Very stereotyped, many ppl live a different life, but this is something you could expect to find here

The most general characteristic of Russian way of life seem to be its contradictoriness. Examples are very common: people with higher education maybe less paid than dockers, a drunkard on the street mb better disposed to you than a shop-assistant. The entrance of the block of flats (most of Russians in the cities live there) may look grubby but the flat could impress you with the state of the art paintings by the owner and fab supper by his missus

Vodka is not the clue to every answer ;) Campaign against immoderate drinking of mid-80s is remembered with mixed feelings. Btw vodka is still the most popular alcohol I suppose. Then comes beer (mostly lager :( ). Wine is just the 3rd :( And don’t try ‘samogon’ (home made spirit) without proper approach – most of this is a knockout even for those long-practiced

Avoiding conventions. Especially with close friends, people here are very open at this aspect, doing this mostly to show a good attitude towards one’s collocutor. So try (if u can) not to show distance, this could be considered as disregard

Importance of doing things in a big way – e.g. have a wedding for couple of days with everyone around in a quarter to be informed ;) At the same time - compassion and delicacy

Just a word: pirog (home made pie with filling)
Choise: StPetersburg, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad ;)
Cold winter (esp Feb), hot summer (July)

Ha ha, I do imagine all of Russia to be very cold, with big factories everywhere, and big grey apartment blocks

Shows that you should never believe the movies!

Do Russian people wear the big furry hats? Or is tht another myth?

Hello, Vovakr. It is a pleasure to hear from you. I would love to go to Russia one day but I think I would prefer to visit in the summer.

Those winters sound harsh.

I would like to visit St Petersburg and Moscow.

Originally posted by Sam Miguel


Those winters sound harsh.

I would like to visit St Petersburg and Moscow.

Hello, Sam Miguel!

Very pleased to hear that. Yes, you're right -- winters are rather severe, but not that much really.

And why didn't you list Sergiev Posad?

Anyway, don't forget to ask for pir'og (it's a great thing) when you visit Russia!

I didn't list Sergiev Posad because I don't know it. Is it big, and where is it near?

Oh sorry, didn't I tell this.

SP is 70 km north-east of Moscow,
nice city, rather old one, lots of historic buildings -- churhes, authentic wooden houses, monastery with grand collection of old books, manuscripts, jewelry, not very lively but like an open-air museum (I didn't mean to boast). Centre of Russian orthodox church. A lot of tourists.

What else... I live here.

:)

It sounds really nice and authentic. Is it a big place?

Also, how did you find this forum and what do you know about Sheffield?

I did some search obsessed with English language and culture. Said 'ello in Introductions then.

SP is something about 130 000 (census recently held).

Well it was nice to talk to you. I'd be glad to make DIY Guide more informative but I've only 1500 symbols 4 it. So please ask!

It's fairly big then. It's about four-times smaller than Sheffield but it is one of the largest cities in England.

Hi Vovakr

This is really interesting, it sounds like a beautiful place I 'd love to see the historical buildings. I think I'd like to see Russia during the winter I imagine it would be most striking then.

Thanks and keep posting .........please!

Sally

Originally posted by Sally
Hi Vovakr

This is really interesting, it sounds like a beautiful place I 'd love to see the historical buildings. I think I'd like to see Russia during the winter I imagine it would be most striking then.

Thanks and keep posting .........please!

Sally



Thank you Sally and everyone else having an interest for this thread.

Well I try to be as open with you as possible -- you may have heard about this recent attack in Moscow' underground... I know safety is a very important point to everyone deciding to visit Russia. And we are concerned with it for the same level, and may be even more.
This worries me a lot, how people would consider going to Russia now. But this is something extraordinary leaving us in a mess, as we are not used to things going that way. Thankfully it is not common, bearing in mind all the collisions of current political and economical situation in the world.
And I hope this wouldn not put you off really. Life goes on, but now may be just with more attention on the security aspect. Sorry I may seem rather complicated, but there's things that are hard to say with ease.
Vovakr.

Do you get many tourists in Russia? It's always struck me as being a fascinating, almost mysterious country, and I'd love to know more about it.


What is it that you like so much about British culture?

The underground attack hasnt put me off visiting russia in the future. I (and others hopefully) that russia is a genrally friendly place, as well shown by Vovakr here! :)

Infact id like to go and see the stations, they are quite possibly the most ornate and beautiful underground stations in the world!