Way to Russia Talk Lounge

crash · Just Starting Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

Привет - Hello
Okay so I don't speak Russian but I do find it a very interesting language. I am an Italian American college student writing a paper on Russia and how times have changed since the Soviet Union. I was curious to know what the economy is like. How do people go about finding employment and at what age?

What is everyday life like? Is life in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other big cities like life in New York, Milan, Chicago, or Paris? How about in the small cities or provinces?

Education: Are the standards for education higher in Russia than they are here in the United States?

Would someone anyone please help. I would appreciate it.

Спасибо - Thanks!

Mike

Varrah · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

It strongly depends on the city and family for a Russian civilian.
In big cities the life can differ strongly. Yes, may be comparison to other capitals is ok here. Since it even gone in anekdotes "I don't know how it is in Moscow, but in Russia we doo it like that...". So Situation in some small town or village can be very tough with everything - education, employment etc. But I can not say for sure, since I live in St.-Petersburg. What I see in the nearest towns and villages is not that bad - a former capital of the country is nearby, so people know where to go for some hi-tech electronics or higher education.
People find emloyment through internet, classifieds, personal invitations and by the "labour exchange". The ages can be very different. Some pupils of high schools like to find a simple job for the holidays. Many students begin to take a part job on the first years of education, though there're many people that will only think about finding a job after they get their diploma. It depends on the selfdetermination and on the need of money.
Current "standard" for big cities is an institute/university education with either a specialist/engineer diploma or bachelour/masters degree.

Ask some more questions so that we could answer more precisely.

PS sorry for mistakes - writing in a hurry Smile

crash · Just Starting Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

I will try to make my questions more precise/ to the point.

Here in America some people typically get jobs at the minimum age of 15. Others wait until after high school (9th grade - 12th grade) to find employment and then others who with better financial standards wait until after college to find employment.

In Russia what is the typical age for employment?
What is the leading industry in Russia?
Is military service selective or mandatory?

Are the typical Russian households income considered to be adequate or above adequate?

What kind of purchasing power does the average household have for a purchasing necessity items and also for luxury items?

Since the emergence of the new Russia would you say that Putin has increased capital?

What is is the role of women in the new Russian economy?

How much has changed since the fall of Communism in terms of freedom, wealth, education and modernization?

Again thank you for your time and any assistance.

Mike

Varrah · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

Well... Most of these questions can not be answered withouth a serious exploration on the topic. I suppose you'll have to read through the social and economic stats articles.

There's no exact age when Russians get job. If I'm not mistaken, one can not be formally empoyed untli 18 years old. But I'm not sure about this. Although this law doesn't bother those young scholars who want to gain some money on video games etc.

After 23 most people are emloyed. Since 23 is the age of an engineer, right after he got a diploma (in case if he was studying hard)

Leading industry - in what terms? Most profitable - resources mining. But profit is gained by the state and the managers. Most wanted by the employes? IT, Finance, Legal - I'm not sure, take the stats.

Military service is mandatory for men in the age of 18-27(?), but has many restrictions (mostly medical ) and ways to postpone the service (e.g. studying in a university or having small kids)

Household income varries a lot between the cities and regions. Offical stats still (?) claim that most people in Russia have unadequate income.

About purchasing power - see the previous one. But the power is now groving, and even some people try to stop the growth of income in order to slow the inflation.

Yes Putin surely increased capital.

I'm not the one to ask. From my point of view - women can achieve any aim the set if they work hard enough.

Many things changed. Many foreigners say that it's almost as in Europe, but there're also many of those that say about totalitarism etc. In any way - have you heard anything about crowds of Russian tourists on e.g. Grand Canarian (Paris, London, Athens, Berlin) e.g. 20 years ago? Have you heard them now? Then you know the clue.

Ender

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

Place and time, Putin has been lucky that commodity prices have increased so much that the Russian economy has boomed. Coming after Yeltsin who could not organize a Pelmini stand is a blessing also.

Putin has done many good things including stabilizing the bank system with guaranteeing deposits, focusing on manufacturing improvements in Russia (why a car cost so much in Russia), allowing ability to Russian people to invest in Russia and not open the float gates to foreigners buying everything.

Failures. Not restricting the banks more so the average Russian does not spend himself to oblivion which they have. Spreading economic difference between Rich and Poor in Russia which continued from Yeltsin. Reduction of corruption has not happened. Tactic used against foreign investment was not the best. Not encouraging the rich from investing in their own country, instead buying football teams and companies outside of Russia.

Problem with Putin, he used too much stick against the foreigners and not enough carrot. It is not just money that Russia requires, but it is technology and experience. Putin did not use enough stick against the Oligrach and too much carrot. They live like kings and do not do anything to help the average Russian or reinvest back into their country. Their jet always has fuel to get away and live the good life in England. You can say what you want about Mikhail Khodorkovsky, but he could have fled and lived the good life like Boris Berezovsky, but he stayed.

Ender · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:40 am Post subject:

Absurd · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 28

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

Ender, you have strange view on your own economic situation.
The Russian gov't should create an environment in which the Oligarchs will spend money with Russia instead of taking it out. Why? Because it creates a stable economy and employment. Russia cannot rely on resources to create wealth all the time, but should build a manufacturing sector.
If the Oligarch sells the Iron Ore to Turkey, they smelt it, makes it into a watch and sell it to you,what is the net monetary effect?
Look at the USA and its economy in which they wasted its money buying Chinese goods.

Ender · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:58 am Post subject:

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

Look at the flows of money in and out of Russia my Nationalist something or another. Look at the development of your oil fields and resources. Unfortunately it is NOT being done by the Oligragh, but outsiders .

Unfortunately the people who have the money do not believe Russia like you do, because they would be developing Siberia, improving Smelters, building new manufacturing plants, developing new products. But they do not, but buy companies outside of Russia and live off the scraps orf protectionism from Putin including the Automotive industry.

You have educate people. You have the resources. You have the spirit. But you do not have the capital, because the money is pushed outside of the country by fat cats. The money was earned in Russia and should be used to develop the Russian economy

crash · Just Starting Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

Seems I've stirred up quite the debate. Very interesting. I really appreciate all the information. I am very fascinated with the culture, the people, and the economy in Russia.

With that being said I have another question.

After the fall of Communism/Socialism during the 1990's why did the Lenin 10 Ruble lose it's value? Am I correct?

I understand that when the party dissolved, Communism/Socialism, and the union split up that the different now countries started to print their own as well in parts of Russia and within 24 hours the monetary value was gone.

I'm not sure if I have all my facts straight. Thanks.

One more thing were might I find some quick lessons on the Russian language?

Ender · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:56 am Post subject: Re: Rubles

xxatti · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 29

Going back to the common working class folks... what is the typical pay that someone would make just working in a retail store, supermarket, restaurant, etc.? And what would an average office worker make... like someone working in a bank (who's not at the head of the bank)?

Absurd · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 28