Why do Americans hate Russians?

Question

I was born in Russia, and lived there for acouple years. I've moved to the US, and I live there now. I've seen two different views from Americans and Russians.

Many Russians I've talked to are friendly and helpful towards all people. They've asked me how US was and always wanted to live there. Russian people aren't consider that rich, they take what they have.
When I've moved to the US, SOME people did give me negative comments that Im a spy and cruel jokes. I was suprised by this.
So why do some people act like this? I do admit, I hate the Russian gvt, but not the people. So then, why do some Americans think Russia is such a cruel mistaken country?
Overall I think people take too much for granted, and think as they see things on TV.

Answer 1

I am truly sorry there are some people like that. I am an American and a veteran of the Army. Although we trained to possibly fight the Soviet Union, I never disliked or distrusted Russian people. I have met several Russian students and immigrants and in each case, I found them to be warm, friendly, fun-loving people. The old habit of fearing Russians ( back in the cold war) may be the cause of some jokes you hear, but I doubt those people typically hate Russians, they are probably just ignorant from lack of exposure to normal Russian folks. Just be friendly and show everyone that you are more like them than they think, and you'll charm and win friends in no time. Good luck and I hope you prosper here in the U.S!

Answer 2

You do know about the Cold War, right? Our two countries were locked in deadly fragile diplomacy negotiations for decades. We also had the McCarthy Era, in which the fear of communism was ingrained into the American people. It may seem like old history to you, but folks have long memories. Also, lately, the stories coming out of Russia about Putin and his future intent for Russia's government have put many people on alert about more changes to come in Russia.

I don't hate you, I don't know you at all. But if you're going to live in this country you need to understand the current against Russia and it's ties to communism aren't going away anytime soon. Just show people the person you are and they'll come to accept you. We are good at that too in this country ;-).

Answer 3

Um some Americans think that because of the Cold War. I mean seriously people were raised to hate the Russians. It just ended a couple decades ago. People remember. I would think this is pretty obvious.

Answer 4

I have always liked Russian people. I have always had a thing for the accent russian women have.
I have always felt that the russian people were good decent people.
Maybe you have just had bad luck with meeting some bad people.

I hope your experience gets better because I have never thought that the sentiment that you are describing is what the average american thinks.

Answer 5

I think that Russians are very nice people, I had worked for a family doing elderly care and they did treated me very nice, and I also being around Astoria, Queens there's a lot of them there, and I like them, and is true what you say they like to help people, just ignore the Americans that feel hate for others.

Answer 6

They don't.
Many of us would love the see the Russian People have Real Freedom, and a chance of having a good life.
Throughout History, the Russian People have always been victims of Evil.

(Those Americans were probably just kidding you. If not, they are probably liberal idiots, who want communism here in the US.)

Answer 7

I'm an American, and I like the Russian people a lot!

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience with some people who apparently aren't very thoughtful or mature. Unfortunately jerks exist in every society, and it sounds like you've found some of ours.

Answer 8

I don't know where you live but I apologize if anyone has said anything or has any hard feelings toward anyone from anywhere. Many Americans are arrogant and have their azses on their shoulders. Most of us are just good people trying to make it through life. This country is a melting pot of many cultures.

Answer 9

To answers your question we fought the Cold War against the Soviets for years and we were all under the threat of the nuclear war that was predicted so many times that it's hard in this day and age to put it all behind us.

Answer 10

There's a whole generation who was taught to fear your people. Those fears were passed down to their children. It wasn't until a Catholic Pope from Poland made all of us see for ourselves that there was nothing to fear any longer. There will always be caricatures of Europeans of one country or another, but keep in mind, Americans also, have a derogatory persona in the worlds view.

I'd like to echo other answers to your question to say we are not all the same. Please keep in mind we may have hard heads, but we do have good hearts.