The document discusses and refutes several common stereotypes about Russia and Russian people, including that bears walk in cities, all Russians are drunkards, Russians do not smile, winter lasts all year, and Russians only eat pancakes and caviar. It acknowledges some stereotypes are partially true, such as Russians wearing fur hats and Matryoshka dolls being a symbol of Russia. The document aims to provide more accurate representations of Russian culture and lifestyle to foreigners.

1. Stereotypes about Russia Balakireva Vika Permyakova Masha Turtikova Tanya Gymnasium 9, Electrostal Russia

2. People from different countries always have stereotypes about each other. It’s absolutely natural as each culture always contains secrets.

3. The most common stereotype that foreigners have about Russia is that bears walk along the streets in cities and in towns. It’s not true.

4. Bears do not walk along the streets. In our country bears live on special territories. For example, in dense forests or in the taiga. They may also live peacefully in zoos.

5. Stereotype № 2: All Russian people are drunkards. It’s not true.

8. Stereotype № 3: Russians seldom smile. It’s not true.

9. When foreigners visit Russia, they are shocked to see that a lot of Russian people look gloomy, unfriendly and concentrated in the street. They think that we are unhappy.

11. Stereotype 4 : M atryoshka is a symbol of Russia

15. Stereotype № 5: All Russian people wear fur hats with ear-flaps like those worn by Russians in some American films

16. Yes, in Russia we wear hats with earflaps which we call “ushankas”. But they don’t look like those worn by some Russians in the films made in Hollywood. They are modern and stylish. This stereotype is half true.

17. W e wear such hats because it’s rather cold in some parts of our big country. They are very popular and of different kinds. By the way, people from other cold countries also wear them.

18. It’s not true . Stereotype № 6: In Russia winter is all year round

19. . In Russia besides winter there are 3 more seasons: In spring snow melts, birds arrive from the south, there are buds on trees.

20. In summer it is hot, trees are green.

21. In autumn leaves turn yellow and fall down on the ground, birds fly away to the south, it becomes cold.

22. . . Stereotype № 7: Santa Claus is a symbol of New Year in all the countries . In Russia Ded Moroz is a symbol of New Year like Santa Claus is in America. Earlier he had a dark blue fur coat, but later it became red. In the past it was believed that Ded Moroz was wicked, lived in a winter wood and would freeze anyone who would come to his territory. But now Ded Moroz is a character of kind fairy tales and at New Year’s Eve he gives presents to all children or puts them under the fir-tree in the room. Ded Moroz travels in his sledge pulled by three wonderful horses. It’s not true.

23. Ded Moroz looks like Santa Claus with his coat, boots and long white beard. Ded Moroz is often shown wearing a heel-length fur-coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki on his feet. Unlike Santa Claus, he walks with a long magical staff. The official residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is considered to be the town of Veliky Ustyug.