[SAVeronika]

One of my friends is from Russia and she has 3 children with her South African partner. She told me that all of her Russian friends say that her son doesn't look Russian. He just looks like a little boy to me, LOL. So can anyone explain to me what "Russian" looks like?

[cathvash]

HHHmmmmm... Just a guess...Have you ever noticed that many people from Germany have a -well, "German" look that's hard to describe? Many, though not all Russians have a classic "Russian look" - I think it is the Slavic influence. High prominent cheekbones, tall forehead, flatter faceplate, "sensuous" pouty lips, fair skin... Perhaps?

[Katie63011]

My DH thinks that the Russians eyes are placed further apart than Americans

[chickymum]

I think Russians have a look too. Many of the gymnasts over the years were somewhat distinctive but not always. (personally I think they are beautiful people). I always found that there was something different about their eyes.
DH is Dutch and he and his cousins stand out in a croud even though it does not seem like they have any distinct features.

[waitinginnj]

I think a lot of us that hear that phrase, because our children are not blonde haired and blue eyed. My daughter is Roma. She is not blonde. When I remind people that Russia is like the US and there are many ethnicities- they knod knowingly, but admit that "they thought that she would be blonde."

I am sure that those with Asian, Tartar, etc. and some of the other "non-blonde" ethnicities hear the same thing too

[angelkisses0102]

I have been told by local Russians that my kids, especially DD, look Russian...not sure what it is. But these are people born in Russia. Who knows...but I kind of agree that DD looks more 'Russian' that DS...at least to me. Oh and I grew up in an area that was made up mainly of people of EE descent...as I am. And I get what people mean by it...I think? Although it probably means different things to each individual who says it.

[kretzklan]

I do understand it - especially when you see pictures of children who were adopted at older ages...looking at the before pics and after pics...there is a definite difference. I think it has a lot to do with the nose and placement of it...but it's hard to put words to it for sure! Funny about the blonde thing - my DD is blonde and fair eyes...we are always told she doesn't look Russian, but my darker skinned, dark haired, dark eyed boy does!

[MamaChinch]

I think there is a look, but it isn't just blonde hair, blue eyes, etc. It does have to do with the face shape, eye and nose placement. Our priest is Polish and as soon as he saw DD, he said he could see the EE in the upper part of her face.
We just had six Russian kids together on our vacation....and every single one has a different hair color, skin color, etc. from each other. You can them all together on my blog. And four of them are from the same town!

[amyfk]

My kid is of partial Roma extract. So we often get the "she doesnt look Russian comment" which actually drives me crazy.
I just assumed looking Russian was meaning that you have blue eyes and blonde hair. The other day I got together with my friend and her MIL came along. She is from Ukraine, then moved to Moscow, and then here. She has dark hair and dark eyes and fair skin. So so much for the blonde/blue.
In some of the Russian men it seems they have the fair skin and rounder, flatter face. That's what I usually think about when I think of Russian folks. However, the comment does bug me.
Amy K, NJ

[MominPA]

We we came home from our first son, my uncle had a friend who was from Moscow. When he saw him he looked at my son and said, "not a Russian baby, Georgian".

When we adopted him people in Moscow kept on saying he was a Georgian baby. Also when we brought him back to Russia his former caregivers were making comments on his Georgian features.

I think when people think of Russia, they think of the people looking like Nastia Liukin.

[SingleMama2B]

Yes.... I think I understand also! I have a few Russian friends, and when DD came home (8+ years old), they all said pure Slavic! Who knows.... Though she is lighter, but the most beautiful brown eyes that sometime change colors, she is a 'mousey' blonde. I have a wonderful picture of her, and her cousin (my sister and BIL's daughter - also from Moscow) which she has the more almond eyes, chestnut hair and brown eyes, and then my friends DD who came home 2 years ago at the age of 11, and the three of them together are known as the "Russian Contingency"!

My sister and I (same parents) are very different. She with the very dark hair, olive skin, and I with blonde hair, and very light skin. We are Irish, German, Welsh, French Canadian & Italian.... My sister looks all Italian, whereas I am more of the Irish and Welsh looking! I think that European countries are more intune then we are on cultural looks/features, etc.

I do know that when "WE" are in Russia.... we SCREAM American by our LOOKS!!!!!

[Dawnb93]

That's a good question. Someone asked me the other day if my obviously Guatemalan (Maya Indian) daughter is Russian? Um, no. I wonder if they will ask us if our Russian son is Guatemalan??

Dawn

[momofMikhail]

While we were in Russia we meet a couple that had just relocated to our region from South Africa, and the wife made a comment about how Russian men have the attractive deep set eyes. Though I had never noticed this before the comment was made I do notice it in our son now. I was told while we were there my husband stood out like a sore thumb as an American, but I blended in with the Russians (so my sons caretakers said). I've wondered what exactly was meant by that also. I thought all the women were beautiful, so I took it as a compliment. At least I hope that is what they meant.