Long gone are the days when the inhabitants of other countries judged Russia according to the prevailing hostile stereotypes. They were then shaped by such concepts as the Cold War and the Iron Curtain. Western propaganda painted a very unsympathetic portrait of a Russian peasant. Always drunk, wearing a hat with earflaps, with a Kalashnikov assault rifle on a tank. Russian women in this regard also got it. But any country is primarily judged by its people.
Russia is now an open country. About three million foreign citizens visit it every year, and everyone takes home their impressions of Russia. From them, a general idea of the country as a whole is formed.
Conventionally, the impressions of any foreigner visiting any country can be divided into three categories: positive, negative and surprise. The latter often accompanies the first two. Each person in this regard has, of course, his own subjective opinion. But when the overwhelming majority of people express the same opinion about certain phenomena in a foreign country, then this already becomes similar to the truth.
Russian positive through the eyes of a foreigner
Foreigners really like Russian grandmothers. Communication with them literally delights them. Foreign guests are especially impressed by their kindness and simplicity.
The openness of the Russian people also does not leave indifferent foreigners. Having traveled for 24 hours in the same compartment of the train with a complete stranger, Russians can share with a complete stranger, and even a foreigner, the most intimate.
The good nature, hospitality and breadth of nature of the Russian people also delight foreigners.
They admire Leo Tolstoy. But they admire even more those courageous people who are able to read his huge novel War and Peace.
Red Square in Moscow is the most revered place in Russia by foreigners.
Russian negative through the eyes of a foreigner
“Russians never smile at strangers” - all foreign guests of Russia, without exception, are united in this opinion. One of the guidebooks for foreigners in Moscow even has this warning: “Never smile at unfamiliar Russians. It is not accepted by them. In addition, they may take your smile for a mockery of themselves."
“Russians do not abide by laws” - absolutely all foreigners are convinced of this. When they see a car somewhere in Moscow skipping a red light, they look at it with amazement. If they see people smoking under the sign "No smoking", they are horrified.
"It is better not to go to Russia by car" - foreign motorists think so. They are not so much afraid of the poor quality of roads and the lack of proper roadside service, as the driving style of Russian motorists. The aforementioned guide says something like this: “If a Russian creates an emergency, it does not mean that he wants to kill you. He just wants to see the fear in your eyes."
And, perhaps, fortunately for Russians, foreigners do not see all aspects of their life.
