Wouldn't it be reasonable to assume every culture to be different, therefore? If the "white West" sees within themselves the difference (do dare call a US person not so different from a German), why stop there for Russia specifically? I'd argue that it's Russia's appearance that makes other countries turn away and not investigate further. Like that kid in your class whom no one talks to because he's "weird". And wouldn't it be even more reasonable to assume such a vast difference for a country with such a different history? No, I'm not buying the physical appearance argument.Those things you listed, I could list them for every Bundesland, there's always a difference, but those differences are minuscule in comparison to Russia, a country that has a very different history and origins.