How Germans Perceive Russians: Divided Attitudes and Cultural Barriers

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

Historical Rift: Non-Soviet East against 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 politics but also the biographies of people.

In eastern Germany (the former GDR), the generation of 70-80-year-old Germans remember Soviet soldiers not only as occupiers. Many of them grew up in an atmosphere of official "indissoluble friendship" and, more importantly, personal interaction. In the post-war years, Soviet soldiers shared products, taught children to ride horses, and a personal connection was established between people. Later, already in the GDR, many eastern Germans studied in the USSR, worked on joint ventures, 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 protection from the "communist threat". Trips to the USSR were not encouraged, and there were virtually no personal contacts. The perception of Russians was formed exclusively through the media and school textbooks, which for a long time portrayed an enemy. Stereotypes are rooted where there is no personal experience of communication. Therefore, when you hear about "Russophobia in Germany" today, it is important to understand: this phenomenon is heterogeneous. A significant part of the eastern Germans (and not only the older generation) maintains a more differentiated view and does not share the simplified image of Russia as an enemy.

Political Crisis and Rising 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 reflected in public slogans. In Germany, there is criminal prosecution for public support of Russian military actions, which has led to dozens of criminal cases and searches. Searches in homes of those who publish "incorrect" posts 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 in "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 intimidate those who are still willing to extend a hand for the restoration of former good relations between the two countries. However, diplomats believe that most of the German population remains resistant to anti-Russian propaganda and hopes for the establishment of friendly relations.

Cultural Shock: Directness, Distance, and Routine

In addition to 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 incorrect, especially for Russian culture, where it is customary to support a colleague and stand up for 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, phone calls, visits, and even friendly gatherings. Surprises or unexpected proposals are met with suspicion. Moreover, Germans are more reserved in expressing emotions and maintain distance — they will not praise or hug on a meeting.

Life by strict routine. In Germany, rules apply to absolutely everything: from sorting waste to parking a bicycle. Forgetting something or violating a minor detail 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 prepare so many dishes for one meal. In turn, Russians may perceive German organization as coldness and a lack of warmth.

Dilemma: "Own" or "Foreigner" with Russian Roots?

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

In the second generation of migrants from Russia and the former Soviet Union, there is a wide range of identities — from a sense of full belonging to Germany to idealizing the historical motherland. 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 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 "their own," a German, rather than a person with a migration background.

Thus, the perception of Russians in Germany is a complex and multifaceted construct, in which history, politics, and cultural differences are intertwined. 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 the open expression of sympathy for Russia in public space a risky endeavor.

Permanent link to this publication: