Paradox Relationships in Paradox Society: Men & Women in Russia or Ukraine

Now you can finally outline and explain the paradoxes of this land, so astonishing to strangers! Watch the symbol of the Orthodox religion, fundamental to the Russian, Ukrainian, Belarus and largely Soviet culture that reaches from private desires to the order of government. A cross is like a reference frame stretched between the extremes, - contrasts at the ends of axes, varieties between, and balance in the intersection.

So whatever you wanted to know… Yes, every tiny peculiarity. Did you notice that the Orthodox Cross has buds on ends that make each branch crossed once more? ;) The posts below would show how major conditions of the region’s geography, economy and history have shaped the daily life of “Russian” people and their way of thinking.

(Why I constantly say “Russian” implying Ukraine and admitting reference to Belarus is a reader’s convenience justified by these Eastern Slavic nations’ common ancestry named “Rus”. Kiev Rus ;) (See “Kiev – Russia’s Mother, Europe’s Father-in-Law”). Where things differ countrywise, I’ll point it out… sorry for the insufficient data on the Byelorussian affairs.)

* Russian Women & Society: -
Worship or Depreciation? x Rules or Freedom?

* Russian Men & Family: -
Machos or Infants? x Enough or Not?

* Russian Women & Responsibility:
“Matrona” Mothers or “Lolita” Girls?

* Russian Women & Work: -
Home or Beyond? x Must or Want?

* Russian Men & Vodka: -
Drinking Power or Alcoholism of Weakness?

* Russian People & Values: -
Rich or Poor? x High or Low?

* Russian Brides & Love: -
Innocent or Tactical? x Easy or Choiceful?

The correct answer to all these questions is the same as in the Russian joke “Real Man Test”: - “What women do you love best – blondes or brunettes?”
The answer is “YES”.

And, to finish with symbols, let me quote a Sufi story of five blind men who met an elephant…

One man touched the creature’s leg and said, “The elephant is a column”.
One man touched its ear and said, “The elephant is a blanket”.
One man touched its trunk and said, “The elephant is a snake”.
One man touched its tusk and said, “The elephant is a plough”.
One man touched its tail and said, “The elephant is a rope”.

See the entire elephant and get along with it!

Sincerely,

© Comrade Natalia

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

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2 Responses to “Paradox Relationships in Paradox Society: Men & Women in Russia or Ukraine”

  1. canajun Says:

    Ms. Orloff;
    You are a breath of fresh aire and I thank you for finding me. Your blog is an inspiration to all that read. I think you are very kind and clear in your descriptions and helping me understand much better what I am dealing with.
    Thank you and kind regards.
    ;)
    Canajun

  2. wonderlander Says:

    Thank you dear Guest for my being helpful. )

    It’s hard to “sort life out by the shelves”… so a right-hemisphere touch feels an indispensable entertainment.

    http://russianwomenspeak.wordpress.com/2007/01/24/abstract-of-my-different-writing-from-russian-western-eastern-men-vs-women-novel/

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