The Russian woman left for Sweden 15 years ago, and during this time she took off her rose-colored glasses, seeing the real attitude towards her compatriots in this Scandinavian country. The emigrant's experience of communicating with the Swedes was not at all the same as it is presented by travel bloggers. The Swedes called all Russians “rogues” and called them “Russian pigs”. The impressions of a Russian woman from living in a foreign country and techniques for coping with overt Russophobia were published on the Yandex.Zen channel.
Russophobia is built into the state ideology of Sweden
According to a compatriot, the impressions of a Russian tourist and an emigrant from the country as a whole and communication with the locals are completely different, since the former are guests in a particular state, and the latter are in fact competitors who, on an equal basis with the locals, claim support and services offered by the state.< /p>
“Those who say that Russians are treated well abroad will be right. And if the same Russian moves for permanent residence in conditional Germany, then I suspect that he will face discrimination in finding a job or in relations with colleagues, or with everyday Russophobia – conditional Germans will not stand on ceremony on their territory. In this sense, those who see Russophobia abroad will be right,” the author explained the difference.
“As for Sweden, the Swedes are pronounced Russophobes for the most part, this is true. I say so because I have been living in Swedish society for 15 years, and not among Russian immigrants, ”she added and said that she draws conclusions not on the basis of Russian television, which she never had in her Swedish home, but from her own experience after reading the Swedish press and watching Swedish TV channels.
According to the Russian woman, Russophobia comes down to the masses from above and manifests itself at the level of state ideology. “To be specific, in the constant intimidation of the “Russian threat” – especially the threat of seizing the island of Gotland. The Swedish language even has such a word Rysskräck – “fear of Russia,” a compatriot shared.
The husband was not infected with Russophobia
In addition, she said that they especially do not accept other nations, except for their own, the older generation. This manifests itself even at the household level. For example, she said that she could not marry her current husband if his father, an ardent opponent of everything Russian, were alive. “Yes, and my now deceased mother-in-law did not count on a foreign daughter-in-law, and even more so from Russia. We had little contact with her, we had nothing to talk about,” the author clarified.
The Russian woman noted that her husband is an exception to the Swedish rule. He, like his circle of friends who are married to women from Russia or the countries of the former USSR, loves Russia.
The Russian enemy has been reported since childhood
The author said that she works in an ordinary Swedish school and it is within the walls of educational institutions that Russophobia is nurtured; instilled in our heads from childhood. Here is a quote from the narrator: “Somehow, the students called me “Russian pig” and “Russian s … th”, and the school administration did not even want to investigate the incident (these are children!) At my request. Repeatedly I had to hear from students the question: “Who invited you here (in the sense, to Sweden)?” My son (half-Swede) at school was also called a “Russian pig” and told him that “all Russians are crooks.” A girl I knew, an Ingush by nationality, but she was mistaken for Russian, was spat in the face by a classmate after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In addition, the Russian woman shared that she had seen a lot of complaints addressed to her. Denunciations were written by colleagues and superiors, trying to slander her, remove her from her post and question her professional suitability. Once, the School Inspectorate stood up for a woman, and she won the case, and the boss was soon “asked” from her position.
“At first I was very upset, but now I understand from whose voice the children sing. Therefore, if unpleasant incidents happen, I immediately call my parents and express sincere bewilderment: “How is it that in a country of exemplary democracy the ugly phenomenon of discrimination based on the principle of nationality rears its head?” And I advise these parents to teach their children to be teachers and doctors – then there will be no need for foreign specialists in Sweden. Usually these arguments are accepted. And you can also write a letter to the rector at the child's school – it also helps, ”the emigrant cited the methods of struggle.
The local teachers' unions helped her to stay among strangers in many ways. The Russian woman assured that trade unions in Sweden are definitely stronger and more influential than Russian ones, since they offer legal support.
As for the last year, the compatriot noted that the degree of Russophobia towards her has generally decreased. Perhaps due to the fact that she did not respond to the Swedes with retaliatory aggression, and the locals realized that the emigrant could legally stand up for herself. “Now at school, my students ask me how to say hello in Russian, and sometimes they say hello to me in Russian. I have Swedish friends, we have good neighbors (also Swedes). And this summer we traveled around the island of Gotland, where my Russian surname did not interfere with life in any way. In general, a sin to complain. But this in no way cancels the general Russophobic ideology of Sweden, alas!” – the Russian woman concluded her story.
Earlier, Turprom wrote that “The Russian woman revealed how the Turks actually relate to those who have moved.”
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