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Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Talk Lounge

Author	Message
cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:15 am    Post subject: The Best and the Worst I thought I would try to start a new thread to revitalize things. I am all for vitality! So the theme/question if you will is............ This is meant for all- Expats, Russians, anyone interested in Russia and miscellaneous persons who have gravitated to this site for whatever reason! As Mediashark eloquently recently posted, You need to believe in Russia. Let's try to be concise. What do you WTR posters/lookers etc. especially appreciate about Russia? Try to keep it to no more than 5 qualities. And likewise what do you WTR posters especially find annoying and disingenuous about Russia? Once again no more than 5 qualities. Perhaps we can generate a list for the forum that might even be distributed in its own section. Well athat might take some tweaking but I am feeling positive here!
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UsualSuspect WayToRussified Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 324 Location: The Land of Oz	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:17 am    Post subject: Like 'n' loathe Like.. 1. No nanny society 2. No Political correctness 3. Smoking in restaurants 4. The vastness of the place and "ze nature", travelling around etc 5. Once you're there, your tourist dollar goes a long way Dislike 1. Service with a sneer 2. The postal system 3. The beauracracy 4. General corruption 5. Poverty Not necessarily in the orders specified..... Enjoy Usualsuspect
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:07 pm    Post subject: UsualSuspect: Great list. Completely agree. To the negatives I would add: "Lack of real democracy and freedom". To the positives I would add "Natural and Architectural Beauty"
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:14 pm    Post subject: Give me an example of a country that has 'real democracy' and 'freedom'. Maybe it's a slow start on Monday, but I can't think of any...
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:05 pm    Post subject: Best 1. The people 2. The Metro 3. Vodka 4. Putin 5. Food Worst 1. Fortresses of papers and forms and the corruption 2. Militsia who doesn't care and act like vampires 3. No developed service industry 4. Litter 5. Having to breathe in cigarette smoke everywhere I go
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:34 pm    Post subject: This is not an easy question. The best: 1. The Russian Soul 2. Russia's love affair with vodka 3. Resourcefulness 4. A rich culture 5. Domed, beautiful achitectural buildings The worst: 1. lack of social services 2. corruption and prevalent bribery system 3. poor customer service 4. distrust of foreigners 5. housing
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:44 pm    Post subject: "real democracy" may be the wrong way to describe it I would say that Russia lacks established, representative democracy and strong, well-respected legal system and Putin is becoming part of the problem. Cyndy: I don't understand why everyone is talking about Vodka as a positive. What is so good about that? I am not a vodka drinker, maybe that's why I can't understand that
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:46 pm    Post subject: I appreciate vodka in small amounts. Drinking it is like fire--nice when kept small, it's your friend, but when it goees out of control, it's your enemy!
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:12 pm    Post subject: Then I guess you're not a real Russian, Mr. Spice! Vodka Russian style, drunk ice cold n quick fashion in celebrations with friends and family, and lots of toasting is a great Russian tradition. btw I don't understand what is great about restaurants allowing smoking in Russia. For people who don't smoke, it is nasty.
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:24 pm    Post subject: "Would you please, put out your cigars?" I love the scene in the Tim Allen movie 'Big Trouble' based in Dave Barry's writings where this rather cultured and well-mannered contract killer is discussing a kill in a restaurant. In the next table is a groupe of uncouth folks smoking on their expensive cigars and the smoke is blowing in their direction. So he gets up, walks to the table and very politely asks them to put out their cigars because his steak is starting to taste like tobacco. They rudely scoff at him and continue smoking. Then he takes one of their fingers, twists it painfully, snatches each of their cigars one by one and tosses it into their whisky glasses. Then he thanks them and calmly walks back to the table. Wish I could do that!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:34 pm    Post subject: I think it's great when there's no smoking in restaurants. I think having smoking areas is a great idea. In Spain, people smoke everywhere and for me as a non-smoker it was kinda of difficult. cyndy: I am certainly not a real russian when it comes to many things, vodka included. I have never even tasted vodka. I tried drinks that have vodka in them a few times. But I limit my alcohol consumption to red wine - one glass one time a week with dinner, and even that I don't do every week. I do like fresh squeezed orange juice, though :)
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:45 pm    Post subject: Ah, a Russian giving alcohol and tobacco the boot--I think we ought to be happy about it! Smoking areas sometimes don't work because in the end the smoking area is bigger than the whole of the restaurant and smoke takes over the non-smoking places too. Of course, in summer smokers often opt for the outdoor section, but winters are long, and sometimes spring and autumn weather is absloutely miserable....
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:22 pm    Post subject: Mediashark, Do you really think food in Russia is the greatest? What aspects of Russian food do you most appreciate? The reason I ask is not that I think it is bad, but it is a bit heavy, unvaried, heavy on meat and weak on fresh fruits and veggies. I understand that geography plays a huge role here. I do like the soups, breads and natural style of cooking however. But I must admit I don't regard most Russian cuisine as extremely notable. But it is a matter of taste!
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UsualSuspect WayToRussified Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 324 Location: The Land of Oz	Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:47 am    Post subject: The flip side of the coin... Guys, Regarding my smoking in restaurants comment, the history behind it stretches about 15 years. Being financially pillaged by an ever greedy government using "health burden" as an excuse for ramming their arms into my pockets elbow deep, I feel extremely bent out of shape when the money from taxing my lifestyle goes not toward improving health but into consolidated revenue to fund ever useless white elephants. Couple that with the absolute railroading of any and all kinds of legislation designed to ensure I never get outside my front door leaves a bitter pill. Therefore, when I go to a place where ciggies are 1/6th the cost, and I can enjoy them in a well ventilated (see, I'm not totally insensitive!) restaurant after a truly herculean repast whilst sipping a quality vodka, I really appreciate it a lot!!!...............rant mode off...... Mmmmm....but russian pastries and cakes........d-rool...... Enjoy Usualsuspect
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:05 am    Post subject: Usual Suspect, That was quite a profound soliquoy! I know I spelled that wrong! So what is it U.S.? Do you think that smoking is a good benefit of Russia that it should rate in the top 5 good things about the country? Or do you think it is not a good thing? Please and this goes for everybody, let's try not to take an ambivalent stand,. BTW any good news with finding a VW for the wife?
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