What type of reputation do Russians have here in the U.S.?

Question

I recently started working at a company where my supervisor is Russian. He is also a landlord and has rented me an apartment. When I told a few friends his name, they said, isn't that name Russian? And then they reacted kind of weird?

When I explained he was a nice guy, and asked what was the problem, they shrugged it off and said nevermind. I'm not a prejudice person, and don't see what could have been their problem. Can any of you tell me how Russians are viewed here in the states? Why would they act weird after I told them this? Thanks

Answer 1

I don't know what their problem is, if any, that your friends have.

A lot of time, Russian cultures aren't very well known here in the states. To some of us, their culture and way of live is very strange, in our opinion. But when a situation like that comes up, that is when we need to think on how our way of living might be strange to them.

I have several friends that are from Russia, and some of them have gone on to change their citizenship to here.

One of my friends told me that when she first came over, her family wasn't used to the type of freedom and/or choices that we Americans, sometimes, take for granted.

Answer 2

I dont know where you live or anything but I live in Sacramento and Russians here are generally not liked. This is because their kids are always street racing punks who cause many accidents. The real reason is that many Russians in the U.S. have strong ties to the Russian mafia and hence are responsible for a lot of crime. Russians in Sacramento are known to operate chop shops and deal in other illegal activity in numbers way above regular American people do. Most Russian's also are not friendly to Americans and think that they are better and smarter as well, as an university engineering student I see this daily. I also think that a lot of the distrust dates back to the Cold War and such. Less than 20 years ago you guys were the enemy after all.

On the contrary though, two of the nicest people I know are Russian's, so of course it varies from person to person as all stereotypes do.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

It started off as an old age prejudice, but I've been noticing it more and more as more Russians are coming to America on temporary visas with the hopes of marrying an American or learning a skill/trade.

Don't fall victim to it. Your landlord is a person, and a nice person at that. Treat him as such.

Answer 4

Around here (New Mexico), one doesn't see a whole lot of people from Russia or of Russian descent, but the ones that I have seen are well accepted. Of course, America is a large country with a lot of diversified beliefs and, unfortunatly, bigotries. It's possible that the people you've told associate Russia with the cold war, communism, or some other obscure and invalid bad situation.

Answer 5

i imagine it really is difficult to inform. each city has severe crime aspects. As a Clevelander, i'd really stay the following than alot of different places. we do not ought to rigidity about hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, blizzards(a lot), or tornadoes. usually, once you're interior you're fantastic. California and Florida can keep their warm weatherr. i'd not ideas vacationing, yet i'm satisfied the position i'm.

Answer 6

Honestly nothing.. im from NJ. Here Russians are almost cooler than everyother person. If you say im irish or german or itianlian its like oh okk cool.. But if you say you are russian or even anytyope of european its more interesting.

Answer 7

Okay many Russians are nice people, but a lot of them are strange, like if they have a mild mental disease. I guess it is not always because of drinking too much vodka, I just don't know. Maybe some of them are adapting incorrectly.

Again, many of Russian people are very nice, just watch out man

Answer 8

I guess it would be from seeing too many movies because Russians are always portrayed as being part of the mafia.

Answer 9

All I know is that russian women are on average much more attractive than anywhere else in the world....

Don't worry you'll be fine.

Answer 10

they drink a lot of vodka haha?? nah man, i dunno. i think your friends were just weird and prejudice. and they are probably a minority of people who think that way...i'd hope. i think maybe people, when they here russian, they think of like communist. so if your friends are hell political...or even if not, they might think like "oh what's this commie doing on our turf?" you know? but who cares what they think anyway? if he's a nice guy, then stuff em. you know he's a nice guy and that's all that matters.

xo