How Germans Perceive Russians: Divided Attitudes and Cultural Barriers

If you ask a German what they think about Russians, the answer may depend heavily on where in Germany they live, how old they are, and if they have ever been to Russia. There is no single opinion and cannot be. Today's Germany is divided in its attitude towards Russia, as is all of Europe, but here this division has a deep historical dimension.

Historical Rift: Non-Soviet East versus Capitalist West

The clearest divide in the perception of Russians is along the former border between East Germany (GDR) and West Germany. The reason is not only current policy but also in the biographies of people.

In eastern Germany (the former GDR), the generation of 70-80-year-olds remembers Soviet soldiers not only as occupiers. Many of them grew up in an atmosphere of official "eternal friendship" and, more importantly, personal interaction. In the post-war years, Soviet soldiers shared products, taught children to ride horses, and people formed a connection at a personal level. Later, already in the GDR, many eastern Germans studied in the USSR, worked on joint enterprises, their enterprises supplied products to the Soviet Union and purchased raw materials there. They had Soviet friends, colleagues, and sometimes even wives.

In western Germany, the situation was exactly the opposite. The Iron Curtain was perceived as a defense against the "communist threat." Trips to the USSR were not encouraged, and there were practically no personal contacts. Perceptions of Russians were formed exclusively through the media and school textbooks, which for a long time depicted the enemy. Stereotypes are rooted exactly where there is no personal experience of communication. Therefore, when you hear about "Russophobia in Germany" today, it is important to understand that this phenomenon is uneven. A significant part of eastern Germans (and not only the older generation) retains a more differentiated view and does not share the simplified image of Russia as an enemy.

Political Crisis and Growing Suspicion

Events in 2022 have been traumatic for German-Russian relations. Observers estimate that Russophobia in Germany has reached unprecedented levels since the end of World War II.

This is not only expressed in public slogans. Criminal prosecution for public support of Russian military actions is in effect in Germany, leading to dozens of criminal cases and searches. Searches of homes where "incorrect" posts are published on social networks have become a reality. Russian journalists and activists are forced to leave the country, fearing imprisonment.

Almost every day in Germany, there are accusations against Russia of "espionage," "hybrid attacks," and "disinformation." The purpose of this campaign is to make cooperation with Russians as dangerous and "toxic" as possible. It is believed that German authorities are trying to scare those who are still ready to extend a hand to restore previous good relations between the two countries. However, according to diplomats, a large part of the German population remains immune to anti-Russian propaganda and hopes for the establishment of friendly relations.

Cultural Shock: Directness, Distance, and Routine

Aside from politics, there is also a purely cultural aspect of perception. Russians and Germans are neighbors, but mentally they are very different peoples.

German directness often shocks Russians accustomed to more diplomatic communication. For foreigners, this may seem rude and inappropriate, especially for Russian culture, where it is customary to support a colleague and stand by them, even if they are wrong. Germans, however, can point out shortcomings directly without softening the wording.

lack of spontaneity is another striking feature. In Germany, everything is agreed in advance: personal meetings, calls, visits, and even friendly get-togethers. Surprises or unexpected proposals are received cautiously. Moreover, Germans are more reserved in expressing emotions and maintain a distance — they won't praise or hug when meeting.

Living by a strict routine. In Germany, rules apply to absolutely everything: from sorting trash to parking a bicycle. Forgetting something or breaking a small rule can immediately result in a comment from a neighbor or a letter in the mail. For the more free-spirited and informal Russian nature, this becomes a difficult test.

However, mutual stereotypes work both ways. Some Germans, for example, do not understand why Russian women cook so many dishes for one meal. In turn, Russians may perceive German organization as coldness and a lack of warmth.

Dilemma: "Ours" or "Stranger" with Russian Roots?

A separate and very complex topic is the perception of Germans with Russian roots (late settlers) and migrants from the CIS countries. On one hand, Germany is a country of immigration. Citizens with Russian roots have lived there for the third to fourth generation and are perceived as "ours." However, full assimilation usually does not occur.

In the second generation of migrants from Russia and the countries of the former USSR, a wide range of identities is represented — from a sense of complete belonging to Germany to idealizing the historical homeland. Some young people have a "hybrid" identity, feeling themselves both Russian and German at the same time.

At the same time, a person from the CIS countries who came to Germany will always be a little bit of a stranger because the mentality is more open, and Russians are different. And in the professional sphere, this is also felt: under equal conditions, a German employer tends to choose "his own," a German, rather than a person with a migration past.

Thus, the perception of Russians in Germany is a complex and multifaceted construct, where history, politics, and cultural differences intertwine. There is no one "German" and one "Russian." There is a divided attitude, rooted in the past, and the current geopolitical reality, which adds fuel to the fire, making public expression of sympathy for Russia in the public space a risky thing.

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