Some side notes

What I have noticed in Russia thus far....

What is racism? I think I have come up with a new definition while I have lived here. Racism in its most natural form is that of a “hatred” to a different “type” of person. I do not see it as such anymore. I see it now as stereotypes (leaning toward dislike) of a world that is not yours.

Can people really be blamed for these stereotypes. Yes and obviously no. Yes, because people should realize now that not everyone is like a stereotype. You can go to France and meet people that are nice, mean, hate Americans, envy Americans. Everything changes from one person to the next. But obviously you also don't know these cultures, it is easy to stereotype them. I still stereotype the Taiwanese. I call them happy friendly people that love to give the peace sign in pictures (mind you I have yet to be proven wrong in this stereotype...)

So what about Russian? They have been fed junk for quite awhile under the Soviet Union. It is like a child born and raised in the KKK. It is just norm to hate/stereotype others. I don't think that they shouldn't be blamed for this blatant racism. You really can't hate someone for just who they are. Not in the sense of WHO they are but what they come from. I shouldn't be blamed and hated because I am a Jew, even though I most definitely will/have. People should really grow up and be smart about these thing. Russian aren't not educated. Most are quite brilliant.

So where does that put me, in a house with two older Russians who were born in the Soviet Union era? I honestly don't even know. I am not going to lie, I wouldn't ask for a better host family, but at the same time there is still blatant racism...in the weakest of forms (where they stereotype people from Africa as being barbaric etc.). I go with it. I am not going to tell them to change, that is wrong. But it puts you in awkward position. Do I sit here and just agree, try and fight it (in a simple kind manner), not say anything? I haven't really come across this in excess, but I have come across it.

The girl that was in our room on the way back to St. Petersburg from Moscow had some racist tendencies. She was beyond educated, spoke almost perfect English, has been abroad a million times. Sophie got her hair cut by a Russian recently too who was I am assuming fluent in English and was learning Dutch. And while this lady was cutting her hair she had to listen to racist comments. There are many examples that many people study abroad in Russia can vouch for. So should I instead call the United States far ahead of its time, or should I call Russia far behind? O the questions.

I have been fed two opposite things about Russian people. Some people say that Russian don't like change and just want a concrete life. And by concrete life I mean a life without drastic change because every time Russia changes things go sour, and fast. I have also been fed the fact that the Russian people are pushing from the bottom up for a more democratic democracy. And sooner or later the government will have to change to give the Russian people what they want. So what is true about the Russian people? After that whole introduction I am going to have to say I don't know. But what I do know are Russians are not “concrete” people. They do not make plans that are going to be fulfilled and followed. Every Russian person I have met, I feel is almost idealistic. They do not want what the can have, but rather what they wish to have. They dream very big, not knowing if their dreams will come true. Of course most people in most cultures are like this...

Life in Russia is no walk in the park. It probably never will be. It almost makes me want to work here more because of that. I know I will never have a boring repetitious life if I work somehow with Russians/Russia. So who is best suited for this job of working in Russia? Well that is actually quite a simple answer, surprisingly. Any person wanting to work with Russians, live in Russia, must be very understanding. I do not mean like “o I understand the situation.” you will never understand any situation in Russia. It is because it is. You must be understanding in the concept that it is Russia. Like I said, it is because well it is. There is no explanation. It is just because. You must also be very forceful. If you want anything done in Russia you cannot sit and wait. It isn't like America, where things just go into their place and everything works out. Yes, no matter what things always work out here but you need to force them into their places. Sitting will pretty much resolve nothing. You also must have no temper. You have to be forceful, but not forceful like a old angry Babooshka. You must be simple about it. Say that you need this done but don't fight it. If you work with the Russia people things will get done and probably even faster. What ever faster means. You must also never smile. Don't forget that!

On the lighter note I must comment on one of my previous blogs in which I said that Russians are terrible yet brilliant driver. They don't know what they are doing but never get into crashes. I can actually tell you why not. YOU BUY YOUR LICENSE HERE. Yes, they have tests but they are so long, annoying, and expensive that you can just go to some other business pay them 500 bucks and get a license. How freaking scary!
But worse than that concept is the concept of no traffic lights. It is almost one of the scariest experiences of your life. There is a lot of horn honking. No one dies. But you definitely feel like you might actually see your life flash in front of your eyes.