40+ Bizarre Photos That Define The "Meanwhile In Russia" Joke Everyone's Making

While country stereotypes can cross the line, some of them are downright hilarious. Not too long ago, Russia was known as this impenetrable secretive country, so many just had to make assumptions about the people and culture. From worshiping their president to having bears as pets, you never know what you are going to see in Russia. We gathered the most bizarre and hilarious photos of the locals, and you will be blown away by this unique country.

1. The Classic Squat And Stare

This is just one of many stereotypes to come out of Russia. Many people will recognize this time of man with his tracksuit and a flat cap. Sometimes these people are referred to as Gopniks, and they are often seen in groups squatting or "doing the crab."

Gopniks are typically associated with cheap vodka, cigarettes, low-quality cellphones, and sometimes guns. They enjoy eating sunflower seeds, and their tracksuits have to be Puma or Adidas. If you approach a group of them, watch out they can be rude.

2. Casual Way To Get Around Town

This girl doesn't have a care in the world beside wondering if she chipped a nail. She is zipping around town on her eye-catching motorcycle with sky-high heels. It doesn't seem like the most practical shoe choice for riding a speed bike, but she is making it work,

She was turning heads at this stoplight, and someone snapped a picture. She seems like the kind of girl who could down a bottle of vodka and wakeup for work without a hangover the next morning. Wouldn't you want to be friends with a daredevil like that?

3. "All Hail Our Great Leader"

People like to joke about how much people either love or hate the leaders of their country, and that is no different in Russia. Politics aside, this girl is very invested in showing her appreciation to this picture of Putin.

Maybe she thinks praying to Putin will help her get through the day, or it is a funny joke between their friends. The odd thing about this is that the store is selling framed pictures of the president. We aren't sure if that is normal in Russia, but it seems a bit odd.

4. Fashion Police

When you are in Russia, you should have very different expectations of what you might see. While the typical police force wheres pants and button-up shirts with comfortable shoes to run in, things are different in this country.

In Russia, the policewomen wear uniforms with short skirts, stockings, and high heels. It doesn't seem like a practical outfit for police officers in case they have to chase someone or move around. While they look nice standing in place, it will be challenging to do any real police work.

5. Cooking Showdown

People in Russia don't need pots and pans because they only consume vodka. Therefore, instead of using pans for cooking, they use them as weapons. These girls look like they are about to have a friendly cooking battle in this abandoned building.

Cooking in Russia is more of a battle than an enjoyable task, so next time a Russian ask for help cooking, be prepared with a pot of utensil to fight back. You never know what you are getting into when you walk into the kitchen.

6. Practicing The Splits At School

Besides gymnastics, Russia is also recognized for its excellent ballerinas. This girl decided to get in some extra stretching practice while she had some free-time at school. She is probably prepping for an important recital.

While it may seem like she is wearing a french maid costume, those are actually traditional school uniforms in Russia. We don't know if you are supposed to be doing splits in them, but she doesn't care who is watching.

7. Things Are About To Get Electrifying

We have so many questions for these people. The first question is, how much did they drink before thinking of this setup? This pool party could become deadly in seconds if they aren't careful. It seems like they aren't afraid of what could happen.

The country is known for its freezing winters, but when they do have a warm day, people try to enjoy it with a pool party. These men set up a swim-up bar with a spot for grilling in the middle of the pool, but they failed to remember that water and electrical appliances don't mix well.

8. Innovative Fashion

Although Paris and Milan are known as the fashion capitals of the world, Russia shouldn't be written off for their unique clothing choices. These pictures of Russian street style prove that they have interesting fashion choices.

The girl's hair won't blow in her face when a gust of wind comes along because it is tucked into her jacket. The girl's booty looks poppin' in these interesting pants and highlights her assets.

9. "Do You Want A Sausage?"

This girl must really love sausages to wear them as accessories. We don't know what was going through her mind when she decided to take this picture, but it looks like a Facebook profile picture from 2009. Maybe this is how people show their love for a specific food.

It is an odd way to show your appreciation for a food, but she doesn't seem to care. We just hope she wasn't planning on eating those after wearing them in her hair because that is not exactly sanitary.

10. Fresh Caught Jewelry

When you get a piece of jewelry from your significant other, you usually expect that they took the time to get it from a mall or jewelry store. This girl must have an extraordinary man in her life because she got a freshly caught necklace from the nearby lake.

Her boyfriend went through the trouble of catching the fish and tying it onto a string so that she could wear it with pride. This might not be a diamond ring, but she seems quite content with her new jewelry.

11. On Her Way To Black Swan Auditions

When it comes to fashion in Russia, it seems that they throw the rulebook out the window. While most young girls aren't allowed to wear heavy makeup, this girl decided to go in the opposite direction by applying a Black Swan inspired eye look.

Maybe she is on her way home from a dance recital, or she was just bored and wanted to push the limits of social norms. The people on the subway don't seem too shocked by her look, so maybe this is a normal occurrence in Russia.

12. Halloween Or Graduation?

You might be surprised to find out that some school uniforms in Russian schools look more like French maid costumes than uniforms. There is a unique tradition in Russia surrounding graduation called "The Last Bell."

During the ceremony, a first-grader is chosen to ring the school bell, and the graduating students wear classic school uniforms like the ones in the picture. These outfits seem a little promiscuous for school, but every country has its unique style.

13. Why Use Jockeys When You Could Use A Bear?

Usually, there are jockeys on the back of horses during a race, but not in Russia. Over there, they have bears riding the horses, and this seems dangerous for all parties involved. How did they get the bears to stay on top of the horses without eating them?

Where are the animal rights activists when it comes to this sport? The horses were probably terrified by the bears, so they ran extra fast, which makes for an exciting race. We would love to know if this is a normal occurrence in Russia or just a one time thing.

14. Slipper Funnel

We have heard of beer funnels and ice luges, but never a slipper funnel. We know the Russians love their vodka, but why would they ruin it by letting it flow through a dirty slipper before drinking it?

Maybe they were already drunk and thinking of exciting ways to consume even more vodka. We would never put a dirty shoe in our mouths, but she doesn't seem to be worried about the sandal. This must be how people party hard in Russia.

15. Muscles Big Enough To Beat Up A Bear

The women in Russia are more powerful than people know. The battle bears, pull tractors, and endure the Siberian wilderness. These girls are tough as nails, and they have the muscles to prove it like body builder Julia Vins.

JuliaVins/Twitter

Julia Vins is the muscle Barbie of Russia, and she has bigger muscles than most men. She is strong, confident, and a role model. You do not want to mess with a Russian woman like her because they will beat you in any challenge or fight.

16. Girls Can Fix Cars Too

As we have seen, Russia is full of some tough women who can get things done without the help of men. Although it is a patriarchal society, the women are not letting that hold them back. They are doing things on their own and taking back their power.

Just because a woman looks feminine does not mean she can't do things for herself. This girl is prepping some car parts before working on her vehicle. Who said women couldn't fix cars too? This girl is proving that stereotype wrong.

17. Is That Comfortable?

After the debut of the Soviet gymnasts at the 1952 Olympic games, Russia has been known for turning out young, hardworking, and talented gymnasts. This girl looks like she is flexible enough to be one of those elite gymnasts who start training at a ridiculously young age.

While we don't understand why anyone would want to sit in this position, maybe it is comfortable for her. She seems pretty content in the picture, so it could just be one of her odd quirks that her friends are used to.

18. An Odd Place For A Photoshoot

When you go out with your friends, it is normal to take pictures and sometimes do funny poses. These people took it to the next level and it looks like the are trying to recreate a scene from Titanic but lying down. No one else seems to notice how odd this scene looks.

If this is a standard photo for people in Russia, we have to know what a weird picture would look like for them. Aren't you curious what went through their minds to climb on top of each other for a photo op? We can't wrap our brains around it.

19. Questionable Fashion Choices

There is no denying that people have questionable fashion choices all around the world. However, in Russia, people are particular fans of the socks and sandals trend. Maybe they want to enjoy summer all year round despite the freezing temperatures in the winter.

This guy has a hot girlfriend, so he doesn't have to worry about his fashion choices. As long as she likes him, that is all that matters. He could wear a clown costume, and people would still notice his girlfriend first.

20. Energy Drink Showers

Why anyone would want to pour energy drinks all over their hair and bodies is mind-boggling. Somewhere out in the countryside, girls seem to have a unique cleaning ritual with a popular energy drink called Jaguar.

The girls take cans of energy drinks and travel to the nearest lake. After pouring the drink all over themselves, they jump in the lake and cleanse themselves of sins. That's the only logical explanation, right? What else would this girl be doing?

21. Towing Precious Cargo

In some rural areas, there isn't public transportation, so people have to have a car. However, some people don't like to drive, so they find other ways to get around. These older women caught a ride from their next-door neighbor, who happens to be a farmer.

The neighbor only had this towable cage, which he usually uses for animals, but the women didn't seem to mind. As long as they can get to their destination safely, they will take any mode of transportation.

22. Traveling On A Budget

Traveling anywhere can be quite costly because plane tickets are expensive these days. In Russia, there is the Trans-Siberian Railway to get to different parts of the large country. This girl had other ideas for how she would get to different parts of the country without paying a lot of money.

Instead of paying for expensive train tickets, she stowed away in a trunk to get to her destination. We don't know why she couldn't sit inside the car, but she was determined to get where she needed to go.

23. Underground McDonald's

There are a few subways in Russia that have McDonald's drive-thru windows, and it is there for a very special reason. In Russia, they want the conductors to get a good sleep and eat meals so that they are alert and well-fed throughout their shifts.

We aren't sure how this would work without making the train delayed, but they must have a system. It is better to be a few minutes late than having a distracted driver who is too hungry to focus on doing their job.

24. Sir, You Are On Fire

When you have had too much vodka to drink, and you stop feeling any kind of pain. We know that Russian temperatures can get extremely cold, but we don't think sitting in the fire and letting yourself burn is the best solution.

This man has a huge smile on his face, so maybe he doesn't feel the fire searing through his clothing. He may be wearing a fire-retardant suit and showing people how well it works. Whatever he is doing, he will definitely feel the heat from within.

26. Water Sports: Russian Style

When most people think of the weather in Russia, they picture snow, ice, and people bundled up in layers of warm clothes. Despite the freezing temperature, these teenagers decided to try their luck with some water sports.

It was too cold to get a boat in the water, so the boys improvised with a horse and wakeboard. Instead of traveling to a warmer climate, these boys are making the most of the winter tundra that they live in.

25. Sanitation Workers In Russia

Some people might think these girls are dressed up for Halloween, but it seems like no one else is dressed up in a costume besides them. These girls must be the clean-up crew, but they wanted to look good on the job, so they deviated from the regular uniform.

They say dress for the job you want, not the job you have; therefore, these girls are dressing for whatever job would wear daisy dukes and high heels. The gloves and safety vests are the only indicators that they are supposed to be cleaning.

27. Unique Fashion Trends For A Trip To The Store

We have seen that fashion choices in Russia are sometimes questionable, and this man is not helping their reputation. Yes, everyone is free to wear whatever makes them comfortable, but we don't understand the inspiration behind this outfit.

The supertight leggings with the leopard bodysuit and velvet jacket are too much to handle. Can you imagine walking through the aisles of the grocery store and stumbling upon this man? You would probably be in pure shock from a sight like this.

28. Scrub A Dub Dub In The Motorcycle Tub

This man is the master of multi-tasking. He was running late but needed to take a shower, so he found a way to get to his destination on-time while getting cleaned up. Time management must have been an issue for this man to create such a bizarre mode of transportation.

Apparently, the cops are not as impressed with his innovative idea, and they pulled him over to give him a ticket. We don't see any place to store a change of clothes, so what was he planning to do once he arrived at his destination? Go nude?

29. A Useful Soap Dispenser

In most places, soap dispensers like this one are filled with liquid soap, but not in Russia. Whoever filled this had one job, and they couldn't do it correctly. It seems like a simple enough task to know that these are not meant for bars of soap.

We hope no one is reaching into the dispenser to use this bar of soap because that would be disgusting. Many studies have shown the washing your hands with nothing but water is more sanitary than using a bar of soap.

30. Sandal Salad

We can only imagine what Gordon Ramsay would have to say about this bizarre-looking dish. Despite the unappetizing look, this is a beloved dish by man people and a huge hit at many parties. Maybe their tastebuds were burned off by all the vodka because this doesn't look appealing.

This dish consists of peas, carrots, tons of mayonnaise, cubes of meat, and something that looks like dried pineapple. The salad is then poured into shoes made out of sliced cheese. The person tried to make it look delicious with butterfly accents and greenery, but it's not working.

31. The School's Fire Escape

In what appears to be a rundown school, there is a memorable slide exit from the top floor that doesn't seem well constructed. We don't know any parent that would be comfortable with the child going down this slide, but maybe it is sturdier than it appears.

This would be much faster than taking the stairs or waiting for an elevator, but wouldn't you rather be alive than get into this death trap? This is not our idea of fun, but everyone has different ways of finding thrill in their lives.

32. A Slippery Slope Down The Sink Hole

When you take your children to the local playground, you shouldn't have to worry about the safety of the equipment. At this playground in Russia, there was some kind of natural disaster that caused a giant hole in the ground.

If any child were to go down the slide, they would fall into the dark abyss below. Kids are used to running around without a care in the world, but now that have to worry about falling into the earth when they go to this park.

33. The Latest Jewelry Trend For Birds

In many countries, people leave bread crumbs out for birds, and someone in Russia decided to leave a whole slice of bread. This bird was so excited to feats on that much bread until it got stuck in the middle of the bread.

Now it has to fly around with this bread necklace until it can eat itself out. At least she will have enough food for weeks to come. Unless other birds decided to pick at her necklace, then she might have some problems.

34. Rocking Out With A Shovel Guitar

When you don't want to pay for an expensive guitar, so you make your own at home. This person decided to use an old shovel he had at home and turn it into a guitar that no one had ever seen before.

This is probably what early versions of guitars looked like before people understood what shapes and materials make the best sounds. It might not be the best sounding guitar, but its better than paying hundreds of dollars that this person might not have.

35. House Boat

This person wanted some extra space on their small balcony, while simultaneously finding a place to store their boat. Now they can enjoy the luxury of days on the sailboat all year long without worrying about seasickness. They can look out over the neighborhood as if it was the open ocean.

We wonder what his neighbors said as he hoisted his boat up to the second story of the building. The sails are also blocking the upstairs windows, but this man doesn't have a care in the world. He is looking to see what fish he can catch in the concrete jungle.

36. Love On The Train Tracks

When you are head over heels in love, you might do some dumb things early on in the relationship. It might be hard to make smart decisions when all you can think about are the butterflies in your stomach. Sometimes these relationships last and other times it doesn't work out.

When you are in this honeymoon phase, and your judgment is clouded, its best not to make any life-changing decisions. These people thought it would be cute to have a photoshoot with their heads on the train tracks, which is dangerous and bizarre. The photo is odd, and they are putting their lives at risk for a photo.

37. Legally Blonde: Russia Edition

Going out to the countryside is very popular in Russian culture. Thes two girls look like they were on their way to the city and got lost in the woods based on their outfit choices. Not many people would be daring enough to wear mini skirts and high heeled boots in the forest.

These two look very out of place in the countryside, but they don't seem to care. We guess that wanted to be prepared for any adventure, including one to a nearby mall or night club.

38. The Laundry Dog House

Someone promised their wife they would build a dog house, but the only materials they could find were a washing machine, tarp, and wood boards. Now he might be sleeping in there because his wife was not happy with his work.

Although it is a creative solution, it doesn't seem very hospitable for the dog. The dog was probably confused as to why the dryer is now in the yard. At least the structure won't get wet inside.

39. Sturdy Construction

At the end of a long day, it would be nice to enjoy the fresh air with a drink in your hand on your porch. However, you probably pictured something a little more inviting than this. We aren't sure who designed this, but we have a few questions.

Who would designs a patio that leads to nowhere? It makes no sense to have this structure that blocks the sunlight from the window. It looks as if it used to be an entrance, but they sealed the side of the building and took away the door.

40. Safety Is Their Top Priority

When you get on a train or a bus, you just have to trust that you are safe. You don't have control over the conductor or driver, so you believe that they have the passenger's safety in mind when they do their job. That doesn't seem to be the case for this train.

While duct tape can be a quick fix for many things, trains should not use it to cover up a hole. A piece of metal came off of the train, and the company decided to slap some tape on it as if that would help. This is a huge safety violation, and we wouldn't get on that train.

41. Can You Guess Her Favorite Vegetable?

Many women dream about having multiple karats of diamonds covering their bodies, but this woman had different dreams. She didn't care about diamonds, all she wanted was a healthy snack that promotes eye health, and she took it to the next level.

Maybe there are some exceptional health benefits to bathing in a bath filled with carrots. She seems quite relaxed with her glass of wine, sunglasses, and edible bath accessories. Maybe spas should start offering this instead of mud baths.

42. Happily Ever After And Time To Hit The Slopes

Weddings are such romantic occasions filled with joyful memories. This happy couple was celebrating their wedding day with a unique tradition of cross-country skiing to the ceremony when there is no snow on the ground.

They did not want just to celebrate their love the traditional way; they wanted to show off their unusual athletic abilities at the same time. They decided to mix their formal attire with gloves, hats, and skis for a unique wedding day moment.

43. This Is A No Tank Parking Zone

When you get too many parking tickets, the cops will put a boot on your car tire so that you can't drive it until you pay the fines. Unlike a regular car, some people in Russia drive tanks and park them in a "no tank parking zone."

This person didn't care that their tank was taking up half of the sidewalk; they just wanted a good parking spot. It is bizarre that the police were more concerned about the place where the tank was parked rather than worrying about why this person casually has a tank in a residential neighborhood.

44. Perfect For Off-Roading

Some people like to make their cars look more macho or expensive with upgrades such as a fresh paint job or new tires. This person wasn't satisfied with the original four tires on their car and added six giant wheels.

The tired look like they belong to a 4X4 Jeep, but the top half of the car doesn't match. They can now take their city car and go off-roading with these new and improved tires. This must be the only way to upgrade a vehicle without buying a brand new car.

45. Ow, She's A Brick Car

There are some neighborhoods where you have to worry about your car being stolen, and this person was taking extra precautions. To prevent a car jacking, they load of their car with bricks every night to ward off anyone thinking about stealing the vehicle.

Instead of going to the gym every day, they use the loading and unloading process as a substitute for a workout. Maybe they don't have insurance, so they have to make sure there is no way that someone would ever steal their car.

46. Generational Gap

This woman came outside to get some fresh air and smoke a cigarette, and she was met with judgemental stares from the local old people. Her clothes weren't too revealing, but it seems that they are not impressed with amount of skin she is baring.

The babushka looks angry about the presence of young people in her neighborhood. They look like they are dressed for two different seasons, so maybe the older woman is worried that she will catch a cold because she is not dressed properly.

47. Seems Safe

Helicopters are expensive to own, and usually only the rich and famous have private helicopters at home. For those who don't have the money to own a brand new helicopter, they might opt for some kind of a downgrade like this one.

This Russian was resourceful and decided to build their own helicopter from things they found around the house. We would never trust that this would be safe to fly in, but this person doesn't care about that. As long as they have a private flying machine, that is all that matters.

48. When You Won't Stop Talking In Class

Every country has a different style of teaching. Some places are stricter with students, while other areas lack discipline. In Russia, the schools are a bit more disciplined, and when students don't follow the rules, they go into a time-out.

Some schools make students stand when the teacher enters the room, while other places have a friendlier approach. If this gets students to pay attention and listen, it seems relatively harmless. Although, they do look like they they are being arrested by the police.

49. Trashy Photo Shoot

If you ever decide to visit Russia, you will notice something about this massive country. Instead of getting rid of their trash right away, they spread it out to use as a photoshoot background.

Why pose against a beautiful nature background when they could lie down in the dirty trash. It shows the juxtaposition between her beauty and the trashiness of the world. That is probably what she was trying to convey.

50. Baby Cat, Cat Baby

People in Russia are obsessed with their cats. While many countries have a love for these furry felines, some places treat them like they are an additional child. This person loves their cat so much that they gave it a pacifier.

This cat is like a human baby, and he loves his pacifier because it makes him feel comforted. It reminds him of his time with his mother before he was adopted and separated from his first family.