not all of us actually view your nation according to stereotypes.

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.

Don't think of Patriotism as being proud about your government.

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.