“How Russians Have Changed My Life”: Spaniard's Tale
Manuel moved to Russia two years ago. Now he speaks Russian so well that he is considered local. People do not believe that he is a foreigner, and ask for a passport.
Manuel began his acquaintance with Russia from Krasnoyarsk, where he came to study at the Siberian Federal University for a three-month exchange program. He began to study Russian in Spain, and at first hesitated in choosing a language for studying. Alternatively, one could take up Arabic or Chinese, but Manuel believes that he was not mistaken when choosing Russian.
Siberia through the eyes of the Spaniard
Manuel loved Siberia with all his heart. He already understood that Russia is a very large country, and its different regions are very different from each other. It was Siberia that conquered the young Spaniard. When he again came to Russia to enroll in a magistracy, he did not hesitate to choose Krasnoyarsk again. And wherever he later appears, he always recalls Siberian frosts.
For him, now there is nothing tastier than a can of stew warmed at the stake. He tried it when he went on a camping trip with the Russian guys on a frosty day. He then realized that even in severe frost, life does not stop.
Siberians turned out to be very open and hospitable people. Manuel was surprised to see that they are more restrained in communicating with each other than with foreigners. He sees the reason that foreigners are much less likely to be in Siberia than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Here they are a little outlandish. And those who try to communicate in Russian, even if not quite correctly, enjoy a special location among local residents.
He noticed that Siberians are not trying to seem better than they really are. They are kept very simple, without drawing. The Spaniard always felt their attention and support.
What was hard to get used to
Manuel could not immediately get used to some features of life in Russia, but over time he succeeded.
For example, he considers Russians to be very dodgy. They are able to adapt to anything and cope with any difficulties. Moreover, sometimes they themselves create them for each other in order to achieve the best result.
Defending a dissertation in Russia was a difficult test for him. Teachers forced him to completely redo the work five times. He had already begun to doubt his abilities and thought that he was worthless. But he was reassured that these difficulties are part of the learning process. And if you overcome them, then you will become a real professional.
It was in Russia that Manuel learned to cheat on exams. More precisely, Russian friends taught him how to make cheat sheets and use them quietly. Now the Spanish guy considers Russians the most dodgy people in the world.
On the other hand, he considers us too serious. The Spaniards are the southern people. They love humor and jokes very much. But Russians are more restrained in the manifestation of emotions. For example, his Russian girlfriend believes that his self-irony is too pronounced. She thinks she should be taken more seriously and respectfully.
Manuel believes that Russian and Spanish humor are very similar. The same things seem ridiculous to us.
They also explained to the Spaniard that it was indecent to discuss others in their absence. If in Spain there is nothing to be ashamed of, then we call it gossip and not too welcome.
In Russia there is not only Siberia
How big and different Russia is, Manuel realized, having got to St. Petersburg after Krasnoyarsk. At first, he really missed Siberia, but then he found positive moments in a new place.
After the Siberian frosts, beautiful nature and vast expanses, St. Petersburg seemed to him too gray and dull. Of course, the architecture is beautiful there, but the Spaniard did not find this city too Russian. Petersburg is too European a city.
And people here are not so open and welcoming as in Siberia. They are used to foreigners and do not pay attention to them. And their mentality is such that they are more immersed in themselves.
True, Petersburgers are better versed in art. No wonder St. Petersburg is considered the cultural capital of Russia. Many of them are well versed in classical music and painting, versed in architecture and history. According to Manuel, Petersburgers are a bit stuck in the past, while Siberians live today.
Still, Manuel is much closer to Siberia and its inhabitants. At the first opportunity, he is likely to return to his beloved Krasnoyarsk, which became his second homeland.
Manuel began his acquaintance with Russia from Krasnoyarsk, where he came to study at the Siberian Federal University for a three-month exchange program. He began to study Russian in Spain, and at first hesitated in choosing a language for studying. Alternatively, one could take up Arabic or Chinese, but Manuel believes that he was not mistaken when choosing Russian.
Siberia through the eyes of the Spaniard
Manuel loved Siberia with all his heart. He already understood that Russia is a very large country, and its different regions are very different from each other. It was Siberia that conquered the young Spaniard. When he again came to Russia to enroll in a magistracy, he did not hesitate to choose Krasnoyarsk again. And wherever he later appears, he always recalls Siberian frosts.
For him, now there is nothing tastier than a can of stew warmed at the stake. He tried it when he went on a camping trip with the Russian guys on a frosty day. He then realized that even in severe frost, life does not stop.
Siberians turned out to be very open and hospitable people. Manuel was surprised to see that they are more restrained in communicating with each other than with foreigners. He sees the reason that foreigners are much less likely to be in Siberia than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Here they are a little outlandish. And those who try to communicate in Russian, even if not quite correctly, enjoy a special location among local residents.
He noticed that Siberians are not trying to seem better than they really are. They are kept very simple, without drawing. The Spaniard always felt their attention and support.
What was hard to get used to
Manuel could not immediately get used to some features of life in Russia, but over time he succeeded.
For example, he considers Russians to be very dodgy. They are able to adapt to anything and cope with any difficulties. Moreover, sometimes they themselves create them for each other in order to achieve the best result.
Defending a dissertation in Russia was a difficult test for him. Teachers forced him to completely redo the work five times. He had already begun to doubt his abilities and thought that he was worthless. But he was reassured that these difficulties are part of the learning process. And if you overcome them, then you will become a real professional.
It was in Russia that Manuel learned to cheat on exams. More precisely, Russian friends taught him how to make cheat sheets and use them quietly. Now the Spanish guy considers Russians the most dodgy people in the world.
On the other hand, he considers us too serious. The Spaniards are the southern people. They love humor and jokes very much. But Russians are more restrained in the manifestation of emotions. For example, his Russian girlfriend believes that his self-irony is too pronounced. She thinks she should be taken more seriously and respectfully.
Manuel believes that Russian and Spanish humor are very similar. The same things seem ridiculous to us.
They also explained to the Spaniard that it was indecent to discuss others in their absence. If in Spain there is nothing to be ashamed of, then we call it gossip and not too welcome.
In Russia there is not only Siberia
How big and different Russia is, Manuel realized, having got to St. Petersburg after Krasnoyarsk. At first, he really missed Siberia, but then he found positive moments in a new place.
After the Siberian frosts, beautiful nature and vast expanses, St. Petersburg seemed to him too gray and dull. Of course, the architecture is beautiful there, but the Spaniard did not find this city too Russian. Petersburg is too European a city.
And people here are not so open and welcoming as in Siberia. They are used to foreigners and do not pay attention to them. And their mentality is such that they are more immersed in themselves.
True, Petersburgers are better versed in art. No wonder St. Petersburg is considered the cultural capital of Russia. Many of them are well versed in classical music and painting, versed in architecture and history. According to Manuel, Petersburgers are a bit stuck in the past, while Siberians live today.
Still, Manuel is much closer to Siberia and its inhabitants. At the first opportunity, he is likely to return to his beloved Krasnoyarsk, which became his second homeland.
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