Question by beatrix: is it safe for somebody with tan skin to visit Saint-Petersburg?
I’m planning on visiting Saint-Petersburg this summer. of course i made on internet. Most of the pages what about racism and cruel people can be either in Moscow or Saint-Petersburg.
Could you please give me some tips about this wonderful city.
Answers and Views:
Answer by sweet gem
im not Russian but nothing bad is going to happened.there are racists in Russia.they target immigrants from central Asia not tourists with tan skin.
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
Yakutya says
It's not true that they target people from Central Asia. These are very isolated cases. Most people from Central Asia were part of the former USSR and Russians don't care so much about their origins. They are Russians and they are proud to be so. My origins are mostly from this part of the Soviet Union, Siberia and I never had problems in Russia even walking on empty or secluded streets alone. It also depends on your mindset. Most of my White American colleagues who went to Russia complained of hostility and rudeness from the Russians. Surprisingly, being the only none white from our group, I get a far better treatment than they did. How is that? I was the only one among them who spoke Russian. The thing is when you are in Russia don't act and speak like an American because they don't like this. I noticed this firsthand and my Russian Friends told me so. I have friends from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. They all say the same thing. Try to blend in with the rest of the population.
A.V says
A little bit safer, but the young people in Russia are much more open minded than their parents. I won't lie, it is more comfortable for white people in Russia, but I don't think that there is any danger. (Maybe stay away from groups of middle aged Russian men in side streets at night, but other than that… Being gay is a bigger problem. Walk out of a gay club and you better be careful! But that's getting better too.) One thing that Russians might have a problem with is someone of dark skin in their orthodox churches. At least be very careful to be respectful- no photos, no talking, wear a headscarf if you're female.
xoxo says
yes it's safe, there were like a few minor things goin on a couple of years ago but my and friend (African-American) and i use the metro i moscow all the time, nothin ever happened and i don't see why it should be any dif. in st. petesburg, its really nice there especialy on the white nights (when the sun never sets) ive been there like twice and as u migh guss i line in moscow- the most awsome place:)
Dina Moscow says
Let me assure you, you will not have any problems in Russia just because of your skin complexion, all those websites promoting Russia as a racist country are false.They had some problems with racism a couple of years ago but all those skinheads are in jail now thankfully. But in every city in the world you will still have racism, there's no way around it but Saint Petersburg is a highly developed European city and people are very friendly and hospitable. Places in Russia like Saint Petersburg and Moscow are large cities with constant tourism and if you come there you will see as much of a diverse population as you would in London, Paris, Milan or New York. I'm a Tatar Russian and my complexion is olive and I have long dark hair, and nobody has ever complained to me,LOL. Russians are very curious people and if we see you taking pictures of our monuments and your a foreigner we'll likely come up to you and speak or even want to take pictures with you, it's just our fascination with foreign people we have.
My main tips I would recommend is you not frequenting the streets alone, go with a group or some people you know. There are silly and sometimes drunken people out in the streets who could bother you but really that could be in any city but still I would not walk around alone. I also recommend you working on your Russian, of course in Saint Petersburg, being it's a huge tourist destination for people all over the world, if you walk up to somebody for help with directions most of the time they know some if not complete english. Nobody would expect you to know perfect Russian, because though now I know total English it took years for me to learn it and I can see why Russian looks difficult to others,LOL, but standard greetings and simple sentences will help you and make Russians feel flattered and show you are trying to sample the culture and they will help you as best they can. I also want to tell you that you need to apply for your visa in advance because it could take forever for approval. If you are approved when your walking around make sure you carry your information proving you have a visa to be in Russia because sometimes Russian police will stop and demand your info or try to get money from you, though this is more common in Moscow I have seen it happen in Saint Pete too. I recommend visits to the Winter Palace for sure and the art museums and spend an evening in one of the cafe's you will feel so relaxed and at home. If you have anymore questions or concerns or want more tips feel free to email me at [email protected] I will be glad to help you. Otherwise have lot's of fun!