Obsessed with Russia

[Sydney]

I am absolutely fascinated by everything Russian. I love the history, the language, the culture, the people, etc. I have quite a few Russian friends and one non-Russian friend who is obsessed with Putin. I always have questions regarding history or politics, and would just love to learn Russian. If anyone on here is Russian, I'd love to talk to you! My Russian friends don't have much time to teach me the language and few of them know much about my very specific cultural and political questions. Also, if anyone happens to also be obsessed with Russia by any chance, I'd love to compare notes!

 

[HDLSeanWiley]

I don't like Putin. he's stolen South Ossetia, Crimea and now possibly eastern Ukraine.

 

[Moomingirl]

Hi Sydney, I'm not obsessed with Russia, but I have just started learning Russian.

I use Duolingo: Duolingo | Learn Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English for free

Unfortunately they don't have the 'Russian for English speakers' course yet, so I am going backwards by doing the 'English for Russian speakers'.

It's just for fun really, as I am concentrating on other languages, but the Cyrillic script just tempts me too much.

 

[Irkoutsk]

Hi Sydney! WELL I LOOOOOOOOVE RUSSIA!!! I know almost all city between Moscow and Vladivostok! I know the russian rubble. I know pryviet, zdravstvouitye, spasiba,...

 

[AsheSkyler]

Russia has not yet made it on my cultural radar, but it will someday. I rather liked their architecture when I was doing my history studies in school, they had a beautiful blending of many surrounding cultures.

 

[HDLSeanWiley]

they have a very nice culture. just not a nice leader

 

[Sydney]

I don't like Putin. he's stolen South Ossetia, Crimea and now possibly eastern Ukraine.

I'm not a huge fan of him, either. Though I think he is a respectable leader who gets stuff done, I am cautious of some of his decisions. Though I think the Ukrainian government should have let the Separatists just Separate, Putin went about it in all the wrong ways. I also don't like his being pro-implementing nuclear energy in the Middle East (not sure on his stance now, but that was it in the past) and don't trust his close ties with leaders of Socialist countries (and the fact that he was a KGB agent).

 

[Sydney]

Hi Sydney! WELL I LOOOOOOOOVE RUSSIA!!! I know almost all city between Moscow and Vladivostok! I know the russian rubble. I know pryviet, zdravstvouitye, spasiba,...

I know pryviet is hello, right? Haha, what are the other words?

 

[Irkoutsk]

zdravstvouitye is hello but better way to say hello and spasiba is thank you.

 

[StephF]

There is a lot of beautiful architecture in Russia. I would like to visit St Petersburg (former Leningrad).
I'd also like to ride the Trans Siberian Railway to Vladivostok.
However the political climate and the lack of respect for people's sexual orientations concerns me.

 

[epath13]

I'm Russian. And I'm not obsessed with the country oh, no, hope government doesn't read my messages anywho, Russia is definitely a beautiful country. I haven't been there for about 10 years but I hope most of the beautiful stuff is still there nature is astounding, I grew up in... well, European part of it, not that far from Moscow, but not exactly close. Nearby Vladimir, which is about 1000 years old, and has tones of historical architecture. I miss this part about Russia and Europe, I wish there was more things here to rest my eye on. Midwest nature can be quite beautiful, peaceful, quiet but architecture wise there's not much to look at. I've never felt connected to Russian language, I wanted to speak English since I was 4, but it is, indeed, an amazing language and worth to learn especially if you want to read some of the best literary works in their native language. I remember our school failed to see each child unique qualities and abilities to learn, just like here. I'm not saying, they didn't try but I didn't see it working. But curriculum was more difficult than what I see here. What else do I like about Russia? Doctors had knowledge of herbal medicine and sometimes they would advise natural treatments. I grew up in Soviet and post soviet country, so a lot of activities for kids were free or cheap at that time. In our town we had pretty good music school, I really wanted to go there but well. .. didn't work out I also loved some of the Russian dessert items that are not produced here and usually imported from Russia or Poland. As for food, I'm not a fan of Russian food really. I don't like "typical" American food either. I did visit Hopi villages in 2012 and tried some traditional Hopi food, I loved it. I mean I guess I have some favorite dishes from different cultures. So those some of my favorite things from Russia. What I profoundly dislike about it - I'm not going to discuss here...

 

[HDLSeanWiley]

the problem with the separatists is that they want to do so through war. they think the euromaidan was a "coup d'etat"

 

[GoofKing]

I'm Russian. And I'm not obsessed with the country oh, no, hope government doesn't read my messages anywho, Russia is definitely a beautiful country. I haven't been there for about 10 years but I hope most of the beautiful stuff is still there nature is astounding, I grew up in... well, European part of it, not that far from Moscow, but not exactly close. Nearby Vladimir, which is about 1000 years old, and has tones of historical architecture. I miss this part about Russia and Europe, I wish there was more things here to rest my eye on. Midwest nature can be quite beautiful, peaceful, quiet but architecture wise there's not much to look at. I've never felt connected to Russian language, I wanted to speak English since I was 4, but it is, indeed, an amazing language and worth to learn especially if you want to read some of the best literary works in their native language. I remember our school failed to see each child unique qualities and abilities to learn, just like here. I'm not saying, they didn't try but I didn't see it working. But curriculum was more difficult than what I see here. What else do I like about Russia? Doctors had knowledge of herbal medicine and sometimes they would advise natural treatments. I grew up in Soviet and post soviet country, so a lot of activities for kids were free or cheap at that time. In our town we had pretty good music school, I really wanted to go there but well. .. didn't work out I also loved some of the Russian dessert items that are not produced here and usually imported from Russia or Poland. As for food, I'm not a fan of Russian food really. I don't like "typical" American food either. I did visit Hopi villages in 2012 and tried some traditional Hopi food, I loved it. I mean I guess I have some favorite dishes from different cultures. So those some of my favorite things from Russia. What I progoundly dislike about it - I'm not going to discuss here...

Wait, I though the whole secret police thing ended with the Soviet Union and I also though that Russians had a lot more freedom than they did back then :/

My obsession with this country started ever since I played the original Goldeneye on the N64 and after watching the movie. Actually I think this was around the same time that I started having interests in foreign countries.

The city of Moscow was always such an interesting and beautiful place I love the whole layout and architect of the city lol

 

[Irkoutsk]

My obsessed with Russia started with Call of Duty 4 Modern warfare in Prypiat in the tchornobyl mission. The first time I did that mission with the great music and the big empty city, I was enjoying it like a Young children who had discover a toy store.

 

[Judge]

Germany more than Russia. However both for the same reason. A fascination with totalitarian systems and how they may appeal to the human psyche.

I'm also fascinated by oligarchies which can span the political spectrum of totalitarianism to democracies.

 

[epath13]

Wait, I though the whole secret police thing ended with the Soviet Union and I also though that Russians had a lot more freedom than they did back then :/

My obsession with this country started ever since I played the original Goldeneye on the N64 and after watching the movie. Actually I think this was around the same time that I started having interests in foreign countries.

The city of Moscow was always such an interesting and beautiful place I love the whole layout and architect of the city lol

I didn't realize it ended as for freedom... well, I think the day will come when it happens, but mentality of the majority needs to change 1st. But then again, who's really free? when I lived there we all knew you can do whatever you want and say whatever you want just keep it between you and whoever you're talking to. one thing I also have hard time to digest is Russian nationalism, which some call patriotism well, here in US some people also tend to be pro-"real"- american (whatever that is ), but, in Russia, in my opinion it's a little more serious because those nationalistic beliefs seem to have roots in Russian origin. A lot of people still try to deny that Russia, just like other countries, is also a "mixing bowl". We have 100s (possibly) different nations and cultures that all mixed in together, some traditions and languages are forgotten or disappearing unfortunately but they have existed. And whatever they call "real" Russian, or Rus doesn't exist any longer. I also think there's still a "slave" mentality present in Russia, you are probably aware for how many generations there was "krepostnoye pravo", when majority of population were pretty much like slaves. And I think it's very hard to get rid of, to take it out of your DNA. What I mean by slave mentality (Russian version) - faith in a mythical figure of a Tzar, that he is kind and will fix all the issues, hatred and anger towards people with power but complete reliance on them, feeling that nothing can ever change. That's just my humble opinion.

 

[paloftoon]

With the politics going on between Russia and Ukraine, is it safe to travel to either country? I like to try to learn about new cultures, but the thought of visiting either place scares me.

 

[Cali Cat]

The closest I got to being obsessed with Russia was when I had to pass my 9th grade Geography course to move to 10th grade. If I flunked Geography, I was doomed. I hyperfocused on Russia and wrote an "A" paper, which gave me a "D" is the course. Then the teacher wrote on my paper: "Why didn't you do this all semester?" Yes, Russia saved my ass.

 

[epath13]

With the politics going on between Russia and Ukraine, is it safe to travel to either country? I like to try to learn about new cultures, but the thought of visiting either place scares me.

I'm not sure about Ukraine, but I know some people travel to Russia without any issues. If you don't know anybody there, I would find a good travel agency and follow their instructions about what to do and what not to do. If you do so, you should be fine. If you go and decide to travel around Golden Ring you can contact American Home in Vladimir (it's a language school), there're some Americans there, they can tell you more. I'll give you their Facebook page. Maybe you can ask some folks there, how they teavel, and if they've had any issues. The American Home in Vladimir, Russia

 

[clg114]

I collect Eastern European firearms. I like to read about the politics and cultures of the area, including Russia. Their history goes back a lot further than our own and is very interesting. I read something on a English speaking forum that said a lot about the Russian way of thinking. The poster was complaining about certain Russian built firearms that were built without a safety. He said they were dangerous. A reply came from Russia, by a person who's primary language was not English. It said " Is gun. Is supposed to be dangerous".