I visited a few Russian cities and I liked them very much but I noticed that all people in the streets were dismal and unfriendly. Later I was told that it’s natural for the Russians to behave like that. If it’s true, I wonder why.

Yea, I agree. But it’s not that they’re sad or gloomy, they’re just deep in thought. That’s their style, I personally don’t mind it.

As 4 me I think it’s better this way than false smiling to people you don’t know and will never see, or to people whom you actually don’t like.

i dunno… to me personally a false smile is better than sincere ignorance and rudeness.

Appearances can be deceptive. We hide our light souls behind those dismal faces.

I don’t mind russian people being gloomy and dismal… as long as they’re not being aggressive
As a matter of fact I’m quite gloomy and dismal myself so I understand them.

They say your style of life’s a drag

And that you must go other places

But just dont you feel too bad

When you get fooled by smiling faces?

          Stevie Wonder “Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing”

Steffen Hofman - 24 April 2010 11:40 PM

I visited a few Russian cities and I liked them very much but I noticed that all people in the streets were dismal and unfriendly. Later I was told that it’s natural for the Russians to behave like that. If it’s true, I wonder why.

because they have to live in crap, that’s why

sbbb - 13 March 2011 02:32 AM

because they have to live in crap, that’s why

Most ppl in Amrerica have to live in crap too and they still smile like dumb robots.

It’s arguable, nevertheless in America people haven’t been in such deep crap during the last 100 years in what Russia has been. See, those poor people are wandering around trying to get out of the crap, fail and instead they step into the next crap even deeper than the former ))

they are not dismal, they are serious and concentrated. and they don’t like to spend energy in any way because it’s too cold in Russia!

sbbb - 14 March 2011 01:00 AM

It’s arguable, nevertheless in America people haven’t been in such deep crap during the last 100 years in what Russia has been. See, those poor people are wandering around trying to get out of the crap, fail and instead they step into the next crap even deeper than the former ))

That’s a very childish and actually idiotic stereotype that nations who seem to be more economically developed are more satisfied with their lives and therefore smile more. That’s nonsense. The truth is that people in western Europe almost don’t smile at all. And America is a different kettle of fish; but however their smiles have nothing to do with hapiness and satisfaction. It’s just a habit.

And by the way - Russia hasn’t been in crap during the last 100 years. The USSR was a HUGE and truly prospering state, and all nations admitted it. And the Russia of today is also a very prispering state - all nations still admit it.

I fully agree!