[marktwain]

I’ve wondered the same about Russian behavior. Could it have to do with being under the thumb of crooked elitist communists where justice (or lack of) is dealt out with absolute violence?

I think that is part of it. Everyday life is filled with uncertainty and severe risk through the political system and lack of any confidence in the rule of law.

In order to live, one must take, what seem to us, significant risks everyday.

So taking large risks becomes simply an ordinary thing.

In addition, alcoholism is rampant.

[jmacusa]

All astute observations of the Russian character. Russia is a hard country to live in. It’s got a varied and rather extreme climate and the Russian people , one’s that I’ve known just seem to be a rather brutish, cold and largely reckless bunch. Life isn’t cheap in Russia. It’s worthless. Children however are a different matter. Russians dote on kids in a way Americans would find strange.