Several weeks ago, I decided to live a first and unusual experiment: make a mini European tour by bus. Actually, the craziest thing was to do it with a group of Russians while I do not speak a word of the language. Yes, either I'm a little crazy or a real adventurer. But, the truth was my Russian friend wanted to spend her last vacation in Europe and it was a chance to enjoy it together.

I will not here paint a postcard of the various places visited, but I will point out the cultural differences that I faced. Indeed, the language barrier and the fruit of this experience favoring the observation of these rather special beings.

This was however not the first time I hung out with Russians. I even made ​​a short trip to Moscow in the past (see "A Stranger in Moscow"). But, I soon forgot something that still remains: to live with them requires determination, flexibility, an open mind and lots of patience. So, I joined this group of Russian tourists when they arrive in Paris for an adventure that would take me to the coast of French Riviera, Florence-Rome-Venice in Italy, and finally back to Paris from Vienna in Austria. A journey of almost two full weeks of memories, unusual and informative experience for a French intruder.

Naturally, this group of about thirty people was surprised to see a young French, not speaking their language, come and share this experience with them. Who would not? So I was aware of and prepare for two things :

-          don't expect them to smile at you. It is not customary to talk or smile at strangers, so don't interpret this behavior as coldness or unfriendliness.  

-          don’t hesitate to open your soul to them. You will then be acknowledged and considered as part of the group.

Think American tourists and many would answer: loud, overweight, doesn’t speak any language other than English and totally ignorant, excluding information that he or she picked up in a Lonely Planet guide.

Think Japanese tourists and many would say: loaded with the latest models of the most expensive photographic equipment to take smiling pictures everywhere; almost always travels in large groups.

So how does a Russian tourist behave? And why do they keep fueling bad images of their countries by behaving inappropriately abroad?

Actually, over the past few years, holidays abroad have become more accessible for more and more Russian tourists. This has increased the flow of tourists from Russia who visited Europe for the first time (even if their main destinations still remained in Turkey and Egypt) without knowing how to behave. So, it raised a lot of different stereotypes :

-          They often say that the Russian tourist is arrogant. Russians also never apologize when they push you on the street or in public transport. You are lucky if you are not yelled at instead.

-          Russians don't usually say "please" or "thank you".

-          One more feature of Russians is eternal discontent. You can recognize a Russian tourist everywhere by the bored and unsatisfied expression. They like to keep their stoic Slavic facade.

-        When they say they are from Russia, people say two things: 'It's cold, and you've got bears.' One could then respond: 'Look, I know everything about your country. Perhaps you should try and find out a bit about mine.' " Or, is it only a myth within a myth: Russians believe that Americans believe that bears walk the streets in Moscow, but this myth of a myth might be a purely Russian invention. Americans actually believe all the bears in Russia are dead.

-         You could also hear stories about Russians calling to book a hotel, but the manager refused to give them a room when he realized they are from Russia.

Fortunately, I didn’t feel or experience any of these bad stereotypes during the trip with my group. Also, having a Russian friend at my side contributed greatly to my adoption by the group. Verbal exchanges were unfortunately very brief because few of them spoke English. Nevertheless, I was able to make friends with a charming young couple and chat regularly with two to three other people who could speak the language of Shakespeare. Therefore, the first observation: apart from the young generation, don’t expect Russians to speak English.

When you hear two Russians speak on the phone, you often feel that they’re fighting because they talk so loud or abruptly. But they are not. And, there is a thing I need to confess: like many other French people, I’m sometimes late. French people are never late, they're just nearly on time. It’s only after 15 minutes that it can be notified as being late. While visiting the city of Florence, I once took a wrong way and we got lost, my Russian friend and I, at the time of returning to our bus. So, we were really running late. Here is the second observation: Russians may not hesitate to criticize any of your mistakes, whether small or big. And, it’s done openly and clearly.  Even the most patient of you will test this lack of tact or diplomacy.

Another thing I had ever seen before and that has been confirmed. French men, whether traveling as a couple or with friends, don’t hesitate to leave their girlfriends/wives to choose and decide what to do or where to go. Is it pure laziness not to be the only one responsible for any wrong choice or is it because French women always look for a certain parity in the absence of equality? Russian women are a bit different. The third observation: with Russian families and couples, the man should always know how to decide. He must be strong or have character. In short, being reassuring such a pillar. This is why some Russian women find French men too effeminate. Moreover, some Russian men are convinced that feminism has led to the collapse of the West, and Russia's historical mission: resist.

Nevertheless, French people have the image of intelligent persons. But, if they can’t answer many questions on places or objects that are supposed to be familiar to them but in which they absolutely pay none attention, they are quickly considered as ignorant, like someone who ultimately doesn’t reach the scholar image. A lack of interest or confidence can then be easily seen. The fourth observation: are Russians really more demanding towards people who do not share the same culture?

Russian tourists, meanwhile, complain that they are often treated as second-class citizens. They concede that Russians like drinking but say their ubiquitous national reputation for drunkenness is undeserved. "There are stereotypes about Russians which are caused by a few oligarchs and have nothing to do with how the vast majority behave," said one of them. Sharing snacks and drinks with some of the people of the group at night was one of the best and more pleasant moment of the trip. So, taking the time to chat, always learning more about their culture, smiling at their funniness, feeling their kindness through the thoughtful gestures despite the barrier of language. Fifth observation : they naturally and constantly pour you a drink, so you can’t have an empty glass.  Although Russian people make toasts with practically every sip of a drink, they usually say a unique toast every time. If you want to make a toast with them, stick with "За Вас!" (Za vas!), which means « To you » and is very acceptable. You may miss drinking with Russians.

Only a child and a teenager were part of our group during this European trip. And some came with their grand-parents. Sixth observatory : through this and previous experiments, I liked the fact that kids are a natural part of everyone’s life, rather than a special, perfectly-planned project. Family is something so much important with Russians compared to the individualism of some occidental countries.

The end of my trip was a moment of excuse to take a picture with the whole group.  Actually, many wanted to have a picture of the group, so it lasted a while but it was quite fun. All along this travel, some may have hated foreigners, but others were very welcoming. Some may have been closed and afraid, but others were very friendly, open and curious. Will I ever travel again like that ? That’s not sure because it’s quite tiring. Will I ever travel with Slavic ? Here is my last thought : as long as we succeed to talk, I think I’ve become strong and comprehensive enough to continue and suffer a bit more among some of them. Russians are also extremely emotional and passionate, and although they don't show emotion in public, they can cry and laugh and shout and play more than Italians. Therefore, it's just all about respect and having a knowledge of basic etiquette wherever you are.