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Explosions are heard in resorts in Egypt, bird flu has been detected in Turkey, seismologists are talking about the possibility of a repeat of the tsunami in Asia… But these reports do not change our vacation plans: Russian tourists go to potentially dangerous regions… What (besides money) makes us neglect the obvious threat?
We hope that one misfortune cannot happen twice
Alexander Asmolov, Head of the Department of Personality Psychology, Moscow State University
The Russian person has an ingenious mechanism of psychological defense — «maybe it will blow over.» If misfortune has already occurred in some place, the logical principle comes into play, expressed by the saying «A projectile does not fall twice into one funnel.» The misfortune that has happened becomes a kind of insurance against its repetition. In addition, we usually get information about disasters from the media, and we have a specific attitude towards them: on an unconscious level, we breed the reality of what is happening, say, on TV and the reality of our life. Deep down, we simply do not believe that the reported disasters can affect us in any way.
We believe in miraculous salvation
Tatiana Stefanenko, Associate Professor, Department of Social Psychology, Moscow State University
Recent studies show that paternalistic attitudes are still strong in Russians: hope for a strong patron, to whom they tend to entrust responsibility for themselves, their well-being, and their lives. We believe that even if something happens, someone will definitely save us, that we will not be allowed to perish. It is difficult to say what kind of savior those who go to dangerous vacation spots are counting on — hardly for the help of the state (unlike the Europeans, for example) — perhaps for the support of the organizing travel agency, but most likely — just for a miracle.
We take the opportunity to experience the thrill
Evgeny Kreslavskypsychologist, organizational development consultant
It is not in our tradition to plan carefully and revise plans in case of changing circumstances and generally take care of ourselves. On the contrary, many feel better just when an ordinary, calm situation suddenly changes and even becomes extreme. Therefore, our vacationers, although they do not specifically look for dangers, are happy to use the opportunity to get an additional portion of thrills on vacation, to participate in an adventure, to feel the fullness of life that they lack in everyday life.