I love Russian language and culture. I think they have the best poetry and literature. How are foreigners who attempt to assimilate into Russia regarded by the general populace?
Russia - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Similar to America. If you look similar, and speak the language, then you should be OK.
2 :
I know only foreigners from ex soviet republics so they assimilate well. Especially from Ukraine and Belorussia but their language and culture similar to Russian. As for my aquintance from South republics of ex USSR they all during USSR learned Russian and culturally similar or close to Russian. I think that in first you have to know language well and in second you have to have a good job. I mean a good salary of cause because without background (parents, aquintance, friends) you`ll spend a lot of money to things that local people never do. For example, your computer( car, water tap) became broken and your aquintence can help you but if you are full stranger nobody helps you. even if you are Russian in enother regigon it is hard to live without friends, or samebody who can help you. also look at tgis http://russiaclub.info/forum5.html
3 :
first, a teacher earns about $400 in a city of 100,000 people. i am american, i speak POORLY in russian. i can ask for anything in the shops with the vocabulary i have and understand prices and change, and more. i can not really easily converse. the russian people i know, many in our city, will stop if not busy and talk with me as they do any acquaintance, up to 20 minutes and not even notice time. a few friends speak english and we can talk in english. i don't work during the half year we stay with my wife's family, but probably could. still wages are low unless you are specialised- like oil field. or a lawyer. or a businessman. many people likely don't realise i am not russian until i open my mouth. many times a car will stop and ask me for an address. sometimes with success as well as not.
4 :
That will depend were u from, where you plan to live: in big cities like Moscow most foreigners will be ok...in small villages it will be very hard to assimilate and in most cases impossible. Also will depend what kind of people will surround you (I mean level of education which play huge role in Russia). In general majority Russian people LOVE foreigners from Europe and USA especially if they truly respect Russian culture and customs and will help them fill comfortable and at home ( however exception do exist) For foreigners from India and Africa it`s been a bit harder to assimilate (probably because they look different... dark skin is still smth unusual for Russia, especially in small towns and villages...
