I am Russian. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My stupid Mac won't post in Russian. OP, I was trying to type Spla-ceeba (thank you). Russian always sounds like Klingon to me. I think the inventors of Klingon probably intended that.

Ne za shto - you are welcome
I am not a big fan of Star Trek but I think there were some allusions to the US-USSR tensions in the original, 1960s series, but Klingon as a language was not invented until the later, 1990s series, no? So I am not sure about intensions...maybe subconsciously

For a non-fan you know your stuff. I'm a fan--but I just realized that I don't remember hearing them actually speak klingon until the 90's series. You're good.

[Anonymous]

Must you all always back the evilest regimes?
Assad, really?

And why the hate on the Chechnyians? And was there am operation Fatima? How do you fell about it?

[Anonymous]

What do you think of Putin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Good g-d almighty. I'm pretty sure there aren't enough Tic Tacs or tubes of toothpaste in the world to cover that! I guess if everyone is eating it, it's harder to smell it.

[Anonymous]

Feel, sorry.

[Anonymous]

The Klingons are really the Black Russians of the galaxy. And I guess the Black Russians are the ones with Tartar ancestry.
Ok, I'll just beam my nerdy butt out.

[Anonymous]

Do you get annoyed by stupid questions, like why do the Russians support Assad? Especially when it comes from people whose government has a long history of supporting evil regimes?

[Anonymous]

The Assad thing really is beyond the pale. HA! Wasn't the original Pale that things were beyond somewhere in the old Soviet Union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Assad thing really is beyond the pale. HA! Wasn't the original Pale that things were beyond somewhere in the old Soviet Union?

It certainly is disgusting, but history is full of civilian massacres by western-backed governments as well. In the end, governments put their own interests first regardless of moral issues.

Wikipedia says:

The Pale, a demarcation line in Ireland while under English dominion; a usage associated with the phrase "beyond the pale", meaning unacceptable behaviour.

[Anonymous]

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

I don't know, I guess it depends on how you define difficult..for me, some Americans are very difficult (usually older folks who are republicans and live in small towns), not sure how much of it is cultural in the strict sense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was sure there were plenty out there! I meant they aren't much publicized, unlike the unhappy ones. I am sorry if I offended you, did not mean to. I think you did a great thing! Unfortunately orphanage children have zero chance to succeed and be happy in Russia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was sure there were plenty out there! I meant they aren't much publicized, unlike the unhappy ones. I am sorry if I offended you, did not mean to. I think you did a great thing! Unfortunately orphanage children have zero chance to succeed and be happy in Russia

Do many of the children have fetal alcohol syndrome? Is there discrimination against Asian babies in Russia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Don't be sad , not all Russian women are like that..but most good ones stay in Russia and marry early
On another note - I see you are a real vodka connoisseur

[Anonymous]

Do Russians have trouble with other races? Someone once told me that E. Europeans are the most racist white people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you all always back the evilest regimes? Aasad

I think all governments support evil regimes at some point in their history (I mean, all countries, rather). Unless they are small and not capable of supporting anyone I think its all politics, these are the rules. I am not proud of some of my country's past and present.