So what do people think of Russia, from an outsider's perspective?

It's cold, they drink a lot of vodka, and they hate gays

They hate tha gays.

Yes, it's not true on the people but thats what i think. LOL

The people hate gays, are xenophobic, macho. Has a lot of military power I guess (well the nuclear capability in particular), and it's cold.

Cold, strange and different language, isolated, soviet union, siberia

Most people are brainwashed by their government aka Putin!

@ everyone saying cold. Their summers are hot, you know

In addition to the flawless St. Petersburg, I think of the Red Square, Moscow Kremlin, St Basil's Cathedral
Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova, Marat Safin, Dinara Safina, Nikolay Davydenko, Maria Kirilenko, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, etc
The Soviet era
Putin, Lenin, Yeltsin, Stalin
Russian dolls

i think of Putin, cold/dry/vast land, and some atomic bombs

.

the people are kinda ignorant and cold
well I work at a museum and I met tons of Russian so...

Homophobic, cold, vodka, hot guys.

Cold, drinking problem, homophobic. interesting music and languaje, beautiful women, pretty churches, putin hno:, huge country, t.A.T.u. San Petersburgo, Moscow, Yakutsk, Siberia and vodka.

Everyone hates the gays.

Poor, cold, hateful towards gays and brainwashed people. (Of course not all of them)

Basically that:
-They are brainwashed by their government/Putin.
-Governmental and media-sanctioned cover-ups/agenda are common.
-Nuclear bombs.
-Stalin, Soviet, iron curtain, etc.
-Extremely homophobic and they really hate gays, and most of the GP there agrees that gays should be eliminated.
-Extremely macho.
-Very cold.
-Lots of vast, open land.
-Russian mail-order brides are apparently the best in the world.
-Vodka.

Though personally, I know quite a few Russians where I live and they're all so nice and kind. None of them have anything against gays (or at least they don't publically express it) and they would never harm a fly. They are all also very intelligent and creative people. I'd find it hard to believe most of the stereotypes about them tbh.

Very controlling government, nice cities, and large in area.

one of the most interesting countries, the history, you know, Lenin, Trotsky, they influenced millions of people from different countries, when I think of Revolution i think in 1905 & Russia.
That gay ban is disgusting but I think the worst are those skinheads or ultra-nationalist,, makes me sick that in some places still exist that kind of people.
and they have brave, awesome people, like ***** Riot,
...and they have one of the greatest pop group ever. you know.

Evil

Unique and beautiful architecture, Russian Orthodox Church, diverse and amazing wildlife.