Gas Man

Yes but I know that not everybody likes Americans... heck some countries won't even let us in.

geg

It is one thing - the policy of the American State. Another thing - the American guy who travels around the world. You feel the difference?
I've seen different Americans. In Russia, Thailand, in Europe. I spoke with them. You'll be surprised. American - it's a great kid. Such an opinion is a Russian man. Smile, excessive kindness, no understanding of the basic things of Russian reality. Who can hurt a child? Only a pig!
To you will be taken a little patronizing, but without trying to offend or insult. I guarantee you. As long as you remain so, as always - any door you open. Russian share with you the last piece of bread. He himself will not eat - give you.

But there are truly stupid Americans. Such thinks he cool because he is a citizen of the steep country. He tries to act accordingly. He makes a spectacle out his chest, he begins to speak as a Member for election to Congress, he pokes his passport over to anyone can reach.
These Americans are not loved around the world. These Americans do not like in Russia. These Americans look stupid, annoying the public. Because of their stupidity, they do not understand what a disservice to his country. They can not count on respect and hospitality.

All I'm saying is true for any culture. Not only for Americans. But for the Germans, Russian, Spanish. Several generations of Russian people have traveled to Europe on the tanks.
How are the relations between the Russian and Europeans now? Excellent!
In Russia, a lot of Germans, Swedes, Finland, France. It's not just foreigners. They attacked my country for many centuries. Russia has destroyed their army again and again. Punish them for trying to attack. Captured their capital citys and destroyed their economy. You think that in Russia they hurt? They are free to attend, as best friends.

One of the great Russian military commanders released prisoners Teutons home without any conditions. He ordered them to convey: "Go and tell all. Let no fear come to visit us. But someone with a sword comes to us from the sword and die. It will stand the Russian land." This guy's name is Alexander Nevsky. And its principle is valid for 800 years! I repeat. Welcome. You and me, a simple guy nothing to divide.

Gas Man

WOW Geg, you speak like poet and I would be honored to travel Russia. One day I hope that I can.

RedwoodPerch

Let's take a look at this from the other end of the spectrum. I have seen many Russians in this country and throughout Europe. I have also had friends that have encountered Russian people. Lets start with my friend who visited Russia and had all his belongings stolen from him, including his clothing. He was left standing on the street wearing only his underwear.

How about the time I visited Germany only to encounter some Russian immigrants beating up a woman in an alley. Or how about the countless Russian people in the US milking the American taxpayer for free money. Or how about the Russian Mafia becoming the fastest growing crime organization here in the States. I have to agree with you that people who hurt children are pigs and need to be slaughtered like pigs.

I am sure there are plenty of decent Russians over in your country but at the same time your country's economy is around 40% corrupt. Crime is rampant and rising. The state of affairs for your country is not much better than ours. I don't know why you glorify an AK-47 for your signature picture when at the same time those guns are being littered all over Africa and South America with tolls of innocent people dying.

geg

But you must understand. Russia's image often becomes the victim of stereotypes.
You're right - we have crime. But not any more than in the U.S.. In New York there are areas where the police are afraid to come. In Russia it is impossible.
You write about the Russian mafia. But in America there is a mafia of all nationalities. Italian, Irish, Puerto Rican. Add to that the Yakuza and Chinese Triads. All of them are successfully operating in your country. But they are afraid to come into our territory.
Why Russian gangsters do not move to the U.S.? They do so, because at home they have earth burns beneath their feet.
Over the past 100 years the nation has survived the bloody riots, two world wars, small wars - 7 or 8, dictatorship, repression, years of anarchy and permissiveness. All these misfortunes happened right on our streets and our homes. Not somewhere far away on the other end of the world.
In the period 1935 - 1953 destroyed 90 million Russian. Half of Stalin, Hitler the second half.
Our history makes us people hard, sometimes cruel. Yes, we can protect ourselves. Yes, we do not believe the first comer. Yes, we are constantly on the alert. But we learned something else. We know how to enjoy life every day like last time. We know the value of true friendship. We form opinions about a person based on his actions, not on the grounds that the said TV.
I'm not making excuses for compatriots abroad. Who goes to live in other countries? In a large part of those who came into conflict in their native land or finders easy life. Is it any wonder that many of them are people without principles, without conscience, ready to commit any crime for their own benefit? Add here the well-known Russian ingenuity and resourcefulness - a gift received from many generations of ancestors who lived in poverty and the threat to life.
. Oh! All these bastards get on fertile ground! As a bully on the playground! And you have excellent developing organism - the Russian mafia. The term that causes laughter in Russia.

Do not be angry at me, pal. I know all of what you said. And I understand your thoughts. Maybe even better than you know yourself. You're right of course. But you see only one side - this side is painted black. Real life is multifaceted and it has all the colors of the rainbow. You may not believe me. But do not get the benefits of cheating unfamiliar people on the other side of the planet.
Soon I'll be in your wonderful country - I'm going to visit Tom's Farm cruise. I'll be very glad to see you all. And being able to speak with you personally. If my poor English will allow.

P.S. Yes! My signature. I faced the fact that talking to me, many do not see that I'm Russian. I decided to identify visually. What Americans know about the Russian?
That the Russian living in the snow and regularly drink vodka with the wild bears, and then play the balalaika and the shooting of an AK-47.
Of all the known images (vodka, bears, balalaika and Kalash) to me is the closest Kalash. Russian men love guns as much as Americans.
My son said to me: "Americans will think that you're an Arab." While this did not happen. Fools on this site do not.
However, this picture I do not cherish. If it annoys you, tell me about it. I will change.

RedwoodPerch

I apologize if I expressed myself harshly. I, myself, have not been to Russia. Like I said, there probably are plenty of decent people there. And like you have said, your country has been through alot and seen the worst life has to offer.

My experiences with Russian people are from abroad. Some experiences were positive while a vast majority were in a negative nature. You might laugh at the term 'Russian Mafia', but you should understand organized crime in this country is different than in most countries. Due to the inept American Gov't, criminal activity usually flourishes over here. Different criminal organizations usually compete for terrority and stoop to any means to succeed.

For you to say that crime isn't a problem over there makes me think that you live outside of any metro area. Russia has a large problem with kidnappings, extortion, and murders. A problem that is rapidly rising.

I once again apologize for jumping on you. I suppose that I just needed to vent my frustrations over some past experiences.

geg

You have no reason to apologize. I've been waiting for such a letter and you're not surprised me. Our countries - the competitors for many years. "Cold War" and other delights. It leaves its mark on contemporary reality. I have said and will repeat again. Russia - a victim of stereotypes. Your media and Hollywood are trying with full force. Sometimes so bright to submit news, sometimes acting on secret orders. Our media does not lag behind their American colleagues. You do not need to know what **** is poured on your head.
But now it is difficult to do so. There is internet and people can communicate without intermediaries. It's not expensive. In addition, we can now travel and see everything with my own eyes.
In Russian eyes opened a little earlier. I said, we are very curious and do not believe a word. We even read the newspaper, "between the lines." Russian people know - when suddenly someone began to strongly criticize the media - it means there is a second floor. And if there are second bottom, there will be a third. Thus, the opinion can be formed only after meeting with 1, 2, 3 bottom. And before it is satisfied that there is no fourth floor.
Come on in order.
Abductions:
In the beginning I must remind that Russia is not homogeneous and is inhabited not only by Russian. Russian empire and then the USSR (Evil Empire - the so-called us American journalists). Keyword - EMPIRE. This word means that at one time to Russia have been appending the neighboring countries and peoples. Sometimes by force, sometimes voluntarily. All these nations were not destroyed and is not diminished. They had complete freedom. These nations and cultures still exist autonomously within the federation have their own leaders, laws, and sometimes even the army.
Duck here. Kidnappings have become widespread in the North Caucasus republics. Murder and terrorism. This Muslim states living under sharia law. Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabarda. It began in the late 90's, when it came Qaida. Authorities seized by terrorists. Your media shouting, then, that Russia suppress the liberation movement. And at this time "liberators" with the support of Arab mercenaries burned schools together with children, blown maternity hospitals with childbirth. Destroyed not Russian, and destroyed his own people. Imagine Afghanistan in the George and burning Atlanta. You'll get an idea of Chechnya. Incidentally, the State of George and the Caucasian republic Giorgio said the same. In Giorgio president named Saakashvilli - he licked your ass for Bush and Bush supplied him with arms to support terrorists - namely Qaida. I just see as your eyes widened. Bush supported Qaida. You may think, I myself a victim of stereotypes. Find in the Internet movie "Zeitgeist", the director - Peter Joseph, a scholar and writer. The film banned in the U.S., the director - persona non grata.
I will try to reassure you. The war in the Caucasus ended several years ago. There are many bandits in the mountains. But the police to achieve them, the army operation is no under way long ago. Murders, kidnappings and terrorist attacks - now a rarity. But foreigners should not go there.
Russian mafia:
Mafia - is a solid organization. Our criminal world divided. And in America, too, Russian criminals are separated. We have Russian gangs on both sides of the ocean. Prior to the mafia, they have not grown. In addition, the Russian mafia, the American media have enlisted random people. Corrupt officials, helpers, who are not aware of the illegality of their work, and the like. When I was in India, the taxi driver boasted that once carried the son of the Russian mafia. I asked the name of that gangster. He mentioned the name of Kobzon. I laughed to tears. Kobzon - famous Soviet singer. He was close to the Communist Party. His only crime - corruption, in which participated all Communist bosses. At that time it was the norm.
A crime for me not a problem.
It is not. I am a law-abiding citizen. I, too, face a growing danger. And I live in a big city - a large industrial center. Moreover, I live in the criminal area. But I do not really afraid of being robbed every day.
Firstly, I was born and raised in the area. With some gangsters and policemen, I was in school. I have many influential friends in business and in brothels. This is the Russian reality.
Secondly, I know the rules. I - part of society, of social strata with their rights and responsibilities.
Third, some terrible American crime is not considered a crime in Russian society, although prohibited by law. For example, a violation of copyright, pornography, a little tax evasion. But for the rape and murder of children do not expect mercy. If the police do not shoot ******* "while trying to escape», the criminals will strangle him in his cell. And it will be happiness for him, because otherwise he would be tortured and humiliated for many years. He ceases to be a man and becomes a screaming animal, not able to give his name.
Sorry for such a long story. I want to say much. If you want something else to learn something - feel free to write. I will be happy.

Gas Man

Geg, we should start your very own thread. I simply get a kick out of reading your posts. I don't mean this negatively. I enjoy hearing about other cultures, and every aspect of it. By all means, if you get over here to the states, please let me know in advance if you make it near Michigan. I would love to meet you. You're point of view on Russia and USA is interesting.

further, you said you enjoy your signature posts. Why don't you include the other things, like a picture of vodka too. Plus what ever the other stuff was that you made reference to.

SS fan

Geg amazing perspective your comunication skills are great seems you can take interresting pictures too thanks for sharing with us

geg

I communicate with all of you with great pleasure. This is very interesting, perceptive and instructive communication. I thank you too.