St Pitersburg vs. Moscow

[Danchik]

Well, I happened to be in St. Pitersburg for the first time after all these years and just returned to Moscow a couple of days ago. I was there for a few days, and while it's hard to "feel" a city in such a short time, I do have some general observations.

I also think living in Russia all these years and being conversational with the language gives me a somewhat shorter feeling out processing time than your average punter.

I like this place to say the least.

The usual thing for me to do when I visit a city is ask myself if I could live here? I don't know, but I hear the winters are brutal here. I'm sure Steveboy can speak to that situation. Nevertheless, it's the middle of October and it was around 14C during the day and 8-9C or so at night. Not bad at all. I even caught two glorious days of sunshine.

IOW, I could definitely hang.

I'm sure January and February are balls cold, but I could imagine myself deciding to live here instead of Moscow had I come here first. I can always get away during Jan/Feb. when everyone is pissy from not seeing the sun in months .

As far as girls/women, there's not much difference between here and Moscow as far as looks go, IMO. There are some very attractive females here, no question. There's no shortage in Moscow as well. I would say that people/females here seem a bit more approachable compared to Moscow overall. I've chatted to a few here during my stay. but many still have that same "Russian/Soviet look down at the ground" thing I see in Moscow working when they see a strange man approaching. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.

Funny, but a friend of mine, 37 yr old Russian guy who has been living in Canada and the States for the last 5 years tells me he hates that the women here do that, even when they know you as an acquaintance. I always ask him and the other guys I know "what the hell did you guys do to these girls here?" . Must be part of the Soviet hangover.

I like the architecture here in and around the centre, Nevsky Prospect. It seems like everywhere you look you see another building with some nice twists in design. You feel the history.

The pace is definitely slower than Moscow and the people seem a bit friendlier.

The younger generation in both cities seem happier than previous generations, rightfully so. Obviously, they understand other cultures better, have travelled more and their attitude is very Westernised. I also see genuine happiness by them for others successes and less of that "crabs in a barrel" mentality from the past.

It's kind of a paradox with the looking down at the ground, or seeing right through you thing these girls do, because when you actually engage with them, they're quite talkative and approachable, go figure.

Guys, you should press the issue with girls here more than in America for sure, and compared to Europe as well. English is much more prevalent in Moscow, which is why I have always said not to count out Moscow as a place to find a girl as there are many here looking for a partner and speak English. More than any other place in the FSU.

I think I'll be spending more time in Pitersburg in the future. I didn't see any loud, obnoxious females, but Russian females, IMO, have a very low tolerance for people, things or situations they don't like compared to their Western sisters. Or maybe it's that you can read it easier on their faces.

For me, travelling around Russia is easy. I took Sapsan and the "Nevsky Express" trains туда и обратно, and it was quite pleasant and comfortable. Highly recommend to areas that it services.

I'm planning another trip shortly.

[Guile]

They say St Ptbg is the Paris of Russia.  I'd like to see it one day.  Having lived in 5 Russian cities Moscow still is the one I like best.  The small towns have a similar feel.

Sochi is very tourist friendly now. Alot of amenities and things to do.   

I didn't really encounter that "look down at the ground" thing with women.  Maybe it's less prevalent with younger people?
I'm an obvious foreigner but they wouldn't know where I am from unless I told them.   
 

[Steveboy]

Well, I happened to be in St. Pitersburg for the first time after all these years and just returned to Moscow a couple of days ago. I was there for a few days, and while it's hard to "feel" a city in such a short time, I do have some general observations.

I also think living in Russia all these years and being conversational with the language gives me a somewhat shorter feeling out processing time than your average punter.

I like this place to say the least.

The usual thing for me to do when I visit a city is ask myself if I could live here? I don't know, but I hear the winters are brutal here. I'm sure Steveboy can speak to that situation. Nevertheless, it's the middle of October and it was around 14C during the day and 8-9C or so at night. Not bad at all. I even caught two glorious days of sunshine.

IOW, I could definitely hang.

I'm sure January and February are balls cold, but I could imagine myself deciding to live here instead of Moscow had I come here first. I can always get away during Jan/Feb. when everyone is pissy from not seeing the sun in months .

As far as girls/women, there's not much difference between here and Moscow as far as looks go, IMO. There are some very attractive females here, no question. There's no shortage in Moscow as well. I would say that people/females here seem a bit more approachable compared to Moscow overall. I've chatted to a few here during my stay. but many still have that same "Russian/Soviet look down at the ground" thing I see in Moscow working when they see a strange man approaching. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.

Funny, but a friend of mine, 37 yr old Russian guy who has been living in Canada and the States for the last 5 years tells me he hates that the women here do that, even when they know you as an acquaintance. I always ask him and the other guys I know "what the hell did you guys do to these girls here?" . Must be part of the Soviet hangover.

I like the architecture here in and around the centre, Nevsky Prospect. It seems like everywhere you look you see another building with some nice twists in design. You feel the history.

The pace is definitely slower than Moscow and the people seem a bit friendlier.

The younger generation in both cities seem happier than previous generations, rightfully so. Obviously, they understand other cultures better, have travelled more and their attitude is very Westernised. I also see genuine happiness by them for others successes and less of that "crabs in a barrel" mentality from the past.

It's kind of a paradox with the looking down at the ground, or seeing right through you thing these girls do, because when you actually engage with them, they're quite talkative and approachable, go figure.

Guys, you should press the issue with girls here more than in America for sure, and compared to Europe as well. English is much more prevalent in Moscow, which is why I have always said not to count out Moscow as a place to find a girl as there are many here looking for a partner and speak English. More than any other place in the FSU.

I think I'll be spending more time in Pitersburg in the future. I didn't see any loud, obnoxious females, but Russian females, IMO, have a very low tolerance for people, things or situations they don't like compared to their Western sisters. Or maybe it's that you can read it easier on their faces.

For me, travelling around Russia is easy. I took Sapsan and the "Nevsky Express" trains туда и обратно, and it was quite pleasant and comfortable. Highly recommend to areas that it services.

I'm planning another trip shortly.

I hear the winters are brutal here. Last year the winter was nearly non existent .. I think just a few days snow which was gone a day after.. getting warmer for sure!

[Danchik]

They say St Ptbg is the Paris of Russia.  I'd like to see it one day.  Having lived in 5 Russian cities Moscow still is the one I like best.  The small towns have a similar feel.

Sochi is very tourist friendly now. Alot of amenities and things to do.   

I didn't really encounter that "look down at the ground" thing with women.  Maybe it's less prevalent with younger people?
I'm an obvious foreigner but they wouldn't know where I am from unless I told them.

It is, but some still do it. Not sure if you've really spent much time here, as in a few years, to get a feel for it as I didn't really notice it until maybe the last 5-6 years.

You might also be an outlier to most Asians because of your situation and the crowd you hang with when you're here (you're Asian if I'm not mistaken), because Russians have a general disregard (prejudice if you will) for Asians. But, the younger people in Russia have a different attitude for sure; less Soviet.

My friend Stas is the one who brought it up when he was back in Moscow visiting a few years ago. He grew up in Moscow but transferred  to Dallas 5 years ago with his company and lives in Vancouver now. After living in Dallas for a year or so, he was talking about how girls here were less friendly than Dallas (they're very friendly in Texas), don't smile much and have a more aloof attitude (the look away/down behaviour). I tended to agree with him, but again, it goes back to Russians looking like their angry all the time, or that someone just shot their dog.

Stas was 33 at the time, is 6'2'. blonde, blue eye RM. Nice looking guy IOW. I told him I think it's a defence mechanism the girls use to avoid being hit on all the time, because they are, or at least the average to good looking ones are.

I also mentioned that it was a distinct difference in cultures, but that once you chat the Russian devs up, they're quite talkative, even moreso than in the States, but you would never get that impression if you're a foreigner, especially at first or if you aren't familiar with the culture. Strange paradox to be sure.

[Danchik]

I hear the winters are brutal here. Last year the winter was nearly non existent .. I think just a few days snow which was gone a day after.. getting warmer for sure!

It's getting that way in Moscow too. Hell, it was +20 last week for a few days. Hey, I'm not complaining. Sure beats -15C anyway.

[Guile]

You might also be an outlier to most Asians because of your situation and the crowd you hang with when you're here (you're Asian if I'm not mistaken), because Russians have a general disregard (prejudice if you will) for Asians. But, the younger people in Russia have a different attitude for sure; less Soviet.

I also mentioned that it was a distinct difference in cultures, but that once you chat the Russian devs up, they're quite talkative, even moreso than in the States, but you would never get that impression if you're a foreigner, especially at first or if you aren't familiar with the culture. Strange paradox to be sure.

yeah I'm Chinese but speak English as my native language. I kept hearing about racism in Russia but didn't encounter it at all. I find the attitude towards Chinese people there are welcoming now, as they see the business and political relationship between Russia and China.

I feel that they are prejudice against central Asians from Kazakhstan, etc...people hired to do the menial/labour work.  I was never stopped once in Moscow and asked to show my passport or anything. I guess I don't look like a typical Asian haha.

I spent over a year there and didn't notice the looking down thing at all. maybe I just didn't realize it.

I'd get people saying "ni hao" (hi in Chinese) to me on the streets quite often.

[Steveboy]

You might also be an outlier to most Asians because of your situation and the crowd you hang with when you're here (you're Asian if I'm not mistaken), because Russians have a general disregard (prejudice if you will) for Asians. But, the younger people in Russia have a different attitude for sure; less Soviet.

I also mentioned that it was a distinct difference in cultures, but that once you chat the Russian devs up, they're quite talkative, even moreso than in the States, but you would never get that impression if you're a foreigner, especially at first or if you aren't familiar with the culture. Strange paradox to be sure.

yeah I'm Chinese but speak English as my native language. I kept hearing about racism in Russia but didn't encounter it at all. I find the attitude towards Chinese people there are welcoming now, as they see the business and political relationship between Russia and China.

I feel that they are prejudice against central Asians from Kazakhstan, etc...people hired to do the menial/labour work.  I was never stopped once in Moscow and asked to show my passport or anything. I guess I don't look like a typical Asian haha.

I spent over a year there and didn't notice the looking down thing at all. maybe I just didn't realize it.

I'd get people saying "ni hao" (hi in Chinese) to me on the streets quite often.

That was before the Virus! We used to go to a nice Chinese restaurant in town, they actually had 3 restaurants .. all closed down.. dusty old doors, windows not cleaned for months.. just sat empty.. I have a funny feeling just after the virus the local council probably sent the food inspectors in, after that the fire inspectors in, after that the safety inspectors, after that the health and safety inspectors.. and then it all started over again.. and they kind of had to close..

[Guile]

That was before the Virus! We used to go to a nice Chinese restaurant in town, they actually had 3 restaurants .. all closed down.. dusty old doors, windows not cleaned for months.. just sat empty.. I have a funny feeling just after the virus the local council probably sent the food inspectors in, after that the fire inspectors in, after that the safety inspectors, after that the health and safety inspectors.. and then it all started over again.. and they kind of had to close..

Ah yeah, I forgot! Alot of countries blame the Chinese cause the virus originated from there.  Where I am now there's a large Asian population so I don't really feel it.
But I haven't been back to Russia since last year.

I should ask my friends in Moscow if the Chinese restaurants are still open.

[Steveboy]

That was before the Virus! We used to go to a nice Chinese restaurant in town, they actually had 3 restaurants .. all closed down.. dusty old doors, windows not cleaned for months.. just sat empty.. I have a funny feeling just after the virus the local council probably sent the food inspectors in, after that the fire inspectors in, after that the safety inspectors, after that the health and safety inspectors.. and then it all started over again.. and they kind of had to close..

Ah yeah, I forgot! Alot of countries blame the Chinese cause the virus originated from there.  Where I am now there's a large Asian population so I don't really feel it.
But I haven't been back to Russia since last year.

I should ask my friends in Moscow if the Chinese restaurants are still open.

Yeah maybe it is just some thing different another reason.. but its Russia who knows.. the place was always packed out every time we went there.. just all closed down..

[SERCH]

very good information 

Well, I happened to be in St. Pitersburg for the first time after all these years and just returned to Moscow a couple of days ago. I was there for a few days, and while it's hard to "feel" a city in such a short time, I do have some general observations.

I also think living in Russia all these years and being conversational with the language gives me a somewhat shorter feeling out processing time than your average punter.

I like this place to say the least.

The usual thing for me to do when I visit a city is ask myself if I could live here? I don't know, but I hear the winters are brutal here. I'm sure Steveboy can speak to that situation. Nevertheless, it's the middle of October and it was around 14C during the day and 8-9C or so at night. Not bad at all. I even caught two glorious days of sunshine.

IOW, I could definitely hang.

I'm sure January and February are balls cold, but I could imagine myself deciding to live here instead of Moscow had I come here first. I can always get away during Jan/Feb. when everyone is pissy from not seeing the sun in months .

As far as girls/women, there's not much difference between here and Moscow as far as looks go, IMO. There are some very attractive females here, no question. There's no shortage in Moscow as well. I would say that people/females here seem a bit more approachable compared to Moscow overall. I've chatted to a few here during my stay. but many still have that same "Russian/Soviet look down at the ground" thing I see in Moscow working when they see a strange man approaching. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.

Funny, but a friend of mine, 37 yr old Russian guy who has been living in Canada and the States for the last 5 years tells me he hates that the women here do that, even when they know you as an acquaintance. I always ask him and the other guys I know "what the hell did you guys do to these girls here?" . Must be part of the Soviet hangover.

I like the architecture here in and around the centre, Nevsky Prospect. It seems like everywhere you look you see another building with some nice twists in design. You feel the history.

The pace is definitely slower than Moscow and the people seem a bit friendlier.

The younger generation in both cities seem happier than previous generations, rightfully so. Obviously, they understand other cultures better, have travelled more and their attitude is very Westernised. I also see genuine happiness by them for others successes and less of that "crabs in a barrel" mentality from the past.

It's kind of a paradox with the looking down at the ground, or seeing right through you thing these girls do, because when you actually engage with them, they're quite talkative and approachable, go figure.

Guys, you should press the issue with girls here more than in America for sure, and compared to Europe as well. English is much more prevalent in Moscow, which is why I have always said not to count out Moscow as a place to find a girl as there are many here looking for a partner and speak English. More than any other place in the FSU.

I think I'll be spending more time in Pitersburg in the future. I didn't see any loud, obnoxious females, but Russian females, IMO, have a very low tolerance for people, things or situations they don't like compared to their Western sisters. Or maybe it's that you can read it easier on their faces.

For me, travelling around Russia is easy. I took Sapsan and the "Nevsky Express" trains туда и обратно, and it was quite pleasant and comfortable. Highly recommend to areas that it services.

I'm planning another trip shortly.