[Zhang Fei]

Nor was this because I’m obviously a ‘foreigner’ in Russia and was treated differently for that reason - I’m not sure anyone could tell I’m not Russian just by looking at me, and I can speak good enough Russian not to need to communicate in English when I’m travelling there.

I have read that folks from the Caucasus get the third degree, and it's clear they (whether Georgian, Ossetian or Chechen) have a distinct look about them, ranging from the unibrow and the 5 o'clock shadow at noon which are visible and the hairy backs, which (generally) isn't.

[Zajko]

Quite possibly, and quite possibly with reason, in some instances. But not really connected with the original post - we’re getting a bit off-topic here now :)