[BetterLateThan]

You don't sound like a Russian. You don't think like a Russian. You don't know like a Russian.

Russians don't smile because any person who smiles to a stranger either wants to sell something or is insane. Smiles are for friends, real friends - whopping 2 or 3 of them.

"And if anything goes wrong you can be... No sense of community..."

This part betrayed you. You don't know anything about Russia or Russians. If an African college student attacked a bunch of skinheads, entire subway station would rush to rescue the skinheads.

[cLeEOGPw]

Your example with african college and skinheads do not show a sense of community, it just shows widespread racism among russians. Because if a group skinheads attacked black or gay the whole subway would still help skinheads to beat that single person, or at best not interfere.

[eps]

I'll tell you this - back in Soviet times there were little to no racism towards black people. In part due to Soviet Union helping to "liberate" a good chunk of African countries back in 60s (and through people viewing them as our friends) and in part due to black people simply being an oddity. Also the past slavery and segregation matters in the US, the enemy no. 1, helped them winning some inherent sympathy.

But then Perestroyka came and African exchange students somehow managed to become a reliable source of hard drugs. At least in Moscow. And gradually the attitude changed.

That said no one would help a skinhead beaten up in a subway. Whatever the GP is smoking, it's potent.

[kutakbash]

To be frank, he does sound like a Russian-American. They are often pretty dismissive of their heritage. Rightfully so, judging by your comment.

[fierycatnet]

What does it mean to be a Russian-American? He left the country when he was 5? He was born in US to Russian parents? His comment is pretty ignorant. The article is fairly accurate.

[kutakbash]

I am talking about people who immigrated as adults. The way he talks about his experience in Russia cues that he belongs to that group. His post may be too harsh, but it is certainly not in the same league with truly ignorant knee-jerk comments about gulag.