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| 24 Jan 2015 08:43 PM |
I'm sorry, I'm clogging RP with debate.
I think we all know the despair known as the incorrect portrayals of nationalities. The most notable one for me would probably be those gosh darn Russian characters.
(From here on out, it's essentially going to be me scolding those uncultured swine that try to populate RP with their horrible, horrible representations of Russians.)
They're always male. They're always doing questionable activities. They're always named the generic bunch of Russian male names. They always live in cities, no rural areas. And they also happen to be able to speak very limited Russian, or their RP'er just uses Google translate.
SHAME ON YEE. THIS IS NOT THE TRUE RUSSIAN CULTURE.
Not all Russian men are named Victor/Ivan/Dimitri/Vlad. And not all the mysterious female gender is named Natalia/Natasha (sometimes we get lucky and we'll find an olga)
Russian men have a strong sense of duty, or honor. They rarely ever cheat one another, and they are very humble and chivalrous to women*. They also tend to be dedicated fathers and great mentors.
(*THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY AIM TO SEDUCE EVERY WOMAN. This literally means that they treat nearly every single woman with respect. They're more traditional, in a way.)
The most common bad boy stereotype we'll find of them is probably mostly of the city teenager. They smoke and drink, but that isn't all Russian males. Move closer to the more rural parts of Russia, where you'll probably find the 'babushkas' and you'll find very honorable and kind men, who love their mothers and help around the house and pay the bills.
Also, it is extremely unlikely you'll find RP's Russian bad boy stereotype driving a limo IRL. They're poor, they live in the ghettos---heck, they're probably homeless! I absolutely hate when people romanticize their life styles. IRL, they're cold and harsh and don't have a single dime - DEFINITELY not the teenage heart throb the creator is trying to make them.
Onto the language. It's okay if you can't write Russian, I'm cool with that. What I absolutely dislike is when it's completely obvious that you can't, so you try to pass with some google translate. Or, if you don't even try to incorporate a single bit of the culture or language onto the character --- a good balance is what you should be looking for.
As for Russian women... oh boy. Many Russian women are fiercely independent and are complete socialites. They have class, they were raised in a traditional life style nothing like the way Americans are raised. Most are mysterious, elusive and you'll probably have to try hard to get their attention if you want to woo one. I'm not trying to say that all Russian women fit into this neat stereotype, I'm just trying to debunk some others.
Also, not all Russian characters are named Natasha! Believe it or not, but there are plenty of names that stray out of RP's ordinary! Now, there's certainly a good sum of Natasha/Anastasia's in the world... but not enough to completely overrule the rest. Examples of some other names would be would be : Katya, Milyy (pronounced Meel-le or whatever, not certain on spelling but it means generally : 'nice, cute, lovely' etc. It's a pretty name), Nadya, Sasha, Anya... the list goes on, man!
In short : Russian women are classy and probably intelligent. Most value education higher than Americans. They're also not the type of people to smile at strangers, that's just weird in Russia. You also just don't ask 'how are you' --- Russians kind of hate small talk.
Russian boys and girls tend to be rather well mannered, even if the guys are rather rough and bad boyish---they'd never, ever disrespect their elders. Here, you can just make remarks about your parents, no matter how hurtful, and rarely anybody bats an eye. However, in Russia... NOBODY dares disrespects their parents/who raised them. They value them and care very much about them.
I personally think people should have a good idea of their character's culture and language before they attempt to RP with them, otherwise it just ends up being a really sad mess in the eyes of people who know the culture very well.
I'm not saying that every example of personality/name is of every single Russian, but it gives a decent clue that there's more beyond some of RP's stereotypes.
OKAY I'M DONE NOW.
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| 24 Jan 2015 08:44 PM |
no russians always want to take over sweet ol' good ol' america
inb4 b8 |
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| 24 Jan 2015 08:49 PM |
@sensei
;-;
I didn't really read through the rant, so I'm sorry if there are spelling/grammatical errors.
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| 24 Jan 2015 08:50 PM |
nice rant i agree this is my fault yet i don't steryotype mine last time I checked and I'm male I don't know anything about female peopl
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| 24 Jan 2015 08:56 PM |
This thread is utter nonsense. You ramble on about how insensitive and ignorant Americans are, while you proceed to go on and make your own insensitive and ignorant statements about Americans.
"Most value education higher than Americans."
Are you honestly trying to classify every Russian male and female into these ridiculous categories? Not all Russian women are mysterious. Not all children treat their elders with respect. They are human beings, not cardboard cut outs. Just as some Americans are lazy and uneducated "rednecks" many are diligent and well educated. Some Canadians are nice and polite to others, others are pricks. People are not just stereotypes. They are human beings. There are cultural norms in different countries, yes. But people are not obligated to follow them when they RP a character.
And this is not even a issue? Why are you focusing on things, claiming they annoy you when NOBODY does this? Almost nobody makes Russian characters, and when they do the RPer uses names they are used to (Obviously?) Use google translate to speak in Russian (Obviosuly) and don't match your idealized, naive and blidned image of a perfect Russian? Why does the VERY rare occasian this happen bug you? Are you so selfish that you get upset that Westerners do not have an encyclopedic knowledge of Russian names, the language and an understanding of your perfect Russian stereotype?
This is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I have read here. This "rant" does nothing but highlight your own ignorance and hypocrisy. You rant and ramble on an issues that either A: Never happen, or B: are completely justified and not an issue in the slightest? |
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hwen4
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| Joined: 11 Oct 2008 |
| Total Posts: 8538 |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:02 PM |
To quote Zangeif, the Russian Bear Wrestler, "Zangeif don't care for cult, Zangeif only care for bear." |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:06 PM |
This thread is utter nonsense. You ramble on about how insensitive and ignorant Americans are, while you proceed to go on and make your own insensitive and ignorant statements about Americans. x2
-A smile will get you far, but a smile and a gun will get you further.- |
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Deshoras
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| Joined: 20 Jul 2013 |
| Total Posts: 4468 |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:15 PM |
| I made my Alexei character from Yaroslavl. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:19 PM |
Ahur, Amuricans r so stoopid thas y selfys r so populr in amurica bcuz we r egotistical idots who lik mcdonaluds, doritos and gunz adn video games whr we skill and shot stuf lik tru muricans 4 murica. we dont belev in slavery and we lik 2 invit peple 2 our cribs all the tim 2 watch mtv and mak matur joks around 12 yr olds
dats y we don lik ukians bcuz thir al posh and fanc wher we hav iggy azelea and kati pairy and snop dog and rich gang and tupac.
'murica! heck yah!
-Said any idiot ever. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:20 PM |
| mtv was good in the 80's, or at least funny. Now it's trash. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:22 PM |
Mage -
As somebody who has been surrounded by the Russian community since her birth, I feel morally obligated to respond to this.
I'm giving people additional 'stereotypes' that actually have some reason compared to some of the really ridiculous characters that I find extremely often here. I stated multiple times within my rant that I didn't think that all Russians fit into these categories, I just thought a substantial degree did based on my own experiences and the overall atmosphere and climate of Russian sociology.
I think you seriously should know by now that most American children absolutely despise school. If you said that you actually enjoyed it, you'd get understandable stares of disbelief. I'm not saying that Americans are idiots, in fact... it's quite the opposite. I find it amazing that us as Americans can grow and learn about other societies, but some would just need a gentle push in the right direction.
Mage, I believe that all of humanity are confined by norms, breaking away from them is abnormal. I have no quarrel with characters that do break it, but I want people to be AWARE that they are. If some Japanese kid who lived in Japan all his life started acting extremely American, wouldn't somebody notice? I say not to stay confined within those barriers... but to break free, and to have others question.
And I don't know if it's just me, but I find incorrect interpretations extremely common. Maybe it's because I actually know the environment, norms, etc. that I'm far more likely to notice than you? Why would you ever notice some random Iranian character's actions if you weren't of their nationality?
I'm telling people to get a better understanding of other people's cultures before they judge and act like them. I find that you often seem to completely dismiss other people's opinions mainly because in your eyes 'they aren't worth bringing up because they don't happen' when they do.
And once again, I am going to repeat : This is not meant to force you to conform into stereotypes, this is just so people can get a better view of Russian society so they can role-play intelligently and realize how their characters may have been raised. No, not every Russian women is classy. But it's the commonly accepted norm.
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:26 PM |
Desh -
Exactly what I wish most RP'ers would do. Even a single city would be nice. ;w;
Pre -
I personally much prefer living in the US rather than Russia, things can get rather shady in the cities lol |
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Khurim
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| Joined: 03 Mar 2012 |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:27 PM |
Not all people are the same, even if they are the same nationality.
>Russian boys and girls tend to be rather well mannered, even if the guys are rather rough and bad boyish---they'd never, ever disrespect their elders. Here, you can just make remarks about your parents, no matter how hurtful, and rarely anybody bats an eye. However, in Russia... NOBODY dares disrespects their parents/who raised them. They value them and care very much about them.
This is particular stuck out as COMPLETE BS. Ah yes, in Russia no child ever disrespects an elder ever for any reason ever.
And in America, don't get me started. There are kids going around spitting on their fathers dress-shoes and assaulting their mothers. Where will it end?
You're a horrible excuse for someone trying to educate the people here on culture ___________________________________________________________________________________ You stereotype nationalities as individuals and it is disgusting, even with small stuff.
>Russians kind of hate small talk.
Remember kids if you ever go to Russia DO NOT ask about the weather. They hate that there. Hey, stop spitting on my dress shoes. ___________________________________________________________________________________ If you want a bloody rant I'll give you one, because you clearly don't know how form intelligent concepts. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:29 PM |
@khu
bb no don't cry :c its ok bb we still have our bacon filthy russians only have their blini and piroshki
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:29 PM |
| Also, what in the hell is a "RP Russian Badboy", you used the term multiple times but I do not recall ever seeing this ever. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:32 PM |
@Creative
I simply stated that people can be more understanding here if a child says a rude comment to their parent, with a simple 'parents, right?' Russian kids don't even try, as to whether it's out of fear or respect, it depends.
I never meant to hurt anyone's feelings or insult anyone, I'm so sorry if you were possibly offended! I suppose I was rather harsh, but I didn't mean to make Russians sound so 'perfect'.
They've got problems as a country, but as to we. I was just trying to get rid of some of the negative connotations that we've got floating around here, you know? :) |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:32 PM |
And once again, I am going to repeat : This is not meant to force you to conform into stereotypes, this is just so people can get a better view of Russian society so they can role-play intelligently and realize how their characters may have been raised. No, not every Russian women is classy. But it's the commonly accepted norm.
That clears up a bit of what you said but...That doesn't make anything you said viable at all. That's like me going:
Hey, everyone here with a white character who is from America; don't you know there are black people here too! Stop being so culturally insensitive. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:33 PM |
There is no "correct" interpretation of a character. Yes, as I said there are cultural norms. There are traits many Russian characters will exhibit. But a character NOT exhibiting this should not in any way bug you. Why? When do you even see examples of this? Give me examples of roleplays in which someone didn't roleplay Russians "correctly"
You claim you don't want to shoehorn people into certain roles yet your entire post was rambling about how Russians should act. "Nobody disrespects the parents that raised them. They value and care very much about them." Maybe that's true for the most part, but there are exceptions, your wording implies there ins't.
And your other issues, the Russian names, lack of understanding of the language etc. Why does this bother you? They are trying to proprely represent their culture as best they can, as you claim you want people to do, but you criticize their attempts to do so.
And once again. WHY DOES THIS BOTHER YOU? Why do characters not living up to your expectations of a proper Russian stereotype bother you?
--- Also "I find that you often seem to completely dismiss other people's opinions mainly because in your eyes 'they aren't worth bringing up because they don't happen' when they do."
I'm not "dissmissing your opinion" I'm saying this is a ridiculous overblown reaction. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:34 PM |
@Creative
I think they're more prevalent on school RPS, probably more laid back kinds of stuff. I can easily name one off the top of my head - but that's probably just because he had such a horrific character it was absolutely astonishing on how badly he sucked. It's been a long time since then, but it still is ingrained deeply in my memory.
I'm certain that the stereotype isn't as prevalent as I made it sound, but it does happen. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:35 PM |
@Creative
I simply stated that people can be more understanding here if a child says a rude comment to their parent, with a simple 'parents, right?' Russian kids don't even try, as to whether it's out of fear or respect, it depends.
Incorrect you stated that nobody would bat an eye. That's completely false. And as for no child in Russia would dare insult an elder, that's false too. I guarentee if I cared enough I could easily go to Youtube and get a video of a Russian child doing something age inappropriate towards an elder.
I never meant to hurt anyone's feelings or insult anyone, I'm so sorry if you were possibly offended! I suppose I was rather harsh, but I didn't mean to make Russians sound so 'perfect'.
I'm not hurt or offended, I'm disappointed more than anything. You blatantly stated stereotypes as fact.
They've got problems as a country, but as to we. I was just trying to get rid of some of the negative connotations that we've got floating around here, you know? :)
Where do you see any of these "negative connotations"? If you can give me two good examples I'll back right on down. |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:37 PM |
>I simply stated that people can be more understanding here if a child says a rude comment to their parent, with a simple 'parents, right?' Russian kids don't even try, as to whether it's out of fear or respect, it depends.
Incorrect you stated that nobody would bat an eye. That's completely false. And as for no child in Russia would dare insult an elder, that's false too. I guarentee if I cared enough I could easily go to Youtube and get a video of a Russian child doing something age inappropriate towards an elder.
>I never meant to hurt anyone's feelings or insult anyone, I'm so sorry if you were possibly offended! I suppose I was rather harsh, but I didn't mean to make Russians sound so 'perfect'.
I'm not hurt or offended, I'm disappointed more than anything. You blatantly stated stereotypes as fact.
>They've got problems as a country, but as to we. I was just trying to get rid of some of the negative connotations that we've got floating around here, you know? :)
Where do you see any of these "negative connotations"? If you can give me two good examples I'll back right on down.
*fixed so it is a bit easier to read |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:39 PM |
@Creative
It's more like... hmm. I don't really know how to correctly explain this to somebody who hasn't really been submerged into the society, but I'll do my best to explain!
If a Russian woman didn't act like a classy and social woman, she would get insulting stares and comments. That's just how oppressive it can be. Same with men, they're sort of forced into a traditional role.
But there are notably many people in Russia who defy these norms and rise among their peers, though it is rare, it does indeed happen.
It's sort of like in the US guys are commonly expected to be athletic and social, women expected to be trendy and cute, but intelligent at the same time. It just doesn't happen, you know? :) |
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| 24 Jan 2015 09:41 PM |
It's sort of like in the US guys are commonly expected to be athletic and social, women expected to be trendy and cute, but intelligent at the same time. It just doesn't happen, you know? :)
What exactly do you mean by "It just doesn't happen, you know?" |
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