Italians about Russia and Russians

Russians are one of the great nations. But what do representatives of other countries think about our compatriots? It is quite interesting to learn about such a view from the outside. And that's why we continue a series of photo projects, which contain interviews with people of different nationalities, telling about their opinions about Russia and Russians. Today we will talk about Italians…

1. We constantly met with Russian couples on the dance floors. Grace, plasticity, passion in dancing: Russians are very strong competitors. In life — interesting interlocutors. We know a lot about Russia because we like it. We also know about Ilizarov, Bekhterev, and Botkin. (Andreas and Maria, doctors at the Regional Clinical Hospital of Merano and Italian dance champions)

2. I have not been to Russia, but I am interested in the history of Russia, the fate of the Russian monarchy and the phenomenon of Rasputin. It's interesting to philosophize with Russians over a glass of wine. (Christian, Energy Sales Manager)

3. Many Russians do not want to rent ski equipment and equipment, because someone has already used it. They buy everything new and leave it here when they leave. I think they should learn how to manage money properly. Still at Russia has very beautiful women and there is a mafia. Well, we have enough of this in the south of Italy, too. (Patricia, Mrs. Alto Adige - 2013, mother of five children, rents apartments to tourists)

4. I really love Russia and Russians. (Renata, a salesman at the Sportler sporting goods store.) Author's note, since Renata did not praise herself: four years ago, Renata helped a Russian guy from Blagoveshchensk get to his feet after he was hit by a car. She saw a program about him on German television. Renata paid for his rehabilitation and really wanted to come and meet his family, but Blagoveshchensk is very far away and the road turned out to be expensive.

5. Russia is an optimistic country with great faith in the future. I really love Russians! If it wasn't for their kindness, I wouldn't be in the world. My father fought in the Second World War, was captured near Smolensk. Four years after the end of the war, he was released home. And one day a Russian buyer came to our store and bought five paintings at once. He said — as a gift to his wife. (Magdalena, artist at Castelrotto)

6. I spent a whole month traveling in Russia. Was in St. Petersburg, Moscow and rode on the Volga on a ship. I know a lot about Russia. It becomes sad when someone associates such a great country only with vodka and gas. Our Celentano and Cutugno almost settled in Russia — and, I think, for a reason. (Sepp, singer of Italian national hits, Schlernwind group)

7. Russian men are beautiful and very attentive. I once had a fan from Samara. He came to our bakery every morning at 6:30, ordered cappuccino and croissant with apricot jam. And so for two weeks, until he went home. Every morning he brought me a flower picked from a flowerbed, not knowing that the flowerbed was ours. Wow, and my father swore, but he didn't say anything. (Rosvita, the seller in the bakery)

8. Many of our guests from Russia wants privacy, to recover and recover from some stress, just to walk along the mountain trails and enjoy our mountain scenery. Russians love life very much, dress beautifully and are able to be friends. Unfortunately, the language barrier did not allow us to get to know our guests better, but we are always happy to receive them. Russians are very direct, they say what they think. They enjoy, not only when they have fun, but also when they are sad. That was really interesting for us. (Andreas and Helga, owners of the alpine gostiny dvor Rauch Hütte)

9. I didn't know that my name came from "Alexander" — "Sasha" is written in the passport. I dream of visiting Russia and try Russian apples. I think they should have a special taste. I wanted to learn Russian one day: I opened the book and immediately closed it. They still laugh at me: "Well, have you learned Russian?" Nothing to understand! (Sasha, agricultural worker)

10. Russians have a sincere look, they talk very emotionally. A few months ago we had a festival of highliners — this is when they pull a cable between the mountains and walk on it over the abyss. There were several participants from Russia, really cool. I didn't get to know them, and now I regret it. (Celinda, barista)

11. I love Russia very much and visit it often. What amazes me is the traffic in Moscow. How much valuable time is spent in traffic jams! Eight lanes in one direction, the same number in the opposite direction, and no order, everyone goes as the right ear wants. Sometimes the randomness on the roads reminds me of Neapolitan. And I respect Russian business partners very much, people of my word. (Teodoro, owner of Unionfruit trading company, which works with Russians)

12. I like Russians — everyone I've seen is very caring and treats animals like their children. Recently I saw a TV show that in There are a lot of stray animals in Russia. The heart is squeezed when you see that those who depend on us suffer. Russia is a huge country. I really want to take a ride along the Trans-Siberian railway and see it all. (Alessandro, veterinarian at the Tre Santi Clinic)

13. All I know about Russia is that it is very big and it is very cold there. In Thailand I met a lot of Russians who bought everything without haggling. I know the expressions "for your health" and "come on, come on." (Veronica, Pfiff Toys toy seller)

14. My parents conceived me in St. Petersburg. That's why they called me Katya-Katyusha. Since then I have not been in Of Russia. So we have a family secret related to Russia. I have two other sisters, but their names are Italian. (Katya, a seller at the Christmas market in the city of Bolzano)

15. Russia is a country with great opportunities. I really want to come to Russia, I want to walk along the embankment of St. Petersburg on a white night. At our gas station, Russians constantly swear, because the price per liter of regular gasoline is very high. But I think they're right, we also fought at first, now we're used to it. (Stefano, owner of a petrol station on the Merano —Bolzano expressway)

16. I really liked Moscow and Elbrus, next time I want to go to Baikal to fish. I read that the water there is very clean and even at great depth you can see the bottom. I want to take a steam bath in the Russian bath. (Francesco, owner of a vineyard near Bolzano)

17. I read Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina", "War and Peace" and Pushkin something, I don't remember. Russia is a great country with its own culture. Russians talk very loudly, just like Italians. (Chiara, housewife)

19. Have you heard that in There is a lot of snow in Russia. We dream of riding three horses in the snow. The Kuban Cossack Choir came to us in Merano, we were so shocked! As they began to sing, everything trembled to the last cell of our body. Our boss has Russian roots, one of his grandfathers had a musical instrument store in St. Petersburg. He taught us to count to ten in Russian. (Esther and Kristina, sellers in the national clothing store Hallali)

19. I was in Russia once in winter. I've never been so cold before. We have so much snow only high in the mountains. Interestingly, Russian people are unsmiling, but at the same time very sincere. (Riccardo, a government official in the city of Bolzano)

20. I used to work in four- and five—star hotels, and the Russian guests were the most beloved, we couldn't even share with colleagues in any way - who would serve them. Because they left very good tips. Interestingly, they could first order tiramisu, dessert, and then spaghetti with seafood. (Martin, the bartender waiter)

21. Russian women are very well-groomed, with good manners. A lot of Russians come to our store, but I haven't seen any in national costume (residents of South Tyrol / Alto Adige are very proud of their national costumes and wear them on holidays. — Approx. author). (Anita, a seller of national clothes of the Alto Adige region)

22. I was in Russia seven years ago, and a big difference between the poor and the rich caught my eye, the middle class is small. A huge country and so contrasting! Magnificent architecture and painting, and in restaurants I felt a big discrepancy in the ratio of food quality, service and payment. (Daniele, owner of the Hexenkeller restaurant)

23. I have not been to Russia, but I have met many Russians. My Slovak wife has two Russian friends. They are open people and very emotional, ready to help at any moment. One day she was upset, so her friends came to us at 11 pm to calm her down. Calmed down until morning. (Rolando, DJ)

24. There is no food culture among Russians. It is necessary to come to us more often, we will share the secrets of proper cooking and eating. You can order freshly squeezed juice at any time of the day, and it should be drunk only before lunch, as well as cappuccino. And why do many Russians ask in an Italian restaurant if we have sushi? (Markus, a waiter at the Forst pizzeria restaurant in the town of Lana)

25. I really like Orthodox churches, they are very beautiful. We have a Catholic one here, but with an onion dome, we go there all the time. It also seems to me that Russians think: if it's cheap, it's necessarily bad. They only buy very expensive things. (Silvia, a salesman in a bakery in the city of Bolzano)

26. My Russian friends brought me a hat with earflaps and real vodka from Of Russia. I wear a hat when we go sledding in the mountains, but I still can't dare to open the bottle, and it's been worth it for two years. The Russians are very hospitable, it's fun with them. They drink tea both in winter and in summer, and we Italians — mostly when we are sick. Russians also drive cars very well. (Ulli, co-owner of the Hexenkeller restaurant)