We all love compliments! But I've noticed something unique about the Russian blogosphere, where compliments aren't always what they seem. If you look at the TOP on a daily basis, you'll see a lot of posts full of trash, bloggers criticizing other women's appearance, lifestyle choices, bodies...the list is endless. Yes, sometimes they mention that the woman is "beautiful," but then they go on to highlight numerous flaws about the person. Even when people try to be pleasant, they often slip into "critique" mode, by throwing in an undercover insult in the process. Some examples I've noticed recently:
"You're pretty nice, for a Jew."
"You're smart, despite the fact that you're American."
"You have a beautiful face, but need to lose weight."
Compliments...Russian style. :)) Of course, people all over the world are engaged in this behavior. So, today I'll teach you the English word for this - "backhanded compliment." Maybe you already know this slang phrase, but sometimes foreigners don't learn them until they're actually living in the culture in which the phrase originates. For instance, I've taught my Russian friend the following slang words - "beaver," "joint," "Mary Jane," "midget,"...others that I can't think of right now.
What do you think? Do Russians tend to criticize others more than Americans typically do? I follow a lot of American bloggers on their stand alone websites, and I've never once seen all this soap opera drama where they're fighting with, or insulting, each other in a public forum. Btw, I'm not a Jew. :)) It seems some Krembots have recently invaded my blog with these accusations. Trust me, if I was Jewish, I would gladly admit it with no hesitation. I'm American, with German, Irish and Native American roots thrown in. So you can remove "evil Jew" from your list of conspiracies about me. :)
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peacetraveler22- Shannon
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Hi )))))
Those are not really compliments though - rather masked insults.
Some Russians are pretty good with compliments in a way in real life, although probably most of their compliments are too straight for average American taste (you will never hear "I like your shoes" from Russians :) - historical and cultural reasons.
It is a pity but it is illness which belong to society with low level of culture. I consider that it isn't only problem for Russian society... People are different among any nations... . But generally speaking I would like to live among well educated and kind citizens :)
They are just attempts to switch you to other they think problems than to discuss real problems brought by you.
So leave them even without answers or delete them and it would become them tired to insult without any feedback... ))
Shannon, and what do "joint" and "midget" mean?
And also I did not known about your German roots - were any of your grandparents born in Germany? Sprichst du vielleicht auch Deutsch? :)
В западном полушарии, где все страны эмигрантские, существует достаточно эфемерное понятие "нации", которое фактически определяется гражданством/паспортом. Большинство из жителей обеих Америк не понимают, что в остальном мире нация определяется не по паспорту, а по этническому происхождению.
Edited at 2015-02-08 02:30 pm (UTC)
hehehehe
Edited at 2015-02-08 03:11 pm (UTC)
At least modern russian style.
unfortunatelly, Yahoo have access to the Internet :(