Question about Russian culture: Is it "ok" for a grown man to lift the shirt and kiss the stomach of a 4 year old boy he doesn't even know?

[Alex+R 0]

Usually a cultural behavior is an expression of SOMETHING. Like if it were normal to give kids raspberries (and bedroom eyes) in Russia it would at least be for a REASON. This is totally unprovoked behavior as far as we can tell.

Unprovoked? Little boy looking astonished? Only one conclusion: pervert.

[Marc and Olga 0]

I will just say in my 8 days in the Russian Far East...I saw little boys such as that one smoking, but not once did I see any grown man OR woman giving "raspberries" to ANY child, boy OR girl!

If I had of, I certainly would have thought it strange and I believe Olga would have also!

I did see a "cat" fight on the bus...that was interesting and strange (not a good strange, either!) at the same time. I also saw a very grumpy old woman mopping up the mud as the people walking in brought more mud for this woman to mop...I suppose that is why she was so grumpy.

Again: in my 8 days in the Russian Far East, not once did I see any grown man OR woman giving "raspberries" to ANY child, boy OR girl!

Or the *gag* bedroom eyes, Putin seems to be sending that boys direction!

[Qiao - 108 days 0]

Why would somebody do something like that?

Perhaps the boy smelled like bacon.......and we all know bacon is irresistable.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! OMG as weird as this situation was, this comment is still funny. hahahhahaahaha

[slim 1,519]

Has anyone explored the option that maybe Putin was drunk?

Russia has some very good spirits, and like Marc pointed out, many things happen there that would drive people to drink. (Especially the president, who even has a vodka named after him!)

[wherezdabearz 0]

Definitely bacon.

[Welshcookie 17]

how odd....

[MrMrsKnight 0]

It's not that weird to me actually!

Here in Brazil we're more liberal I guess. I know that if a strange man kissed my son like that I'd think it was odd and I wouldn't even like it..... but he did that in public just to show his "not-always-too-serious" side, in my opinion.

I'm sure that if a politician had done that to a kid here in Brazil, it wouldn't make the news! And if it did, it would be good, not bad.

[timelena 0]

Well, I am Russian, and I quite often find American "law" and sexual harassment cases just crazy! I am glad I took a course in Human Resource at the University here - otherwise I would never suspect that offering a co-worker to go the the restaurant (presumably the same thing as going to the date) for the second time(!!!) - after being denied - is a crime, while doing it for the first time is ok.

But nevertheless the behavior described here is very unusual for normal Russian citizens. And if you, as a foreigner, follow Putin's example I believe you might have problems. Foreigners are weird, you know: these crazy Americans go to Russia and think they could do anything they want to Russian kids!!!

Edited July 2, 2006 by timelena

[Marc and Olga 0]

today's news on Comcast.net!

Putin Explains Kissing Child's Stomach

By Associated Press

4 hours ago

MOSCOW - In between answering questions about North Korea's missiles, Iran's nuclear program and relations with the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin answered what was for many observers a more burning question: What compelled him to kiss the bare stomach of a young boy in a Kremlin courtyard?

Footage of the June 28 incident was broadcast on all Russian television stations, quickly became fodder for Internet chat rooms and topped the Moscow tabloids the day after. The question was one of the most popular among the thousands e-mailed in for the Web chat, hosted by the British Broadcasting Corp. and Russian search engine Yandex.ru.

In the footage, Putin, 53, is shown walking up to a small crowd of tourists in a Kremlin courtyard and crouching down in front of the boy, who appears to be five or six years old. As the Russian president talks with Nikita for several seconds, he tugs at the boy's shirt before finally lifting it up and kissing him on his bare stomach.

"He seemed to me very independent, very serious, but at the same time a boy is always vulnerable. He was very sweet. I'll be honest, I felt an urge to squeeze him like a kitten and that led to the gesture that I made, there was nothing behind it really," he said, smiling.

source

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So the boy reminded him of p u s s y?

How long has it been since the dude has had p u s s y?

Edited July 6, 2006 by Gupt

[wherezdabearz 0]

Eeuwwww

[BradLuvsMaria 0]

This Post has gone SICK! Cultural differences have been exploited as sexual advances. Why? Because America is filled with Pedofiles! A Russian President treating a boy like he would his own family should not be looked at as a perverted act. The next time you go to your US family reunion, DON'T Hug the Neice or Nephew and certainly dont kiss them! Shame on you for your rightous veiw of what simple affections are funny to make a kid laugh, and what is to get into a charge of molestation!

Putin shows a real life person to me. I don't believe I have even seen Bush with a child? Maybe it's in his contract.

[Ban Hammer 13,206]

This Post has gone SICK! Cultural differences have been exploited as sexual advances. Why? Because America is filled with Pedofiles! A Russian President treating a boy like he would his own family should not be looked at as a perverted act. The next time you go to your US family reunion, DON'T Hug the Neice or Nephew and certainly dont kiss them! Shame on you for your rightous veiw of what simple affections are funny to make a kid laugh, and what is to get into a charge of molestation!

Putin shows a real life person to me. I don't believe I have even seen Bush with a child? Maybe it's in his contract.

oh please

[BradLuvsMaria 0]

It's easy to shut out the country and people you don't understand. I am sure you do not want me to dig and publish acts of South American country Presidents or people in power for what they have done. Would it be a President kissing a little kids belly, or would it be mutch worse. Look into the Whole world of leaders! What they have done. Was it kissing a childs belly? or killing to justify revenue for profits of of drugs imported for profit. What kills more, a kiss on the belly, or cocaine exported with the blessing of officials of the country that look the other way. Don't be so fast to judge Putin. I hope you are an American that realizes the sword you are jabbing into him. Easy to cut down others!

[Veiled Princess 1]

You have to understand the American view point... it is becoming very taboo here to express love to our children because if you kiss your child you're a child molester... what do you think is wrong with the kids here?????