Russiality: Russia is a BIG brand you want to buy

lizarouge (25)in #russia • 7 years ago (edited)

Hi Steem!
Today, I would like to share with you my first article about #MotherRussia. I always tell stories about other countries and cities I've been to, but I've never told about my Motherland.

I am addicted to travel a lot around the world and I like to tell people about other people.

This time I will talk about my country and the reason of "Why Russia is so trendy these days".
For those who have never been to Russia, the article will enable to show some Russiality and I hope you have a good sense of humor!

If you have any questions, suggestions or remarks, feel free to leave your comments!

Enjoy ...

(photo: Nikolskaya street, Moscow, Russia)

Why Russia?

Nowadays Russia has become very-very popular among tourists.
Everybody talk about Russia due to political and economic news, due to discussions about Mr.Putin and Mr.Trump, due to FIFA World Cup 2018 or upcoming President's elections etc.

Did you know that Russian team was banned from taking part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games in South Korea?
Russia is a newsmaker № 1 in the world!

It doesn't matter how many jokes there are about Russia!
Everybody knows that Russians drink vodka instead of water and you can see big bears everywhere in the streets.
Hell yes! Thousands of tourists come and check these legends every year!

The matter is not only how beautiful it is! People are very special here!
If you do not agree with this point of view I suppose you might be partially agree
If I change it a bit:
Russian women are very special! If you see white beautiful girl is crossing the street in China, France, Spain, Italy or elsewhere, you 90% sure she is Russian. Many times I went abroad and locals started talking Russian with me "Privet, kak dela?" and every time I wondered "how did they know I'm Russian?", the answer was every time the same.
(Well now at least, you agree with the beautiful part of Russia ☺)

There is an opinion that "Russian woman needs only your money and your passport".
If a 20-30 y.o. guy is going to visit Russia, his mother will advise to beware of Russian woman!
But why? What's wrong with us?
We cheat better than the rest women of the world or what?☺

So what do you like more in Russia ?
"I like people, the food and the drinks! Russians are super nice and friendly to me", - a guy told me couple of days ago.
(He is half Hong-Kong and half Manchester)

We do meet many Chinese, French, British, Italians or US citizens everywhere.
Russia is a BIG brand you want to buy, to feel, to see and to be a part of.

Once I met a guy from England near one of the old and famous techno-clubs «Propaganda» in Moscow, his name was Ollie.

(photo: Techno-club Propaganda, Kitay-Gorod, Moscow, Russia)

He told me that he came to Saint-Petersburg, Russia and then stayed for couple of years because he felt like Russia was close to his heart.
We had an interesting conversation between us and I was really interested "Why Russia?"
The answer was: «People!»

Here's our conversation:
Me: What do you like in Russian people?
Ollie: Mm.. I like how people speak directly to other people and there is less bullshit. You can understand people on a deeper level which you wouldn't know otherwise think about when you are in Europe … Ever!
Me: Can you speak directly in England, no?
Ollie: No! These people resist it. If you like to speak directly to people in England .. they will think you are a kind of weird or rude, or both… but like here it is expected to be direct. If that is rude, you still do it. That's what I like, you don't waste time talking about shit that you don't care about. You only say something if you wanna say. It's great!
I would have change it for the world.
Me: Mm, but what about America for example? It's also a different mentality!
Ollie: Oh f**k America! England is like a halfway house between this and America. In England you spend all your time talking about stuff you don't care about, the other person doesn't care about it, just to be polite, yeah that's the only reason. You appear like you carry about a person bla bla bla - but, here, No!

(P.S. I am sorry, I didn't want to touch Americans' feelings. It's just an opininon, I respect America anyway)

So, People!

Russians do not like to smile so how the rest of the world should like them?
Well, If you go down the metro in the early morning, you will never see happy faces going to work.
This is true ... but would you smile when it's 6 am in the morning and minus 10 degrees outside, you wear too warm clothes in order not to get cold but it's hot inside the train and you have to go to work ?
I don't think so! People can be close and direct sometimes, but do we need to behave other way?
Yeah, people do not smile to anyone who asks «what time is it?» in the streets but Russians smile and laugh as much as Americans or British do in general. We just do it when it is needed.
Moreover, If only you touched Russian heart and soul, I bet you will never find a better friend!

Russian do parties like there’s no tomorrow!

«Do you expect to have a wild time when you get together for a dinner party with a bunch of middle-class western professionals who have spouses and children? No, you expect to drink Merlot and debate “helicopter parenting”.
Even Robbie Williams told in one of the interviews about his single «Party like a Russian»:
«Part of the British identity is that we all believe we’re the best at partying, most nations think that of themselves... but there ain’t no party like a Russian Party!»

Yeah we do party like there’s no tomorrow!

We live like there’s no tomorrow!

That's why we are who we are!

You're still reading the article, so here is the proof... you are interested in Russia!

Christmas Time in Moscow!

(photo: TSUM department store, Moscow, Russia)

No, Not yet!

One of the biggest Holiday in Russia is the New Year!
We celebrate it on 31st of December -1st of January.
Than It comes Christmas on 7th of January ☺

It's a bit vice versa but It's convenient for you to spend time with your family on 25th of December and then to go for party and chill to Russia.
(Yeah! Sounds like a plan!)

Every New Year's Eve Moscow becomes the most beautiful city in the world.

Last year's decorations were nice and I couldn't have imagined that it could be much beautiful than it was!

The city starts to be decorated at the beginning of December and it lasts till the end of January. If you are not afraid of cold weather it is a good time to explore Moscow.

(photo: Pushkinskaya, Moscow, Russia)

The Nikolskaya is one of the most beautifully - decorated streets this year!

The north side of the street is lined with historic buildings, such as the Kazan Cathedral, the Old Mint, Greek Monastery of St. Nicholas (from which this street takes its name) and many others.

The Nikolskaya Street and the neighbouring Tretyakovsky Proyezd are the center of Moscow's traditional luxury shopping district.

(Tretyakovsky Proyezd, Moscow, Russia)

The street connects Lubyanka square and the Red Square, with upfront GUM Department Store.
By the way, the Russian queen Catherine II commissioned Giacomo Quarenghi, a Neoclassical architect from Italy, to design a huge trade center along the east side of Red Square. Now it is the most beautiful store in Moscow that looks alike with Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Yes, it is so Italian but the atmosphere is different!

(photo: GUM Departement Store, Moscow, Russia)