Hey, just want to say Thank You for posting this series, it's really nice to see a Russians view of Russia and also to see someone being a bit patriotic and spreading their love for their country. I'm really enjoying these posts so far and think Russia and the UK have quite a lot in common -- both beautiful countries filled with smart, funny and interesting peoples, and I look forward to seeing more! :)
You're welcome! Feel free to stick around - and give ideas on the topics: I'm growing blinder to the stuff that's different the more I write about it. I wouldn't ascribe my motivation to patriotism - though, I won't deny that a part of me is brainwashed to believe Russia to be great, and powerful, and blah blah blah... Patriotism is a false banner, and I won't stand under it. What drives me is the wish to spread the idea that Russia is more than people in the US are lead to believe through idiotic stereotypes in the modern artistic media. "Oh, Mader Ruhsha is always snowy and cold, da! Vi drink vodka and dance prisyadka! Vaen vi ah bord, vi ride our pet bears!"... Greedy cretins who make money out of people's ignorance. It's a shame to see that ignorance propagated. I wish that every country's representative users would do the same: every country has something they could share that would amaze non-locals. Tell us about the UK, for example! Do #ukbynatives: I'll follow that shit in a moment.
I refuse to believe that this is a false statement. Don't shatter my dreams. I imagine other countries portraying America as either filled with beer-guzzling hillbillies or brutal Wall Street types. I'm sure you've answered this somewhere, but are there any stereotypes that Russians think about Americans (or other countries)?vi ride our pet bears!
Russia is more than people in the US are lead to believe through idiotic stereotypes in the modern artistic media.
Naturally: every rich country has its bigots. There's a... khm, person (he calls himself a journalist, others - satirist, neither's true anymore) on the Russian TV, Mikhail Zadornov, who's made his career mocking Americans and promoting the idea that Russians are special who can do shit no one else has will or heart to do. Since he's the most popular relay of "information" on the American nation, it won't be a stretch to say that Russians believe Americans to be fat, stupid, expansionist and/or warlike, with asshole/moron politicians and government servants (because of the sanctions, Bush the younger and other things of past). There's also the cretinic bigotry towards Germans, because of the WWII (to which Soviet Army had no relation - they led their own, the Great Patriotic/Fatherland War) and how propaganda worked in the USSR. Despite the country being well over their 1930s/1940s sentiment, Russians still prefer to believe Germans to be inferior and aggressive, shouting "Hitler kaput!" at them at many an opportunity. My goodness, do I want to smash those stupid russkies in the face at the moment. But ha-ha, it's so fucking fun, let's call them "fascists" once again!.. Perhaps I should have addressed just how stereotype-driven many Russians seem to be. They still call German-originated movement of Nazional-Sozialism "fascists", because that's what Soviet media called them (in response to the similar movement in Italy, my guess is).are there any stereotypes that Russians think about Americans (or other countries)?
Don't think of Patriotism as being proud about your government. Think of it more about being proud of your culture. It's about being proud of your traditions, your art, and your contributions to the world. It's about loving where you came from and seeing value in your neighbors. Though, you're right to be careful. The line between patriotism and jingoism can become very fine if you let yourself get carries away. Judging from this post, you're doing great so far. I can't wait to see more. Just take heart though, not all of us actually view your nation according to stereotypes.I wouldn't ascribe my motivation to patriotism - though, I won't deny that a part of me is brainwashed to believe Russia to be great, and powerful, and blah blah blah... Patriotism is a false banner, and I won't stand under it.
What drives me is the wish to spread the idea that Russia is more than people in the US are lead to believe through idiotic stereotypes in the modern artistic media. "Oh, Mader Ruhsha is always snowy and cold, da! Vi drink vodka and dance prisyadka! Vaen vi ah bord, vi ride our pet bears!"... Greedy cretins who make money out of people's ignorance. It's a shame to see that ignorance propagated.
I realize that, and I hope that I don't appear to be an ignorant swine that I scold myself. It can be daunting to only see stereotypical Russian characters in the movies hoo alvays tock wid dat stoopeed ecksent, though. I don't want to be judged by that tattooed bandit named Dmitry or Vladimir whom people see all the time on screen. Just like in any nation, there's a wealth of characters to explore and be amazed by. This is almost exactly what I came to believe, and, even if completely untrue, it will take a lot of effort to abolish from my mind - more than I care to serve it. I don't like the notion of patriotism being even somewhat a good reason to do exactly what your mothercountry tells you to do: respect this kind of people, like these ones, hate these ones, salute, cheer and take part in parades... This got so deep into my bones that I started to hate it with the brightest flame. You're right, of course: I'm confusing the two. Despite that, I have to be careful with the words I use to describe myself: a patriot - the kind of patriot people in Russia mindlessly expect me to be - is not what I want to be.not all of us actually view your nation according to stereotypes.
Don't think of Patriotism as being proud about your government.