Archive for 'Culture'
Top Three Russian Stereotypes Posted by Jenya on Aug 6, 2014
Though it has been written about before, I am going to address a few common Russian stereotypes that I’ve personally dealt with living in America. I am sure that some of my friends in other parts of America would have some experience with this as well. In no way is this meant to be anything…
Russian Mail-Order Brides (Part II) Posted by Jenya on Jul 30, 2014
If you missed the beginning of the story, here it is . The challenges faced by couples that get together on these mail-order bride sites are many. Too often, the woman does not speak English very well, or at all. It is hard enough to effectively communicate with one another if you speak the same language. Just…
Russian Mail-Order Brides (Part One) Posted by Jenya on Jul 29, 2014
It seems, unfairly so, that when I tell somebody that I came to America from Russia, they often assume that I was a mail-order bride. Through the internet, mail-order bride websites have flourished in recent years. I do have many friends who first met their current or ex-spouses on these websites. Some of these friends…
Cool Russian Recipes for Hot Summer Days Posted by Jenya on Jul 16, 2014
In Summer, we get hot and dehydrated quicker, that is why we tend to crave cold, watery things. For those of you who are tired of going back to the same things every time, I am happy to recommend a few refreshing Russian recipes that I grew up with. Thankfully, there is no shortage…
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…