Russians consider themselves as a well-educated nation. They read a lot. Books are cheap, and one can afford to buy 5 -10 books a month without serious damage to a family budget.

Russians are also very fond of live performances at theatres and since tickets are affordable, they enjoy attending theatres: opera, musical, ballet, drama, etc. Usually every city has a few theatres. Movie theatres are also becoming popular in Russia and they are equipped with the latest sound systems.

Russian culture is non-individualistic. The power of an individual in Russia is much less than in the west and most deals are pushed through family, friends and acquaintances. You know someone who knows someone who is in power; this is the way they have things done.

The majority of Russians consider themselves as Christians, and belong to Russian Orthodox Church. Frankly, most of them are not true believers. They appreciate Christian moral values but do not follow them. Religion is not a real part of their life. Russians are more aware of horoscopes than the Bible.

Since both education and culture facilities used to be widely available, Russians can be considered a highly cultured nation. However, the majority of Russians don't have what you call in the west "good manners". Their manners are not bad, they are just Russian.

Russians are smart. But they don't have a deep respect towards any law, including traffic rules. Russia has the most reckless, but at the same time skillful, drivers, and the most careless pedestrians in the world.

Generally, Russians love their country. They can criticize it severely, but if you try to do the same they will defend it furiously. They feel like citizens of the largest county in the world, which has rich history and deep cultural roots, and they are proud of that.

俄罗斯人认为他们自己是受过良好教育的民族。他们博览群书。在俄罗斯，书籍很便宜，每个人每月可以买5 到10本书，而这样根本不会对家庭预算造成严重影响。

另外， 俄罗斯人酷爱剧院的现场表演。剧院票价不贵，因此他们非常喜欢去剧院看演出，如歌剧、音乐剧、芭蕾、戏剧等。通常每个城市都建有很多剧院。电影院在俄罗斯也正大受欢迎，它们配备有最先进的音响设备。

俄罗斯文化侧重非个人主义。个人力量在俄罗斯比在西方国家弱化得多。很多事情都要靠家庭、朋友和熟人的力量来促成。 你认识某个人，某个人认识一个有能力的人能解决某事 —— 这就是他们的办事方式。

大多数俄罗斯人都把自己看作是俄罗斯东正教的基督教徒。但是坦白而言，他们中的许多人并不是忠实的信徒。他们认同基督教的道德价值观，可是并不遵循它们。宗教并不是他们生活中真实的一部分。俄罗斯人注重算命天宫图（占星术）甚于圣经。

在俄罗斯曾经广泛普及教育和文化设施。因此，这个国家可以说是一个高度文明的国家。然而，大多数俄罗斯人并没有西方所谓的“谦恭有礼”。这不是说他们粗鲁，他们只是很有俄罗斯风格。

俄罗斯人很聪明。但是他们却不愿遵守各种法律法规，包括交通规则。俄罗斯有世界上最横冲直撞但同时技术又最娴熟的驾驶员，以及最粗心的行人。

总的来说，俄罗斯人热爱他们的国家。他们可以激烈地批评自己的国家，但是如果你要这么做的话，他们又会反过来气愤地为国家辩护。他们知道自己是世界上面积最大的国家的公民，这个国家有着悠长的历史和深厚的文化底蕴，他们为此而自豪。

educated adj. 受过教育的， 有教养的

afford vt. 负担得起

budget n. 预算

individualistic adj. 个人主义的

acquaintance n. 熟人，相识

horoscope n. 占星术 （算命的天宫图）

criticize vt. 批评

Sally 是 May 认识的俄罗斯朋友，自从两个女孩在一次聚会上认识后，她们就一直谈得很投缘。

M = May 美 = 阿美 S = Sally 萨 = 萨莉

M: So, Sally, you mean you have already married? But you are only the same age as me. In my opinion, it's too young for me to marry someone.

S: But for me, May, it is not early. I am already 20 years old. In Russia, most people get married at the age of 18 to 22.

M: At the age of 18 to 22?

S: Yes, that's true especially for women. Traditionally, being single in Russia puts a label on a woman. If you are a girl and you are over 25 and still single, it means that something's wrong with you.

M: Oh, I've got it. But where do you and your husband live now? Do you have your own house?

S: No, we are both students in university. We are now living with his parents. But we will move out as soon as we graduate.

美：那么，萨莉，你是说你已经结婚了？可是你和我同岁啊！在我看来，现在让我去跟某个人结婚还早了点儿。

萨：但是，对我来说不早了，阿美。我已经20岁了。在俄罗斯，大多数人是在18到22 岁之间结婚的。

美：18到22岁之间？

萨：是啊，特别是对女性来说。传统上俄罗斯人对单身的女性都另眼看待。如果你是个女孩，并且已经超过25岁了，却还没有结婚，这说明你有问题。

美：这样啊，我知道了。你和你丈夫现在住在哪里？你们有自己的房子吗？

萨：没有。我们现在还都是大学生。我们住在他父母那里，一毕业我们就会搬出去。

label n. 标签

university n. 大学

single adj. 单身的

graduate vi. 毕业

假设你的一个外国朋友就要去俄罗斯旅游，你们正在讨论这个国家的相关事情。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 外国朋友：At what age do Russians get married?

你：___________________________________

2. 外国朋友：Are Russians good-mannered people?

你：___________________________________

3. 外国朋友：Russians are said to be well-educated people, aren't they?

你：___________________________________

1. They get married at the age of 18 to 22.

2. If you mean "western" good manners, they are not. They are very Russian.

3. Yes, they read a lot and enjoy going to theatres.

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