Russians in Cyprus

[exodus]

We all know there are 1000s of Russians living in or visiting Cyprus these days.
But does anyone know why this has happened just in the last few years?
We used to visit Cyprus every year before we moved here, until a couple of years ago we had never met one.
Amos.

[Band]

Because they need somewhere to avoid their enemies and hide their cash.

Russian men of dubious character used to (and quite possibly still do) send their wives, kids and mothers-in-law to live in Cyprus to keep them safe.

[Dominic]

One reason was because Turkey shot down a Russian plane. A lot of the Russians who used to visit Turkey decided they would rather spend their roubles in a different country, understandably.

Really though, you are better off finding an Ex Pat Russian site and asking them there.

[Dominic]

Because they need somewhere to avoid their enemies and hide their cash.

Russian men of dubious character used to (and quite possibly still do) send their wives, kids and mothers-in-law to live in Cyprus to keep them safe.

And what about all the dodgy Brits who live here? Don't make such sweeping generalisations.

[cyprusmax47]

We all know there are 1000s of Russians living in or visiting Cyprus these days.
But does anyone know why this has happened just in the last few years?
We used to visit Cyprus every year before we moved here, until a couple of years ago we had never met one.
Amos.

It all started with the fall of the Berlin wall. Germany paid ca 50 billion DM to Russia in order they leave East-Germany. Plenty of this money found it's way to Cyprus but was in the beginning only located to Limassol. I remember the first stories in the News about Russians arriving with suit cases full of money in the early 90th. It took them more than 10 years until they discovered that there is also Paphos area on the map....
I personally only met nice Russian people, with very good manner, plenty common knowledge, open to Green ideas and caring about the Environment. It was also very easy for me in the past to do business with them without any payment problems, unlike other nationals.

Max

[Band]

Because they need somewhere to avoid their enemies and hide their cash.

Russian men of dubious character used to (and quite possibly still do) send their wives, kids and mothers-in-law to live in Cyprus to keep them safe.

And what about all the dodgy Brits who live here? Don't make such sweeping generalisations.

My comment is based my personal experience or working with Russians in the past. I am not saying they are all bad but, by the same token, you cannot say that they are all good.

As to not making sweeping generalisations, Happy in Cyprus says in his subsequent post "they are no different to the rest of us and certainly no more dubious than the rest of us." Will you be criticising that sweeping generalisation too?

[Dominic]

HiC didn't make a sweeping generalisation. If you cannot see that there really is no point continuing the conversation.

[WHL]

Any right thinking person would welcome any law abiding person bringing in revenue to a country that was economically down on its knees a couple of years ago, most Russians ive met, enjoy spending their money, helping to provide jobs for locals, as for dodgy people, I was in A&E with a family member, when in the next cubical an English lady with her husband decided it would be a good idea to help herself to bandages and other items, while filling her bag up, she noticed us watching her, she winked at us in a way to say ..dont say anything ..nice people...not.

[Ramone]

Tomorrow I will be flying home via Moscow again which I do most months.
The Russians I meet in the Irish bar in the airport are a great laugh & we all get on very well.
I also work with a lot of Russians and have found them very hard working nice guys.
If you make the effort to get to know a culture it is sometimes very rewarding.
All cultures are different and sometimes I think a lot of people watch too much TV , films & make their mind up then.
Just my thoughts.

[Alfie]

I think you've all been trolled.

[Dominic]

I've moved this to the Politics forum.

[Band]

HiC didn't make a sweeping generalisation. If you cannot see that there really is no point continuing the conversation.

My point is that his comment is no more or less sweeping than mine. My post refers to Russian men of dubious character, not all Russians. If you think such people do not live on the island, you are way off the mark.

Look back at the banking crisis when all manner of people managed to get their money off the island just before the "haircut" was announced!

Look also at the Russians (and others) who have happily built all manner of properties without planning permission.

[Jimgward]

We employ a Ukranian/Russian lady - whose family still live in the war-torn area... We also employ a Moldovan Russian speaker who is part Russian. We need them for language skills as English is not so universal in the old USSR.

With both of them having lived in Russia (one calling herself Russian) they both agree that the biggest problem with Russians as far as other nationalities are concerned, is around designer goods and portrayal of wealth. Since they were all kept in virtual poverty under the old USSR, Russians now like to show they have money and some can be quite snobbish about those who don't. I think that is more a 'new money' thing and would probably be seen in Africa and many other places.

My most frustrating experience of Russians is from holidays in Larnaca and Croatia. They don't seem to understand/accept the concept of polite queuing. They think nothing of walking to the front of a breakfast buffet queue and helping themselves...... No big thing - as a former regular skier, I used to see queue jumping by most nationalities!

[ApusApus]

My most frustrating experience of Russians is from holidays in Larnaca and Croatia. They don't seem to understand/accept the concept of polite queuing. They think nothing of walking to the front of a breakfast buffet queue and helping themselves...... No big thing - as a former regular skier, I used to see queue jumping by most nationalities!

Nice pun!


Shane

[WHL]

We employ a Ukranian/Russian lady - whose family still live in the war-torn area... We also employ a Moldovan Russian speaker who is part Russian. We need them for language skills as English is not so universal in the old USSR.

With both of them having lived in Russia (one calling herself Russian) they both agree that the biggest problem with Russians as far as other nationalities are concerned, is around designer goods and portrayal of wealth. Since they were all kept in virtual poverty under the old USSR, Russians now like to show they have money and some can be quite snobbish about those who don't. I think that is more a 'new money' thing and would probably be seen in Africa and many other places.

My most frustrating experience of Russians is from holidays in Larnaca and Croatia. They don't seem to understand/accept the concept of polite queuing. They think nothing of walking to the front of a breakfast buffet queue and helping themselves...... No big thing - as a former regular skier, I used to see queue jumping by most nationalities!

Go to Amsterdam, wait inline for a bus/tram, and you will see Qjumping, the dutch dont do waiting in line.

[exodus]

It would take far too long to provide you with an answer...but go to the tourist area of Limassol and the Russian and associated tongues will be heard everywhere. Many shops, restaurants and tradesmen cater specifically for Russians. Needless to say it''s also a very lucrative market for developers and estate agents...and why not, they're excellent customers.

Of rather more extraordinary note, Amos, is the number of Israelis who are coming here to live, work and set up ventures. Obviously, safety from a family perspective is an important consideration to these emigrees, but the Cyprus tax regime is appealing too. One Israeli customer told me last week how expensive a country Israel is to live in...and how much cheaper buying and renting a property is here. We must have had at least 12-15 Israeli customers this year alone.

Whatever, it's good that so many diverse nationalities and ethnicities can live and work together in Cyprus in peace and harmony.

Thanks for that, and thanks as well to all the others who replied.
You are right about us Israelis - we are better off here, as are you Brits and I guess the Russians too.
Amos.