How to Spot a Russian...

[peacetraveler22]

Over the weekend, I was sitting at my apartment pool, relaxing in the hot sun when I was disturbed by very loud voices. Immediately I could tell that it was some of the Russian residents living in my building. For me, it's easy to spot Russians in the crowd, perhaps because I spend so much time communicating with them in my personal life and in this blog. They most often talk in a very loud tone, which sounds aggressive to my English trained ears. Why is this? This is not only at my apartment, but also a perception based on numerous personal encounters with Russians in the USA, on airplanes and throughout Russia. It's not an insult, just an observation. :) The topic of the conversation can be extremely friendly, with a loved one or friend, yet still sound like an argument to me because I barely understand any Russian words when they are spoken by natives.

Other signs that the person at my pool is Russian - older women almost always wear bikinis, despite their physical shape or appearance. Very old, overweight females stuff themselves into these types of bathing suits, and it's fine. About someone else's appearance, I have no opinion or say, and if they're comfortable in this type of clothing, more power to these ladies! :) However, it's not so common for old women in the States to wear bikinis, I very rarely see it. Similarly, Russian and European men at my pool almost always wear Speedos, or tightly constricted swimming trunks. It doesn't matter that they have huge bellies, I suppose it's just a cultural difference in swimwear attire. Something like this...



Photo credit nemihail.

What do I think about this type of swimwear? Horror! :)) I strongly dislike Speedos, even on extremely attractive guys. I guess I prefer modesty, and leaving some things to the imagination. It's for this same reason that I have never worn a bikini, even when I was younger and in much better shape. These are the two simplest ways for me to spot Russians at my pool, and there are a lot of them living in my new apartment complex! Of course, there are certain Slavic facial features in both men and women that also make the determination easy. How about you? Is it easy for you to spot your fellow compatriots when you're in a foreign country? Can you easily spot Americans in Russia? I can almost never pick out fellow Americans in a big crowd overseas!

Comments

[j1980.livejournal.com]

В последние годы российская молодёжь особо от зарубежной не отличается, (за рубежом) если это не откровенные гопники.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right. The youth have become more "Westernized," but the older Soviet generation sticks to tradition. :)

[jenden-bm.livejournal.com]

I thought I saw a picture of that guy in Speedos as a reference to south Jersey.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

He could be from South Jersey, not sure! :)) I pulled the pic from Google images. How about you? Can you spot fellow immigrants from your homeland here in the States? It's very hard for me to tell that someone is "American" from afar.

[barabaan.livejournal.com]

funny, one day during the trip in Spain I finnally bought this bathing shorts. Well, for me it is like swimming in jeans. So i continued to wear our trraditional Speedos on the beach. Who cares!
About older women in bikini. Have you ever seen topless older women from Germany? Thats the hell on the earth;-) I had to drink two bottles of vodka to forget it!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Haha! :)) I don't really pay attention to people's bodies honestly, because there are so many different shapes and sizes on the planet. To each their own. :) I was at a nude beach only once, in California, and there were older ladies walking around with sagging, wilted breasts!! Bottles of vodka? Sure sign that you're a Russian!! :)))

[sineglazzka2301.livejournal.com]

I noticed that it becomes more and more difficult to spot young Russians abroad until they speak. Globalisation:)
And, speaking of Russian women, you should have mentioned make-up. Anywhere, any time of the day, any occasion:)
As for men, especially over 25-30, one of characteristics would be hairstyle. Most Russian men wear simplest hairstyles - no creativity. Especially in the Asian part of the country. Ah, and facial expression, of course: sooooo serious! As if they are constantly solving some vital problems.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, make-up, you're right! :) But I've noticed the older Russian women at my pool are less made-up. Perhaps they've become too Westernized. :) I can't imagine taking time to put on make-up, fix my wild hair and worry about my outfit for simple tasks like going to the grocery store or to get gas. I simply don't have the patience or desire, when I could be doing a thousand other things.

[narcolog59.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can spot Russians, but as for me, I have no these signs to spot me. And of course, I really hate this habit to speak so loudly that all can hear you are speaking about.
There were some situations I felt shame, coz behaviour of men were so extremely terrible(

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I feel the same in confined places like planes or public transport, when people are speaking loudly on their cell phones, etc., as if I want to hear about their problems or daily chores and plans! I think, in general, the Russian language is "hard," and I don't mean in difficulty level, but in pronunciation and the use of stressed syllables. It makes the language less pleasant to the ears.

[ambival.livejournal.com]

Well, in the second photo - a famous GIPSY "king". But who cares..., "Russians" is an antonim word to "awesome" in this blog.

May I post here some stereotypical images of Americans?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sure, but I doubt it will be anything new or creative. The common stereotypes about Americans: (1) we're all fat; (2) we're all stupid! :))

[alice-lisina.livejournal.com]

Hi, Shannon, first question you answered by self: "...sounds aggressive to my English trained ears." Yes, Russian language is not that soft and polite like English. Nature of the language and taking manner...
Bikini and Speedos are also sculptural thing for the pools or beaches. We like to get as much sun as possible! And speaking of american women - I saw more and more of older of fat women in bikini lately at the pools... Style is changing.

But, older women in Russia never where shorts and short skirts/dresses. American's do! :)

BTW, Americans can be very loud in public places too. :(

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sure, there are loud, obnoxious people everywhere, including the USA! :) In the States, we also have a stereotype that blacks talk loud, esp. while watching movies at the cinema! :)) Hmm..it's an interesting point you make about older Russian women never wearing shorts. It's true, even at my pool! They usually have a sundress over their bathing suits.

[kovaliv.livejournal.com]

Adidas - russian national clothes ))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Only for gopniks! :))

[seadevil001.livejournal.com]

I am willing to bet that "Russians" in your apartment buildings are in fact Jews or Ukrainians. Russian speaking for sure, but still. Proper Russians speak quietly. I have problem with this in US. Some people think if you speak quietly and without putting accent of words, you are threaten them.
About bathing suits - as you know summer is short in Russia, so people try to soak as much sun as they can. So they expose themselves. A lot of Europeans do the same, somebody mention Germans, Spaniards not too far behind.

[genka8.livejournal.com]

Are you implying that (formerely Russian) Jews and Ukrainians share a cultural trait missing in ethnic Russians?
Who are the "proper Russians"? Тагиииил!!!!?

[justadreamer.livejournal.com]

На нижнем фото цыгане из Румынии, вообще-то.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Okay! Now many people are commenting on that photo, informing me the person is Romanian, so I will change it! :)) I was just using the image to show how unpleasant Speedos can be!

[Макс (from livejournal.com)]

The man on the picture isn't Russian. It's Romanian or greek gypsy. I don't remember exactly.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It was just an example of a horrible Speedo! :)

[sun-jr.livejournal.com]

Some facial feature that my wife called "Eastern-European unibrow." :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, very bushy, dark and thick eyebrows! :)) I've noticed this also.

[Юрий Безфамильный (from livejournal.com)]

The last photo is not Russian, it's Romanians. This picture has long been known in Russia and the history of this photo too.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I changed the photo, because everyone ran to the comments to tell me the person is Romanian! It's the best and most crazy photo that appears when you do a search for "Russians in speedos" in google images. :) That's why I used it, only to show how unattractive this swimwear is for me.

[Юрий Безфамильный (from livejournal.com)]

Shannon, you need to go to the Crimea. I'm sure you would have made an excellent report.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I would love to visit! The nature there looks amazing, but there is no money for a trip there. :( Maybe some Russian tourism or travel company will send me there someday to make a report.

[leo-sosnine.livejournal.com]

That's right, I also can spot Russians easily in the US. In addition to what you've described they usually have grumpy, suspicious "mind-your-own-business" faces.

BTW, do you live in appartments? Why if so, I thought that you can afford a house as a working professional.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, I live in apartments, but it is not cheap! In my area, rent for a one bedroom apartment is over $2,000 in a nice complex. I own a home in my native town, but I don't live there because the commute to work is too long. So, I rent the property to relatives.

[ravenra.livejournal.com]

My neighbours thought I am constantly quarrelling with my wife until we met over a litre of liquor ))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

So, I'm not the only one who perceives the language this way! :) Even with Russian friends, I sometimes take the tone of their speech wrong and become easily offended, when in fact they are just speaking in normal, natural tones for them.

[Юрий Безфамильный (from livejournal.com)]

Yes, right! That's so much better to swim!
(http://hostingkartinok.com/show-image.php?id=7f770dc7f3604ff74671edb4eeaaa4fa)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Scary! What is this?!? I've never seen it in the USA! Some type of Muslim swimwear?

[mjol1nir.livejournal.com]

Spot absolutely easily Russians (or Russian-speakers) abroad or foreigners in RF. Not always but with big chance. I don't know why. There is something in the faces maybe.

Always wear Speedos when am going to swim. =) I hate this stupid family panties which so loved by Americans. Especially "handsome" it looks when a man comes out of water, hanging down like floorcloth and accentuating what the owner has inside.
Tightly constricted trunks are much more convenient to swim and good-looking to see, as I think. :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The stern, expressionless facial appearance is also a sign that a person is Russian! :) I think very few men look good in Speedos! I've always hated this type of bathing suit, but I understand it's probably more comfortable when swimming. And what about men's balls?!? I don't want to see the outline of men's testicles when I'm relaxing at the beach! And, aren't they squished and suffocated in this type of swimwear? :)))

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

Almost everyone store clerk or waiter knew that we're Russians when we're in Spain. My wife ask one of them: how do they know? The seller answered that is about our speech and appearance. Sometimes I guessed right about my fellow countrymen, sometimes not. I think it's easy to spot Russians because we smile a little.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You're right! Compared to Europeans and Americans, Russians smile much less. Even when on vacation! :)

[botwa.livejournal.com]

For me it's easy to spot Europeans and Americans by the look in their eyes. I can't explain it properly but this look is kind of vacant (don't mean to offend anybody, I just can't find the right word) and faraway, while Russians look like they KNOW something and this something is not that good.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Vacant"!?! :)) I am not offended, but it's a very amusing comment and perception. I've heard this from other foreigners also. Americans are "zombies" and brain dead! :))

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

Swim shorts are just OK to me if they are, well, short, close to boxers. The longer ones feels sticky when they are wet. The biggest advantage is that you can go to beach snack bar like you are in a shorts, otherwise for swimming I would rather prefer speedos. Shorter swim-shorts are hard to find here in US....

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

They are hard to find because so few Americans wear them, unless they are trained swimmers or athletes. You can find them in sports stores like Dick's though. Regarding underwear, I prefer "boxer briefs" for men. :)

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

A song about russian woman

Текст песни БУФЕТЧИЦА

БУФЕТЧИЦА

Ты красишь губы как буфетчица
Но я твоей улыбке рад
Хотя ты дура и не лечишься
Ты круче всех совковых баб
А ноги кривые и пусть
А глазки косые и пусть
Ушки большие и рот кривой
Но я не расстанусь с тобой
Удринченная зафаченная
Урлищею отхуяченная
Обдолбанная но нарядная
Жаба моя ненаглядная

I know, too much slang, but worth it.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, too much slang! I can't understand through Google translate. :)

[caramba-hola.livejournal.com]

My stereotypes about Americans are that mostly they are fat, and they don't hide their bodies in the pools and beaches. But also, I thought that Americans are tolerant to any bodies, clothes, behaviour, interests, religions...
As for loud Russians - don't think that Russians are the loudest people in the world. What about Chineese or Italian?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I rarely encounter Italians in my area of the USA, and I've never noticed the Chinese being loud. Yes, Americans are more tolerant of different body types. For instance, there is an American female travel bloggers who sometimes posts photos of herself in a bikini on her blog. She's not fat, but not in the best shape, yet no one climbs in the comments telling her to lose weight, or critical of her appearance. The way it should be. :) If the same photos were posted on LJ, there would be hundreds of comments telling her she's fat, ugly, needs to lose weight, etc....I don't think anyone should hide their bodies. People come in all shapes and sizes, this is what makes the world interesting. :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

BTW - I just came back from lunch I had in MD.... Two mid-age ladies were loudly discussing details of their dental experiences. Bone appetite :)
In Mexican resorts the loudest were Germans. Free beer, you know :), they can't stand it.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Everyone loves free beer! :)

[hi-again.livejournal.com]

True.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hello! :)