Being Danish in Russia

[Jutman]

Hi

Is it save to travel inside Russia, as a Dane?
Are people cable of looking differently at my government and at the individual citizen?

Thankx

[Yu_Jing]

I think it is safe:
First, not so many people in Russia really concerning about that incindent with Zakaev.
Second, even those who are concerning most probably do not know that it was exactly in Denmark.
Third, I hope you'll be not waving with Danish flag permanently and shout in plain Russian that you being Danish demand to stop the war in Chechnya and to give it full independence with adding of some coarse tabooed words about Russian people in general.
Forth, there're Russians who share European approach to Chechen problem (me, for example).
Fifth, it was long ago enough.
Sixth, Russian are not so biased to politics and they used to separate government deeds and ordinary people. (We were taught by our own history)

[Jutman]

Thanks for your answer.

No I have no intention to wawe the Danish flag, or start a discussion on any Russian/political issues.
Just seem impossible to avoid question like "where are you from"?
And my travel is not up for 8 weeks, so hope you are right. I am looking forward to see the this big country.

[Yu_Jing]

Who'd ask you where are you from? Have you been to Bangladesh? If they see any foreigner, they start shouting: "Hello! Name and country!" I was Russian, American, German, Japanese, Chinese (that is why I've got this nick), Nigerian there. They believed. In Russia nobody will stop you on the street to ask about your origin. You may be asked by hotel stuff or by some people who got close to you. (I mean friends of your friends, those who may share the same table in a bar, train compartment, etc.)

[Rom]

Hello Jutman

There is definitely no danger for you being Danish in Russia. Yu_Jing is wrong though, most people remember that incident and know perfectly well that it was Denmark. But the rest is true, you should not expect any specific hostility towards you because you are Danish. Have a good time, if you have anything else to ask, do it.

R

[Deni]

I agree. People in Russia hold not so big interest in politics and they hardly care of all this fuss about Zakaev. Plus they are not so stupid to transfer relations between out goverments to the Danish people. I think as a whole Russians have positive associations connected to Dania and this little incident couln't have spoiled them. So you can tell anybody that you are Dane without any fear.

[Jutman]

Since I started my relationship - I have also learned a lot about Russia. I have the same feeling and told my friend in Russia that Russia is a big and important country. There seldom goes a day without Russia is in the news.
Or like the first place outside Russia, ever the 7 Zar juwelery-'eggs' from Moscow will on exhibition in Copenhagen. If my data is right around 12000 Russians lives in Denmark. A lot of people learn a little Russian. Finally the wife to last Zar was a Danish princess, which is very soon going to return to Skt.Petersborg.

Best regards