Expectations Revisited

Statement List

1. Russia is very authoritarian.
   1. Correction: It's more complicated than a blanket statement. The inner circle of influence is its own story and there are many authoritarian aspects to Russia. On a baseline political system definition, yes. But, it's not the picture of authoritarian many Americans may picture. There are freedoms and the daily lives of many aren't that affected.
2. Russia is more communist than capitalist still.
   1. Correction: False. Healthcare and other aspects may be more socialized, but Russia is very capitalist in culture now from what I saw and experienced.
3. Russia played a role in Trump’s election.
   1. Correction: Still unknown, but likely. Nothing learned on this and I don't know why I expected I might. This isn't the sort of thing the average person knows.
4. Russia is mostly rural.
   1. Correction: Nearly 3/4 of people live in urban areas. The cities are very densely populated.
5. Russia has large socio-economic divides.
   1. Correction: While this was very true in the past for sure, it's much harder to discern now. Most people seem somewhat on the same page, but I saw a lot leaning towards poverty while my host Vika was obviously well to do.
6. Everyone in Russia drinks vodka.
   1. Correction: While the college students and older men enjoy vodka, it's not most people's go-to drink. My host Vika was shocked to learn beer was more of a man's drink in the U.S. while something like mixed vodka was more of a female go-to.
7. The performing arts are very popular.
   1. Mostly true. There's a large push to keep them alive and celebrate them.
8. Russia has strained foreign relations with most countries.
   1. Correction: Hard to tell. A lot of the media only covers the countries it has strained relations with, like Ukraine for example. It has plenty of allies. We only see the negative news of sanctions placed by the United States or its closer allies. However, there definitely are strains, as seen in the UN. On another hand, the U.S. arguably has very similar strained relations as seen within the UN.
9. Lots of Russian history has been put in a negative light.
   1. True. Russian history goes far beyond how Western education and thought portrays the Soviet era. Russian history is not nearly as negative as it is often portrayed. There are many negative aspects to it though, as with anywhere, but its history is very rich (just not always shown as such).
10. Russia still is not very commercialized.
    1. Correction: False. There are countless Burger Kings and KFCs and brand names everywhere.
11. Everybody is really tough.
    1. Correction: Well...yes? But not in the stereotypical sense. Nobody's going to come up and punch you while yelling aggressively because you said one wrong thing. Resilient is a better word.
12. There are high expectations for everyone in every profession.
    1. Correction: Hard to tell. This Western belief that perfection is required or you could get executed or imprisoned is certainly wrong, but Russians are high-performing people.
13. Russia is not very diverse.
    1. Correction: Russia does not appear diverse and is not racially diverse, but there are ethnic groups in many parts of Russia that dominate that area, and places like Moscow are much more diverse than places like Vladimir. It's certainly nowhere near like walking down the street in the United States though.
14. Russians are generally athletic.
    1. Correction: Russians who are athletic are very athletic and most people will partake in playing some form of sport, but many are just bookworms and average people who aren't that athletic.
15. It is hard to leave Russia.
    1. Correction: It is hard to leave Russia, but not at Russia's hand. It is hard to leave Russia because of the country wherever people are trying to go. The U.S. denies many Russians visas, as do other countries that require them.

Question List (Specific)

1. What is the actual opinion on Putin’s presidency and regime?
   1. It depends on the part of the generation you ask. Many believe he is a strong figure that Russia needs. Many wish he would be more progressive. Some think both. Much of the youth hopes for someone else, but knows it won't happen, so they don't worry themselves much with it. His presidency and regime are more "just acknowledged" than anything else.
2. Do Russians feel like they have a political voice?
   1. No. Not outside of grass-roots movements.
3. What effects did de-Stalinization leave behind?
   1. De-Stalinization isn't extremely visible. There are many remnants of the Soviet past and many people still revere Stalin while others not so much.
4. How do the political opinions of people who lived during the time of the USSR differ from those who were born after its collapse?
   1. There's a particular nostalgia for the USSR by those who lived during it. They remember it as a time Russia was great and strong, and many actually remember it as a time them and their neighbors had what they needed (depending on who you ask that can completely change). Those born after don't see it as such a great thing, but they view it through a much more intellectual and arts-focused stance than actual lifestyle stance.
5. How does Russia view its former satellite states politically?
   1. I didn't get a good answer to this while in Russia.
6. How does Russia view members of its satellite states culturally?
   1. I didn't get the best answer to that from the Russian view, but I learned from Hannah's experience in Belarus about the other side of the question. While many cultural components are very similar and Russian is more of the main language, there is a push to have pride in Belarus and be seen independently from Russia. They don't want the association because there's a certain pride in having your own country.
7. What is the general Russian opinion on non-Russians? Immigrants?
   1. It's split just like in the United States.
8. How does “Western” culture emerge in Russia?
   1. Western culture pervades Russia, mostly through music and movies. We saw movies like Han Solo featured in Russian movie theaters while most Russian students tried to connect with us through mentioning and discussing American pop culture, music, and celebrities.
9. How do Russians respond to “Western” culture?
   1. They don't resent it from what I saw. They embrace it and integrate it while still embracing their own culture and remembering their cultural traditions.
10. What should happen with Crimea?
    1. Most Russians don't enjoy discussing politics and never took a stance on Crimea.
11. Can relations between Russia and the United States be positive?
    1. Plenty of people think they can certainly be more positive than they currently are, and many are very optimistic about it. From what I learned in lecture, it may be difficult, but it's not impossible.
12. What do Russians think of Trump?
    1. Most Russians view Trump as most Americans view Putin. They hear most of the negative things in the news regarding certain language and whatnot.
13. What is the role of the Orthodox Church in modern-day Russia?
    1. The Orthodox Church is tied to Russian identity. Even if Russians don't actively partake in rituals or fasts, they mostly identify as Russian Orthodox.
14. Are Russians actually superstitious?
    1. Superstition comes in tiny forms. Nearly everywhere has something lucky to rub for nearly any situation. Russia has a history of superstition that isn't as active now as it is standard. Whistling supposedly makes you poor.
15. How does rural Russia differ from urban Russia?
    1. Urban Russia, especially Moscow, feels like a more historical New York or something similar. In rural Russia, on the other hand, there's a much simpler, less hectic way to life.

Question List (General)

1. Is Russia a world superpower as a country?
   1. Many Russians view it as a reemerging superpower gaining its footing again. It used to be, then it wasn't, and now it's in between.
2. Is Russia more European or more Asian? Why?
   1. It's hard to pinpoint why, but Russia now seems more European. It's almost its own entity though, not particularly belonging to either.
3. What are Russians most proud of?
   1. Being Russian.
4. What are Russians not proud of?
   1. Probably the misconceptions many around the world (particularly in the U.S.) have of Russia.
5. What is the biggest misconception Americans have of Russia?
   1. That people are aggressive and there are no freedoms.
6. What are the main entertainment sources for Russians?
   1. Russians love literature, but go to the movies or theater no different than the American.
7. What should Russia be most known for?
   1. The folks in Vladimir :) But really, from what I've experienced, Russia should be known for its layers of history.
8. What are Russian gender roles?
   1. Russian gender roles are very hetero-normative. Women aren't expected to do hard labor and are expected to dress much better than most men. I can't imagine wearing as many heels as I saw being worn. The men are the ones expected to do the harder labor, but are also allowed to be lazier and have much less expectation. My host Vika once talked to me about how many Russian millennial women aren't marrying because there's not the greatest selection of guys.
9. Does winter change life much?
   1. Russians get cold at surprising temperatures to live where they do. Winter life goes on per-usual, but with lots and lots more layers. Even in summer, they're often cold. It's still hard for me to understand how, considering they live through Russian winters...
10. When was Russia’s “golden age”?
    1. Russia's "golden age" would vary depending who you asked and what they valued. Some may say the Soviet Union simply because it's when Russia was a great power, while others may focus on more historical times such as during Catherine the Great's rule or Peter the Great's.
11. How important is Russian tea?
    1. RUSSIANS ADORE TEA. There is always tea everywhere. Tea in the morning. Tea at lunch. Tea at dinner. Guests? Give them tea. I'm not sure why people associate the U.K. with tea - it should be Russia.
12. Is there a lot of respect for the arts? Visual and performing?
    1. Yes, people generally do respect the arts a lot. However, some wish it got more emphasis nowadays.
13. What is most unique about everyday life in Russia?
    1. Honestly, I still find the tiny things to be the most unique. Like how sushi and pizza are associated with one another or the intimacy of friendship - friends kiss cheeks all of the time, and link arms or hold hands a lot as well.
14. What foods are considered standard Russian cuisine?
    1. Shashlik, Blini, Kasha, Borsch, Shi, Kvass, Kholodets, Pelmeni, Buterbrod, Cucumbers, the list goes on and on
15. As an American, what is most important for me to know about Russia?
    1. It's really not all that different when it comes to being an individual. It is memorable. I find myself talking about it to others every chance I get.