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Interview with Elmar (21.01.2022)

Here is my interview with Elmar - a dutch, who lives and works in Holland and who has never been to Russia.
I: Hi! My name is Alex, and I’m working at project in school about “Foreigners’ view of Russia”. So I’d like to ask you some questions, if you don’t mind.
Elmar: Of course!
I: So could you introduce yourself?
Elmar: My name is Elmar, I’m 31 years old. I live in the Netherlands, and I work as a director of foundation, which helps people with the depths.
I: Have you ever been to Russia?
Elmar: No, I have never been to Russia.
I: And if you ever come to Russia, which places would you go to first?
Elmar: Well, I would go to Moscow, because my girlfriend has a family there I’d like to meet. And I think Saint-Petersburg is also lovely to go to. Those are the most famous places I know.
I: Could you tell me about some basic stereotypes about Russia and Russians that are present in your country?
Elmar: Yeah. So it’s really stereotypes, I know it’s not like that, but that’s just a stereotype. You know, it’s like the men drink vodka, communism, Stalin and Putin. Well, for me, because I’m Dutch, I need to also think about mi 17 – the plane that crushed. I think about cold War. Lets see… Well, I think those are the most things I get to know.
I: And wich of the stereotypes do you consider to be the most ridiculous?
Elmar: Well, I’m sure not everyone drinks vodka. I also feel like that there is Dutch propaganda going one the Russian side. That if, for example, Russia would do something which is actually not that bad, we would not show it in our country. So I feel like we also tend to have more negative attitude towards Russia in general.
I: Okay, and have you ever tried to learn Russian language?
Elmar: no
I: And based on what you’ve heard, do you think it’s a hard language or not?
Elmar: Well, that’s difficult to say, for me it sounds really unfamiliar because I don’t know the language. I don’t think it’s the most difficult language, because I’ve heard about Dutch people that spoke Russian and I’ve heard about people that learn Russian, so I don’t think it’s the most difficult, but I wouldn’t know.
I: Okay. How do you think an average Russian differs from an average Dutch person? I know it’s hard to say because of the word “average”, but just like based on stereotypes.
Elmar: Yeah, okay, so, I think most average Russian is outcast less happy that an average Dutch person. I also would think that an average Russian has less trust in government than average Dutch person. I think, something to compare is the vaccination degree in the Netherlands is a lot higher than in Russia. I think that’s based on trust in government. I think for Russians Russian culture is more important to them than for the Dutch the Dutch culture. So I think that an average Russian person might be a bit more nationalistic than an average Dutch person. Let me think of more. I think that an average Russian person is more about family and more collective than an average Dutch person. I’m saying this because I know that the Holland is considered as one of the most individualistic countries. Yeah, I think that are some interesting differences.
I: I think it’s quiet a good guess.
Elmar: Yeah, well, thank you!
I: What’s you view on Russian curse words?
Elmar: I don’t know any of Russian curse words. I don’t know Russian at all. Can you tell me some Russian curse words?
I: Okay, sure, but I don’t know how it will be perceived by my school policy.
Elmar: hahah, well, you’re asking me about Russian curse words.
I: Yeah, but it if comes from non-russian person it’s a bit different. Yeah.. But like basic one is like “@###@”, “@#13” and “#21”. Yeah, most of them come from private organs. And so on. And it can be changed to a different meaning, so like one curse word can be a thousand of things.
Elmar: Well, I don’t know Russian curse words, like how did you guys say if you say cheers? It the word that is really famous.
I: «Ура» maybe?
Elmar: no, no, no. I though I knew some words. Now I don’t think I know any Russian words then.
I: Okay. Were there any Russian poets, writers, composers and et cetera in your school program?
Elmar: No, no, I didn’t actually have any poetry in my school program. This is actually a lack I would say. Well later, of course, I learned more about Dostoevsky, but not in my school program. Well what about Russian from a Western perspective we talked about Gorbachev, glasnost, perestroika. From the western perspective Gorbachev is seen as a kind of a hero that he brought more democratic values to Russia. Yet, I’m saying this with a Western perspective. In my school we didn’t do a lot about Russian poets.
I: So Russian literature is not that popular in Holland, right?
Elmar: Well, not in the school programs, but most people do know Dostoevsky, for example, so we talk about that, but I don’t know much more about it.
I: Do you know any Russian songs, or do you listen to any Russian singers? It’s okay to say no.
Elmar: I think I remember this couple from Ukraine – “Tatu”. What else… Let me think… And this band “Pussy riots”. That’s all I know
I: Well, I am not sure. Actually, for some Russian foreign music is more popular than Russian, so I don’t know a lot about it either.
Elmar: Then I’m not ashamed. Ahaha!
I: And how popular is Russian music in your country? As I got it, not really popular.
Elmar: No, not really popular, no.
I: And what about cinema?
Elmar: Well, I’ve watched “Beanpole”. I think that’s a Russian movie. I watched some movies with my girlfriend, but I don’t really remember the titles of them. And there are a lot of movies ABOUT Russia, but not necessarily Russian movies. I’ve watched old series “The Americans” about two Russian spies in America, but again that’s an American serie. So yeah, I’ve watched a lot about Russia, but not of Russia I would say.
I: Okay, I’d like to switch a topic a little bit. Well do you follow Russian politics, and if you do what’s your opinion about it?
Elmar: Well, as far as I know it’s Putin and it’s a bit of a, well, excuse me if I’m wrong, but it’s a bit of a dictator kind of. There is not much of a choice, I would say. And as far as I know from the Dutch news all the oppositions of Putin are actually puppets of Putin. I think like 5 or 6 like years ago Gary Kasparov was in the opposition, and he wanted to modernize a country a bit more, but as far as I know he never succeeded and he flat or worse himself because he was considered a persona non grata. But, of course, I also know Kasparov because he is one of the best chess players ever, and I am a chess player. But that’s all I know about the recent politics in Russia, but also know about situation around Eltsin and Gorbachev and before that. It’s a bit more famous in the history books because it’s also describing the cold war.
I: And how do you think what’s the attitude of Russian people towards the current government? Elmar: Em, I think that’s a difficult question. I think that some people would think in Russia that at least with Putin you have a strong leader. I also think there is some opposition, especially in the intellectual side of Russia. And I also think that some Russians would think that “it would be a lot worse if we get a bigger idiot than this”.
I: How do you think how similar are Russian politics and USSR politics?
Elmar: USSR? So you mean Soviet Union? I: yes, yes. I mean Soviet Union Elmar: I really don’t know that much actually. That’s interesting, I don’t know if there is a big difference. I feel that there was a communism and this is a bit of vague communism. I don’t know how to describe it. No, I don’t know. I: Then, let’s end with a bit upbeat attitude, so have you ever seen any Russian memes or watched Russian comedy shows? Elmar: No, never. Do you have anything to recommend me? I: Well. There is this famous comedy show in Russia called “Уральские пельмени”. It’s like if we translated it would be like “Dumpling from Ural”. I guess it’s the most famous one. Yeah… Elmar: You know, I do know one. I know that when Putin just came into power, there was this show where they made fun of politicians with masks and puppets and stuff like that. And ridiculed also Putin, for example. And when Putin came he made sure they wouldn’t do anything anymore. Do you know what I mean? I: I guess I am not familiar with this show because I was quiet little then. Although I am not familiar with the show, but I know this kind of shows that existed in Russia and different countries. For example, Georgie. And have you seen any memes about Russians? Elmar: Well, I know the stereotypes I told you. And some people think that Russians are really straight, bad of trust. Yesterday I saw a video of two Russians having the Santa-Claus on a fire and asking him questions because they don’t trust him, and then Santa-Claus tries to pretend he’s a communist like them, and then they all fight with each other. And it goes with strong Russian English accent. I thought it was pretty funny. I: I guess that was all. Thank you a lot for answering on my questions. Elmar: You are most welcome! Good luck with your project!