10 most popular myths about Russia and the Russian

How many times in a Hollywood movie the whole world was shown an image of a drunken Russian peasant in a fur hat, stuffed with raggedness, sometimes with a bear in an embrace. For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that many other labels also hang on the representatives of other nations: sparse Jews, sluggish Estonians, near-minded and naive Finns.

Today we will try to debunk 10 of the most popular myths about Russia and Russian , many of which appeared in Europe, and then in the US several centuries ago.

10. The myth of dirty Russia.

Perhaps, foreigners coming to our villages with little houses and broken roads seemed untidy. But the people of the Russian minimum once a week from time immemorial poured into the bath clean. What can not you say, for example, about the French. There is an opinion that Louis XIV, the famous sun king, has been washed from head to foot all his life twice.

9. The myth of Russian drunkenness.

By the way, Russia is inferior to Italy, France and some US states by the amount of alcohol consumed per capita( the Rating of countries by the level of alcohol consumption).Do not forget about the strong Russian body, allowing without consequences to "take on the chest" immeasurably more alcohol than the average European.

8. The myth of the world's poorest roads.

Yes, roads are our trouble. But not only ours. As the road value rating shows, all countries of the former Union inherited broken roads. Of course, there is really nothing to be proud of, but to date the state of Russian carriageways is still better than in neighboring Ukraine or, for example, in Kazakhstan.

7. The myth of Russian chauvinism.

Despite the occasional "Russia for Russians" movements, etc., our country has never tried, for example, to lock entire nations on reservations, like many supposedly more civilized states.

6. The Myth of the impossibility of putting things in order

"It's impossible to restore order in Russia - it's too big a country" - absolutely unsubstantiated assertion of those who are not familiar with the history of Stalin's totalitarianism. I really want to believe that someday we will find the golden mean between the dictates of the 1940s and the revelry of the 1990s. Let the "living space" we have really big, but there are enough tenants.

5. The myth of Russian bad manners

Indeed, there are several reasons for such conclusions from the Western public. Firstly, the country's leaders did not always demonstrate a high level of self-discipline, they could knock on the podium and start dancing. Secondly, a significant part of emigrants leaving Russia are not the most prosperous elements.

4. The myth that Russia is an Asian country.

Everyone who saw the map of the world knows that Russia is not both Asia, and not Europe is Eurasia. This geographical location leaves its imprint. We are not Asians, but we are not Europeans either.

3. The myth that every Russian peasant has a fur hat.

In English-speaking countries this headgear is called simply - shapka. Yes, Russians respect their earflaps, as well as many other peoples, who are forced to live in harsh climatic conditions. For example, a fur hat is present in the uniform of some military units of Canada, and even forms part of the winter uniform of the German police.

2. The myth that Russia can not understand with the mind.

Of course, do not understand if the mind is not Russian. Well, they say, take us. .. Because we have a mysterious Russian soul. Sometimes it seems that we deliberately try to look illogical and unpredictable. It turns out a kind of protection from unnecessary questions from the world community.

1. The myth that in Russia the bears roam the streets.

Images of the bear as a symbol of the Russian state are found on the maps of the 16th century. Some researchers even say that the outlines of our country resemble a bear turned by a fillet part towards Europe. So bears go, but not on the streets of Russia. They proudly walk around the world map.