Archive for July, 2014
Gender Dynamics in Russia Posted by Maria on Jul 14, 2014
Gender dynamics in Russia are a curious mix of patriarchy, old-fashioned chivalry, and female empowerment. Women are expected to look and act a certain way; at the same time, they are a significant presence in industries considered male elsewhere. Eye Candy Women One of the first things visitors to Russia notice is how attractive the…
When in Russia: Dos and Don’ts Posted by Jenya on Jul 9, 2014
A recent discussion with one of my dear friends brought up some memories on the subject of habits, customs and the norm. In my opinion, the norm is quite a slippery slope that might take you places you didn’t necessarily want to go. So, if you are traveling to Russia any time soon or…
Russian Living Spaces — Tiny Before It Was Cool Posted by Maria on Jul 7, 2014
If you have visited Russia or some of the neighboring countries, you have probably noticed that the average family home is much smaller than, say, in the US. There are both cultural and economic reasons behind that. As a result, several space-saving strategies have developed to make homes livable and maximize the little space available…
Celebrities who speak Russian Posted by Maria on Jul 3, 2014
You might have read my previous post about famous foreigners who learned Russian. A reader commented that these people moved to Russia (or what is now Russia) and had plenty of opportunities to master the language. Today I’d like to talk about some celebrities living outside Russia who can speak Russian. Luckily, they are all…
Russian Set Expressions: It’s All in Your Hands Posted by Jenya on Jul 2, 2014
In the process of acquiring any foreign language the importance of set expressions cannot be underestimated. Scarce or nonexistent knowledge of these language units is what frequently makes us feel as if our mastery of the language is still in its infancy stages. However, people who have invested their time in learning and implementing…