbaijani.
I am not sure I understand that last name status question - I have never thought of last names this way. People don't really care much about last names.
As for spying - this was something that was actively "marketed" in the Soviet era, but there was so much resistance that right now there is a strong tendency to mind one's own business, especially with the younger generation. There are older "babushkas" who know everything and everyone in their apartment complex, but as new housing projects are being built and populated by younger people, this also becomes less common. Also, it is considered a very bad thing to do to report someone for minor offenses like I don't know, walking on the grass or not cleaning dog poop?

Thanks for your answer! I ask about the last name thing because we are quite close with our russian contractor and once we had a house guest who presented himself as Georgian. He was the sweetest young man but INCREDIBLY ANXIOUS. Like trembling like a bunny while he ate dinner. Well, his last name had a certain kind of ending (I can't remember now, this was 10 years ago!) but after he left, I mentioned his last name to our contractor and he practically spat at me in a rage and bellowed "VY, EETS NOT EVEN A GEORGIAN NAME! HE LIES!" Ok. Boris can be dramatic, but he implied that the guy was Chechen, and it seemed to push him (Boris) into a spittle flecked rage. Wow. Ethnic hatred seems to run very deep with russians. Is it a hatred of darker, muslim people in general (including frothing hatred of anyone asian)? How do you then process the fact that Pushkin, arguably Russia's greatest writer was of black african AND white russian descent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What Russian food do you think would be the most unpalatable to an American? Be brutally honest.

Never thought of this actually... Maybe "rassolnik"? the soup which has meat broth, pearl barley, potatoes, carrots, onions, and - ugh - pickles? I hate it

Oh come on . There must be something more pagan than that. I'm talking about what villagers eat at a rustic feast. Tell us. Something akin to the Scots with their heinous tripe.

[Anonymous]

Favorite Russian author? Favorite Russian book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What Russian food do you think would be the most unpalatable to an American? Be brutally honest.

Never thought of this actually... Maybe "rassolnik"? the soup which has meat broth, pearl barley, potatoes, carrots, onions, and - ugh - pickles? I hate it

Oh come on . There must be something more pagan than that. I'm talking about what villagers eat at a rustic feast. Tell us. Something akin to the Scots with their heinous tripe.

I am at a loss! I must be too refined
Cow tongue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Favorite Russian author? Favorite Russian book?

Don't have a specific favorite author, but I like Moscow Saga by Vassily Aksenov

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What part of Russia? Why do the Russians hate the Georgians? Is there a status associated with certain last names in Russian society? How prevalent is spying on other's activities within Russian culture? Sorry, but I have many questions.

No problem, happy to answer
I am originally from Central Russia (a mid-size town), but worked and lived in Moscow for over 5 years. Russians don't hate the Georgians, its all politics. Many Russians are somewhat prejudiced towards all ethnicities from the Caucasus, but those don't really distinguish between Georgians and, say, Armenians or Azerbaijani.
I am not sure I understand that last name status question - I have never thought of last names this way. People don't really care much about last names.
As for spying - this was something that was actively "marketed" in the Soviet era, but there was so much resistance that right now there is a strong tendency to mind one's own business, especially with the younger generation. There are older "babushkas" who know everything and everyone in their apartment complex, but as new housing projects are being built and populated by younger people, this also becomes less common. Also, it is considered a very bad thing to do to report someone for minor offenses like I don't know, walking on the grass or not cleaning dog poop?

Thanks for your answer! I ask about the last name thing because we are quite close with our russian contractor and once we had a house guest who presented himself as Georgian. He was the sweetest young man but INCREDIBLY ANXIOUS. Like trembling like a bunny while he ate dinner. Well, his last name had a certain kind of ending (I can't remember now, this was 10 years ago!) but after he left, I mentioned his last name to our contractor and he practically spat at me in a rage and bellowed "VY, EETS NOT EVEN A GEORGIAN NAME! HE LIES!" Ok. Boris can be dramatic, but he implied that the guy was Chechen, and it seemed to push him (Boris) into a spittle flecked rage. Wow. Ethnic hatred seems to run very deep with russians. Is it a hatred of darker, muslim people in general (including frothing hatred of anyone asian)? How do you then process the fact that Pushkin, arguably Russia's greatest writer was of black african AND white russian descent?

This answer requires thought and typing, brb.

[Anonymous]

Do you know any mail order brides? Is this common?

How do you feel about vodka?

What's your favorite Russian dish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What Russian food do you think would be the most unpalatable to an American? Be brutally honest.

Never thought of this actually... Maybe "rassolnik"? the soup which has meat broth, pearl barley, potatoes, carrots, onions, and - ugh - pickles? I hate it

Oh come on . There must be something more pagan than that. I'm talking about what villagers eat at a rustic feast. Tell us. Something akin to the Scots with their heinous tripe.

I'm not OP, but I know a food like that - kholodets. It is cold jellied meat dish, usually made by boiling pig's head and feet. If you can get over the jiggling and some crunchy bits it is actually not that bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What part of Russia? Why do the Russians hate the Georgians? Is there a status associated with certain last names in Russian society? How prevalent is spying on other's activities within Russian culture? Sorry, but I have many questions.

No problem, happy to answer
I am originally from Central Russia (a mid-size town), but worked and lived in Moscow for over 5 years. Russians don't hate the Georgians, its all politics. Many Russians are somewhat prejudiced towards all ethnicities from the Caucasus, but those don't really distinguish between Georgians and, say, Armenians or Azerbaijani.
I am not sure I understand that last name status question - I have never thought of last names this way. People don't really care much about last names.
As for spying - this was something that was actively "marketed" in the Soviet era, but there was so much resistance that right now there is a strong tendency to mind one's own business, especially with the younger generation. There are older "babushkas" who know everything and everyone in their apartment complex, but as new housing projects are being built and populated by younger people, this also becomes less common. Also, it is considered a very bad thing to do to report someone for minor offenses like I don't know, walking on the grass or not cleaning dog poop?

Thanks for your answer! I ask about the last name thing because we are quite close with our russian contractor and once we had a house guest who presented himself as Georgian. He was the sweetest young man but INCREDIBLY ANXIOUS. Like trembling like a bunny while he ate dinner. Well, his last name had a certain kind of ending (I can't remember now, this was 10 years ago!) but after he left, I mentioned his last name to our contractor and he practically spat at me in a rage and bellowed "VY, EETS NOT EVEN A GEORGIAN NAME! HE LIES!" Ok. Boris can be dramatic, but he implied that the guy was Chechen, and it seemed to push him (Boris) into a spittle flecked rage. Wow. Ethnic hatred seems to run very deep with russians. Is it a hatred of darker, muslim people in general (including frothing hatred of anyone asian)? How do you then process the fact that Pushkin, arguably Russia's greatest writer was of black african AND white russian descent?

Oh, I get it now!
First, why the Georgian (or Chechen?) guy was trembling - I don't know... this is strange. Is there a chance he was trembling with rage?
Second, there is A LOT of hatred for Chechen people (because of two Chechen wars, terrorism on their part, and because of some politics unfortunately). Russians are most infuriated when the West sees Chechens as noble but oppressed fighters for their independence, and the Russians as oppressors. Russian government tends to paint the opposite picture, portraying Chechens as ungrateful, wild, and extremely dangerous terrorists. This is exacerbated by the fact that lots of money is being poured into Chechnya and of course there is a lot of corruption and jealousy on the part of other, no less needy, Russian regions. So you can see its a hot mess!
BTW, I would advise you not to be afraid to ask your contractor "impolite" questions - Russians are generally more straightforward in their opinions and are not offended by straightforward questions.

Now to the ethnic hate. Most Russians don't think anything of muslims in general or asians in general (except some kind of extremists); are apprehensive of those from the Caucasus (and don't like them); are prejudiced towards people from -stans (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan etc).
I must say that many people from the Caucasus who come to Central Russia are not the best people of their nations, so they do create a bad impression pretty often. Chechens in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you know any mail order brides? Is this common?

How do you feel about vodka?

What's your favorite Russian dish?

Brides - I don't know any in person, but I frequent a forum where many are, it s an interesting read I think it is less common now that the economic situation has improved and there is less fashion for all things foreign.
I used to drink vodka when I was younger Good vodka is great, but there's nothing worse than bad vodka. Also, Russians drink it in gulps, not sips.
As for the dish - I really don't know, I like many things...

[Anonymous]

Why is Russia's abortion rate the highest in the world?