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I tried to make my post commenting on 'recent' events because Russia's history goes back thousands of years. I would be here for days writing my post..you wouldn't like me hogging up all the space!..;-)...
The only reason I've asked was that I couldn't quite figure out whether you were talking about "Soviets" in terms of "Russians" and their attitude towards the rest of the nations included in the S.U., ( Balts for example,) or about the Soviet state and its attitude towards the countries of the Warsaw pact.
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That 'recent' event would be say immediately after WWII when Soviet Russia had that great great pride (and of course I concur on that) of blasting away those Nazis suffering much in deaths and destruction in the process. Pride has good effects but we saw that they also seemed to take their tanks out of their garages and brought them on 'maneuvers' in other places. Certainy ok if the ride was in their own territory but it had consequences, terrible consequences, when they mowed down the fences and sped onto other geography. Did the war teach them anything? What I speak about is I must say a heinous act. I speak of great tragedy, sorrowful tragedy. I do lament it as having to be part of a Soviet historical moment.
That one is easier to answer. It was more than just about the "pride" in this case. Don't forget that Soviet Union was a powerful state machine, which was first of all preoccupied with its own survival, not some "love" from anyone. Once the very existence of the state was in mortal danger ( during the WWII,) and then yet once more the state felt threatened by the US right after the war, it acted strictly in self-interest, imposing its will on near-by countries, being oblivious to their interests and not trusting anyone. It almost reflected the situation in well-known Russian fairytale for children "Teremok," but in adult version, told as a joke.
In that version, not particularly interested going through the long list of all inhabitants of this small house, the bear says "I don't give a damn, you are all going to croak" and sits on top of the house. So each and every of these small countries played different role during the WWII with complex relations ( and sometimes straightforward support for Hitler's government,) so Russians like that bear decided to clamp down on them all, sitting comfortably on top of the roof and doing what they felt was serving the interests of their own state.
That one is easier to answer. It was more than just about the "pride" in this case. Don't forget that Soviet Union was a powerful state machine, which was first of all preoccupied with its own survival, not some "love" from anyone. Once the very existence of the state was in mortal danger ( during the WWII,) and then yet once more the state felt threatened by the US right after the war, it acted strictly in self-interest, imposing its will on near-by countries, being oblivious to their interests and not trusting anyone. It almost reflected the situation in well-known Russian fairytale for children "Teremok," but in adult version, told as a joke.
Point taken. Thank you for the ref on 'Teremok'. I need to read it. There's much to learn through literary conventions. Things are getting interesting erasure!
Yes, sure Russians were so peaceful "assimilating" other countries. That's why your average citizen from Estonia, Latvia (ethnic Latvians), Lithuania, Ukraine (esp. Western Ukraine), Moldova (esp. Romanian-Moldovans), and other former Soviet Union countries don't want to be associated with Russia in any conceivable way.
This is crap!!! Many people in these countries have a proficiency in Russian language and truly love Russian culture. Don’t write bull**** here!
This is crap!!! Many people in these countries have a proficiency in Russian language and truly love Russian culture. Don’t write bull**** here!
You're the one bull****ting here! Virtually no one born after 1991 speaks Russian anymore, and older people want to get rid of that Russian-dominated past. The only ones who defend Russian in some of those countries are the politicians and governors, especially in Moldova where Romanian-speakers are FORCED to learn Russian but Russian-speakers don't even bother to learn Romanian even though it is the ONLY OFFICIAL language according to Moldovan constitution. Same with Russian-speakers in Baltic countries. The "homo sovieticus" thing exists for a reason.
To sum up, many people have proficiency in Russian because it was forced down their throats.
You're the one bull****ting here! Virtually no one born after 1991 speaks Russian anymore, and older people want to get rid of that Russian-dominated past. The only ones who defend Russian in some of those countries are the politicians and governors, especially in Moldova where Romanian-speakers are FORCED to learn Russian but Russian-speakers don't even bother to learn Romanian even though it is the ONLY OFFICIAL language according to Moldovan constitution. Same with Russian-speakers in Baltic countries. The "homo sovieticus" thing exists for a reason.
To sum up, many people have proficiency in Russian because it was forced down their throats.
I have a Cuban older gentleman working at the same place where I do.
He was quite happy to learn that I was Russian, and every time when some major events are happening in the world, he comes to me to discuss it quietly. I am not going to spill out all his thoughts here, but let me tell you - they are quite different from the picture that's constantly promoted in the US how all the Cubans would love to swim to the US and how much they hate their socialist government.
So the point is, while I am in no way denying that a lot of people hate Russians ( and their memories of Soviet rule,) that doesn't mean that many of them never liked Russian culture and its core values.
While listening to you, I'm coming to conclusion that your understanding of Russia is quite limited, since you are constantly thinking only in political terms and you don't seem to understand that there is more to Russia ( and Russian culture) than just "Soviet system."
I have a Cuban older gentleman working at the same place where I do.
He was quite happy to learn that I was Russian, and every time when some major events are happening in the world, he comes to me to discuss it quietly. I am not going to spill out all his thoughts here, but let me tell you - they are quite different from the picture that's constantly promoted in the US how all the Cubans would love to swim to the US and how much they hate their socialist government.
So the point is, while I am in no way denying that a lot of people hate Russians ( and their memories of Soviet rule,) that doesn't mean that many of them never liked Russian culture and its core values.
While listening to you, I'm coming to conclusion that your understanding of Russia is quite limited, since you are constantly thinking only in political terms and you don't seem to understand that there is more to Russia ( and Russian culture) than just "Soviet system."
I partly agree with you. I'm no expert about Russia and I consider Russian culture more rewarding than mine, where it seems backwardness is sometimes a great value. However, culture, history and politics are tied to each other, and influenced, and because of history/politics of a certain territory many people in the neighbouring/controlled/former controlled territory may dislike (hate is a strong word) that culture because they associate it with their historical and political "rivalry". And you just can't change that. No one can.
It seems to be that the mentality of most Russians are still "either you're with us or against us". When speaking with Finnish-Russians, they mostly understand that we criticize everything, but on Internet forums Russian persons feel personally offended if someone says anything bad about Russia. And they have to vigorously defend their country against all "uninformed westerners".
Like in "300,000 Romanians died in WWII" - shut up they were all nazis and we liberated them in the end!
"100,000 Finns died in WWII" - shut up you were responsible to the siege of Leningrad
"Many Latvians fought against the USSR" - shut up they were SS antisemitists
they are quite different from the picture that's constantly promoted in the US how all the Cubans would love to swim to the US and how much they hate their socialist government
Cuba. Boy, I'd be curious how that Cuban gentleman views life on that isle and how he sees us..the Yanquis is it?
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So the point is, while I am in no way denying that a lot of people hate Russians ( and their memories of Soviet rule,) that doesn't mean that many of them never liked Russian culture and its core values.
Well for me I certainly don't 'hate' Russians. And I'll certainly admit I have 'issues' but it's couched in history. My concern is that when I go to Russia will I get the same treatment as a er 'Westerner' and a US one at that?...;-)....For sure, I come in peace with respect but will speak my mind. Question is do I need to be prepared for anything?
I partly agree with you. I'm no expert about Russia and I consider Russian culture more rewarding than mine, where it seems backwardness is sometimes a great value. However, culture, history and politics are tied to each other, and influenced, and because of history/politics of a certain territory many people in the neighbouring/controlled/former controlled territory may dislike (hate is a strong word) that culture because they associate it with their historical and political "rivalry". And you just can't change that. No one can.
Let's start with a question; where exactly "backwardness is sometimes a great value"? Are you talking about your own culture or Russian culture?
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but let me tell you - they are quite different from the picture that's constantly promoted in the US how all the Cubans would love to swim to the US and how much they hate their socialist government. 
