The “Russian Woman” / “Russians” brand: Geography, Philosophy, Patriotism

Should I parenthesize “Russian” everywhere on this blog? Any Russian-bride-savvy knows this indication concerns several, mostly Eastern European, countries of the Former Soviet Union (FSU): Belarus, Russia, Ukraine (kin Slavonic / Slavic nations), to some extent the Baltic region (West-wise), Georgia and Kazakhstan (East-wise). What stands behind the “brand name” then?

• Background

It’s a recognizable umbrella brand. Cause 1: Russian political and cultural domination over the other nations throughout ages. Cause 2: …errrrmm… to put it soft… lack of all-round curiosity in Western “broad public”, which prevents them from discerning between the countries engaged.

It contains a major mission message. Russia’s National Idea revolves around its “Special Mission in the World” accounted to the nation’s position as to the East-West civilizational axis. In a sketch, it’s commonly declared as something like this:

“Russia is both European and Asian, and neither Europe nor Asia at the same time. We Russian People (or, largely, the Slavs) are rational and intuitive, practical and contemplative, conscious and wild, traditional and inventive, obedient and rebellious, spiritual and cynically tricky in our own manner (but most importantly Spirited, with an inherent sense of God… forgiving our frailties). Therefor we are destined to the Special, Third Path (versus “Eastern Way” and “Western Way”), and we must find and lead it for the world’s sake.”

“…but being senior and intrinsically more European (with no less right to Indo-Arian heritage), WE are wiser, softer, more diligent and relaxed.” (Ukrainian version)

Refraining from assessments as to the ambition part, one can find much truth in this position (“East x West > Home = Best”), with all the general thoughtfulness in the region’s laymen and the international impact given by its famous philosophers. What makes the “Russian soul” (aka “Slavonic / Slavic soul”) an ultimate mystery is that it remains a mystery to Russians (Slavs) themselves… women being an embodiment of mystery by all notions ))

This international brand implies a special role of females. One more “Russian” paradox here: It amalgamates the “sanctifying” and “brutalizing” social attitudes to women, rooted in a long, long history involving matriarchal cults and traditions (Holy Mother the Decisionmaker), patriarchal serfdom economy (Slave’s Slave the Underhuman), romantic love & nobles’ courtship culture (the Angel of Perfection, the Fragile Treasure Lady, the Faithful Muse or the Fatal Magic Beauty), Communist empowerment-&-exploitation (the Equal Battle Comrade Girl who was generally Ordinary State’s Work Fodder, largely Professional, and occasionally a Manager to Minister) and surviving the Transition Period (the heroical Family’s Provider, staple Sexual Commodity or a killer Sexual Business-woman, and luckily a Win-Win Marriage Partner as well as Social Achiever).

A match of all this has been shaping the phenomenon of Russian Femininity – as powerfully vulnerable as a flower breaking through concrete.

• National Difference and Feelings

With all the common traits, there are significant distinctions between Ukrainian, Russian, Byelorussian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Kazakh (etc.) people, men or women. Every national mentality demands a full-height portrait, and later we’ll take care at least to outline them with details that influence communication.

But what is most important to keep in mind, is the “Russian” ladies’ own common sense of national identity and dignity. A foreigner confusing Russia and Ukraine may be perceived as rudely ignorant as if he called Agatha Christie’s Hercules Poirot (Belgian) a “frog”, or as if some [beautiful] body said that English and American men are all the same.

Being not completely sure of what you know about Her Country (who’d ever dare to blame you for this?!) – just don’t bother exclaiming “Oh, yes, Chernobyl!” / “How is Mr Putin?” / “You have won the Orange Revolution!” Care should be taken if emailing “I’m studying your… and I’d like to travel to …” (if “…” is not HERS, it looks bulk mail and shows a thoughtful woman no actual personal interest, thus making your credit ratings sink). If you ARE interested and care to show you ARE, it is recommendable to get well-read fast by searching Her native toponyms in Wikipedia. You are sure to find some useful information for your own advantage there!

Certainly the truth is much more vast and diverse than guides’ highlights. Asking “is there really…” would be a safe pitch when all PERSONAL acquaintance topics seem discovered and boding well.

Unfortunately, there are many single web dating personals by men unaware that introductions in the tone of unsolicited sympathy about “mafia”, “alcoholism”, “bad local men”, “poverty” and other “strolling bears” is low-life-superficial and arrogant. Especially as this “bugbear” stuff makes just one layer of the many “parallel realities” within the Former Soviet Union space, which layer your potential “Russian” bride may successfully evade… Right or wrong, – your previous [hapless] competitors must well have done their best to make these topics played-out fun for her ;)

Enjoy yourselves!

Sincerely,

© Comrade Natalia

(…please link to this page when using some information from it! ;)

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