Middle Eastern interview responses. When your first arrived in Russia, what stood out the most? þ The forests, the vast number of green trees I saw from the airplane window. þ It was my dream to study in Russia.
It s a great country and there are many opportunities for study. I love the writings of Gorky, and through reading Gorky I got the impression that Russians are clever and patient- it s a great country, as great as the US. What stereotypes did you hear about Russians before coming to Russia? þ People are poor. They have to wait in line for bread. þ It s liked a military zone, closed to most people. þ People are hospitable. You can knock on your neighbor s door. There is brotherly love. What stereotypes do Russians have of your part of the world? þ Everyone is very rich. There is lots of oil. They don t differentiate among countries . þ Women wear veils. þ People ride camels. þ Men marry four or five women. þ Everyone is Muslim.
They don t know about other religions . þ They don t know our history. þ Terrorists þ Not much knowledge, they only know the name Arafat. Russian perceptions of Arabs Southerners þ Southerners are called black.
There is discrimination based on skin color. There are unpleasant encounters on the street. Many international students have been assaulted. Flats have been broken into. Almost everyone has been assaulted, especially in bars, nightclubs, and discos. Students go out in groups for safety in numbers. þ One student had two brothers who came to Russia. One brother was beaten and had a severe head injury. Another had a leg broken. þ Some babushki yell Chechens go home! One interviewee says that he doesn t pay attention- he understands that they are old and he understands the psychological reasons.
Another says they have no right to say those things. We are students here. We have come here for our education. We are spending money and adding to the Russian economy. We are not troubling anyone. þ Overall crime rate is high, but foreigners are particularly victimized. There is no police protection. There seems to be no law. There are police document checks and bribes.
There has been a big change in the past ten years. Now there is more economic disorder, corruption, violence, and crime. Why Questions Why are women streetcar drivers? Why do they do manual and construction work? þ Why are young Russians rude to older people? þ Why don t young men don t give up seats on the trolley bus for elders? þ Why do young people sometimes yell or shout bad words at old women? Your Perceptions of Russia and Russians Now þ The people are friendly and sympathetic.
Teachers are friendly and sympathetic. Sympathy is the key to understanding. þ Russian women are very beautiful. They are patient, they work hard, they are good housewives, they are always loyal, and they dress nicely. þ There are a high number of educated people, especially in the sciences. They are able to work under difficult conditions. It s a wonder. It s not about equipment. That s Russia s secret. Major differences between cultures þ Alcohol - many Muslims do not drink. þ Families at home are bigger -5-10 people þ In Russia, people don t know their neighbors names.
They don t greet each other on the street and communicate. þ Clothes - women dress more modestly than Russian women. þ Women don t smoke, drink, or dress revealingly as they do in Russia. þ Families support each other more. Brothers and sisters support each other. Russian families seem more isolated and individualistic. þ The divorce rate at home is very low. þ Men respect women more at home, there is not so much domestic violence as in Russia. 5.