Post by Bonobo on Jun 15, 2017 16:11:24 GMT 1
On the state level, there is feud. Polish and Russian political elites accuse each other of various hostile acts.
On a personal level, face to face, both nations are neutral or even quite positive about each other. Only some hardened nationalists or simpletons are not.
www.quora.com/Why-do-Russians-dislike-Poles
Why do Russians dislike Poles?
23 Answers
Valentin Filippov
Valentin Filippov, a Russian from Saint-Petersburg
Updated Sun
In theory, there's a long story of competing between us and fighting with each other. In 17th century Poland was strong, and Polish troops captured Moscow. We still remember that, and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky (the leaders of people's uprising against the Poles) on the Red Square won't let us forget. But by the beginning of 18th century Russia not only regained its lands, but pushed Poland out of most of Ukraine. By the end of 18th century Poland was occupied by Russia, Austria and Prussia. Although Russia had given Poland a lot of autonomy, for Poles this was unacceptable, and they always had sought real independence. They have got it in 1918, but lost again after the World War 2, when Poland was included into the orbit of USSR — until the collapse of Warsaw Bloc in 1989. Needless to say, that Poles don't have warm feelings towards Russia after all that.
But again, this is all in theory. In practice, Russians in Poland rarely meet any hostility, and same is for Poles in Russia. We are pretty close to each other by language and mentality, and we rather feel curiosity and interest to Poles than anything else.
Here's a good video to illustrate it (although you need some knowledge of Russian or Polish to understand the words). It's about a Polish guy who travelled across all Russia by hitchhiking.
5.2k Views · 43 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
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More Answers Below
Why do Poles dislike Russians?
What do Russians think of Poles?
Do Poles and Russians understand each other?
How do modern-day Poles feel about Germans and Russians?
Why are the Poles so pious?
Dmitriy Genzel
Dmitriy Genzel, speaks Russian
Answered Jan 9, 2016
(I am going to generalize a lot in this answer, not all Russians are alike, but this is the sort of question where I have to do this).
I like Mark's answer, but I think he is missing one kind of dynamic. As far as I can tell Russians do dislike Poles, but if they tried to articulate it, it would be for something like "ingratitude", or "because Poles don't like Russians". Your generic Russian, as such, is prepared to like Poles as fellow Slavs and neighbors, as long as they acknowledge Russians as big brothers, protectors, and overall nice guys. For reasons that are obvious to anyone who knows Polish history, Poles don't think of Russians in this way at all. And Russians don't understand it and resent it. (As an aside, there's now a similar dynamic for Russians vs Ukrainians, and for similar reasons.)
Russians make fun of the use of bear as a national symbol, but it is quite apt. If you are a bear, you might think you are nice, but your neighbors would be very afraid to hug you, and you'll be going around stepping on their feet without noticing and being quite upset that nobody likes you. Poles in particular are very puzzling, because they are both neighbors and relatives, so they have to like you, but they don't. Traitors. You just can't like them.
Update: Perhaps it didn't come across: mostly Russians aren't aware of the historical reasons for Poles to distrust Russians. Or, often they know the facts, but don't understand how important they are, or how they look from the Polish point of view. For example, during World War II, Russians (Soviets) liberated Poland from the Nazis. That's one point of view. The other is, USSR and Nazi Germany betrayed Poland and destroyed Polish independence during the war and imposed an alien regime upon it. Should Poles be thankful to the Russians for it? One side thinks obviously yes, the other, not so much.
5.7k Views · 43 Upvotes
Sergey Monin
Sergey Monin, Freethinker in search of better life
Answered Feb 19, 2016
It's because of aggressive propaganda on our TV, the government don't want us to be friends. Imagine that you live in a country where all you see is: Poland banned Russian products, Russian fans were beaten by aggressive Polish nationalists, Poland demands more NATO troops on their territory to protect from Russia, and so on.
How will you love Poland after this? This happened to me, I used to always think that Poland it's some kind of Russophobic country, whose only purpose is to hurt Russia. But later, several years ago, driven by curiosity I found the website called InterPals Penpals - Meet people, make friends online and find free pen pals from around the world! and began to interact with people.
I was surprised by the fact that many Poles are interested in Russian culture, always asking me questions about Russia. I was caught off-guard when I realized that actually they don't hate Russia and turning my country into dust is not their only purpose in life. I can say it was one of my life changing experiences.
And now I like Poles. I like their beautiful women (I even like Polish women more than our own), their interesting architecture, language, soulful songs. I proudly have very good Polish friends, they're all very nice, kind-hearted people. Now I'm learning Polish language and never miss a change to learn something new about this amazing country.
So we don't dislike Poles
You're more than welcome to visit Russia and make yourself at home. My home is your home.
2.5k Views · 36 Upvotes
Konstantin Beloturkin
Konstantin Beloturkin, Born in the USSR, living in Russia.
Answered Sun
Before asking “why”, ask “if”!
Hello, a Russian is here.
A short answer: they don’t.
Hmm, well… maybe except some low-educated teenaged bastards (who I call ушлёпки in Russian) brainwashed by some vague and not explicitly clear propaganda, and also except some extreme ultra-nationalists - but they exist in every nation.
Having been raised in the later USSR, I have used to think of Poles as one of the most friendliest nations to Russians. Maybe, competing with Bulgarians - who have always been represented as “eternal Russian friends and brothers”.
In the years of my childhood there were multiple popular actors of mixed Polish-Soviet ancestry: the singer Anna German - Wikipedia, Edita Piekha - Wikipedia, Barbara Brylska - Wikipedia who played the unforgettabale role in the immortal Soviet New Year movie “Irony of fate”.
In late 1980-s my friend and I subscribed to the magazine of Polish-Soviet friendship Przyjaźń for the only reason it provided short lessons of Polish in every issue. It was the second foreign language I ever tried to learn after my first (mandatory) school English. I still remember some words and expressions, like Russian ГАИ is Kontrola Ruchu Drogowego in Polish.
So, no! Whatever politicians say, I would never agree that “Russians dislike Poles”. Please disregard this question, it is not true.
994 Views · 39 Upvotes
Alexander Belopolsky
Alexander Belopolsky, been there
Answered Apr 2, 2016
They don't. At least no more than the French dislike Belgians.
Here is a post stamp issued in the USSR in 1955:
The guy on the left is Alexander Pushkin. The guy on the right is Adam Mickiewicz, a prominent Polish poet. Below, is a quote from a Pushkin verse:
... He would often
Talk about future times
When the people, forgetting their strife,
Would unite in one great family.
See Exhibit Explores Poetic Friendship for more. It did help that the two lived in the same country, though.
2.1k Views · 13 Upvotes
Artem Kliatchkine
Artem Kliatchkine, software developer
Answered Feb 12, 2016
I never saw anyone in Russia disliking Poles on personal level. On the contrary I know people having good relations with them. Btw, one of my grand-grands was a Pole, it was in times when Poland was a part of Russian Empire.
Politically, though, Poland is whether ignored in mass opinion or perceived as a minor country traditionally anti-Russian but fortunately unable to make any harm.
1.6k Views · 13 Upvotes
Vitaly Ustinov
Vitaly Ustinov, Staff Nurse at Ganei Ora Classic Home for Elderly (2015-present)
Answered Mon
I don’t know “why” and looks like nobody does. I’ll try to give you some information to think about.
Lets make some definitions before we start. Not “Russians” but “Soviets”. The word “Russian” widely used in the US actually means “Soviet” Soviet people - Wikipedia .Being Homo Sovieticus - Wikipedia has nothing to do with the ethnicity or current citizenship - this is a state of mind. I have to admit that the communists partialy succeeded in creating this “new ethnicity” . In general “Soviets” don’t like everyone who’s contry was a part of the Russian Empire - Wikipedia and/or Soviet Union - Wikipedia : Poland , Finland, Baltic countries and so on. The biggest “crime” in this case is the economic growth and improving the quality of life in the country after the secession. Example : after the Euromaidan - Wikipedia Ukraine decided to completly cut the ties with Russia the result was a military invasion.
All this ,of course, my personal opinion, I’m not a sociologyst.
Thanks for reading my answer.
220 Views · 5 Upvotes
Igor Fazlyev
Igor Fazlyev
Answered Jan 12, 2016
The vast majority of Russians don't care about Poles one way or the other.
When some Polish politician goes and criticises Russia and it gets noticed by and reported in Russian media, or when some punks in Poland go and desecrate some WWII Russian graves and it gets reported in Russian media then some Russians that watch TV and read papers may dislike Poles for a while but they soon forget about it all and resume ignoring Poles.
1.9k Views · 21 Upvotes
Max Kalininskij
Max Kalininskij, Am Russian, have been living in Russia since 2010, read a lot about Russia
Answered Jan 12, 2016
A loaded question if there ever was one.
The correct form would be 'Do Russians dislike Poles?'. As usual though, someone anonymous asked it, so I can't report them.
I cannot answer why Russians dislike Poles, because I do not believe that the premise of the question is correct in the first place.
Personally, I like Poles. I've only ever had positive interactions with them, and I've met plenty. Civilized, cultured people in my experience. So what if we have differences on political views? (and even that's often not the case)
In general, I don't actually know of any people that I 'dislike' or hate. It seems silly to hold strong feelings against any large group of people that you don't actually know personally; based on their national origin or native language.
1.8k Views · 20 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
Denis Gerasimov
Denis Gerasimov, Live in Russia
Updated Mar 22
Personally, I like books by Stanislaw Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski and have generally neutral attitude towards Poles.
There are also Polish politicians on the news advocating NATO expansion, inviting Americans to establish military bases in Poland, supporting pro-Western movements in Georgia and Ukraine, claiming that people in death camps in Poland were liberated by Ukrainian front (true) consisting purely of ethnic Ukrainians (false), ordering dismantling of the monuments of Soviet soldiers who fought Nazis and so on, but somehow, in my mind at least, it doesn't translate into dislike of Poles. It probably should, considering that Poles elected them, but it doesn't.
1.5k Views · 15 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
Hersh Bortman
Hersh Bortman, Israel. A cautious optimist.
Answered Jan 28, 2016
I'm as a popular prank goes, a Russian Jew from the German Poland, so I'm really not in position to judge. But what I can to state positively, that a special charm of Edita Piekha, a French-born popular Soviet and Russian singer and actress
of Polish descent was due to her charming Polish accent.
2.4k Views · 17 Upvotes
Michał B
Michał B, lives in Poland
Answered Wed
I was in Russia once, it was just before the USSR collapse and I didn’t see any dislike. Though Russians always immediately recognized me and my friend by accent as Poles - it was enough to say “da” (“yes” in Russian) and they knew where we were from (Russia is the only country where Polish accent is faultlessly recognized after saying two letter word) - no one never reacted in any unfriendly manner. On a contrary, all were trying to be helpful as much as possible.
Neither in Poland I ever witnessed or heard about any symptoms of dislike, except for hooligans from among football (soccer) supporters, that had a huge fight (Poles vs Russians) on one of the main bridges in downtown Warsaw after the match during European Championship in 2012, but these individuals belong to another species, so how they behave has nothing to do with anything.
56 Views · 1 Upvote
Piotr Szafranski
Piotr Szafranski, Born. Educated. Lives in Poland.
Updated Apr 15, 2016
Never met with dislike from a Russian (I am Polish). Some total lack of understanding - yes, did happen, but not dislike.
If we were into stereotypes, my personal experience would be opposite - I felt usually much sympathy from Russians.
This is not that we cannot have vehement disagreements, but this is different.
This is a bit weird if you think about it. There is this huge epic poem "Pan Tadeusz" all Polish kids are tortured with to read in school, since 1918 at least (poem was written around 1830). There is a Russian character in it, one Captain Nikita Nikitych Rykov, deputy company commander of an OCCUPYING Russian army in some Polish-Lithuanian county. That company gets engaged in a serious bloody fight against locals, which the Poles/Lithuanians win of course (we ALWAYS had been winning against Russians, you know :-) ). After the fight, the Poles and Captain Rykov engage in a friendly conversation (while gathering of hacked bodies from the scene is under way), with no mutual ill will, nor any disloyalty to own side by anyone. This is about how it works. Weird.
See also Piotr Szafranski's answer to What do Polish people think about Russians?
2.6k Views · 40 Upvotes
Marat Shaydullin
Marat Shaydullin, Living with a Polish guy. No, he's not a lover of mine
Answered Oct 16, 2016
Well…
I am from Russia and I don’t dislike Poles. I always had good experience whenever I dealt with people from Poland.
Now my roommate is from Wrocław and, you know what, he’s a cool guy. We have no problems with each other.
The secret here is about being sane, decent and not shouting “Krym nash!” nor “Polska od morza do morza!”.
656 Views · 4 Upvotes
Anna Vinogradova
Anna Vinogradova, Born in Russia, lived there for 20 years.
Answered Oct 16, 2016
Some of this, as others have stated, had to do with centuries of Polish domination and wars over Russia, followed by centuries of Russia doing the same to Poland. Some of it comes from communism, which Poles for some reason blamed on Russians alone (who are guilty as charged, granted, but Ukrainians, Georgians, etc., not to mention the local Polish communist puppets, were no less, and arguably even more culpable).
I think a lot of it has to do with perceived Polish excessive pride and the “holier than thou” attitude. Some of it probably comes from devout Catholic contempt for non-Catholics (Eastern Ortodox and Jews). Some of it might come from the disproportionately high percentage of nobility among Poles during Russian Empire times; it seemed like every other Pole considered themselves a nobility and demanded to be treated accordingly.
The good and bad deeds by individual Poles are very well known, we know for a fact that Poles are no better and no worse than others. Maybe they could lighten up a bit and not take themselves so seriously?
These days (and now I am getting on my own horse and speaking as a Jew, not Russian, so take it with a grain of salt), Poles persecute and ostracize academics who say that maybe they were not always great to Jews during WWII. They were not. Sorry. That’s the fact. They still are visceral antisemites, even though most of them have grown up without ever seeing a Jew.
By contrast, Czech I think did a lot less evil historically, and they also come across to me as softer, kinder people with excellent sense of self-deprecating humor. Not out to prove to the world how honorable they are. Gets old after a while, and stems, I think, from insecurity.
Here, I dumped all my stereotypes on you. I probably should not have, but hey, a question has been asked.
1.3k Views · 19 Upvotes
Sergi Za
Sergi Za, a Russian with a cosmopolitan perspective
Answered Feb 10
Do we? I personally like and adore Poland. I am sorry that my country caused suffering to theirs, but it was sort of mutual - Poland almost ended up annexing Muscovy in 1600. As far as the latest period is concerned, Russians suffered as much as Poles under the Communist dictatorship. It is sad, and it is common. I am proud that leaders of my country were courageous enough to offer apologies to heroic Poland.
I have not a single bad word about Poland. It is a lovely country.
I remember the news about the presidential plane that crashed under Smolensk. I am not a sentimental person, but I cried. Really.
450 Views · 8 Upvotes
Alex Ladov
Alex Ladov
Answered Tue
We may dislike some Polish politicians but I very much doubt that they all are Slavic and represent majority of population. On a personal level we all are approximately the same, the only difference is that Poland is completely controlled by US neocons and Russia managed to regain independence when Putin came.
134 Views · 6 Upvotes
Alex Zendo
Alex Zendo, Zen Buddhist Teacher
Answered Tue
That’s bullshit. Please don’t let russophobic propaganda zombify you. They do that in order to get your money to wage wars, to get more money from your sisters’ and brothers’ deaths.
Russians don’t make generalizations about Poles. Rokossovsky was genious. Tusk is the opposite.
That’s it.
If you were an arrogant, mercantile, antisoviet Pole, no wonder that Soviet people disliked you.
If you were a respectful, efficient, sympathizing person — like most of Poles I met — no surprise Soviet people liked you.
Polish armies attacked and killed Russians in 17, 18, 19, 20 centuries, and Catholic priests tried to subordinate Russian Christians, but that doesn’t make us hate Poles who largely had nothing to do with that.
Just like we in Russia aren’t all Yeltsins, we understand that not all Poles are those clown politicians. We have a saying: “Shit flows up”. Shit on the political Olympus and in mass media controlled by Western political interests doesn’t say much about other people. It’s just a twist of history we live through now; a hundred years later it will be different. But if our people will survive, I hope Polish women will remain so beautiful, and Polish men so clever.
125 Views · 2 Upvotes
Michael Koltsov
Michael Koltsov, lives in Poland
Answered Oct 16, 2016
I’m a Russian, living in Poland. My kids have Polish names. We speak Polish.
Why would I dislike Poles? Mostly due to:
their country is more sophisticated and safe than mine.
it’s less corrupt
their health system works much better
the food is great
prices are reasonable
674 Views · 9 Upvotes
Nikolay Matyushev
Nikolay Matyushev, Russian, born in Sebastopol, lived in Moscow and London
Answered Feb 19, 2016
Russians generally don't care much about Poles. There's a part of Polish society which blames Russia for ruining Polish dreams of grandeur.
And that's it.
I have many Polish friends here in UK and we have no trouble or tension between us.
People of Polish descent were always a prominent part of Russian and Soviet societies.
1.1k Views · 12 Upvotes
Vladimir Abashkin
Vladimir Abashkin, Current location: Russia
Answered Jan 30, 2016
Russians do not dislike Poles. There are 47 thousand Poles living in Russia as per 2010 census and doing quite well. www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_s... .
1k Views · 3 Upvotes
Wilfredo de Willshoeck
Wilfredo de Willshoeck
Answered Aug 15, 2016
First, you should say why Russia’s neighbours HATE and want to DESTROY Russia. Just recall Russians’ act of retribution(s): Tatars burned down Moscow, what happened to their Khanate? Poland entered Moscow, and who carved up most former Polish-Lithuanian territories? French invaded Russia, and was frozen to death; Germany launched the largest invasion force, and Berlin was reduced to ashes. (The list goes on…)
See what I mean? Russia is a Christian Orthodox nation that is surrounded by hostile Catholic, Protestant and Islamic nations who longed for Russia’s destruction, so it comes to no surprise why Russians are so angry at its neighbours and, during the domination of Russian Empire and Soviet Union, Russians actively suppressed those minorities in a brutal fashion such as Siberia forced labour, mass population transfers (especially after WW II), Russification etc. with a burning grudge. Of course that doesn’t mean it’s much friendlier against some fellow Orthodox nations (see Georgia, Romania and Ukraine), but to put it simply: If Russia’s neighbours hate them so much, WHY WOULD RUSSIANS LOVE THEM BACK?!!
Not to mention that Sweden, Finland had strong Russophobic veins all the time; the Baltic states often suppressed its large Russian minority which, of course, really infuriates Russians & Russia itself, heck almost 100% of them demand those Baltic states to be absorbed back into Russia; Poland and Turkey too have long history of conflicts and enmities against Russia (three partitions, Warsaw uprising, the “Armenian genocide” etc.). I’ll tell you what, all Russians view those nations in OVERWHELMINGLY NEGATIVE VIEW:
Poland: 96%
Turkey: 92%
Baltic States: 85% (*Remember, all Russians living in Baltic states DEMAND Russia to destroy those three pathetic “illegal entities” and “return to Motherland”)
Sweden & Finland: 82%
United States & Japan: 82%
Central Asia: 77%
Besides, Germany, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, Hungary, Austria etc. all had strong anti-Russian sentiment boiling within them, AND Russians hate them in return. Mind you, the real extreme right within Russia and Russian circles even claimed that Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Warsaw, Prague, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Istanbul, Kiev etc. are RUSSIAN-DOMINATED cities and thus those nations are Russian-influenced satellites or outright PART OF RUSSIA! Again, “if your hate me, I hate your back” fallacy.
680 Views · 4 Upvotes
Danny Daniels
Danny Daniels, I learn about Russia and I love it. Spasibo bratan
Answered Oct 16, 2016
The Russian-Polish relationship is regarded as tense. If you remember, Russians occupied Poland and sent communism to Poland
Even today their relationship is quite better, the endless egoism between two countries will still remain
Honestly, I am American, living in Russia before. I can speak a little Russian. Again, I know some Russians respect Poland
767 Views · 4 Upvotes
On a personal level, face to face, both nations are neutral or even quite positive about each other. Only some hardened nationalists or simpletons are not.
www.quora.com/Why-do-Russians-dislike-Poles
Why do Russians dislike Poles?
23 Answers
Valentin Filippov
Valentin Filippov, a Russian from Saint-Petersburg
Updated Sun
In theory, there's a long story of competing between us and fighting with each other. In 17th century Poland was strong, and Polish troops captured Moscow. We still remember that, and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky (the leaders of people's uprising against the Poles) on the Red Square won't let us forget. But by the beginning of 18th century Russia not only regained its lands, but pushed Poland out of most of Ukraine. By the end of 18th century Poland was occupied by Russia, Austria and Prussia. Although Russia had given Poland a lot of autonomy, for Poles this was unacceptable, and they always had sought real independence. They have got it in 1918, but lost again after the World War 2, when Poland was included into the orbit of USSR — until the collapse of Warsaw Bloc in 1989. Needless to say, that Poles don't have warm feelings towards Russia after all that.
But again, this is all in theory. In practice, Russians in Poland rarely meet any hostility, and same is for Poles in Russia. We are pretty close to each other by language and mentality, and we rather feel curiosity and interest to Poles than anything else.
Here's a good video to illustrate it (although you need some knowledge of Russian or Polish to understand the words). It's about a Polish guy who travelled across all Russia by hitchhiking.
5.2k Views · 43 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
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Related Questions
More Answers Below
Why do Poles dislike Russians?
What do Russians think of Poles?
Do Poles and Russians understand each other?
How do modern-day Poles feel about Germans and Russians?
Why are the Poles so pious?
Dmitriy Genzel
Dmitriy Genzel, speaks Russian
Answered Jan 9, 2016
(I am going to generalize a lot in this answer, not all Russians are alike, but this is the sort of question where I have to do this).
I like Mark's answer, but I think he is missing one kind of dynamic. As far as I can tell Russians do dislike Poles, but if they tried to articulate it, it would be for something like "ingratitude", or "because Poles don't like Russians". Your generic Russian, as such, is prepared to like Poles as fellow Slavs and neighbors, as long as they acknowledge Russians as big brothers, protectors, and overall nice guys. For reasons that are obvious to anyone who knows Polish history, Poles don't think of Russians in this way at all. And Russians don't understand it and resent it. (As an aside, there's now a similar dynamic for Russians vs Ukrainians, and for similar reasons.)
Russians make fun of the use of bear as a national symbol, but it is quite apt. If you are a bear, you might think you are nice, but your neighbors would be very afraid to hug you, and you'll be going around stepping on their feet without noticing and being quite upset that nobody likes you. Poles in particular are very puzzling, because they are both neighbors and relatives, so they have to like you, but they don't. Traitors. You just can't like them.
Update: Perhaps it didn't come across: mostly Russians aren't aware of the historical reasons for Poles to distrust Russians. Or, often they know the facts, but don't understand how important they are, or how they look from the Polish point of view. For example, during World War II, Russians (Soviets) liberated Poland from the Nazis. That's one point of view. The other is, USSR and Nazi Germany betrayed Poland and destroyed Polish independence during the war and imposed an alien regime upon it. Should Poles be thankful to the Russians for it? One side thinks obviously yes, the other, not so much.
5.7k Views · 43 Upvotes
Sergey Monin
Sergey Monin, Freethinker in search of better life
Answered Feb 19, 2016
It's because of aggressive propaganda on our TV, the government don't want us to be friends. Imagine that you live in a country where all you see is: Poland banned Russian products, Russian fans were beaten by aggressive Polish nationalists, Poland demands more NATO troops on their territory to protect from Russia, and so on.
How will you love Poland after this? This happened to me, I used to always think that Poland it's some kind of Russophobic country, whose only purpose is to hurt Russia. But later, several years ago, driven by curiosity I found the website called InterPals Penpals - Meet people, make friends online and find free pen pals from around the world! and began to interact with people.
I was surprised by the fact that many Poles are interested in Russian culture, always asking me questions about Russia. I was caught off-guard when I realized that actually they don't hate Russia and turning my country into dust is not their only purpose in life. I can say it was one of my life changing experiences.
And now I like Poles. I like their beautiful women (I even like Polish women more than our own), their interesting architecture, language, soulful songs. I proudly have very good Polish friends, they're all very nice, kind-hearted people. Now I'm learning Polish language and never miss a change to learn something new about this amazing country.
So we don't dislike Poles
You're more than welcome to visit Russia and make yourself at home. My home is your home.2.5k Views · 36 Upvotes
Konstantin Beloturkin
Konstantin Beloturkin, Born in the USSR, living in Russia.
Answered Sun
Before asking “why”, ask “if”!
Hello, a Russian is here.
A short answer: they don’t.
Hmm, well… maybe except some low-educated teenaged bastards (who I call ушлёпки in Russian) brainwashed by some vague and not explicitly clear propaganda, and also except some extreme ultra-nationalists - but they exist in every nation.
Having been raised in the later USSR, I have used to think of Poles as one of the most friendliest nations to Russians. Maybe, competing with Bulgarians - who have always been represented as “eternal Russian friends and brothers”.
In the years of my childhood there were multiple popular actors of mixed Polish-Soviet ancestry: the singer Anna German - Wikipedia, Edita Piekha - Wikipedia, Barbara Brylska - Wikipedia who played the unforgettabale role in the immortal Soviet New Year movie “Irony of fate”.
In late 1980-s my friend and I subscribed to the magazine of Polish-Soviet friendship Przyjaźń for the only reason it provided short lessons of Polish in every issue. It was the second foreign language I ever tried to learn after my first (mandatory) school English. I still remember some words and expressions, like Russian ГАИ is Kontrola Ruchu Drogowego in Polish.
So, no! Whatever politicians say, I would never agree that “Russians dislike Poles”. Please disregard this question, it is not true.
994 Views · 39 Upvotes
Alexander Belopolsky
Alexander Belopolsky, been there
Answered Apr 2, 2016
They don't. At least no more than the French dislike Belgians.
Here is a post stamp issued in the USSR in 1955:
The guy on the left is Alexander Pushkin. The guy on the right is Adam Mickiewicz, a prominent Polish poet. Below, is a quote from a Pushkin verse:
... He would often
Talk about future times
When the people, forgetting their strife,
Would unite in one great family.
See Exhibit Explores Poetic Friendship for more. It did help that the two lived in the same country, though.
2.1k Views · 13 Upvotes
Artem Kliatchkine
Artem Kliatchkine, software developer
Answered Feb 12, 2016
I never saw anyone in Russia disliking Poles on personal level. On the contrary I know people having good relations with them. Btw, one of my grand-grands was a Pole, it was in times when Poland was a part of Russian Empire.
Politically, though, Poland is whether ignored in mass opinion or perceived as a minor country traditionally anti-Russian but fortunately unable to make any harm.
1.6k Views · 13 Upvotes
Vitaly Ustinov
Vitaly Ustinov, Staff Nurse at Ganei Ora Classic Home for Elderly (2015-present)
Answered Mon
I don’t know “why” and looks like nobody does. I’ll try to give you some information to think about.
Lets make some definitions before we start. Not “Russians” but “Soviets”. The word “Russian” widely used in the US actually means “Soviet” Soviet people - Wikipedia .Being Homo Sovieticus - Wikipedia has nothing to do with the ethnicity or current citizenship - this is a state of mind. I have to admit that the communists partialy succeeded in creating this “new ethnicity” . In general “Soviets” don’t like everyone who’s contry was a part of the Russian Empire - Wikipedia and/or Soviet Union - Wikipedia : Poland , Finland, Baltic countries and so on. The biggest “crime” in this case is the economic growth and improving the quality of life in the country after the secession. Example : after the Euromaidan - Wikipedia Ukraine decided to completly cut the ties with Russia the result was a military invasion.
All this ,of course, my personal opinion, I’m not a sociologyst.
Thanks for reading my answer.
220 Views · 5 Upvotes
Igor Fazlyev
Igor Fazlyev
Answered Jan 12, 2016
The vast majority of Russians don't care about Poles one way or the other.
When some Polish politician goes and criticises Russia and it gets noticed by and reported in Russian media, or when some punks in Poland go and desecrate some WWII Russian graves and it gets reported in Russian media then some Russians that watch TV and read papers may dislike Poles for a while but they soon forget about it all and resume ignoring Poles.
1.9k Views · 21 Upvotes
Max Kalininskij
Max Kalininskij, Am Russian, have been living in Russia since 2010, read a lot about Russia
Answered Jan 12, 2016
A loaded question if there ever was one.
The correct form would be 'Do Russians dislike Poles?'. As usual though, someone anonymous asked it, so I can't report them.
I cannot answer why Russians dislike Poles, because I do not believe that the premise of the question is correct in the first place.
Personally, I like Poles. I've only ever had positive interactions with them, and I've met plenty. Civilized, cultured people in my experience. So what if we have differences on political views? (and even that's often not the case)
In general, I don't actually know of any people that I 'dislike' or hate. It seems silly to hold strong feelings against any large group of people that you don't actually know personally; based on their national origin or native language.
1.8k Views · 20 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
Denis Gerasimov
Denis Gerasimov, Live in Russia
Updated Mar 22
Personally, I like books by Stanislaw Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski and have generally neutral attitude towards Poles.
There are also Polish politicians on the news advocating NATO expansion, inviting Americans to establish military bases in Poland, supporting pro-Western movements in Georgia and Ukraine, claiming that people in death camps in Poland were liberated by Ukrainian front (true) consisting purely of ethnic Ukrainians (false), ordering dismantling of the monuments of Soviet soldiers who fought Nazis and so on, but somehow, in my mind at least, it doesn't translate into dislike of Poles. It probably should, considering that Poles elected them, but it doesn't.
1.5k Views · 15 Upvotes · Answer requested by 1 person
Hersh Bortman
Hersh Bortman, Israel. A cautious optimist.
Answered Jan 28, 2016
I'm as a popular prank goes, a Russian Jew from the German Poland, so I'm really not in position to judge. But what I can to state positively, that a special charm of Edita Piekha, a French-born popular Soviet and Russian singer and actress
of Polish descent was due to her charming Polish accent.
2.4k Views · 17 Upvotes
Michał B
Michał B, lives in Poland
Answered Wed
I was in Russia once, it was just before the USSR collapse and I didn’t see any dislike. Though Russians always immediately recognized me and my friend by accent as Poles - it was enough to say “da” (“yes” in Russian) and they knew where we were from (Russia is the only country where Polish accent is faultlessly recognized after saying two letter word) - no one never reacted in any unfriendly manner. On a contrary, all were trying to be helpful as much as possible.
Neither in Poland I ever witnessed or heard about any symptoms of dislike, except for hooligans from among football (soccer) supporters, that had a huge fight (Poles vs Russians) on one of the main bridges in downtown Warsaw after the match during European Championship in 2012, but these individuals belong to another species, so how they behave has nothing to do with anything.
56 Views · 1 Upvote
Piotr Szafranski
Piotr Szafranski, Born. Educated. Lives in Poland.
Updated Apr 15, 2016
Never met with dislike from a Russian (I am Polish). Some total lack of understanding - yes, did happen, but not dislike.
If we were into stereotypes, my personal experience would be opposite - I felt usually much sympathy from Russians.
This is not that we cannot have vehement disagreements, but this is different.
This is a bit weird if you think about it. There is this huge epic poem "Pan Tadeusz" all Polish kids are tortured with to read in school, since 1918 at least (poem was written around 1830). There is a Russian character in it, one Captain Nikita Nikitych Rykov, deputy company commander of an OCCUPYING Russian army in some Polish-Lithuanian county. That company gets engaged in a serious bloody fight against locals, which the Poles/Lithuanians win of course (we ALWAYS had been winning against Russians, you know :-) ). After the fight, the Poles and Captain Rykov engage in a friendly conversation (while gathering of hacked bodies from the scene is under way), with no mutual ill will, nor any disloyalty to own side by anyone. This is about how it works. Weird.
See also Piotr Szafranski's answer to What do Polish people think about Russians?
2.6k Views · 40 Upvotes
Marat Shaydullin
Marat Shaydullin, Living with a Polish guy. No, he's not a lover of mine
Answered Oct 16, 2016
Well…
I am from Russia and I don’t dislike Poles. I always had good experience whenever I dealt with people from Poland.
Now my roommate is from Wrocław and, you know what, he’s a cool guy. We have no problems with each other.
The secret here is about being sane, decent and not shouting “Krym nash!” nor “Polska od morza do morza!”.
656 Views · 4 Upvotes
Anna Vinogradova
Anna Vinogradova, Born in Russia, lived there for 20 years.
Answered Oct 16, 2016
Some of this, as others have stated, had to do with centuries of Polish domination and wars over Russia, followed by centuries of Russia doing the same to Poland. Some of it comes from communism, which Poles for some reason blamed on Russians alone (who are guilty as charged, granted, but Ukrainians, Georgians, etc., not to mention the local Polish communist puppets, were no less, and arguably even more culpable).
I think a lot of it has to do with perceived Polish excessive pride and the “holier than thou” attitude. Some of it probably comes from devout Catholic contempt for non-Catholics (Eastern Ortodox and Jews). Some of it might come from the disproportionately high percentage of nobility among Poles during Russian Empire times; it seemed like every other Pole considered themselves a nobility and demanded to be treated accordingly.
The good and bad deeds by individual Poles are very well known, we know for a fact that Poles are no better and no worse than others. Maybe they could lighten up a bit and not take themselves so seriously?
These days (and now I am getting on my own horse and speaking as a Jew, not Russian, so take it with a grain of salt), Poles persecute and ostracize academics who say that maybe they were not always great to Jews during WWII. They were not. Sorry. That’s the fact. They still are visceral antisemites, even though most of them have grown up without ever seeing a Jew.
By contrast, Czech I think did a lot less evil historically, and they also come across to me as softer, kinder people with excellent sense of self-deprecating humor. Not out to prove to the world how honorable they are. Gets old after a while, and stems, I think, from insecurity.
Here, I dumped all my stereotypes on you. I probably should not have, but hey, a question has been asked.
1.3k Views · 19 Upvotes
Sergi Za
Sergi Za, a Russian with a cosmopolitan perspective
Answered Feb 10
Do we? I personally like and adore Poland. I am sorry that my country caused suffering to theirs, but it was sort of mutual - Poland almost ended up annexing Muscovy in 1600. As far as the latest period is concerned, Russians suffered as much as Poles under the Communist dictatorship. It is sad, and it is common. I am proud that leaders of my country were courageous enough to offer apologies to heroic Poland.
I have not a single bad word about Poland. It is a lovely country.
I remember the news about the presidential plane that crashed under Smolensk. I am not a sentimental person, but I cried. Really.
450 Views · 8 Upvotes
Alex Ladov
Alex Ladov
Answered Tue
We may dislike some Polish politicians but I very much doubt that they all are Slavic and represent majority of population. On a personal level we all are approximately the same, the only difference is that Poland is completely controlled by US neocons and Russia managed to regain independence when Putin came.
134 Views · 6 Upvotes
Alex Zendo
Alex Zendo, Zen Buddhist Teacher
Answered Tue
That’s bullshit. Please don’t let russophobic propaganda zombify you. They do that in order to get your money to wage wars, to get more money from your sisters’ and brothers’ deaths.
Russians don’t make generalizations about Poles. Rokossovsky was genious. Tusk is the opposite.
That’s it.
If you were an arrogant, mercantile, antisoviet Pole, no wonder that Soviet people disliked you.
If you were a respectful, efficient, sympathizing person — like most of Poles I met — no surprise Soviet people liked you.
Polish armies attacked and killed Russians in 17, 18, 19, 20 centuries, and Catholic priests tried to subordinate Russian Christians, but that doesn’t make us hate Poles who largely had nothing to do with that.
Just like we in Russia aren’t all Yeltsins, we understand that not all Poles are those clown politicians. We have a saying: “Shit flows up”. Shit on the political Olympus and in mass media controlled by Western political interests doesn’t say much about other people. It’s just a twist of history we live through now; a hundred years later it will be different. But if our people will survive, I hope Polish women will remain so beautiful, and Polish men so clever.
125 Views · 2 Upvotes
Michael Koltsov
Michael Koltsov, lives in Poland
Answered Oct 16, 2016
I’m a Russian, living in Poland. My kids have Polish names. We speak Polish.
Why would I dislike Poles? Mostly due to:
their country is more sophisticated and safe than mine.
it’s less corrupt
their health system works much better
the food is great
prices are reasonable
674 Views · 9 Upvotes
Nikolay Matyushev
Nikolay Matyushev, Russian, born in Sebastopol, lived in Moscow and London
Answered Feb 19, 2016
Russians generally don't care much about Poles. There's a part of Polish society which blames Russia for ruining Polish dreams of grandeur.
And that's it.
I have many Polish friends here in UK and we have no trouble or tension between us.
People of Polish descent were always a prominent part of Russian and Soviet societies.
1.1k Views · 12 Upvotes
Vladimir Abashkin
Vladimir Abashkin, Current location: Russia
Answered Jan 30, 2016
Russians do not dislike Poles. There are 47 thousand Poles living in Russia as per 2010 census and doing quite well. www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_s... .
1k Views · 3 Upvotes
Wilfredo de Willshoeck
Wilfredo de Willshoeck
Answered Aug 15, 2016
First, you should say why Russia’s neighbours HATE and want to DESTROY Russia. Just recall Russians’ act of retribution(s): Tatars burned down Moscow, what happened to their Khanate? Poland entered Moscow, and who carved up most former Polish-Lithuanian territories? French invaded Russia, and was frozen to death; Germany launched the largest invasion force, and Berlin was reduced to ashes. (The list goes on…)
See what I mean? Russia is a Christian Orthodox nation that is surrounded by hostile Catholic, Protestant and Islamic nations who longed for Russia’s destruction, so it comes to no surprise why Russians are so angry at its neighbours and, during the domination of Russian Empire and Soviet Union, Russians actively suppressed those minorities in a brutal fashion such as Siberia forced labour, mass population transfers (especially after WW II), Russification etc. with a burning grudge. Of course that doesn’t mean it’s much friendlier against some fellow Orthodox nations (see Georgia, Romania and Ukraine), but to put it simply: If Russia’s neighbours hate them so much, WHY WOULD RUSSIANS LOVE THEM BACK?!!
Not to mention that Sweden, Finland had strong Russophobic veins all the time; the Baltic states often suppressed its large Russian minority which, of course, really infuriates Russians & Russia itself, heck almost 100% of them demand those Baltic states to be absorbed back into Russia; Poland and Turkey too have long history of conflicts and enmities against Russia (three partitions, Warsaw uprising, the “Armenian genocide” etc.). I’ll tell you what, all Russians view those nations in OVERWHELMINGLY NEGATIVE VIEW:
Poland: 96%
Turkey: 92%
Baltic States: 85% (*Remember, all Russians living in Baltic states DEMAND Russia to destroy those three pathetic “illegal entities” and “return to Motherland”)
Sweden & Finland: 82%
United States & Japan: 82%
Central Asia: 77%
Besides, Germany, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, Hungary, Austria etc. all had strong anti-Russian sentiment boiling within them, AND Russians hate them in return. Mind you, the real extreme right within Russia and Russian circles even claimed that Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Warsaw, Prague, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Istanbul, Kiev etc. are RUSSIAN-DOMINATED cities and thus those nations are Russian-influenced satellites or outright PART OF RUSSIA! Again, “if your hate me, I hate your back” fallacy.
680 Views · 4 Upvotes
Danny Daniels
Danny Daniels, I learn about Russia and I love it. Spasibo bratan
Answered Oct 16, 2016
The Russian-Polish relationship is regarded as tense. If you remember, Russians occupied Poland and sent communism to Poland
Even today their relationship is quite better, the endless egoism between two countries will still remain
Honestly, I am American, living in Russia before. I can speak a little Russian. Again, I know some Russians respect Poland
767 Views · 4 Upvotes