Travelling to Russia - racism and homophobia?

[und]

Hello RevLefters,

I will be visiting Russia this summer and was wondering if any of you who live in Russia / have been to Russia can offer me some practical advice, since I have read about the presence of fascist thugs on the streets of Russia out to get anyone who does not conform to the ethnic or sexual norm.

Now, personally, I cannot accurately describe my ethnic origin or general appearance, but let us say that I could pass as being from the Caucasus, which potentially puts me in the target zone of neo-Nazis. Furthermore, being of a non-bigoted and forward-thinking mindset, I would find it difficult not to challenge any outward expressions of homophobia or sexual discrimination. I have had such discussions with Russians in the UK and have realised that most modern day Russians have quite uninformed opinions on the matter (for example confusing homosexuality with paedophilia) - and that is from a sample of some very educated individuals.

I have visited Belarus in the past and was amazed by just how lovely everybody I met there was, so it would be great to have a similar experience in Russia. Returning to the main point of the post:


Does there exist a risk in Russia for a tourist of possible Caucasian appearance? In particular should I avoid straying from major cities, or is that unreasonably cautious?
I am guessing it is advisable not to challenge anybody on issues relating to gender or sexuality, unless I know the person and am in a safe place. And even then it's probably just not worth it?
On a lighter note, does anybody have any advice for which places I could visit in Moscow/St Petersburg, and any other places it is worth going to, bearing in mind that I will not have enough time to travel very far?


Thanks!

[Psycho P and the Freight Train]

Ok, here's what to do in order not to get harassed in Russia.

1. Find a red shirt with the hammer and sickle on it. Wear it everywhere.

2. Walk up to random people and say "what's up comrade?" This will show that you are a friendly person who respects their culture.

3. Ask random people what they think of Putin and Pussy Riot. Tell them you are an open-minded liberal.

:grin: Ok in all seriousness, I want to visit a friend in Russia and I'm gay so I have similar concerns. My friend is obviously cool with gay people and so are his friends, so it's not all bad. Russian culture is cool and people can be friendly. Just don't stick out like a sore thumb and obviously look up bad areas before you go. Definitely have someone you know who is Russian to meet you. It's probably not as bad as you think.

[BIXX]

I was thinking about going to Russia someday. Only reason not to is that I don't know anyone there or the language.

[Rurkel]

Most assaults on immigrants in Moscow and St. Peters occur in far away from the center subway and suburb stations and wagons.

Hanging around backyards and backyard streets at evening isn't really that dangerous, but I'd advise against adopting it as a hobby.

In general, most people who may harbor anti-gay options aren't likely to start preaching them at you, unless they are prone to political rants in general.

[B.K.]

Most assaults on immigrants in Moscow and St. Peters occur in far away from the center subway and suburb stations and wagons.

Hanging around backyards and backyard streets at evening isn't really that dangerous, but I'd advise against adopting it as a hobby.

In general, most people who may harbor anti-gay options aren't likely to start preaching them at you, unless they are prone to political rants in general.

This exactly.
Realistically speaking, the biggest danger in Russia for an average tourist is coming from violent drunks and drug addicts. To avoid such people, don't go to shady bars at night, and to the poor areas of smaller cities/towns (there's not much of interest for a tourist anyway). Center areas of major cities are now pretty safe in this regard. The chances of being violently attacked because of your race are very low (much less than chances to get hit by a car, for ex.), if you stay away from big gatherings of football hooligans and other large groups of right-wing extremists. The worst you'd probably experience are some racist jokes.

However, it's strongly not advised to engage in any political disputes, especially involving the LGBT topis. Especially now, when a lot of people see the shit that's happening in Ukraine and think that the West is primarily responsible for it (which is somewhat correct) - so if you're a Westerner, it'd be better not to criticise anything in Russia (especially the sexual norms, as it's a very touchy subject).

[Sasha]

I think most people already covered most, one more thing, don't go to concerts or music festivals that could be considered leftist or deviant (punk, hiphop etc) without some locals that you trust, they get often attacked or people who wonder of alone or drunk get jumped.

But as long as your not african/asian, flaming queer or a total crust punk you should be fine if you stick to the urban centers.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

I was raised there unfortunately and I will say hospitality can be found and so on. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself as a tourist however with this being said you really need to be aware, consciously or otherwise of your surroundings. It can eat you up and spit you back out. It's simultaneously beautiful and brutal. Again though if you're visiting and are mindful of everything I'm sure you'll be fine. As others have said I would be more worried about general thuggery then I would boneheads. That's what I would be concerned with. Also, watch the bars you go to, I know personally some places where they cut vodka with kerosene and other clear liquids and sell it to tourists. In fact, stick to tourist spots I you go drink and or but unopened bottles of whatever. Further, if you don't speak the language don't go looking for weed or drugs. That's how people get snatched. If you see gentlemen with ring tats or cat tats or dots on the hand or anything of that sort; it'd be advised to stay away.

[sanpal]

I don't think that Russia - more dangerous place for tourists, than any of the West European countries. A month ago I was in Italy as the tourist and didn't find any big difference between behavior of people, the attitude towards tourists and so forth both in Italy, and in Russia.
The same - both in shops, and in cafe, both in transport, and in the museums. Locals both in Italy, and in Russia willingly respond on a request for the help. Some difference can be only in mentality - Russians smile less and therefore it seems that they is less friendly, though it is not so. Danger can be found if specially to look for it in any criminalized places which, I am sure, it is possible to find and in the western countries. But about these dangers already wrote in the previous posts.

[PhoenixAsh]

Unless you are going to do special and weird things you probably won't encounter any more trouble in Russia than you would in other countries. Most people are, as it turns out, just normal people. I am assuming you go there for tourist purposes? Then you should be fine....except for the inevitable tourist traps ;)

Try home brew Kvass. Serious....if you haven't...find it. Drink it. Report back when you have :) This will be a life changing experience.

However. Do not, like Sasha said, go to leftist meetings and/or underground parties/concerts unaccompanied by somebody who speaks the language and who knows the area/customs. These will draw the attention of the cops and/or groups of hooligans. Both are less than friendly in those situations and there is no real significant difference between the two. Both are very violent. And violence in Russia is not like the A-team violence...they take the kind of "brick in your face and a few good kicks in your ribs" approach when they are feeling amenable and if you are lucky. Do not wear overly left-wing symbols and you won't draw unnecessary, and more often than not, wrong kind of attention.

One more tip. Do not follow merchants or sales people into cellars or through dark alley ways alone if they offer you really cool USSR stuff you defs tots need to see to believe. Seriously. Don't.

I am not sure if they are still there...since I very rarely used the railroad sine 1994. Do NOT talk to kids in the train station and avoid large groups of them unless they are very clearly schoolkids.

Otherwise behave like a sensible adult. Apply the rules you would apply in your own cities. Don't go walk in the dark park alone, don't linger in dark alley ways. Don't go into the wrong neighborhoods.

Outside of the above mentioned situations I rarely encountered any trouble in Russia...people are nice and friendly and helpful and sometimes more so than in Western Europe. Russia is an experience. It really is. And you are lucky to go there.

I feel quite safe and comfortable in Russia.

[und]

Thanks for the replies. I am in the fortunate position of having a basic grasp of the language and of knowing some people in Russia who would be able to show me around, so I should hopefully have an easier time of it than I would otherwise. I will keep it in mind that I should avoid political meetings, hooligans and police officers.

Quoting Sasha, "-as long as your not african/asian-". One of the people in the group is Asian... Would you have any advice specifically for him?

PhoenixAsh, you mention tourist traps. Although I'm sure my contacts in Russia can help on this matter, out of interest which would you say are the main ones to avoid in Moscow / St Petersburg?