9 myths about Russia

Mass media’s biased attention as well as lack objective information has lead to forming some stereotypes about Russia that still come as a surprise to foreigners. We are here to tell you the truth about these myths. MYTH 1 – Russian women are only looking for passport or profit. As much talk as there has been about internet dating scams it is nearly impossible to argue against this. Yes, it is true, there are some agencies that make money on foreign men by posting fake profiles, creating situations which cause men to pay (and then sharing this money with the girls), etc. However, it does not mean that all Russian women are like that. There are plenty of ladies, who are looking for serious relationships and are interested in finding a partner for life, someone to create a family with and live happily ever after. The only thing that can really be done about it is you doing research and being attentive to your communication with the lady you like. For one thing, be sure that you use a reliable site/agency – someone that will double-check ladies for you, conduct personal interviews before listing them on the site, etc. For another, research the internet – feedback from other users will give you pretty good clues about whether there is something leery about the organization. Finally, be observant and do not be afraid to ask questions: if you are noticing some red flags in your communication with a particular lady, be sure to contact the agency and have them investigate it as well. Feel free to ask them what they do as anti-scam efforts – if they are a serious reputable organization, they will have a few things to tell you about that. MYTH 2 – Russians drink too much Well, yes and no. On one hand, alcoholism is a growing problem in Russia and some CIS countries. Many older generation people have found themselves desperate and lost after collapse of the Soviet Union – vodka is their way to escape the new and unknown. For younger people, for example, in Ukraine, it is a problem that stems from there being a chaos in the country: there are no organizations or activities that would allow young people to realize their potential, so most of their drinking comes from idleness. On the other hand, Russians can handle much more alcohol than most nations and do not become drunk fast. Vodka is also considered one of the best drinks to keep warm in winter. MYTH 3 – Russians are ill-mannered I have met quite a few foreigners who have gained such an impression of Russia and Ukraine. And indeed, mentality of people here is quite different than mentality of people in the US or Europe. Bluntness and harshness seem to be the distinctive qualities in Russians’ communication, but the truth is, most of the time it is never said to offend or insult anyone. Such bluntness can often be perceived as rude by people who come from nations that are used to more diplomatic communication and using hints to make a point, instead of saying things as they are. The only way to handle this is to learn not to take this personally and try to understand the culture. If something seems out of hand to you, it is best to ask the person you are talking to what he/she means – it will help you both avoid misunderstandings. MYTH 4 – Poor social conditions Again, yes and no. You can probably still find places that have problems with electricity and running water, but it will all depend on where you go. Villages and smaller towns tend to have more of such problems. If you visit a major city you will find plenty of Euro style hotels and apartments with all necessary conveniences. Most cities will also have internet access (at the hotels, or internet caf?s), be able to offer you nice restaurants and places to visit. One word of caution about tap water though. While it is perfectly safe for showers or brushing your teeth, you might consider using bottled water for cooking and drinking purposes. MYTH 5 – All CIS countries are a part of Russia Most former USSR republics gained independence in the early 90’s and have been developing as separate countries since then. While you will not get hit or hurt for calling some other country Russia, it is simply a matter of courtesy (and showing your cultural knowledge) if you call the country by the correct name. All CIS countries still share many cultural similarities and are still closely connected, but they do take pride in being independence. MYTH 6 – Mafia is everywhere Hollywood has made Russian ‘Natashas’ and ‘Borises’ a terrifically terrible stereotype of the country. Those “bad Russians” seem to be all over the place. The truth is – of course there is mafia, but it is not walking on the streets keeping everyone in fear. If you follow basic travel safety rules and stay away from questionable places and acquaintances (or engaging in illegal activities), you are not in danger. Nowadays, mafia lords are too busy with dealing in drugs, prostitutes, or weapons, so your modest persona of a tourist is very unlikely to present interest for them. MYTH 7 – It is difficult to get to Russia Lack of information is what makes travel to Russia and Eastern Europe countries scary. There really are no particular visa requirements for Russia: just an invitation and your passport. An invitation can be received from someone you know in the country, through a hotel or travel agency. Some other CIS countries do not require any papers at all: for example, if you are traveling to Ukraine for less than 90 days, you do not need an invitation, nor a visa. Travel to these countries has also become a lot more hassle-free these days. There is a number of options for traveling to and within the country: flights and trains are easily available, taxis or buses are also easy to find to travel within the country, etc. If you are traveling through a dating agency, most of them will also be able to offer travel/visa assistance services and take care of most of these arrangements for you. MYTH 8 – Russia is cheap It will really depend on where you travel. Some larger cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, etc.) have been rated among the most expensive cities in Europe or the world!!! Regional centers will be less expensive, of course. However, you can count on hotel/living arrangements being at the top of your expense list. Food and drink will probably be rather inexpensive (with regard to shopping in the supermarkets), restaurants and entertainment is available for all types of budget – from $10 a meal to hundreds. Real handmade souvenirs will probably not be cheap (especially in the larger cities), so if you plan to travel to several places, it might be a good idea to buy them in smaller towns/cities. MYTH 9 – Russian brides are beautiful During my many years of communicating with the foreigners I hear about the beauty of Russian women from them in 99% of the time. Most men who come to Russia seem to be taken aback by how many beautiful women are on the streets. Add to that these women being smart, feminine, and possessing family values, and you will have some of the most amazing women in the world. We hope that you will take a chance of seeing it for yourself by meeting some of our wonderful ladies!

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