Russian tourists shy away from being asked where they are from

For about a year now, Russians have been spending more money traveling abroad, and they have also encountered many difficulties and negative reactions.

Anna, a Russian, said she was in Moscow and "didn't know when I would be able to leave Russia again". Traveling abroad had become "impossible" for her.

Anna usually visits one or two countries a year. Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, traveling abroad has become difficult. Travel, especially airfare, is very expensive. "Russian credit cards are blocked almost everywhere. Buying foreign currency in Russia for travel is very difficult," she said.

Anna said she had always found it difficult to admit that she was Russian because of "prejudices and discrimination". Last year in Poland, a restaurant staff refused to serve her after noticing that Anna was carrying a guidebook in Russian. Since then, she has hidden her nationality.

Anna said that after the Russia-Ukraine tensions end, she will feel even more insecure about traveling abroad and saying where she is from. She is afraid of facing negative reactions.

Russian tourists on the beach in Phuket, Thailand. Photo: Reuters

Another Russian, Lana, had been living in Asia for a long time and planned to return home in mid-2022. But she canceled her trip after the political situation in her country became tense. Instead, Lana traveled around Asia, visiting Thailand and Japan. "It's hard to go abroad to meet new people and say you're Russian," Lana said.

When people ask her where she's from, Lana is hesitant. Before, when people said "from Russia", they would remind her of vodka, Russian bears or Matryoshka dolls. Those things made Lana feel "cool".

But now things are different. She has to mentally prepare herself for negative comments and accusations from strangers when she reveals her nationality. But fortunately, Lana has not faced any accusations. Most people have expressed sympathy and concern for her.

Journalist Julia Azarova says it is difficult to make friends with international visitors, especially when she struggles with feelings of guilt despite knowing she has “done nothing wrong”. After revealing where she is from, Julia feels the urge to share her views on the Russia-Ukraine war. Fortunately, these conversations with international visitors help Julia because “no one blames me”.

Journalist Julia Azarova. Photo: CNBC

Julia said she wants the world to know that Russians are friendly, warm-hearted, willing to help and want to make friends and socialize. Lana said that when she traveled to Japan and Thailand, they did not consider her a representative of the country. They treated her normally as a tourist.

Anh Minh (According to CNBC )

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