Everyone knows that Russia is the biggest country in the world, many claims Russia has the most gorgeous women, yet messed up history. With eleven-time zones, I guess it’s why we’re all Russian around to get things done. As you have read my previous blogs, you might have noticed that I’m Russian. You might read this in your head with a Russian accent to make it more interesting. I’m here to tell you what it has been like to grow up being a Russian as well as the effect of others knowing where I’m from. This has affected dating, friendships, and being in school. Here’s a quick history of me. I was born in Pskov Russia(full blood), birth parents passed away and adopted at age 5, I lived in New Zealand for 15 years, although people have told me I’m a kiwi, I still value my heritage and background. I have grown up being a shy, petite, and slim figure.
Being Russian to me feels like piggy in the middle. One moment I am supporting my own country, then being proud of the country I was raised in. I never feel like an outsider but I definitely can’t relate to many people with normal family upbringing. There have been times where I feel like Zenon Kar, I grew up differently and weird to others. When all your friends, dates find out you’re from Russia they ask the usual questions of my country. Views on Putin, would I ever go back. For all my tinder profiles and Instagram bios, my inbox has been filled with lame pick up lines, people asking me to date them and the usual “bust it down Tatiana”. Growing up with friends has been interesting, we learn about each other and understand how different we all are, but yet we are all so close. I have met a few Russians in New Zealand, some my age but mostly adults. People have treated me differently when they hear about me being from Russia, from all the tinder messages I always receive or even stereotypes. very unappealing and annoying. Sometimes I’d take off saying “From Russia” and my profile gets normal greetings, the usual jokes to catch my attention. Most guys just want to date me as if I’m on their bucket list, “tick, dated a Russian girl, what’s next”. During school, where you have to stand up and say a few things yourself, every reaction I would receive were gasps. There were moments where I got mistaken at a Sweden girl on the first day. Classmates loved to ask questions and especially how to say words in Russian during class, they really enjoyed getting to know me too.
Not all treat me differently, adults can identify where I’m from just by knowing my name and facial features. All the adults, teachers, men I’ve come across, they have an eye for identifying people from different cultures. It can be great because I don’t need to go on a ten-minute talk about myself. I have been brought up in a multicultural family. Russian, American, and New Zealand. Learning about my past, it’s taught me to be proud of where I come from, despite the history and crazy events. Beauty isn’t everything, but I do get a sense of being tough and enjoying the cold weather. My American family, have taught me all about the right and wrongs in life, towards being an adult, taking responsibility, understanding the full history of each country and government. My New Zealand friends and family showed me the importance of staying together, sharing your own story with others while accepting everyone you meet. Adapting to a different culture has been great, very interesting to learn about other friend’s upbringing in New Zealand and their culture. the first country I have gone overseas for a trip was the USA. I loved it, the people, towns, weather, accents and my top favorite spots to visit are Las Vegas an Solvang. Since I’m an adult I have been interested in going back to Russia to visit as well as visit other countries.
Over the years, I have met many people of different cultures, races, and learned so many things. I love this world, how supportive everyone can be. Anyone reading this, whether you’re American, Italian, Russian, and from other cultures, you should definitely be proud of who you are. Though history may be messed up and blamed on others, what good does it do when you don’t share a little piece of you everywhere you go or those you meet. Everyone deserves to hear your story and background, even the values that change our perspective.