How is Russia viewed by a foreigner? (+)

[choc_fondue]

>> Germans like to call it non-diligent.<<

Well, they may have a point there…

Those who speak Russian perhaps know the word “RAZGUILDIAY” (ðàçãèëüäÿé) and - as a very Russian phenomenon,- “razgildiaystvo” that has been noted both by Russians and foreigners.

The etymology says it all. Russian merchants used to belong to one of 3 ‘guildias’ (the word is derived from the German “Gilde” if I am not mistaken – sorry if I spelt it wrong), depending on their capital and range of responsibilities, etc. They had their duties to fulfil too, and those who could not cope with it were deprived of the right to be part of this German-like, structured and ‘diligent’ system. They were expelled and became ‘outcasts’, ‘raz – guildiay’ Russia still has the same problem - efficient western management systems and philosophies cannot be imported to Russia

[choc_fondue]

Yes, Russians do not like ‘artificial, stuck-on’ smiles that are so typical of anglo-saxons. This is one of the main points of misunderstanding and complaints for Russians who travel to the west for the first time – everyone is smiling at them, when there is no obvious reason… The reverse is true for the foreigners coming to Russia – they feel they are surrounded by sullen faces and hostile looks (Russians have a very direct way of looking you up and down wherever you are, especially if you are a woman).

The interesting thing is, it takes time for Russians to appreciate that a lot of this smiling is not pretence, people are genuinely more happy and friendly (especially in the North of England, for example, as opposed to London). Brits are also prepared to do that little bit extra for you that they don’t really have to – just being helpful or appreciative, whether it is on the road, in a shop, at a cafe or in a hospital.

Russians would not normally say thank you if you give them way on the road, and would think you are taking the mickie if you wave at them… But then of course, Russian chivalry to women is very enjoyable (unless you are a militant feminist!)

[Ronald_Barbour]

Dear Choc:

In regards to Woland - and other foreigners like him in Russia - who are after an honest buck: This is a win-win situation for all involved, as capitalism - the truely free market - profits all parties since it is a fair exchange of values between individuals with force ruled out.

For example, I have an apple for sell at 10 cents. You make a counter offer of 5 cents. We agree finally on a price of 7.5 cents...

Of course, the socialists and nationalists have for generations demonized capitalism as a rip off of the working man - Yet it is those ideologies that mandate price controls and use force in economics - Consider Stalin and Hitler's "Five Year Plans"....

To get back to my example of apples - under the Nazis they would only license "Aryan Apple Sellers" to sell apples at 20 cents an apple. Under Stalin, the apple seller would be shot as an "Enemy of the People" and the apples seized and eaten by the Party leadership.

Sincerely,

Ronbo

[Sato]

For Ronbo:

Sorry to appear mysterious, Ron, but I don't get onto Internet as a daily routine, and then have unpredictable spans of time to post something.

You mentioned Nietzsche. First of all he was part of the general movement in latter 19th Century Europe away from the Enlightenment and into the "psychological" paradigm. Therefore his respect for Dostoevsky is an indicator of his view of Russian lore.

Nicolai Berdyaev, an existentialist religious thinker (and exiled Russian) writing in the 1950s, unequivocally declared Dostoevsky to be "Russia's greatest metaphysician." And Walter Kaufmann included Dostoevsky in his classic anthology of existentialist writings. He explained,
"I can see no reason for calling Dostoevsky an existentialist, but I do think that Part One of 'Notes
From Underground' is the best overture for existentialism ever written."

After reading 'Notes From Uderground' in translation during 1887, Friedrich Nietzsche admitted that Dostoevsky
was "the only person who has ever taught me anything about psychology."

So you can see that Dostoevsky has had a profound impact upon the course of the last century of
philosophical thought. Through his novels he managed to engage in a considerable amount of serious and controversial philosophical commentary. As Berdyaev put it, "he may have learnt but little from philosophy, but he taught it much."

Just food for thought.

Sato

[Ronald_Barbour]

Dear Sato:

I agree that many of Dostoevski's themes were parallel to those of Nietzsche: For instance, the Nietzschean concept of the UBERMENSCH (Superman) - an individual who was above good and evil, and could commit any crime in order to achieve his ends. Clearly, in Dostoevski's masterpiece "Crime and Punishment" the author wanted to illustrate the mental torment that a normal person would endure if he tried playing the UBERMENSCH and committed a horrible crime to test this theory. The mental torment leads the protagonist to confess his crime and finally to seek forgiveness from God.

In regards to Dostoevski's Christian existentialism - I think that it is much more difficult to write a novel that illustrates one's philosophic position than it is to write an academic tome on the subject.

Sincerely,

Ronbo

[ILay]

RonBo:

right you are!
I would even say that Dostoevskiy was one of the Uebermensch theory creators.

Extremely visible if you read 'Karamazov brothers' or 'Besi' ('devils').

Well he did not find a good outcome for impementation of the theory in his works neither did the history in real life.

2 Sato:

re Berdiaev - did you mean 'The spirits of Russian revolution'? If yes, what would you say about his views on Gogol?

[Ronald_Barbour]

Dear ILay:

I think what you mean is that Dostoevski was able to create in his novels the psychological processes that drives the "Superman" -- He did not give birth to the "Superman" in the sense that people who read his books would want to copy this type of anti-social behavior.

I think quite the contrary was his purpose in his exposure of the evil in man.

Among many of Dostoevski's accomplishments is his role in the development of psychology. Today psychologists have a term for the "Superman" - He is called a sociopath or psychopath - and is clearly a person without conscience or remorse who views other people as a means to his ends: and will murder, rape, loot without limits, if allowed, and cares only about himself.

The sociopath makes up the majority of felons in prison; however, the more clever and ruthless types often end up as rulers of countries: Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin and so forth.


Sincerely,


Ronbo

P.S. And former President Clinton, according to a leading American psychologist.....