Jānis Stūrītis
Pinned by Gen Dit Commando
In can give my opinion, as someone who lives next to the Russian border in ex-Soviet country, can speak Russian, has a basic sense of Russian culture, mentality, etc. Russian culture itself is the thing which sets them up for failure. In Western countries people often see Russia as an extension of Europe which differs only by the politics. This is not true at all, it is a very different society with very different values, behaviours etc. when compared to the West.* In Western culture lying, stealing, cheating is frowned upon. It is something that will make people around you look at you with disgust and avoid you. It is not so in the Russian culture where it is seen as undesirable, but still socially acceptable. I know guys who have built their houses by using stolen materials and stolen tools, and brag about it and nobody even bats an eye. Heck, Russians even have a proverb "Не пойман — не вор", which in English means something like "Unless caught stealing, one is not a thief".
* In Western culture there is 'truth' and 'lie'. It is not like that in Russian, which has a sophisticated vocabulary which seperates 'the real truth' (истина) from 'a tactical truth' (правда) and 'a good lie' (враньё) from 'a bad lie' (ложь). Using 'good lies' is completely acceptable and won't be frowned upon. In fact, you are expected to cover for your social group, friends, family etc. by lying or being selective about the truth you say. When Russians hear bullshit propaganda stories of biological weapons, they do not hear it in the way you and I would hear. It is an obvious lie (враньё) and everyone kinda sub-consciously gets it and will get along because that is in the interest of their social group (country). Lying has nothing in common with integrity in Russian culture. It is something that 'everyone does'. In military this means that misreporting is the rule not an exception; people are punished for reporting unpleasant news and rewarded for having good bullshit-telling skills.
* Russian social hierarchies are based on fear and status. Merit is always secondary. Bullying is common even among adults in workplaces, not even going to mention the army which has a tradition of 'dedovschina'. You are expected to suck up bullying to prove that you are resiliant, any sort of reporting is seen as 'snitching' even if it is justified. Guys who climb up the social ladder are the ones who became friends with their superiors, even if they are absolutely incompetent.
* In Russian culture intellectualism is seen as very undesirable. Word 'smart' is used as an insult, not a compliment. Manliness is equated to being a close-minded brute. People will brag about and even exaggarate their ignorance because knowing things is seen as 'uncool'. This in turn represses creativity and initiative in all levels of society.
#39. I have no idea how I screwed that up. Stuff happens. :)
Not so much anymore. Or perhaps I should say, Western culture becomes less Western every day.
* In Western culture there is 'truth' and 'lie'.
Again, not so much. People increasingly talk of "my truth" or even "my emotional truth." Objective truth is patriarchal white supremacy.
* Russian social hierarchies are based on fear and status. Merit is always secondary. Bullying is common even among adults in workplaces.
Woke Culture. Cancel Culture. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion over merit. Antifa and BLM bullies.
* In Russian culture intellectualism is seen as very undesirable.
We pay lip service to intellectualism, but instead reward correct opinions.
Interesting. Last paragraph puts you in mind of the segment of US black culture that denigrates academic achievement as “acting white”.
What an eye-opening post. Thank you very much.