I am Russian. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is orthodontia not available in Russia? You all seem to have jacked up teeth.

Why do so many Russian women dye their hair that deep auburn (almost magenta), totally unnatural color?

Why do so many Russian women wear revealing clothing even when it's inappropriate to do so?

I agree with a PP in that the TONE of your questions is insulting, but not the questions themselves. But that's what I am here for - to answer anything you were afraid to ask

Question 1: Orthodontia is much less developed than here, and it is not covered by insurance. Many people don't feel like spending a fortune and lots of time on something like teeth.
Question 2: maybe its henna? it is popular with older women and with less sophisticated young women (I am worldly, trendy and sophisticated of course - I hate it).
Question 3: multiple reasons. First, for a long time women were not supposed to expose their femininity (in the Soviet time), and trendy clothes were a rarity. Second, right now there is a lot of emphasis on women being women and all that stuff, you are supposed to attract men and to marry well. Third, I think its lack of taste and feel of appropriateness in many people.

Oh, honey, you're in the wrong place! We don't do wordly, trendy and sophisticated around here.

relax, I simply forgot to put up my sarcasm sign (Big Bang theory). Have a great day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

and if you put some mustard on it - yummy

You Certainly mean xpeH - Horseradish, rather than mustard. Op, if you have a daughter, what middle name did you give her? Following Russian tradition (father's first name) or following American tradition (a girl's name)? Trying to decide how to name dd.

I usually eat it with mustard... hren is good too, though and probably more frequent addition.
As for the names - we have a son who was born here but at that time we thought we would live in Russia, so we gave him the patronymic. If I knew we would stay in the US for a longer time, I would probably reconsider. And maybe I would have given him the American/British version of his Russian name... I don't know.
My take on this is - if you plan to stay in the US, give her a girl middle name. Especially if your spouse is not Russian.

[Anonymous]

OP, i have noticed that there is a large russian population in rockville. am i just imagining this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

What about Salo? It is pig fat. Just simply pig fat. Not pickled or fried, there's no meat on it and you just eat slabs of it with garlic and bread.


??????????

Ha! Its funny, but Russians consider it to be Ukrainian food

Yup, a Ukrainian here and confirm that salo is the best. Of course it tastes different than stuff you buy here in the supermarket. It's good on a slice of rye bread, with a slice of tomatoe, onion and salt. When I visit Ukraine, I can't get enough of it.

Hi, neighbor! this is OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, i have noticed that there is a large russian population in rockville. am i just imagining this?

I heard that, too. Someone I know wanted to start a business there for this very reason. We don't live there though, so I cannot really tell first hand.

[Anonymous]

What do you consider great vodka? (Brand names please, so I can run out and buy it!)

Also, not sure how to say this in a way that won't be super offensive, but hope it's taken in the spirit of genuine curiosity. I've noticed that a lot of the Russian women (the ones I've met in America anyway) seem to happily throw even their closest girlfriends under a bus if that gal is standing between the Russian woman and a man (especially a wealthy man, but any man will do). There don't seem to be any rules about not dating a friend's boyfriend. Is this standard behavior? If so, why? And what do Russian women value in friendship, to the extent that such a thing is generalizable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you consider great vodka? (Brand names please, so I can run out and buy it!)

Also, not sure how to say this in a way that won't be super offensive, but hope it's taken in the spirit of genuine curiosity. I've noticed that a lot of the Russian women (the ones I've met in America anyway) seem to happily throw even their closest girlfriends under a bus if that gal is standing between the Russian woman and a man (especially a wealthy man, but any man will do). There don't seem to be any rules about not dating a friend's boyfriend. Is this standard behavior? If so, why? And what do Russian women value in friendship, to the extent that such a thing is generalizable?

Oh, I haven't been following vodka trends for quite some time now I heard Grey Goose already mentioned by a PP is good. Some Finnish brands are good (Absolut, not sure if it is sold here). I suspect that vodka manufactured here is different from the "real" Russian one, so if you have a Russian friend, ask him or her to bring good vodka from Russia
On your second question - no worries, I am not offended, we are just having an honest discussion here
I think you may be right about many women. It is considered inappropriate to flirt with someone else's BF or DH, but on the other hand, the demographics in Russia is really bad, many good looking, educated women and not enough men for them (certainly not enough wealthy and educated men), so maybe that's part of it. Also, there's great pressure to marry, and marry well (meaning money mostly). Many Russian women think that there's no such thing as women's friendship. I have a Russian friend who once told me she would never hang out with me if I were single (and I am not hot, I am pretty average looking and have some extra weight). What's more, I think her husband is a real jerk!

[Anonymous]

You mentioned mail order bride forums- I know of a group of women that go on match.com and marry - get legal, sometimes pregnant.. (all from Russia).. I read somewhere that mid 30s is old in Russia and that's why they come here to marry for citizenship and money .. the women I met in particular are very focused on money, not working and are well read and think they are above everyone..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

and if you put some mustard on it - yummy

Herg. Holodets is basically "meat jello", no? If you've got a Polish or German grandmother you've seen this. I have.

I am Polish and my mom still makes this once in a while. My parents eat it with splashes of vinegar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You mentioned mail order bride forums- I know of a group of women that go on match.com and marry - get legal, sometimes pregnant.. (all from Russia).. I read somewhere that mid 30s is old in Russia and that's why they come here to marry for citizenship and money .. the women I met in particular are very focused on money, not working and are well read and think they are above everyone..

No, this is a forum for "Russian fiancees and wives" - not all of them are mail order, but a lot. yes, for a woman in her mid-30s it is a bit difficult to marry someone who has not been married before (most often with kids) and/or is "adequate", i.e. educated, wealthy, sober, etc.
Not all women come for citizenship and money - some want a better future for their kids, some are genuinely in love...but yes, there is a strong stereotype that a man should earn good money...however, a lot of "modern" professional young women are not that focused on money - but they bump into those who try to take advantage of them financially...Russians just can't get it right in so many instances
I am sorry that the most women you met are the way you described...

[Anonymous]

Are most Russians difficult or is it a cultural misunderstanding with Americans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think about the fact that so many Americans adopt Russian orphans?

I think its great! Notwithstanding many scary stories that are, to my mind, exaggerated in terms of being typical (have you heard about many happy families? I haven't, either).
I also think it is a great opportunity for many white Americans to adopt a child of their own race.

I know of probably more than a hundred happy families, including us (twice over). Just wondered what you thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you consider great vodka? (Brand names please, so I can run out and buy it!)

Also, not sure how to say this in a way that won't be super offensive, but hope it's taken in the spirit of genuine curiosity. I've noticed that a lot of the Russian women (the ones I've met in America anyway) seem to happily throw even their closest girlfriends under a bus if that gal is standing between the Russian woman and a man (especially a wealthy man, but any man will do). There don't seem to be any rules about not dating a friend's boyfriend. Is this standard behavior? If so, why? And what do Russian women value in friendship, to the extent that such a thing is generalizable?

Oh, I haven't been following vodka trends for quite some time now I heard Grey Goose already mentioned by a PP is good. Some Finnish brands are good (Absolut, not sure if it is sold here). I suspect that vodka manufactured here is different from the "real" Russian one, so if you have a Russian friend, ask him or her to bring good vodka from Russia
On your second question - no worries, I am not offended, we are just having an honest discussion here
I think you may be right about many women. It is considered inappropriate to flirt with someone else's BF or DH, but on the other hand, the demographics in Russia is really bad, many good looking, educated women and not enough men for them (certainly not enough wealthy and educated men), so maybe that's part of it. Also, there's great pressure to marry, and marry well (meaning money mostly). Many Russian women think that there's no such thing as women's friendship. I have a Russian friend who once told me she would never hang out with me if I were single (and I am not hot, I am pretty average looking and have some extra weight). What's more, I think her husband is a real jerk!

Whew! Thanks for not being offended about the friendship question. Your answers make me a little sad though. But it sounds like there's a reason - demographics. Probably guys in China feel the same way given the demographics there too! As for vodka, I am already a fan of Grey Goose and Absolut but I would love to taste real Russian vodka, in Russia. Some day!

[Anonymous]

Why do you all always back the evilest regimes? Aasad

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that Russians frequently mention their mothers but not their dads. It seems like the dad is often either a drunk, dead, has left, or is some combination thereof. Is this true, and if so, is it changing with the younger generation? I know Russia lost an unholy amount of men in WWII, so I wonder if that is a factor in the whole thing. It seems like Russia has long been operated by women, at least in the trenches. I hope my question does not sound rude, that is not my intention.

On another note, do you like Plevin? I find his stuff is pretty interesting.