It's very amusing to hear impressions and stereotypes about Georgia from my Russian readers. Unfortunately, I don't think I have many native Georgians reading this blog. I will be there in two weeks, and will spend several days in Tbilisi at the beginning and end of the journey. Please send me a message if you are there, and have time to meet for coffee or a quick chat.
In the meantime, I can't fully grasp current relations between Georgia and Russia, despite having read a lot of articles on this topic recently. The most common stereotypes about Georgians repeated to me by Russian readers:
(1) Georgians are very, very lazy - especially Georgian men;
(2) most mafia in Soviet times were Georgians - yes, constant warnings about the Georgian mafia! :));
(3) they are hot-blooded Southerners, loud, animated; and
(4) continual comments about the wild men of the Caucasus'!
In fact, I think there is quite a long history of Russian females being attracted and drawn to men from the Caucasus, though I don't know the precise reasons why. The most amusing comment in my recent post about celibacy came when a reader wrote - "Думаешь горячие кавказские парни ее разморозят?" Well, I am not a piece of meat that needs to be dethawed! :)) Anyone who immediately attempts to do so will likely fail, and it does not matter if he is from the Caucasus or right here in Washington, DC.
The route is already planned, and I'll journey through the country with a native Georgian, spending most of my time in village areas. I think outside of a few larger cities, the whole country is a big village! :) If you have suggestions on places to visit, things to see, please write in comments. Thanks and pleasant week to all!
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If you ask them about the Americans, you'll be surprised.
russians themselves are more "northern" temper. it's valued of what do you do, than wha do you say or look like. Not always, sure, but often.
georgians are more expressive, they like affectation, visible gestures. they often look loud-brave-generous-noble.
but, as it often happens with people of south it all often is just a visibility and "style", related with a will to look in a certain way before "own people". so don't be very serious about.
from the other hand - it's a really old, reach and deep culture and a really beautiful country.
Edited at 2016-09-26 02:07 pm (UTC)
He knows all about Georgia:)
Edited at 2016-09-26 02:54 pm (UTC)
But I will read your travel notes with big interest.
Caucasus men know how to talk the talk, that women like. Hence they walk the walk. This is how the dethawing process works.
#4 is probably about Caucasian temperament. Russians believe that many of those men are easily offended, and they will try to defend their and their families' "честь и достоинство". Caucasian men will make a big deal out of what other people just let go.
When I hear Georgia, the first words that come to my mind are hospitality, kindzmarauli, mountains, and mustaches. :)
I'm sure you'll fall in love with Georgia's nature. And if you drink alcohol, try Georgean wines; they differ from European and American wines significantly.
You mentioned you want to understand the current Georgia - Russia affairs better. You might have read about this... But if you haven't, may be you'll be interested in reading this: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Вооружённый_конфликт_в_Южной_Осетии_(2008)
One thing i've heard about Georgians in Georgia is that they fail to control their hospitality: once you get to receive an invitation to join a family dinner (a swift introduction is said to be enough to receive one), you get fed with most delicious house made meals until you can hardly breathe — and no mentioning of preceding nor of succeeding dinners to attend tonight will matter.
But then again, that was just someones impression, not mine.