Russia: Personal Saftey

I've always wanted to write about the stereotypes I've heard of Russia. However, I've felt like I didn't know enough, or that it was too early for me, to state an opinion. After over eight months here, I feel like I am ready. 

Everybody thinks Russia is unsafe. Everybody. Not only people in the United States, but from other countries as well. In talking to all the other exchange students I've met on this journey, we have all experienced our parents/family/friends/acquaintances freaking out when we either chose or were selected for Russia. We are all familiar with this conversation:

Friend: "So which country are you going to?!"

Me: "Russia!"

Friend: "Oh." 

We all got the same comments: "I hope you come back," and "It was nice knowing you." 

I laughed of course, it was humorous before I left, but now I don't find it the least bit funny. We joke about Russia, but we really do fear it, and distrust it. This is obvious because parents are not wanting to send their kids on exchange here. The number of exchange students here in Russia is shrinking, and there weren't that many to begin with. It's sad really, because this stereotype that Russia is scary and unsafe is not true. 

The Russians I've met know what the world thinks of them; they laugh at all the stereotypes. They think it's funny that they are perceived as vodka-drinking, bear-riding and balalaika-playing people. However, the fact that the world generally fears them is not humorous to them. It hurts them. No one wants to be the perpetual bad guy. They watch western films where the Russians are ALWAYS the enemy. They watch all the video clips about "those crazy Russians," and they know what the foreign news says about them. I see that it's hurtful. I get the question a lot: "Does everyone in America hate us?". 

I will never forget the reaction of the Rotary District exchange chairman in Eastern Russia (the woman in charge of the exchange students in our district), when she found out no American students would be coming next year. She was so sad. She doesn't understand why people don't want their children to come here. She doesn't understand why her people and country are perceived as scary and unsafe. She doesn't know how to fix the misconception. 

"Why don't they want to send their children here, when our own children live here? We are not different; we live and work just like everyone else. You have seen Emma, we are not scary, we are not aliens. You need to tell everyone this, this is your job is to tell people that we are just like you." 

Russia is not a scary or unsafe place. It can be, just like in every other country. Accidents happen all over the world. That being said, a big part of being safe is being smart. There are things in Russia that are dangerous, but as long as you avoid them, you will be safe. I feel incredibly safe here, safer than I have ever felt. I walk alone at night all over this city of 700,000 people and I don't feel any fear. 

One reason for this is that there are always people, everywhere. I am never alone on the sidewalk. In the City Center, it is busy day and night. People of all ages are out and about, from kids to grandparents. Even when I'm in one of the sleeping districts at night, and only a few people are out, I feel safe. Sometimes I try to make myself scared when I walk along late at night: I focus on the darkness, the dim lights and the generally sketchy surroundings. However, this evaporates when a little grandma with a bag of groceries in her hand walks by, or a mom and her little boy walk out of an apartment building. There are always people around me.

Russians ignore each other, and it's another reason why I feel so safe. They ignore me, I ignore them. As long as I don't make eye contact, look like I know where I'm going, and don't speak in English, I can walk wherever, whenever, I want. Of course there are areas to avoid, like there are in every city. 

The Russian people are not dangerous, and rumors of mafia and gang violence are not true. Sure, there's a little of that in the bigger cities, but not like it used to be. They say it's gotten a lot better, and now it's almost nonexistent. The mafia was huge after the fall of communism because there was no food. The shelves in the stores were empty and the people had no other option than the black market, which was run by the mafia. However, as the economy improved the mafia disappeared, and now the Russians laugh when I ask about it. 

Another reason I feel so safe is that the Russians look out for each other. They may not seem like friendly people, but when someone needs help, they don't hesitate to assist them. I feel safe with Russians, because I know they have my back when it comes down to it. 

There is also the stereotype that the Russians hate us, and this leads us to think that it might be dangerous for Americans. I can honestly say that the Russians have a better opinion of us than we do of them. Russians hate our government, but love us as people. They admire our culture, listen to our music, and watch our films. Yes, I have encountered some negativity and distrust, but never hostility. In bigger cities, actually, the fact that I am American doesn't mean a thing. I hardly get a glance. In smaller ones, it makes me a celebrity, which is kind of nice. Russians really do like us; in fact, I was recently on a trip to a city called Blagoveshensk; one woman there told me "please go home and tell everyone that we don't hate Americans." 

I admit there are dangerous things in Russia. Roads for instance: yes, the roads are in bad condition. But there's more danger from bad driving habits. Yes, there are good drivers, but there is a reason why there are so many car accidents here. In general, Russians drive like madmen. Also, the woods here are very dangerous, and is not advisable to walk alone through them, due to hazardous insects and bears. However, in general, if you ask people if something is safe, and stay smart, Russia is no more dangerous than anywhere else.