IV. Russia

slim - стройный

cheeks - щёки

generalization [ʤenərəlaɪ'zeɪʃn]- обобщение

complex ['kɔmpleks] сложный

malicious [mə'lɪʃəs] злобный

generous ['ʤen(ə)rəs] щедрый

greedy - жадный

glassy stair - стеклянный взгляд

vomit in a back street - «блевать» в закоулке

can be explained - можно объяснить

try to do it - пытаются это сделать

forget the roots [ru:t] забывать корни

be proud of [praud] гордиться чем-то / кем-то

let’s recollect - давайте вспомним

live up to - быть достойным чего-то/кого-то

ancestor ['ænsəstə] предок

Russian man, women and national character

What is Russia? Bears, vodka, communists, balalaika, blini? All of these and much - much more. Today we will talk a little about Russian people.

What are Russian women? “They are said to be “the most beautiful women in the world”, because they are tall and slim with long legs, and they have pink cheeks in winter. What are Russian men? They are tough and hardy, witty, and real fighters if they overcome their laziness. These generalizations may sound stupid, but they are mostly true.

Russian national character is very complex. People in this county can be lazy and hardworking, stupid and bright, malicious and kind, generous and greedy, polite and rude. That is why it is so difficult for a foreigner to understand a Russian person, a Russian soul.

It is a pity that Russians are thought to be drunkards. We must agree, the country does have this problem. Especially it is sad to watch drunken young people with glassy stair or vomiting in the nearest back street. Don’t they know any better?

Russian’s love to alcohol can be explained. The weather in most parts of Russia is gloomy and cold with rains and long winters. Life standards are low. People need to make their world brighter somehow, and try to do it with the alcohol or - worse - drugs.

One other sad thing is that we start to forget our roots, our traditions, most of us are not proud of our country any more.

But let’s recollect something. Russia is the biggest country in the world. Russia is a country, where radio, television, hydrogen bomb were invented. Russia is a country that launched ‘Sputnik’. Russia is Motherland for Dostoevsky, Chekov, Tolstoy, Shishkin, Tchaikovsky and many many others. There is something to be proud of, we should remember and live up to our famous ancestors.