What is your attitude towards Russians?

[SnowBall86]

I wonder what do people think about Russians.. Have your views been affected by the war? Have you met any Russians and asked them what do they think about the war?

I was born in England & my government has done many things I would never ever support or agree with.

Are you expecting people to base their opinion of an entire countries population on the actions of some politicians?

One of my best friends is Russian. Nothing has changed.

I know quite a few Russians and they are horrified by what their country is doing. They cannot go back to visit family because they are worried about being unable to return. They are also desperately worried for their family and friends.

Baddies in films need to be easily identifiable to enable a quick plot line/explanation /understanding for the audience which are generally there to enjoy a moment of escapism rather than delve into the nuances of why a baddie is the way they are. Its easier for the film makers to jump on to the current or politically historical villain to achieve this.

It's always been this way.

So for the US/UK baddies are largely Russian /Eastern European and Arabic.

US also likes their baddies to have a British upper class accent from time to time.

The Russian in Armageddon is really nice and funny (Cosmonaut on SpaceStation, fixes things by hitting with hammer).

Seriously OP check your bigotry. People are not a hive mind.

why do I need to check my bigotry?

I'm still friends with my Russian friends. Ordinary Russians aren't responsible for the madness of putin and his cronies.

Re. my one-liner some people did not like - if the invasion of Ukraine is not ''scary'' - tell me what is? Also Russia has the highest number, statistically with Belarus - of most alcoholics in the world!

Same here.

The same way I would hope people just judge me for being English/British because of our shot show of a government.

Especially considering our governments deep ties and dependence on Russian money.

Thank you for your responses! To clarify, a very good friend of mine (who is Russian) was offered a fantastic job opportunity in London which is a lifetime dream of hers. She is now reluctant to accept it due to Russian state propaganda which makes it out as though she’s going to be hated here. She also has a 15yo daughter and worried about bullying in schools…

The Russian people did not invade a sovereign state, their head of state gave the order

That person also shut down any dissent

so no, I have no issues with the people, just the decision makers

I have a good friend (in UK) who’s Russian - don’t think any differently about her at all. Haven’t asked her what she thinks about the war or how it’s affecting her family, although I would be interested to know.

I last month met a Russian family —in smokers corner— on holiday in Mexico.the daughter was living in the States he rest of the family had come out to met her. They seemed a good laugh, very educated and were enjoying travelling around. We quickly spoke about Moscow they said everything was good there. I didnt get the impression they were high society but I suppose they wouldve been midle class. It was the children that spoke English. What was embarrassing was when an American joined us, super friendly until they said Russian and he literally put his fag out and walked away. I was embarrassed.

I don't have any judgements about "The Russians", but I do have some feelings about people that draw conclusions about a nation of people based on the actions of their psychotic leader. There's a name for that.

I love Russians. I hate Putin. I find the history really interesting, would love to visit when safe and, if I had the time, I'd learn Russian.

It's a bit like asking what do you think of Syrians, Chinese, Saudis etc.

Because of their government's action Russia is the latest bogeyman, pariah state, whatever - the ordinary people, as everywhere, are just trying to make a living.

We met a young couple who live in London but were on holiday in another area of the UK. We were chatting about places to visit/restaurants and one of the stopped and apologised for being Russian. It was so sad that she felt she needed to. This was in the early days.

I don’t know many Russians - the ones I have come across, their parents had to leave Russia with them because their views were not appreciated there. I don’t know much about Russia and it’s society but I reckon it’s all very complicated with very conflicting views and ideas - some safer to express than others.

Why wouldn't you say this in your OP? 🤔

Let us not lose site of the fact that a sizeable minority at the very least - some 50m Russians - support Putin and The Kremlin. Sadly, most Russians I know are socially immature, bullies and lacking in culture. These are people with £10m+ wealth in London with more in channel island trust funds.

What would it have changed though?

I don’t know any, but I sort of feel sorry for the ordinary people because they don’t know what is really happening.
Some brave person needs to end it.

I have a long standing love affair with Russia from an arts/culture point of view. Similarly, China. But we all suffer under ridiculous political systems and they more so, from my position, which is a pretty left leaning one.

I wouldn’t blame individual Russians. I might be a bit vexed if they believed all the propaganda but can also see how a Russian in Russia may believe it if that’s all they’re seeing on the tv. I feel sorry for the fact they can’t get a McDonald’s, shop in IKEA, their economy is tanking. Obviously I feel more sorry for Ukrainians but the war is not the fault of ordinary people.

No it is not the people's war! They are just as much victims.
I have a Russian friend - she has taken in a Ukrainian family