Huge Q&A About RUSSIA - Stereotypes, Money, Orthodox Church, Maternity Leave and Many More!

Рет қаралды 364,676

3 жыл бұрын

Answering a ton of questions about my country today! Hope you'll learn something new about Russia after this video🇷🇺
Thank you for watching!💛
☕️ You also can buy me a cup of coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/victoriaterekhina
QUESTIONS:
🔸TRAVELING
00:47 - Do many Russians speak English?
01:46 - How a person can most ethnically travel to Russia? How to experience some Russian culture?
03:04 - Interesting places that aren’t popular?
03:54 - What should we avoid while traveling to Russia?
04:46 - Do Russians need visas for Europe? Is traveling easy for Russians?
🔸MONEY
07:32 - What does it cost to live in average a week or monthly in Russia?
Is it expensive?
09:30 - The cost of Russian city life/ the cost of rural life and does that greatly affect the earning potential?
🔸FAMILY AND MOTHERHOOD
11:52 - Do people marry young?
12:05 - How do people treat pregnancy? Do women try to hide it? Were people more helpful?
13:27 - Is breastfeeding popular in Russia and do many moms breastfeed?
15:38 - Do you get any benefits during the time you’re at home with Agatha?
17:55 - How’s day care and when children go to school? Do mom’s in Russia go back to work?
18:38 - Do mom’s of young children have play groups in Russia they take turn hosting?
🔸WOMANHOOD
19:04 - Is there any pressure for women to look a certain way? When you go out or at work?
21:24 - Do you see a rise of feminism in Russian society?
🔸EDUCATION
23:02 - Please tell briefly about higher education in Russia? How do you get into university after finishing school? Do you have a national exam? Do you pay for education? What are universities like?
27:32 - What of Russian history is taught in Russian schools and is it taught in a positive or negative way?
🔸SOCIAL
28:55 - How is the healthcare and ensuranse systems?
32:01 - How does the Covid pandemic affecting your daily life? Are people following public health norms?
34:49 - How contented do you think Russians are with their way of life?
🔸CULTURE
35:43 - Top few snacks/sweets/drinks that you’d recommend to try in a Russian store?
36:19 - Do people in Russia drink vodka all the time or it’s just a stereotype?
38:13 - What Russians view of Americans is? Is there an unspoken hostility?
39:59 - Do you feel that old communism from Soviet Union still have any influence on the way you live today?
41:03 - What do you and people in general do for fun in Russia? (hobbies, sports, entertainment)
🔸RELIGION
42:07 - What is it like being a christian in Russia? Tell about religion in general.
🔸PERSONAL OPINION
50:48 - What do you love about Russia that you wish other countries would have?
51:51 - What prejudice about Russia do you enjoy the most/do you laugh about the most? Favorite/least favorite thing?
53:04 - How does it feel when people bring up the Soviet Union or other parts of Russian past? (Being apolitical)
54:07 - Isn’t it a problem that you’re making those videos and showing your country the way you like?
📲 Instagram: minimalrussiangirl?igshid=m4jbepa4hvhy

Пікірлер: 1 662

@michelejohnson234 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t know how I stumbled upon your channel~ I am 55 years old, a mother and grandmother who live in Texas, USA. I absolutely LOVED this!! I have watched a couple other of your videos and plan to binge watch all of them 😊 you and your little family are absolutely wonderful and adorable! These videos are fascinating and so informative in such a real way. The internet is an amazing thing. Thank you for sharing your live and your country💜

@RealElongatedMuskrat 3 жыл бұрын

This is so wholesome, bless you Michele! I'm binging her videos too. Love from Ireland 💚🇮🇪

@carolshaw8736 3 жыл бұрын

I agree. I'm from Oregon and I'm finding her videos super interesting.

@bigsteve6729 3 жыл бұрын

Cute

@pmay6772 3 жыл бұрын

Michele same here. I'm a 57 year old mother and grandmother and somehow this showed up in my feed. I love watching and learning. Vika and her family are a joy to watch.

@angelakopecky888 3 жыл бұрын

I agree too! From the Midwest! ❤️

@shizzybroon6496 3 жыл бұрын

I'm really loving learning about Russia from you - it's a country I know very little about. You are clearly very intelligent and it's lovely listening to you speak. Greetings from Scotland!

@chary361 3 жыл бұрын

As am I. I have a Russian grandmother and grandfather.

@robinabner3118 3 жыл бұрын

@user-vm3tg4gu9d 3 жыл бұрын

@@chary361 Is it true that Russians and Scots are very similar?

@AeiSedai1976 2 жыл бұрын

I very much feel the same! I think I know more about life in Japan than Russia. Love how many things we really have in common!

@user-nl5ib5iw9m 2 жыл бұрын

Hi from Russia!

@catherinemcmurdo7207 3 жыл бұрын

I just want to take moment to let you know how IMPRESSED I am with your command of the English language ! As I was watching your very interesting video, I heard you use words like "sectarian" and "evangelize". I can guarantee you that there are plenty of native English speakers who wouldn't even know what those words meant ! Thank you for taking the time to let us get to know you and your beautiful country a bit . . . Warmest wishes from a Canadian minimalist ! 🇨🇦

@anisaromano5352 3 жыл бұрын

Agree that Vika's English is excellent!

@VictoriaTerekhina 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!😍 I think I know these words just because I’m christian and sometimes hear them/use them. Also these words sound very similar in Russian - евангелизировать и сектант😅

@AlexandraaFeodorovna 3 жыл бұрын

Well I'm kind of worried now if you say that lots of native english speakers would not know these words.... it's like... basic words lol. (from a French)

@lvega5606 3 жыл бұрын

@@AlexandraaFeodorovna it's true that in the US (and apparently Canada) many people don't know what these words mean. I'm not young, I have a master's degree from a top American university, and I have to say I barely know what they mean. I think it means very religious :)

@tanial8171 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. When I was studying English in Mexico I swear I knew more words then, than now that I have lived here for 3 years... sad story.

@ngcebomhlongo4950 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know why the algorithm has decided that I need to know more about Russia but I'm glad that I came across your channel.

@aga3006 3 жыл бұрын

You seem to be very educated and open-minded person, it's nice listening to you :)

@Lamplighter4712 3 жыл бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

@amandacooper1676 3 жыл бұрын

You are very informative.

@MT-if1jr 3 жыл бұрын

She speaks fluent English, obviously Russian and probably more. She is highly educated!

@oneanywhere8561 3 жыл бұрын

She is not educated at all.

@oneanywhere8561 3 жыл бұрын

@@MT-if1jr She speaks only English and Russian. Her education is only a high school.

@countdadcula4475 2 жыл бұрын

Please keep videos coming! It is vital to keep Russians, Ukrainians, Canadians, Americans and ALL people of the world in genuine HONEST communication (like this) with each other in order to contrast the multitude of misinformation being pushed from many sides to cause divisiveness. Thank you so much, much love from family in Canada! #StoptheWar

@TheJawaher05 2 жыл бұрын

I love how media tries to make us feel hostile towards other nations and she come with her innocent and grace and blows that. She is showing us that we are all literally the same we just don’t see each other lives. Well done great video

@cmfitz4210 2 жыл бұрын

Perfectly said. Definitely on the list to do once Covid is over. :))) all the way from UK. 💜

@missymyopinion2902 2 жыл бұрын

You know it’s so true , we’ve been brainwashed about Russia from the 50’s. I really like this channel

@jackiegraham4072 Жыл бұрын

That’s sad that you have allowed media to create hate in your heart, glad you found this girl so you will know peace.

@natianatia351 Жыл бұрын

@@missymyopinion2902 brain washed? How? Don’t you know those empires like Russia China and Iran want to swallow the West? Can you not see it?

@charlottedennison5019 3 жыл бұрын

Привет!!! I am an American girl dating a Russian guy, so I’m super interested in learning about the culture from your channel! I am also interested in minimalism, so I love your channel!! If you see this, please consider making a grocery shopping video - of your weekly “продукты” 🙏

@shizzybroon6496 3 жыл бұрын

I would love that!

@tomswan3401 3 жыл бұрын

Vodka.

@cameliap1146 3 жыл бұрын

@@tomswan3401 : 🤣🤣🤣what kind you wish ?

@pinayering2102 3 жыл бұрын

I am learning Russian language and i find it easy because i am Filipino and the sound is the same as our alphabets😁

@alpzepta 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing story, some day I will date a Russian girl as well. Personality, Beauty and Rich Culture Russian girls have all of that!

@rebeccahforbes6884 3 жыл бұрын

Hello! I’m from the USA and I have a daughter about your age. I want to thank you for letting us invade your privacy and educating us all on the differences and similarities we all share! God bless you and your family!

@claire3661 3 жыл бұрын

I am french and I really enjoy learning about your country and culture. It's nice to see there are open minded of positive young people on an other side of the earth ! Hope you will success in this channel and fulfill your dreams !

@cameliap1146 3 жыл бұрын

Joliment dit. Ça fait plaisir lire de tels commentaires de la part d'une... occidentale ! Vous aussi, vous faites preuve d'ouverture d'esprit et bienveillance vis à vis des Russes. Il y a bien plus de points communs entre les Occidentaux et les pays de l'Est qu'il n'y parait à la première vue. Il suffit de creuser un peu. Un grand Merci de la part d'une... Roumaine .

@zephyros3039 3 жыл бұрын

She’s not on the other side of the earth. She’s on the other side of Europe. She lives in a European part of Russia so while you live in Western Europe, she lives in Eastern Europe. Don’t forget that Russia is also a European country even despite not being a part of the EU (just like Norway, UK or Switzerland). The other side of the globe for Europeans is America, Asia or Australia, I guess.

@emiiimm7436 2 жыл бұрын

@@zephyros3039 i was about to say that lol what map is that person using 😅

@tracysparmer7952 2 жыл бұрын

@@emiiimm7436 It depends on where the poster is located... I am on the east coast of USA and the western (European) portion of Russia is only @7 or 8 time zones before mine while the eastern portion of Russia (closer to the Pacific Ocean) is as much as a full 12 time zones (or half a world :) away

@jessicadavid6492 3 жыл бұрын

Hello from an Orthodox Christian family in the United States! I would love to see Russia someday.

@rissastorm8268 3 жыл бұрын

I'm mind-blown that your job will allow you back after 3 years. Here in the USA we only have Maternity Leave for 6 weeks or LESS.

@candacecooley4755 3 жыл бұрын

America's policies tend to be more about pulling yourself up by the bootstraps, to put it nicely.

@bennylowery9850 3 жыл бұрын

You make more than $500 a month though.

@Xxlove7surfxX 3 жыл бұрын

Cost of living is also way higher in America, 500 a month is usually plenty enough in Russia

@mikewatson5281 3 жыл бұрын

If you owned a business and had an employee that did an important job could you afford to let them go for three years

@norah.5396 3 жыл бұрын

In Germany you're not even allowed to work for 8 weeks (fully paid). Then you will get 14 months paid leave (around 60% of your salary). Then you can still take unpaid leave up to 3 years

@DianeC1975 3 жыл бұрын

This was very interesting. Enjoyed getting to know a little more about your culture. You are correct in thinking that to us in America that Russia is mysterious, so it's nice to learn that we all have likes and dislikes about where we live. We are, after all, just created human beings. Thank you and bless you.👍💕

@anonymiss86 3 жыл бұрын

Your English is so great. You randomly popped up in my feed one day and every night when I’m cleaning the kitchen after my two boys go to bed I listen/watch your videos. I love learning about your culture and lifestyle! Aloha from Maui, Hawaii 🌺

@novitskayavictory466 3 жыл бұрын

"night... Cleaning the kitchen after my two boys"😉I have kids(twins) and also clean my kitchen by night😀

@Adam-ij1fg 3 жыл бұрын

I visited Moscow and St. Petersburg in college. The cities were beautiful and the people were very welcoming and friendly. I particularly liked St. Petersburg.

@user-nl5ib5iw9m 2 жыл бұрын

WOW!Do you be in Kremel?

@braniya99 3 жыл бұрын

You are very polite, humble and sweet. Hope your channel blossom. ❤

@MaximumDull 3 жыл бұрын

This is my favourite video you have made so far. Even if it was about Russia, I learned a lot more about you (and how a lot of what we experience is similar even if we're from different parts of the world). Every country has propaganda and stereotypes that give a distorted impression of what is happening/about the people who live there. I appreciate your honesty and hope your channel continues to do well!

@kathleenstrittmatter6895 3 жыл бұрын

That's the truth. Imagine if people just talked to each other rather than government getting in the way. One on one you see how alike we all actually are.

@MaximumDull 3 жыл бұрын

@@kathleenstrittmatter6895 We have a lot more in common with each other than our governments that's for sure. I am thankful to exist at a time when it is possible to connect in this way and access more information than ever before. I have been reading a lot about American advertising campaigns in the early 20th century recently and while there were a lot of groundbreaking public relations strategies developed during that time, it's strange to think about how people came to the conclusions they did about the world based on such limited access to it.

@26Nadinka 3 жыл бұрын

Because any government perpetuates its own propaganda. Government is not people. We should all be united in a sense of cultural exchange and opened communication. I should add that I'm originally from Poland so I understand a lot about your country, history and culture.

@pinklady7184 2 жыл бұрын

Kathleen Strittmatter I remember Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev playing golf together, and they did so again after they retired. That was nice.

@DWPeal852 2 жыл бұрын

@@pinklady7184 Both are Genocidal facist especially Reagan who was reason for countless Genocides in Latin America.

@ekaterinasokolskaya5164 2 жыл бұрын

Come to Yekaterinburg. We have many beautiful natural parks around the city and many bus tours are arranged. Better choose summer time for your visit.

@Triplesec423 3 жыл бұрын

Ever since running across your channel I have been completely gobsmacked by your honest, straight forward and extremely enlightening videos. I am many things…well-read, a news junkie, a lover of Russian History and a moderate politically. But, after viewing your videos I had to rethink everything I thought I knew about Russians today. You are performing a wonderful service for your country and your country’s people by helping us on the outside looking in understand just how much alike we all are. Many, many thanks to you for sharing your knowledge and goodwill with your viewers. Do keep up the good work, it does not go unnoticed.

@brucewechtler7721 2 жыл бұрын

Truly amazing and wonderful, thank you from Pennsylvania,USA

@ekaterinacorliss3891 3 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I found your videos! I was adopted from Russia about 21 years ago and this brings me back. I can’t wait to visit one day, thank you for making these videos

@aidantylerlee 2 жыл бұрын

I’m not someone who comments on videos ever however I want to say how I’m impressed and blown away with how much you have opened my eyes to Russian culture. I really only knew basics about the country and find it much more fascinating learning more about russsia from you! Thoroughly enjoyed watching this

@threelittlebirds3361 3 жыл бұрын

When you spoke about Russian society’s expectation on women looking made up and fresh, I completely understood. I am first generation Australian of Russian parents and when I went to high school and I reached the age of 16 & above, my mother would stop me from leaving the house before school if I didn’t have a little bit of makeup on. When I’d get to school, the teachers would be angry with me and make me remove it all. Then, on returning back home after school, my mother would scold me for having removed it! The cultural differences were difficult to negotiate growing up and I was never truly accepted by Aussies (when I was young) because my family and I were different and the Russians I knew didn’t accept me either because I wasn’t Russian enough! Now, I love and respect both my ethnicity and nationality and understand them both x Thank you for your wonderfully educational videos. I’ve just found you on KZfaq and am a new subscriber, busy binge watching your content. Thank you 🙏🌈❤️

@threelittlebirds3361 3 жыл бұрын

Keith1974 Yes, interesting indeed! Learning to fit in and please “both sides of the fence” was definitely a challenge but now, as an adult, I’ve learned to be grateful and respectful for both cultures, traditions and viewpoints!

@zunoyo1028 3 жыл бұрын

My family did the same with women . we are from malawi but we arent black. We moved to the west when young and my granny would make sure we all looked presentable. That would mean makeup for females

@pyromaniac3098 3 жыл бұрын

my mother grew up in the USSR and they weren't allowed to wear make up at school. She also didn't like it when I started using a little bit of make up at the age of 14 (we are living in germany)

@ihikebc2295 2 жыл бұрын

Any plans on going back to Russia? Why/why not?

@user-vt7fo4sq9l 2 жыл бұрын

Well, it's kinda weird; usually parents don't allow to do makeup for school, because it is not allowed in school. And quite often, older people (40+) are not happy about makeup on teenage or young people and even simple skin care, because it "makes your skin bad" or "you looks like a clown". For this people having makeup is okay only if you have some bad thing with your face (mutilation, thin and light brows, acne) or you're old. Beside, mine aunt, who a little bit older than 30, is already that kind of people. So that's not only old people

@georgianaapostol7964 3 жыл бұрын

here in Romania we also do savings to buy the bare minimum like a computer, a fridge, an old car maybe, a more performant phone. we also give additional money to any people that we need to do us a favor

@holyatom4036 3 жыл бұрын

love u

@cameronbrown321 3 жыл бұрын

@@holyatom4036 radiated simp

@goldenerkese 3 жыл бұрын

In poor people Germany we do savings for essentials too

@kayteberry3701 2 жыл бұрын

Here in the U.S. we do too. The average person would save to buy something like a computer or new phone but most people spend the majority of their money on the cost of living & education. Housing is crazy expensive right now. In other words, there's nothing different between all of us.

@trishaostlund3471 2 жыл бұрын

Your family is so beautiful!

@ileanaaaaa 3 жыл бұрын

is funny to me when they say Russians have no emotions. I grew up dancing ballet from 7 years old to 23 with Russian teachers and spend a summer in Moscow getting a certificate and I thought that if anything, people are super passionate there :D

@kikivon3501 3 жыл бұрын

I agree!!!!! I see Russians as being passionate and vocal, but stoic. Maybe that’s what they mean, stoic.

@mathildewesendonck7225 3 жыл бұрын

So true!!

@zuzanasvetlikova9887 3 жыл бұрын

I agree... My Russian teacher cried when there was a text by V. Vysockij in the textbook...

@SRBOMBONICA86 3 жыл бұрын

They are extremely passionate ,much more than us Serbs

@kcbooks1354 2 жыл бұрын

Thinking of you guys during this difficult time. My prayers are with you and everyone involved in this terrible situation. God bless always.

@ksenianaumchik8118 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Vika, for portraying our homeland in the authentic way, I'm pretty sure not many people know a lot about our culture, people and lifestyle. Here is a great opportunity to learn about us, Russians, just as we are. Спасибо и привет из Канады, я родилась в ставропольком крае и согласна с описанием станичной жизни ❤.

@jessicacromberge4587 3 жыл бұрын

Such an interesting video 😊 As a Christian I enjoyed hearing about the different religions and how Russians feel about them.

@DamianBrown 2 жыл бұрын

They hate them.

@vivillium1403 2 жыл бұрын

@@DamianBrown You are mistaken, in Russia, as in other countries, there are people with an evil heart and a stupid tongue who actively demonstrate their negative attitude, but friendly people (most of them) never shout about it, so from the outside there is a picture that people here unfriendly. But most people in Russia are positive, neutral, or consider other religions interesting

@catholiccrusader5328 2 жыл бұрын

@@vivillium1403 you are so right. I've been to many countries and most American states. In my many travels I've discovered the overwhelming number of human beings are as good as gold. There are assholes in every country. Once First Contact is made we'll find most Proxima b people are pretty decent; they have their assholes too. Like GOD old Satan's everyplace too. GOD bless you Helena and stay safe, okay?

@gosiakrakowiak6841 2 жыл бұрын

I love how honest you are Xx love from Poland 🇵🇱.

@kylsietabladillo21 3 жыл бұрын

I wish maternity leave here in HAWAII was the same. Being able to stay home with you baby for the first 3 years is Amazing!

@brettjamz3 2 жыл бұрын

So. Over all. You aren't that much different than the rest of the world. Just as I expected. You are a lovely person.

@NN-cc6dd 2 жыл бұрын

It's heartwarming to see everyone's comments in response to your posts. I agree with so many that you and you're family are absolutely lovely. And I am so taken by your authenticity. So much of KZfaq is superficial, that seeing your authenticity is so endearing and keeps bringing me back to your content. Lots of love from NYC!

@kathleenstrittmatter6895 3 жыл бұрын

Where I live in New Jersey we have a large Russian Orthodox community with beautiful churches.

@bigscarysteve 3 жыл бұрын

There has been a "Russian" community in my town since the 1920's. I put "Russian" in quotation marks because although the people call themselves Russian, they're not, really. What they are is Carpatho-Russian, which as far as I can tell, is an ethnic group that lives along the border between Slovakia and Ukraine. To quote some things their priest said to me once, first, "The Carpatho-Russians are the Kurds of Eastern Europe. They're a distinct group which doesn't have its own country." Second, "Whenever I meet someone in America who describes themself as Russian, I just assume they're Carpatho-Russian until I see evidence to the contrary." I'll give you a clue on how to tell if the Russians in your community are really Russians or not. Check out the affiliation of their churches. If they belong to the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) or to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), they are actually Russian. If they belong to the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD), then they're Carpatho-Russian.

@alishasiddikii2296 3 жыл бұрын

Big Scary Steve maybe they’re called Rusyns or Ruthenians, small minority, sounds similar to Russians since “Russian” is Russkiy Русский and “Rusyn” is Rusyn Русин ,

@bigscarysteve 3 жыл бұрын

@@alishasiddikii2296 You're exactly right that these people are also called Rusyns and Ruthenians. I think they're also called the Lemko people. In their language, they call themselves Russinsky.

@SRBOMBONICA86 3 жыл бұрын

@@bigscarysteve those are Rusyns(Русини) ,we have them in Serbia zthey have their own language in culture, completely different from Russians,they are roman Catholics here not Orthodox like us Serbs

@braniya99 3 жыл бұрын

By the way average Russian people very high educated, i met them a lot, and at the age of 17 they already read all classic literature, and know global history very well. So i think you have good education system, my opinion.

@VictoriaTerekhina 3 жыл бұрын

We are obligated to read all that literature in school😅 I don’t think our education system is very good - it basically just make you memorize a ton of information no matter if you’re interested or not and makes you completely stressed out if you can’t🙈 But in general I agree with you that people know quite a lot here by the end of the school and it’s a good thing.

@tazaoumur 3 жыл бұрын

The only problem is that in Russia we are not taught to effectively use our knowledge 😅

@TheErador 3 жыл бұрын

Critical thinking is missing from most education systems it seems. Rote learning is not learning imho. Good for bluffing though I guess. Education in the UK is geared towards passing exams with no time given over to exploring subjects if the class asks questions.

@lizgiagnacovo1067 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheErador Somehow, the UK now produces graduates who cannot write correctly in their own language! Many seem to have very little knowledge of the country's history, literature or culture, never mind any one else's. Yes, learning by rote is boring but its the best way for the basics to become 'second nature' e. g. times tables, spelling.

@TheErador 2 жыл бұрын

@@lizgiagnacovo1067 Amen to that. Though I never learned my times tables by heart - we were supposed to but it never stuck - it hasn't done me any harm. Regards learning spelling, repetition helps yes, but far and away the best thing is to know or have an intuition for where the word came from as that will influence your efforts to spell it, i.e. it has a Latin root so an 'oh' sound would not for instance be spelt as 'eaux' like a Norman French loanword.

@vrsc9312 8 ай бұрын

Such a long and informative video! I am actually Russian and I have no idea why I watch videos about Russia but I really enjoy your realistic yet positive attitude, open-mindness and humour) your English is great (finally heard good speaking from a slavic person on KZfaq!) and your smile is beautiful. 🙂 I am impressed of how intelligent and conscious you are at a quite young age.

@mandymartin5166 3 жыл бұрын

You represent your country extremely well x

@monikamarsollek3493 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Vika, thank you for updating me about Russia so carefully. I appreciate how much work you put in this video and the description box. As my husband was a Russian teacher (at a Waldorf school), we had a lot of exchange of pupils, teachers and even parents in the late 80ies and early 90ies. I learned some Russian and can read it (slowly😉), because I wanted to find my hotel or family back, if I took a walk and got lost somewhere... My experiences were a lot similar to your informations. I was shocked, when women asked me why I’m not going to pedicure and manicure... I was in my early 30ies and didn’t think about that at all. They were as shocked as I was about the question about our way of life, doing garden work, eating vegetarian, no tv... although living in a big city. Almost no believers among them at that time. All the best for you, stay happy and healthy, Monika from Germany❣️

@susanskarness1238 3 жыл бұрын

A very good friend of mine adopted her baby daughter from Russia. Then 16 years later they went back and adopted her older sister. Their brothers were adopted by a family in Florida so all the families have gotten together a few times during the summers.

@dawna4185 3 жыл бұрын

that is wonderful!!

@vulgarisopinio 3 жыл бұрын

Now this practice is prohibited because of so many cases of child abuse in the US and the refusal of the US government to provide access to the adopted children.

@maria.5974 3 жыл бұрын

@@vulgarisopinio i initially was angry that Russia banned USA from adopting, but when I learned that U.S. denies access to those kids, I agree with this ban completely.

@hershellacey9405 2 жыл бұрын

Russia needs every citizen for the largest country on earth.

@gu3sswh075 2 жыл бұрын

Did they live in Saint Petersburg in both countries? 😅

@aysenamall 3 жыл бұрын

As someone who is in the very beginning of KZfaq journey, it gave me more courage and inspiration what you said about KZfaq. You don’t need the best equipment or a fancy place to film and your growth is a proof for that :) Great videos, keep up the good work! 👏🏻☺️

@Vinces.Eunice 3 жыл бұрын

i wish we can have up to 3 yrs of maternity.. it is really hard to leave a child behind for work.. which is common in the Philippines.

@ShweMyaukMyauk 3 жыл бұрын

up to 3 years, they will keep your job but you are not paid for all 3 years. Mothers can remain on leave for a year-and-a-half, but only at 40 percent of their salary.

@Vinces.Eunice 3 жыл бұрын

@@ShweMyaukMyauk way still better than our country...

@BiscuitsMom917 3 жыл бұрын

6 weeks in the U.S. 🤦

@sherrir2531 3 жыл бұрын

Unpaid!!

@czechcitizen8666 3 жыл бұрын

Speaking as someone from the Czech Republic, where a similar system is in place, it has its benefits and cons. In the Czech Republic, you get paid 70% of your wage for 28 weeks, then you decide how long you want to stay at home with your child and receive your monthly benefit based on that. Basically, the longer you stay out of work, the less you receive per month. You can draw the benefit until the child is 3, which is also the period for which you are guaranteed to get your job back. It's a good system for parents (women, or men) who want to stay at home with their children while receiving some, albeit not very much, money. The issue is with childcare though: the state only guarantees childcare for children who are 3 or older. Hence, those who want to start working sooner usually have to find private facilities (which can be expensive) or be lucky enough to work for an employer who offers childcare services to employees.

@helge000 3 жыл бұрын

47:03 "The biggest problem is people's ignorance about the world around them" - Well, I'm totally with you on that one. Most sadly, this is true no matter where you go.

@elebeu 2 жыл бұрын

I was about to make the same point but you've beaten me to it.

@solecipollari 2 жыл бұрын

really sad, and dangerous

@kcg285 3 жыл бұрын

This is so interesting! I really appreciated the part about maternity leave. It is such a huge issue in the U.S. and I love learning about how it works in other countries.

@usnasi4439 3 жыл бұрын

India has great maternity leaves too.

@rudywaller7610 3 жыл бұрын

In Canada maternity leave is 1 yr

@laurielegrand3162 2 жыл бұрын

what a wise, warm, intelligent video :) Thank you for taking the time!

@tmnch 23 күн бұрын

Thank you for this video! Very interesting I’m learning Russian and getting to know Russia better

@jenniferwood6869 3 жыл бұрын

Love this channel, I definitely do see Russia as a mystery and I love that you’re giving me a peek into it! 😍

@ginger1549 2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Here in the USA we consider Russia as a foe but in fact we don't really know anything about Russia or Russian people. Hope your videos will bring people to realize we are more alike than different.

@user-nl5ib5iw9m 2 жыл бұрын

А что такого?страна как страна

@francesmaurer185 3 жыл бұрын

You really cover things "average" people live with , also traveling....your AMAZING. Thank you

@nataliasf94 3 жыл бұрын

I went to Moscow and St Petersburg in 2014, such lovely experience, we learned not to ask things in english righ away, and aproach younger people is more guaranteed they'll know a little english. As a brazilian I've never been so cold in my life (-16°C) haha but I'd go back for sure!

@kristinastott11 3 жыл бұрын

-16 is nothing haha was that last week where I am (rare!). I’m in Winnipeg, MB Canada. Prairies ! So in the winter it can get to -45! So cold :( but in the summer can go to +40!

@ohio9999 3 жыл бұрын

@@kristinastott11 Wow, you literally described the climate in my hometown, which is in Siberia!)) I would never have thought that the climate in Canada is so similar)

@user-nl5ib5iw9m 2 жыл бұрын

Ahahahah!-16 this is cold?

@user-nl5ib5iw9m 2 жыл бұрын

In Russia cold day-this is -37. At this day we are don't going at school.

@zelialatisane1957 3 жыл бұрын

So interresting! Thank you so much Vika to take the time to share 💕

@fanniszabo3457 3 жыл бұрын

I'm from Hungary and it was incredibly interesting to listen to your thoughts and compare what you said, to Hungary. We have lots of similarities. I look forward to follow your videos!

@meetwiktoria5941 3 жыл бұрын

Loved the video! I'm a fellow slav (polish) and I actually was surprised to hear your opinion about the vodka stereotype - I grew up in Poland and I really am used to drinking vodka as all my friends, family (my grandma is a real champion) and overall its pretty popular! Funny to see how it really depends on the environment you're in :) anyways love your channel, im currently learning Russian too, and I'm really interested in Russian culture and history, and your video is super interesting and informative! And your voice is so nice! Great job !

@VictoriaTerekhina 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I also thought while filming that I may have just a different environment around me, so it really depends. The only people in my family who drink it are my granddads😂

@bigscarysteve 3 жыл бұрын

It's interesting to listen to this discussion and to compare it with my own country (USA). All through the 1800's in America, religious opposition to any form of alcohol consumption grew and grew, until it reached the point that alcohol was completely prohibited from 1920 to 1933. After prohibition was lifted, alcohol consumption gradually increased, but during the 1960's--and especially in the 1970's--illegal drug use among America's youth replaced alocohol consumption. At that time, drug users looked down on alcohol as something their parents used, and as a result, the youth wouldn't touch it. That attitude changed around 1980, with illegal drug use dropping off from the heights it had reached in the 1970's, and alcohol consumption began to become popular among the young people again. And when I say alcohol, I mean primarily beer. Things started getting so bad that in the early 1980's, most communities in America passed what are called "open container laws" in order to prevent public consumption of alcohol. As for what it's like in my own community, we have had ethinic Slav communities here since the 1920's--Poles, Czechs and Carpatho-Russians. The stereotype of the Slavic man was someone who worked hard all day in the mill or in the mine, then afterwards went to the bar and got stinking drunk, then went home and beat up his wife and kids and busted up the furniture. Well, they say that stereotypes are rooted in reality, and I must agree, because that actually is how things were in all the Slavic families I knew. As for my own family, we were part of the nineteenth-century prohibitionist crowd. We didn't drink before Prohibition became the law of the land, and we didn't drink after Prohibition ended. I didn't realize just how socially isolated we were until I was in high school in the late 1970's. I didn't do drugs, and I was ostracized because of it. Then when I was in college in the early 1980's, I didn't drink beer, and I was socially ostracized because of that. America is not what it once was. My family has an ideal of what America should be, and the reality is far removed from that.

@cretenow1 3 жыл бұрын

Cześć!Mogę ci pomóc w nauce języka rosyjskiego!

@kevino.7348 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigscarysteve I think you’ve over-generalized and related your experience as if it is every American’s experience. It is not.

@scottfennimore44 3 жыл бұрын

Important safety tip: Don't go to the edge of the city and stay until darkness. Check.

@natka0167 2 жыл бұрын

why?

@susanwitte350 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing and educating us. Wishing you success with your channel.

@HappyTravelVlogs 3 жыл бұрын

My family and I are from Krasnodar! My parents had the opportunity to leave back in 1993 to New York City and so they did. We still have family in village. 😊

@kayenbey 3 жыл бұрын

I am from UK and love the Krasnodar region. I have visited maybe 15 times and love the whole of the South of Russia.

@jannasorrell179 3 жыл бұрын

I’m from Krasnodar too! :)

@HappyTravelVlogs 3 жыл бұрын

@@jannasorrell179 oh how cool!

@danielalafonza6689 3 жыл бұрын

Are you Christ followers?

@amylmorton 3 жыл бұрын

This was wonderful, I learned a lot! Thank you! ❤️

@tiffanyb34 3 жыл бұрын

Clothes must be ironed....I would be the outcast in Russia. 🤣

@bigscarysteve 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't ironed clothes since the early 1970's.

@nans969 3 жыл бұрын

I used to work in a dry cleansers and I hate ironing. I hang my clothes right out of the dryer to cool. They don't wrinkle. Mostly. I do iron. Just avoid it as much as possible.

@kianyAnni 3 жыл бұрын

I iron nothing lol

@kittymeikup__6713 3 жыл бұрын

Sameeeeeeeeew i dont even own anything to iron clothes

@suzannelawson9215 3 жыл бұрын

Four hours taking the exams! What if you have to use the restroom/toilets before four hours are up? 😥

@5secsofspainx 3 жыл бұрын

really appreciate that you included time stamps for each question!

@giselaromancini 3 жыл бұрын

This was very interesting! Thank you for teaching us a little more about Russia. I hope I can travel there one day.

@holyatom4036 3 жыл бұрын

welcome

@kswhiteyak 3 жыл бұрын

I love that you get to stay home until your baby is 3 years old and you can have your job back.

@Dan_C11 3 жыл бұрын

It depends on your relations with employer. Firstly, "official" salary is different from real salary. It's low and pregnancy payments are not enough to stay at home for 2-3 years. So, you have to get back to work quickly after pregnancy, if you need money. In fact many women leave their work 2-3 monthes before giving birth and back to work 5-6 monthes after. Secondly, your position will be taken by someone else during your pregnancy. No employer has to give you same position as you had before. So, you must try hard to convince them you're useful worker, if you want your position back 😉

@linachouinard9012 2 жыл бұрын

I bet they don't have a bunch of kids with different fathers not married and most likely on welfare

@kswhiteyak 2 жыл бұрын

@@Dan_C11 Interesting. Are you from Russia?

@agravery223 2 жыл бұрын

@@linachouinard9012 do you understand communism??? The government is providing for you... you know that gets called ummmmm what is that word... ahhhh welfare!

@lizgiagnacovo1067 2 жыл бұрын

@@agravery223 russia has not been communist for 3 decades!

@carolgaribay 2 жыл бұрын

Your channel is a great way to combat American propaganda against your country -Subscribed. Hopefully more and more people get to watch your videos!

@user-rg3pj2ml8m 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, this was so interesting!! Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing this with us xx

@emilywest1116 3 жыл бұрын

This was such an interesting video to watch. I learned so many new things. Thank you for sharing.

@marcelpilon5279 3 жыл бұрын

You seem to be a very enlightened and wonderful person and I learned a lot hello from Canada bless you your husband and your child

@purpleshades27 3 жыл бұрын

I love how you put in the description box the minute for every question. 🤗

@eowyn3526 3 жыл бұрын

This 1hour session was just perfect to finish my crochet project! thank you, I learnt a lot

@fountainpenink6593 3 жыл бұрын

ahh yess a long video :) can't wait to watch to it all!

@shirleylangton7967 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting and informative. Thanks for all the time you put into this. Greetings from Canada.

@lbacaterpillar 3 жыл бұрын

This was all very interesting. Thank you for sharing this! That was a lot of questions to answer! 😀🤗

@anika6383 3 жыл бұрын

This was a wonderful q&a! Thank you for sharing so much about your life and culture. ❤️

@dinkyroo 3 жыл бұрын

Utterly fascinating insight! Really enjoyed watching this.

@barbarawow 3 жыл бұрын

You speak great English!

@ersarva3587 3 жыл бұрын

This is so informative! Thank you for sharing with us 😊

@alisonkitchin7581 3 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I found your channel. I love learning about other places in the world! I can’t wait to travel again!

@wendyg.97 3 жыл бұрын

Just want to thank you for all your hard work, you are increasing our knowledge: I watched a tv clip yesterday about Kirill Kaprisov's (an NHL rookie) hometown and as they showed drone footage of the city, I said "Hey, those are the 9 storey apartments that Vika talked about!" :)

@medaperson5055 3 жыл бұрын

That was an amazing Q and A. I just love your channel and your sharing your life. Thank you.

@carlel4219 2 жыл бұрын

You have a very interesting video here. It is great. I love it. Thank you for sharing it with us from New York USA.

@mcd5478 2 жыл бұрын

Fabulous! 💖 Thank you for taking the time to answer all these interesting questions.

@dianegould1696 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting Vika! Keep up the good work!

@lindagardellini6321 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, Vika! It was so interesting and I learned a lot about Russia and the way of life there. I hope to visit St. Petersburg one day and travel a bit around. That is my dream. Thank you so much for sharing the Q & A video! :) Lots of love from Australia!

@octobermoon9 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing with us.

@chadzturtledove 3 жыл бұрын

This is fascinating! Thank you so much for taking the time to make your content and share it with all of us!

@EternalLove.1111 3 жыл бұрын

Canadian here! Thanks for sharing. It would be interesting to see a vlog on parenting infants/toddlers (cultural beliefs, traditions, what parents do to entertain kids, fave kids books/tv shows etc) in Russia.

@alyzachangco 3 жыл бұрын

I love watching you and learning more about Russia and how you live as a Minimalist. Keep it up! More powers & blessings to you and your family. 🤗💕

@Weesc 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this very interesting and insightful vlog. I watched it to the end, and I feel I know a little bit more about your culture and country now. 🙏🏽

@lauraadams6368 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed listening to your perspectives. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

@annabellesophia4755 3 жыл бұрын

just found your channel yesterday and have already watched almost all of your videos so this came at the perfect time 😂you are so interesting and inspirational ✨

@hannahc2836 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing! I like reading the comments here from people around the world too (and hello from the UK!) 😊

@warsmosesmoseswars 3 жыл бұрын

This was very interesting - thank you!! Much love from Germany

@mfratus2001 3 жыл бұрын

I really liked the way you answered honestly and thoroughly. Thank you!

@simplydifferent. 3 жыл бұрын

Such an interesting video! I'm from Croatia and see so many similarities, especially when it comes to education, healthcare and city-rural differences. Can't wait for more videos like this ☺️

@silviah4394 3 жыл бұрын

I live in the Czech Republic and we also have a maternity leave of 3 years. It is interesting because I know that back when there was the Soviet regime here, there was very short maternity leave. I guess people in both our countries got fed up with that, which I am thankful for, personally ❤️ I always feel sorry for women who are forced to return to work after a few weeks or months

@Hanniballinda 3 жыл бұрын

In Switzerland, women got 3 months of paid maternity leave. Men had 1 day off before 2021, now they at least got 2 weeks off paid daddy leave. I'm pregnant right now and although I want to work again after giving birth, the pressure to go back to work due to financial needs is huge here...

@Berlin_diary_ 3 жыл бұрын

@@Hanniballinda and who will take after the baby in that young age? I couldn‘t have imagined to work after only few months after giving birth. 😢 My daughter turned a month ago 1 and just now I‘m feeling ready to work. Fortunately we live in Germany, which I very appreciate that it is possible to stay at home with the baby that long.

@Hanniballinda 3 жыл бұрын

@@Berlin_diary_ we have to give the baby to a nursery, which also costs a lot but less than to go without one of our salaries. A lot of people in Switzerland cannot afford one parent staying home with the baby. Although we are one of the richest countries on earth, many people cannot "afford" to have kids here, besides they want to give up what they've already achieved. I personally want to work again and wouldn't stay home full-time even if I could. But definitely would stay longer in maternity leave and work less than I will have to... That's just capitalism at its best. I mean look at the Americans, they are even worse. 😭😭😭

@tazaoumur 3 жыл бұрын

@@Hanniballinda Hello, I'm from Russia and what you've said about Switzerland is news to me. I was always wondering why many people from countries with higher salaries cannot afford one of the parents to stay at home to take care of their children. I guess it's all about paying the bills.

@Hanniballinda 3 жыл бұрын

@@tazaoumur it's crazy right? I think it's because capitalism forces us to spend more money on everything. The richer the country, the higher the living expenses and the more likely it is, that you cannot pay your bills with only one salary.

@OwlsInATeacup 3 жыл бұрын

This is so interesting! Thank you for uploading this! ☺️

@CowboyBike06 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for providing such wonderful and interesting content. You’re an absolute doll!

@lizzyjimenez 3 жыл бұрын

I love how respectful and gracious you are about presenting your ideas and believes ❤️ I'm so excited to hear more and more about your opinion and experience and learn about Russia (as a Mexican) i feel like i was told very little about your country and history and it has always felt like such a foreign world (literally) so I've been amazed by your channel, and find it extremely interesting, I have a thing for understanding human behavior and I find you super interesting and cool!! Thank you again for sharing ❤️

@shaundabrook94 2 жыл бұрын

Wow and I thought 1 year was long for maternity leave here in Canada. 3 years is amazing!! Thank you for all this info - it’s super interesting!

@AG-kr1my 3 жыл бұрын

So interesting! Thank you for sharing! 💕🙏 God bless you and your sweet family!

@oliveryates6063 3 жыл бұрын

Keep making videos! They are all fun and interesting. You speak English so well, I am very impressed!

@mariechenls. 3 жыл бұрын

I am so happy to have found you! My mom is Russian and came to Germany, eventually found my dad and got me … and I always only thought about or tried to learn the language, but now I really get into the culture and WOW I had such a wrong image of Russia, it’s so much different than expected.