What are Russians really like?

Franz Von Peppercorn II · 01-07-2019 10:00PM

Gimme A Pound wrote: »

Why would they probably wonder that? And they're one person, not the Irish.

But I agree, while there seems to be a macho culture prevalent in Russian society, there's bound to be much nuance among the millions and millions of individuals.

Every time on these threads though, there'll always be at least one person who says "Don't generalise", then go on to say sh1t things about Irish people... because THAT generalising is ok.

Yeah I don’t like that.

I wonder about the questions about Russia though. There’s definitely a tinge of Russophobia about.

Always Tired · 01-07-2019 10:01PM

Only really knew one, had a Russian manager in my last job. He was the nastiest little pr!ck ever, and I've worked with some pieces of work.

But I wouldn't judge them all based on him, of course. Eastern European men though I find are unfriendly a lot more often then people from other parts of the world. Though in fairness I'd say things are not easy where they come from, and some of them just need to get to know you before they will take off their mask of a permanent scowl.

Franz Von Peppercorn II · 01-07-2019 10:02PM

mikemac2 wrote: »

I knew someone from Ukraine who got mighty insulted if you called them Ukrainian. No they were Russian

Maybe like a nationalist from Derry I suppose *shrug*

Exactly like that. I knew a Russian from Latvia, the same. Wasn’t Latvian at all. To be fair Russians are treated badly there.

pyramuid man · 01-07-2019 10:04PM

Sonny noggs wrote: »

Sergey Sirotkin wasn’t that fast, even if he was driving a crap Williams.

I thanked you for the F1 reference, but Sergey has some serious skill. That Williams was a dog tho.

DellyBelly · 01-07-2019 10:07PM

They love their children apparently

ILoveYourVibes · 01-07-2019 10:07PM

Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »

Exactly like that. I knew a Russian from Latvia, the same. Wasn’t Latvian at all. To be fair Russians are treated badly there.

I went to school with a Russian girl from Latvia.

I didn't have any friends

and when she saw I was alone she asked to sit behind me ...she said it was incase i didn't want to be bothered but so i wasn't alone!

:pac:

I said sit beside me and we became friends!

I also went to college with a latvian guy ...from wait for it...Lativa ...very precise about being latvian NOT russian etc.

He was a feminist. (it was a philosophy degree though!).

I've also worked with estonian people polish people etc. Estonians are WILD!

ILoveYourVibes · 01-07-2019 10:08PM

DellyBelly wrote: »

They love their children apparently

They bring them out at night to restaurants etc even late.

n97 mini · 01-07-2019 10:09PM

Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »

Exactly like that. I knew a Russian from Latvia, the same. Wasn’t Latvian at all. To be fair Russians are treated badly there.

With the free movement of people in the Soviet Union a lot of Russians moved to other countries. Laterally it caused issues, as some of those countries looked more to the west. Probably the best example is Transnistria, a sliver of Moldova that is sort of autonomous and has a large Russian population.

Blaizes · 01-07-2019 10:09PM

Taught a young chess champion from Moscow he had also won a young pianist competition, he was gifted from a wealthy family but ever so nice, a little gentleman. I know one Russian in Ireland, nice very quiet seems like a refined person. Guess we can’t generalize as look at the size of the place, the culture does seem macho though but again we have to look at history. Another stereotype is how they can down the vodka. Read somewhere that Moscow had more millionaires per square kilometer than any other city, that was a while back though. Would love to visit there.

tayto lover · 01-07-2019 10:10PM

Sonny noggs wrote: »

I have worked with a few Russians over the years, one had a weird leather hat. He left it in bathroom once to dry after it got wet in the rain. This was probably 18 years or more ago. But it might as well have been yesterday.

Is it still wet?

TheValeyard · 01-07-2019 10:10PM

The Tesla Coil was an awesome defence weapon in Red Alert.

ILoveYourVibes · 01-07-2019 10:11PM

Blaizes wrote: »

Taught a young chess champion from Moscow he had also won a young pianist competition, he was gifted from a wealthy family but ever so nice, a little gentleman. I know one Russian in Ireland, nice very quiet seems like a refined person. Guess we can’t generalize as look at the size of the place, the culture does seem macho though but again we have to look at history. Another stereotype is how they can down the vodka. Read somewhere that Moscow had more millionaires per square kilometer than any other city, that was a while back though. Would love to visit there.

Its very cultured. Lots of theaters, opera houses, ballet jazz, modern art, clubs etc.

There is a reading culture there too.

Gimme A Pound · 01-07-2019 10:12PM

DellyBelly wrote: »

They love their children apparently

I hope they do.

We share the same biology, regardless of ideology.

spurious · 01-07-2019 10:14PM

Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »

Exactly like that. I knew a Russian from Latvia, the same. Wasn’t Latvian at all. To be fair Russians are treated badly there.

I think the Russians remind the Latvians that they backed the wrong horse in the last war. Amazing how Independent Latvia gets away (within the EU) with how they treat some of their people (even if they like to call them aliens).

My partner is Russian born in the old Latvian SSR, voted for independence and then got stiffed by the Latvians by not being given citizenship of the new Latvia. She has since got Irish citizenship, so no more Stateless/Refugee category on Ryanair.

Once thing I have noticed about many Russian women is, they speak to other women in a normal tone of voice, but when a man enters the conversation their voices change to this really annoying high pitched almost aggressive tone. It's very odd.

ILoveYourVibes · 01-07-2019 10:17PM

spurious wrote: »

I think the Russians remind the Latvians that they backed the wrong horse in the last war. Amazing how Independent Latvia gets away (within the EU) with how they treat some of their people (even if they like to call them aliens).

My partner is Russian born in the old Latvian SSR, voted for independence and then got stiffed by the Latvians by not being given citizenship of the new Latvia. She has since got Irish citizenship, so no more Stateless/Refugee category on Ryanair.

Once thing I have noticed about many Russian women is, they speak to other women in a normal tone of voice, but when a man enters the conversation their voices change to this really annoying high pitched almost aggressive tone. It's very odd.

:eek:
None my friends do that!

01-07-2019 10:49PM

In mother Russia, biggest cause of death is death on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uBFwqI4TlM

being honest I don't really know any Russians but have come across them in various tourist situations.

wouldn't really have a sense of queuing, self-awareness or a good rudeness filter in some tourist situations that I've seen.

some of the women have fantastic bodies it has to be said but I know a guy that married one pretty quickly and she now lives in what was his house in London with her mother and he doesn't see a lot of his child.

Elemonator · 01-07-2019 11:07PM

I don't think you can generalise on any nationality. There is a lot of hate for Iranians online for example but every single one I ever met had the best sense of humour!

Fritzbox · 01-07-2019 11:15PM

spurious wrote: »

I think the Russians remind the Latvians that they backed the wrong horse in the last war. Amazing how Independent Latvia gets away (within the EU) with how they treat some of their people (even if they like to call them aliens).

My partner is Russian born in the old Latvian SSR, voted for independence and then got stiffed by the Latvians by not being given citizenship of the new Latvia. She has since got Irish citizenship, so no more Stateless/Refugee category on Ryanair.

Once thing I have noticed about many Russian women is, they speak to other women in a normal tone of voice, but when a man enters the conversation their voices change to this really annoying high pitched almost aggressive tone. It's very odd.

How can you say Latvia backed the wrong horse during the war - the country remained neutral until it was occupied by the USSR in 1940. If there was any country which backed the wrong horse it was the Soviet Union - Nazi Germany's main ally right up to the 22nd of June 1941...

Wibbs · 01-07-2019 11:23PM

Elemonator wrote: »

I don't think you can generalise on any nationality. There is a lot of hate for Iranians online for example but every single one I ever met had the best sense of humour!

+1 E. I've yet to meet an Iranian I didn't like. Ditto for Zimbabweans. Of Russians, I've known a fair few and know a couple still. Generally a more traditional conservative people, particularly in gender ideas(though have way more women CEO's and biz owners than most places in the west). Very family orientated. Stoic and can appear cold if they don't know you, but if they do; different ballgame. Very supportive and genuine. Prone to sentimentality, which goes agin the stoic perception. I generally like them I have to say.

Blaizes · 01-07-2019 11:33PM

Wibbs wrote: »

+1 E. I've yet to meet an Iranian I didn't like. Ditto for Zimbabweans. Of Russians, I've known a fair few and know a couple still. Generally a more traditional conservative people, particularly in gender ideas(though have way more women CEO's and biz owners than most places in the west). Very family orientated. Stoic and can appear cold if they don't know you, but if they do; different ballgame. Very supportive and genuine. Prone to sentimentality, which goes agin the stoic perception. I generally like them I have to say.

I’m being reminded of Dr Zhivago now!

Bobblehats · 01-07-2019 11:33PM

Elemonator wrote: »

I don't think you can generalise on any nationality. There is a lot of hate for Iranians online for example but every single one I ever met had the best sense of humour!

Yeah I’ve no bones with uncle mohammed. My Aunt only seems to date Iranians, in fact her latest shares the same name funny that

RhubarbCrumble · 01-07-2019 11:37PM

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Great bunch of lads.

No, no. That's the Chinese you're thinking of. Great bunch of lads, the Chinese.

Bobblehats · 01-07-2019 11:39PM

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

No, no. That's the Chinese you're thinking of. Great bunch of lads, the Chinese.

Great vast bunch of lads

ToxicPaddy · 01-07-2019 11:42PM

I know 3 of them well enough to judge.

One is very nice genuine and a seriously intelligent down to earth guy. Always easy to chat to and great to have a pint with.

One Russian girl I know has been living in Ireland a good few years, came from a fairly poor family but worked hard and has a good education and career now. Comes across as a bit full of herself if you don't know her at first but is actually very nice.

The third one I know is a complete a*shole. Arrogant, rude, goes out of his way to annoy people and thinks he's intelligent and clever, he's not.

The remaining ones I've come across are a mixed bunch from fairly sound to batsh*t crazy.

02-07-2019 12:18AM

Elemonator wrote: »

I don't think you can generalise on any nationality. There is a lot of hate for Iranians online for example but every single one I ever met had the best sense of humour!

Iranians are cool in my experience. Usually pretty intellectual/ intelligent I have found.

Strazdas · 02-07-2019 12:31AM

A Russian girl told me a few years back that they marry very young, usually with their first serious bf/gf and most girls are married by the age of 25.

If you meet a Russian person who is single in their late 30s or older, they're quite likely to be divorced and to have children.

ChikiChiki · 02-07-2019 01:39AM

Alright bunch of lads. Seriously they are.... wouldn't believe the slanty narratives on tv. My neighbours are Russian, very nice people by all accounts.

Hobosan · 02-07-2019 02:18AM

Russia borders North Korea. Imagine that!

Central Russia is inhabited by people's more akin to what you'd expect is a Mongolian.

But when we say 'Russian', it's obvious what's implied.

Wibbs · 02-07-2019 08:24AM

Hobosan wrote: »

Russia borders North Korea. Imagine that!

Central Russia is inhabited by people's more akin to what you'd expect is a Mongolian.

But when we say 'Russian', it's obvious what's implied.

So? Nearly 90% of Russians are of indoeuropean heritage.

BrokenArrows · 02-07-2019 09:05AM

I've been to Moscow loads of times and married to a Russian.

"Russians" can be broken up into distinct categories.

1. Pre war. Older generation, tend to be pissed off with the world, hold onto the anger.

2. Post war. Communist raised, older generation. Very similar to 1, but rather than anger, it's a fear that the government can take everything away at any point, because they have already experienced this.

3. Country people. Take 1 & 2 but make it worse.

4. Those less than 35 years old in major cities. Grew up with a solid connection to the rest of the world. Mostly all speak English to a good standard. Very pleasant and happy to be around.

In general Russians are also very honest with their feelings and opinions. If you're being an asshole or they don't like you they will let you know. If they are angry, sad etc they won't hide it. This conflicts with a lot of cultures where people are nice to other people in person but then talk **** behind their backs. Russians will talk **** to your face.

Russia has taken a turn for the worst in recent years. The currency crashed, sanctions. Everyone seems a little more pissed off and depressed.

Taken into all of the above I'd happily move to Moscow. I think we probably will within the next 5 years.

What are Russians really like?

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