Job Discussion Forums

Tequie · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5

Please forgive me if this question has been answered before, but I wasn't able to find it in the pages I searched...

I am looking at going to Russia for study and work primarily in Moscow, and am curious about the prevolence of the Punk or Goth subculture there. Do these really exist? Are these something that is looked down upon in Russian society? Are the Russians open to things like that? Also, is there a prevolence of tattoos/body piercings, or is that more of the "criminals only" mentatlity with body modification?

I am just curious about possible problems arrising when I'm there (I know that in parts of Asia tattooed women have a lot of issues, where as in Prague, there are a lot of punk/goth/anarchist/etc. types, and people seem pretty much ambivolent to the whole thing), and I'd like to know what to expect...
Thanks for the info!

expatella_girl · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:15 am Post subject:

I see a few punkish Gothish kids around. I certainly wouldn't call it a suculture by any means. They seem to be teeny bopper wannabe's. I see them as just kids pushing to see what the limits are, like kids everywhere. Anarchy is definately not a popular ( nor safe) movement in Russia.

I saw a lot more body piercings and tatoos in Seattle than I've ever seen in Moscow. Moscow is a city of between 10 to 13 million people, bigger than the entire population of the Czech Republic. You're bound to get all sorts of fringe people in a city that big.

The whole "body modification" movement is pretty new here and I say with confidence that it isn't widespread. Russians mostly would rather be all dolled up in furs and rhinestone Dolce&Gabbanna than anything. Thery're into glitz, not grunge.

Tequie · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5

Thanks for the info! I knew Moscow was big, I didn't know it was THAT big...!

Being a foreigner who has tattoos and visible piercings, would it be a be advisable to keep them underwraps while in Moscow? (I'm just worried about the whole women with tattoos stigma that seems so prevolent elsewhere, or could it cause problems with the police, or things like that?) or would it just be greeted with stares and people kinda staying away from the creepy girl with funny colors...?

expatella_girl · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:21 pm Post subject:

Nah, I see girls with piercings every day. If you feel uncomfortable somehow, you can always remove the jewelery, yeah? Nobody will know then. Tatoos, what are you talking about? A swastika carved into your forehead? Not good. You'll see tatoos around, just not as much as you would as say, in Seattle or San Francisco.

[As an aside, if your're so concerned about the poor public perception of these *body modifications* (no insult intended), why did you have it done?]

Besides, it'll be winter soon and everybody will be wearing hats and coats and mittens and scarves and boots. Nobody will see it anyway.

I always find it amazing when people are so surprised at the super-size of Moscow. It'a well kept secret. Moscow is the largest city in Europe. Bigger than London or Paris or Rome. It has the most extensive subway system in the world. The Moscow Metro is estimated to carry 9 million passengers a day. Well more than the the London Tube and New York subway combined. All of Russia, by design and intent, is a well kept secret.

P.S. Always carry kleenexes in this country in case of emergency. Laughing

Always. Toilet paper seems to be a luxury here.

Tequie · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5

In answer: I had my "modifications" done for a number of reasons... That aside, I have had people I know (yes, I knew them directly, not a friend of a friend of a friend...) who had SERIOUS issues (as in refused places to stay, spit on in public, etc.) in some places. Now, granted most of these were extreme cases that only occured once, and most of them were in places like Asia, I just am paranoid about it, I guess...

Over all, Moscow (and Russia in general) is safe for single women? I mean, I know you need to keep your wits about you, but that seems to be the same anywhere you travel too these days...

WOW! That's a huge metro system! From what I've read about it, some of the older metro stops are really gorgeous, is that correct? I'm a bit surprised that at this day in age, Russia is still so secret...

As for the toilet paper, thanks for the warning! I'm assuming that you have to pay to use all "public restrooms" there as well? (on a side note, I once heard Russian sandpaper once compared to 30 grit sandpaper... is it really that bad?)

Thanks for the tips and clarifications, I'm considering going to Moscow for gradschool (and perhaps some work, if I can get a pt teaching job), so would be there rather long term, and they're quite helpful!

Trojan Horse · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Europe

Hi Tequie,
I sent you a pm about the joys of being a woman in Russia. Very Happy

Hope it doesn't put you off! Go ahead and enjoy your time there.

Tequie · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5

Wow, that makes it sound like Russia is increadibly dangerous for single women!

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

I'm not a woman, but you might find this interesting.

In all of the FSU, including Moscow, it is common for people to flag down private cars instead of taxis if they need a quick ride somewhere. Now I've seen single women do this in Moscow. How common is this where you come from?

Body decoration for women is certainly more conservative in Russia than in the West (and thank God for that Laughing

) although things like navel piercings are very common. "Sailor" type tattoos are not.

If you are pretty wierd looking I don't think it's a safety issue, although it may affect your job prospects.

The following club sometimes has Goth nights:

Unplugged Cafe, Melnikova, 7 (Metro Proletarskaya, purple line, 1st exit from the centre, 10 min walk). Admission is 150 rubles

Tequie · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5

The taxi thing like that like *never* hapens where I come from (Chicago originally), and I'd *never* get into a car w/some random kook there...

(though, on an odd side note, a women from my work today turned out to be from Moscow, and she was telling me about that. She made it sound safe, and par for the coase; and I thought that was interesting... She also told me some nifty stuff about the school I'm looking into, which was pretty cool...)

As for the whole modification thing, I only have one visible piercing that isn't in my ears (ergo covered by hair), it's a "smiley" which, is hideable as long as I leave the curved bar in. And, no "sailor" tattoos, unless a enguin on the front of the arm counts...? I figure I should be pretty decently descrete w/all that... The problem is the punk pants and bright pink combat boots... (though again, those aren't an everyday neccessity either!)

hmm... a club with goth night... I think that'll work Surprised

)

Thanks for all the imput!

Trojan Horse · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Europe

Go ahead and try Russia. I love Russia. I just like to have a bit of luxury as well that's the reason I don't live there! I personally never had any problems but I practically always had my little girl in tow, and mothers with toddlers just don't hassled. Russians absolutely love kids and they hang all over you trying to tell you that your child is not warmly dressed enough, needs this or that, should or shouldn't be doing something. Actually it got on my nerves a lot of the time - but I NEVER felt threatened or hassled or scared.

I just wanted you to keep in mind that even when Russia seems "normal" like what you are used to at home - it isn't. The roles of men and women are sort of stuck in the 50s. If you go to a BBQ (do you call it a grill?), the women will be in the kitchen and the men sitting outside in the datscha garden tucking into the first sausages. On the other hand, they will bring you flowers, help you in and out of buses etc. They do like their women feminine though, preferably in a skirt in mid-winter with make-up and long curled hair. That's what Russian women strive for too so you may be a bit unusual. I shouldn't think people will have a problem with that though. You will get stared at once you're outside of Moscow or St. Petersburg - but that happens anyway, however you dress.

Like I said, I love Russia, I even married a Russian so they ain't all bad! Actually some things about Russian men are really very good Very Happy

There's highly cultivated, educated men (like mine) and rougher types but you get that everywhere. Personally I think alcohol is a lot of the problem behind crime in Russia, as is poverty. Just keep your wits about you and be a tick more careful than you would be at home, I think you'll be fine.

Alexandra

chechevitsa · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 22

I have a related query:

I'll be graduating in the spring with a BA in applied linguistics, and plan to try and take a job in russia. I've dreamed of going there ever since I first started studying the language when I was 16. the catch is that at the moment I have blue hair and a facial piercing. now, I'm willing to change that to get a job, but I'm reluctant to do it if I don't have to. I know that the hair at least will almost certainly have to change to some semi-natural colour (although if russia is anything like romania and bulgaria, I could easily get away with that beautiful plum-brown colour), but will I have to remove my piercing? and will they insist on it being healed over, or would just not wearing while teaching classes likely be enough?

and what would they think if I came to school riding a skateboard, haha?

o, if it makes any difference, I'm a girl, and other than my face and hair I'm pretty normal looking, i.e. no tatoos, reasonably normal dress style. also, I'm hoping to teach young adult or adult learners rather than young kids if I can avoid it.

expatella_girl · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

A facial piercing shouldn't be a problem if it is subdued. The blue hair is definately gonna be a problem. I think you will find it very difficult to find someone to hire you if you have a head of shocking blue hair, yes and yes.

It seems like most Russians have a hair color not their own, so colored hair isn't a problem. In fact every shade of haircolor here no matter what, is some hue of Roosky orange, be it blonde or brunette or somewhere in between. Must be something about the hair dye chemicals here that makes all the colors orangesomething. I order my hair color from the US (my mom sends it to me). I like my hair brown, not brown-orange. You'll see what I'm talking about if you get here......

But weird colors like pink and green and purple etc. that you'd see in the states are uncommon here. I would absolutely recommend something a little more 'normal'. Yes. Definately.

expatella_girl · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:37 am Post subject:

chechevitsa · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 22

now, the next question is, what counts as subdued? this is what I've got:

it's not really as long as it looks there, and can always be changed to a nonthreatening ball. but it is in the centre of my face.

thanks for your help...I already feel much more relaxed about the future of my self-expression. ^_^

expatella_girl · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:49 am Post subject:

Chechevista, I will admit I haven't seen many piercings like that here. I think that losing the chin jewelery for job interviews in Russia would be a good idea. Neutral

I hate to be an old fogey, but I'm not under the impression that this enhances a woman's appearance. Uh, I'm guessing that most Russian would be of like mind.