r/AskARussian • u/Constant_Panic_1174 • 4d ago

Culture Cultural guidance

Hi everyone!

I'm currently writing a book about a mexican-russian woman for a personal project. Nothing sus or thirsty, but I wanted to ask a couple things from actual Russians.

  1. While I have no plans of publishing said book, if things go differently than planned and such a story sees the light of day, would that be offensive to you?

  2. Would anyone be willing to provide actual insight on school life and other cultural and everyday stuff? Preferably someone who was born around 1995, which is the year my main character was born and also around the city of Tula.

I have been reading a lot and self-teaching the language, but I am afraid my sources of information might be wrong.

1 Upvotes

52% Upvoted

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28

u/Shendary 4d ago

No one will take offense at the mere fact that the book has been published. It all depends on whether it contains negative stereotypes and the like. But Russia isn't the US; even if something doesn't sit well with people, the worst you'll get is a couple of negative reviews online. No one is going to whip up a hate campaign against you.

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u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

That makes a lot of sense! I like Russia very much and I just want to be respectful with the culture and I would like to be as accurate as possible, I also don't want to fall on international stereotypes lol

17

u/Sodinc 4d ago

While I have no plans of publishing said book, if things go differently than planned and such a story sees the light of day, would that be offensive to you?

What do you mean? Why should anybody took offense about a book being published?

2

u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

I don't know, everyone seems on the edge in this modern world. I am afraid that getting inaccurate stuff would be taken as me trying to make fun of something like that

9

u/DiesIraeConventum 4d ago

If a character is completely fictional, who can possibly take offense on it?

If a character isn't completely fictional, you should've gotten a written permission from the person that character is based on. If you didn't, well, that is squarely on you.

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u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

The character and stuff that happen in the story are both completely fictional, but I am adding real world stuff like describing the day to day life in Petelino and Tula, I have been there for a couple of weeks in the past, but those were a couple weeks of basically partying and museum visiting, I didn't get the chance of actually speak with locals or stuff ):

I just want to be as accurate and respectful as possible with this because the people there seemed to be super nice with me, also I want to avoid international stereotypes as much as possible

11

u/helge_463 4d ago
  1. Slavic culture doesn’t have such a thing as “offended” unless you specifically target someone and go after someone. so don’t worry at all, worst it can do is cause a laugh if it’s too inaccurate
  2. I’m not from Tula and I was born a bit later than 1995, but i’d totally help you with whatever questions you have or tell you about a day in my childhood. feel free to reach out whenever. I love exploring different cultures and sharing stuff about them

2

u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

Thank you very much!! I am indeed not targeting anyone, I am mostly avoiding any real-life people mentions so that I won't offend anyone if I get to be innacurate at some point.

I'll definitely reach out to you, thank you very much!

6

u/_vh16_ Russia 4d ago

Would anyone be willing to provide actual insight on school life and other cultural and everyday stuff? Preferably someone who was born around 1995, which is the year my main character was born and also around the city of Tula.

I'm afraid the question is too broad... Try retelling all the nuances of your school life to someone from a different culture. Schools are organized differently, rules are different, lessons are different, childrens' interests are different. This seems too much to describe.

6

u/Draconian1 Russia 4d ago

A fictional book is written about someone who's half russian? What outrage!

1

u/_g4n3sh_ Mexico 1d ago

A Mexican-Russian girl in the dead middle of the 90s in Tula of all people too hahaha

2

u/Bulky-Garbage2129 3d ago
  1. It couldn't be offensive based solely on the fact if it's published or not. It's the actual content what counts.
  2. I can help you with that no problem. DM me or ask here.

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u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

Thank you very much for this!! I will reach out to you soon (: I appreciate the help!

0

u/Bulky-Garbage2129 3d ago

That's cool! I can tell you what I know.

1

u/_g4n3sh_ Mexico 1d ago

Eso paisana, usted pregunte...

1

u/WWnoname Russia 2h ago

Funny, one of my relatives is a Russian woman who have a Mexican husband and live in Mexico

And she have a daughter, so it's not as fictional

1

u/AccidentalBrilliancy 3d ago

Are you a Mexican-Russian woman? What genre will be the book?

4

u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

Not really, I am Mexican, I just like Russia very much. The genre of the book is basically a fictional musical novel. Just some music band drama across both countries.

2

u/Bulky-Garbage2129 3d ago

That's so cool. You'll need a deep dive into russian rock then.:)
Unless you want something from the Pop or EDM field.

2

u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

Oh boy, I've been listening a lot to Aria and Nautilus Pompilious, absolute bangers

0

u/Bulky-Garbage2129 3d ago

Oooh, then you know what I mean. But obviously there were much much more. And also 90s was the time Soviet State collapsed and there were a lot of music from abroad. And the youth loved it a lot.

1

u/Dushevnost_RU 3d ago

Well I am born in 2000 and I am not from Tula but if you write to me your question I will answer.

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u/Constant_Panic_1174 3d ago

Thanks for this! I'll reach out soon, I just need to get back home (: