Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Don’t judge, lest you be judged

I was infuriated by the opinion piece “Why do ‘Russian’ tourists behave so badly abroad?” in the Feb. 12 issue of the Kyiv Post. The author described a collective image of mean-spirited Russians based on a number of ill-fated personal trips, without consideration that her view may actually intensify stereotypes out there.

I must admit that I am equally angry with myself because I used to share the author’s views and spread my shallow opinion around before I knew better. Confronted by a new reincarnation of my old ideas, I have found myself on the defensive side of a ‘Russian’ tourist.

Before becoming a journalist, I worked in tourism. I thought it was be the best job in the world, as I would engage with happy people on their happy breaks. It turned out to be anything but happy. I landed a job in a small countryside hotel in the Yorkshire Dales, which used to welcome hunting parties, weddings and nobility reunions. You cannot imagine how fussy, petty and rude some of the British tourists were. They expected me to fix squeaking floors in the 100-year-old hotel that prized itself for authentic character and ghostly spirit, among other things. Some used to send their food away if they thought their asparagus was not green enough. Some spoon-fed their dogs as I was struggling to get their rifles out of a locker room – something they were required to perform on their own by law. Do I hate all British tourists now? No, I don’t think nationality actually matters.

When it comes to arrogance or binge drinking on a holiday, many nations have a grim record. Go on a holiday to the Canaries or any other Spanish islands to see many Brits turning their fiesta into a massive broil fueled by alcohol. I assure you that you will rethink your stereotype about the Russians and vodka.

During a conference in Poland designed to bring future business leaders together, I saw some of those leaders strip naked and dance wild after hours. In later years, I saw Poles on holidays drinking away as if they thought it was their last chance. But I do not dare to judge a whole nation by a single experience because I know many other Poles with perfect manners and healthy lifestyles.

As far as “unsatisfied expression and dull faces” go, I cannot remember seeing happy people in daylight New York, London or Moscow, can you?

It’s easy to pass a wrong judgment about a nation after you see a hundred impatient Russians popping out of their seats while a seat belt sign is still on. I saw Turks, Croatians and Australians do the same.

Flying from the United Arab Emirates, some Arabs hurry to pull their warm coats out of the luggage compartment when they have to remain seated. Seeing them wrapping up to their teeth during landing, we do not curse them for breaking rules – we actually forgive them as they come from a different cultural background.

So why stamp all Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians with the same stain? I realize that some hotels in the Maldives or Switzerland have closed doors to Eastern Europeans due to more than one obscene incident. But to prevent other hotels around the world from doing so, I call on you to offset every bad story with a good one.

I am guilty of jumping to conclusions myself when I witnessed some 50 people, mainly from Moscow, on board a charter flight to Egypt devouring their duty-free alcohol even before take-off. I was disgusted but the flight attendants thought it was normal.

Once in Sharma-el-Sheikh resort I asked waiters what tourists they disliked the most, and they said the Germans. They liked Russians because apparently they were funny, never complained about food, and did not want their rooms cleaned every day.

I believe that generalizing makes things worse. During my last holiday in Australia, I was hosted by a Russian woman who did not know me at all. By mutual friends’ referral, she allowed me to stay in her Sydney mansion for free. Had she assumed for a minute that I may be one of those fellow “arrogant” Russians, she would not let me anywhere near her home. The same goes for my Mexican and American hosts. I thank them for an open mind and an interest in my culture and history.

So if you think there is a speck in someone’s eye, look for a log in yours first. Some Slavs may appear arrogant and hard to please but there is a reason for it, which goes back to 70 years of suppressed individuality, propaganda, corruption and state control. It will take time for some of us to say “please” and “thank you” as often as the British do, stop stealing food from an all-you-can-eat buffet and learn to act like the Romans do when in Rome.

I am sure millions of ex-Soviets left a positive mark, not a scar, in many foreign countries. Don’t judge, lest you be judged.

Yuliya Popova is a staff writer for the Kyiv Post.