How far stereotypes on Russian culture are from real facts? - By: Lilia Parker

Throughout our lives, we harbor many common 'truths'. Among these are the internal qualities that we consider to be inherent in different cultures.

Take, for example, the French whom we all assume to be gallant, brave and vain or the Finnish whom we consider to be quiet and obstinate. Such stereotypes are also attributed to the Russian culture. For example, the laziness, drunkenness and bear-like zeal of Russian men, or the long-suffering, domesticated, stunning Russian women. These attributes, along with bad roads, dense forests, balalaikas and Russian wooden dolls (martrioshkas), are how people generally view the Russian culture.

Those who are intent on studying Russian women will normally obtain their sources from classical literature; forever alluding to the ladies as long suffering souls.

The chances are that these perceptions are accurate, or rather were accurate, in the last century. Now that we are already well into the 21st century, these 'customs' have changed significantly, especially in the larger towns. Cynicism, obstinacy and careerism have even blighted the characters of Russian women. It must be said, however, that this slight on the Russian woman's character has not penetrated as deeply as in America where it has become a way of life. In Russia, thank goodness, to be 'childfree' is still looked on with an air of disbelief for the simple fact that it is thought to be unnatural. After all, the most important quality for a Russian woman is to be natural and their ethereal beauty emanates from here. If a Russian woman wants to cry, well then she cries.

The best thing you can do in this situation is to try to stop these torrents of tears or, even better, prevent them from happening in the first place with gentle caresses and kind words. Russian women respond to soothing caresses like no other. They have immensely soft and kind and hearts, responsive hospitality and lively spirits.

This is not because the Russian spirit is as vast as the Pacific Ocean, but because in Russia it is the accepted behaviour. It is a tradition. Other traditions include happiness in motherhood and domestic affairs.

Be assured that from a very young age, young Russian girls are taught how to cook, even though it may only be fried eggs or Russian soup (borsch) with dumplings. It is well accepted norm that the lady of the house will maintain cleanliness and coziness, rearing the children and taking care of her husband. Depending on her situation she may sing, dance, relate anecdotes, keep a dog, weed the garden (although she may need help with cutting the grass), discarding the burnt-out lawn-mower and have no problem laying tiles in the bathroom. And, all this is done with a deep, traditional and unconditional optimism. How else can one survive in a country that has such a freezingly cold winter?

Somehow or another, many women in Russia have been predisposed to a humble temperament. This humbleness in Russian women is reminiscent of a tigress. And they have so much patience it is true. But, at the end of the day, the tigress is deeply self assured too. There is little point in testing a Russian woman's patience, because there is a limit before her natural and instinctive defense mechanism, zeal and might is displayed.

I will be straight with you. You will never get bored with a Russian woman. You will never have to eat food from a microwave. She will take care of the children as well as the bank account, bear annoyances yet impulsion too, be coy and also emancipated. Other good qualities abound. There is only one condition: you must love her, be gentle with her and talk to her about books, travel and sunsets. With warmth and affection Russian women truly blossom in their beauty and vitality. The whole world is likely to be drawn to this ray of sunshine.

So, you are looking for a wife, not a housemaid right? Well, Russian women are helpers, confidantes and would make excellent mothers for your children. They are beautiful, strong women with complex characters and healthy senses of humor, both in times of suffering and in times of joy.

A Russian woman is a woman with whom you can live peacefully. Russian women are Women: in the true sense of the word.

About the Author

Lilia is an educational articles expert on social and marriage issues, foreign culture and phenomenon of women in different countries. Learn about wedding and marriage. Discover the real facts about Russian women

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