| Author |
Message |
cjstanchek
Just Starting
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:32 am Post subject: stupid things i've heard about russia |
 |
|
I'm going to stpetersburg for ten days so i just had a few questions. is it true that certain items are hard to come by, and fetch a huge price ( blue jeans) for example?
do reporters that report the truth about the russian government get disappeared?
are there any strange laws that will get you thrown in a gulag for the rest of your life?
what percentage of russians speak english?
is there anything in paticular that i should buy while in russia?
thankyou in advance for your replies |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bunker6
Frequent Guest
Joined: 31 Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Princeton, NJ / St. Petes, Russia
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:17 am Post subject: Re: stupid things i've heard about russia |
|
|
| cjstanchek wrote: | | I'm going to stpetersburg for ten days so i just had a few questions. is it true that certain items are hard to come by, and fetch a huge price ( blue jeans) for example? |
Shopping in Russia is better than in the US.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | do reporters that report the truth about the russian government get disappeared? |
??? WHTF?
| cjstanchek wrote: | | are there any strange laws that will get you thrown in a gulag for the rest of your life? |
No, they will just shoot you at the nearest wall.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | what percentage of russians speak english? |
Depends on where you are. You won't get lost in major cities.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | is there anything in paticular that i should buy while in russia? |
St. Petes is a great place to shop. Whatever you might want, you'll find it there, better and cheaper than in the US. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 485
Location: Urals
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: stupid things i've heard about russia |
|
|
| cjstanchek wrote: | | I'm going to stpetersburg for ten days so i just had a few questions. is it true that certain items are hard to come by, and fetch a huge price ( blue jeans) for example? |
I think you can find anything in St. Petersburgh like in Moscow.
I don't know what means a huge price for blue jeans but I am able to buy them at range 500..2200 roubles. However you may encounter different price structure.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | do reporters that report the truth about the russian government get disappeared? |
You ask about people like Anna Politkovskaya, Markelov, Julia Latynina, don't you?
0. They don't get dissapeared. They usually get shooted or killed in a some public way (take Litvinenko for example). In fact no any facts that they are suffered because of they "reported truth about government" were discovered. But western news agencies love to tell us that it was Putin who personally ordered the murder one or another person and make various speculations on such cases. In fact many of them live and kicking.
1. They don't report the truth. They usually throw a mix of truth, lie, propaghanda and shit at everyone (government itself, military, business). Take Latynina for example. The level of idiotism in her articles and books is extreme. For example she presented attack on Georgian military airfields as completely unneccessary thus Russia overused its military force. The fact that these fields were used for military aircrafts that drop bombs on Tskhinvali was "forgotten". Example of other laughable thing is when she writes about BTR destroyed by fragmentation grenade fired from a RPG. Or for example, Kokoyty is traitor and bad military commander because he was unable to fix water pipes that feed Tskhinvali.
Let's take Novodvoskaya. She is even better clown. She don't like the sport (just look at her - fat ugly toad) and some time ago she said on TV that propaghanda of sport and healthy style of life in Soviet Union was one of examples of totalitarism and violation of human rights.
Not wonder that someone someday get sick of their writings and "orders" them.
2. They are almost unknown in Russia. They become famous only after their death. They usually write for western readers in order to project negative image of Russia.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | are there any strange laws that will get you thrown in a gulag for the rest of your life? |
First of all there are no gulags. Strange laws? Perhaps a terroristic act, a killing or raping multiple people, an attempt to steal/buy military or nuclear technology, a direct assault on military or FSB unit (if you survive of course), an attempt to kill a president or other high ranked official (you may survive as they will be very curious who sent you), will put you to a prison for a long or life time. IOW, nothing exotic, you won't be decapitated for 10 grams of grass in your pocket or for cleaning your ass by a portrait of a president. 
Have you read the Holy Bible? Ten Commandments. Obey them and you'll be fine. 
| cjstanchek wrote: | | what percentage of russians speak english? |
Very small. More in big cities. Most likely youths.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | is there anything in paticular that i should buy while in russia |
Souvenirs perhaps.
If my words too cynical, I'm sorry. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: stupid things i've heard about russia |
|
|
| cjstanchek wrote: | I'm going to stpetersburg for ten days so i just had a few questions. is it true that certain items are hard to come by, and fetch a huge price ( blue jeans) for example?
|
Yep, absolutely. In, uh, 1980 or so. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gaijin
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 155
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Shopping: good to high quality products tend to be more expensive than in western or northern Europe. With the recent fall of the ruble (euro increased 25%) I'm not sure it's still true (it still should be, for imported products), I have not been really shopping here in the last 2 months. When living in Piter, Helsinki is (was?) a good place to go shopping for 2 days.
If you want some really cheap, low quality stuff, find some second hand shops...
Reporters: some reporters get killed (about 1 per year), but only western media report that they get killed by the government. There can be other causes depending on what they investigate: mafia and terrorist groups for example.
gulag: if you're talking about the 1930s, yes. Back in present times, you gotta be kidding.
English: in Saint-Petersburg: If you ask people if they can speak english, probably 20% will say yes. I would say only about 3 or 4 percent can have a conversation in English. Of course as a tourist you will meet a much higher rate, among hotel staff and tourist guides, but even in that population it's not 30%. Of course it increases when the prices increases: Probably everybody at the Angleterre speaks english, for example, when the rate is about 30% at some ¤¤¤¤ hotels.
What to buy: if you mean gifts, I would say red caviar. Black is illegal now until the population of fish recovers, which could take a while because of illegal fishing. Black caviar could throw you in jail, yes.
other typical souvenirs include matriochki, fur hats (don't offer that to someone who doesn't get cold winters...). You'll find other ideas when you're here. Maybe a bottle of good vodka, some silly T-shirt ("I was in Russia...).
I wouldn't agree with bunker6, prices are (were?), until recently, much lower in the USA, thanks to a very low dollar. But I wouldn't say USA is a good place to shop, because of the poor taste of the population : For example in 2 weeks during my last trip in an american city I did not see one good looking woman. I see many every day here. Of course it has to do with not being obese, but also with dressing like a woman...
The same is true about men. I look much better now that my Russian wife takes care of me, even I can notice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
babie2th
Just Starting
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject: Myths about Russia |
|
|
Ok so since your questions have been mostly addressed, I'll post some tips that are good to know before going to Russia.
The cops are getting better, but corruption is still an issue. Don't keep your passport with your money, if you get stopped that way they don't see how much money you have on you.
The buses are a good way to travel, and the trains are awesome to hop from city to city.
Don't buy American clothes in Russia - they will be expensive. On that same note, don't wear American brands either, you're more likely to be mugged - because you look rich, not because you look American.
Don't go shopping for clothes if you are overly curvy or short, most of the clothes are for skinny, tall people (like Russians)
Souvenirs are best on the streets, not in the stores. You'll get a better price, and the vendors all speak English.
EVERYONE speaks some English, even if they say they dont understand you. Use some Russian and you'll gain a lot of respect.
As a side note, I went to Russia in 2005, so things might be a little different now - these are more general tips from my experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 485
Location: Urals
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Myths about Russia |
|
|
| babie2th wrote: | | The cops are getting better, but corruption is still an issue. Don't keep your passport with your money, if you get stopped that way they don't see how much money you have on you. |
An year ago I made a poll among drivers of our city (1 million of people). About 1000 people participated. Only 15% of drivers who were stopped because of traffic rules violation said that they encountered a demand of a bribe. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mister_wizzz
VIP
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 582
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:09 am Post subject: Re: Myths about Russia |
|
|
| Ender wrote: | | babie2th wrote: | | The cops are getting better, but corruption is still an issue. Don't keep your passport with your money, if you get stopped that way they don't see how much money you have on you. |
An year ago I made a poll among drivers of our city (1 million of people). About 1000 people participated. Only 15% of drivers who were stopped because of traffic rules violation said that they encountered a demand of a bribe. |
15% is still a lot... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cliffdodger
Just Starting
Joined: 28 May 2009
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
Apparently outdated propaganda still exists regarding the former Soviet Union. Ah well....
I will be visiitng St. Petersburg in a few months. I will have about 2 weeks there. If there were only 3 places I go go to visit, what would people recommend? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gaijin
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 155
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| In 3 weeks I would think you have time to see more than 3 things but anyway... Ermitage, one of the palaces (Pushkin or Petergof, and rather Petergof), and one of the Cathedrals. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stanj
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Location: St Petersburg Russia
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: stupid things i've heard about russia |
|
|
pThe opinions on this threat vary all over, some are obviously from older people who do not get out much.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | I'm going to stpetersburg for ten days so i just had a few questions. is it true that certain items are hard to come by, and fetch a huge price ( blue jeans) for example? |
Yes, a few items are high priced and rare such a good California wine, mostly what we get is mediocre French, poor Italian and pretty decent Chilean, S.A., Australian etc.
Jeans? Since they all come for China they are more expensive here than in Wal-Mart but still pretty reasonable. They were very expensive in the 70s and early 80s. In the mid 70s I was frequently stopped by residents asking if they could buy my jeans. People had money but few choices in consumer products. Also in high demand back then were British rock band albums and to a lesser extent US rock. Jazz records could fetch a good price also.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | reporters that report the truth about the russian government get disappeared? |
Why? What does the government fear from unknown reporters writing for unknown papers? If someone gets offed it is likely they stepped on the toes of gangsters or "businessmen". No one really cares about politics, they focus on their own lives and their friends and family. As long as things keep getting better each month, as they have been for 10 years, people are pretty content. The president and PM are pretty effective in maintaining enough progress to retain power simply by being preferred over others. Without tricks or corruption both would be elected again.
EVERYTHING you read about or hear about Russia in the west is wrong, intentionally wrong. If someone slips on the ice in Moscow, according to western press accounts it was Putin who was behind it. The Cold War propaganda presented in the west is as bad or worse than during the 70s. When western news is dominated by 5 individuals all seeking to control what you think, it is no wonder that you are getting a distorted untrustworthy account. East-West relations will not get better until the current crop of old guard Cold Warriors die off. Note that none of the networks claiming "Putin did it" even have reporters here. They buy stories from stringers who know that they only get paid if they juice up a story so it is picked up.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | there any strange laws that will get you thrown in a gulag for the rest of your life? |
Punishment here is less sever than in the west where politicians always campaign on being tougher on poor and uneducated people(tough on crime) and laws only get tougher with no real reason or logic. In California you can get life without parole for being convicted of stealing a slice of pizza 3 times. Prisons are bad here primarily due to the nature of the type of tuberculosis that a high percentage of prisoners contract.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | ercentage of russians speak english? |
Depends. The young people start English classes in the 2nd form(2nd grade) and most people under 20 know enough to get a thought across. St Petersburg is a city of incredibly high academic achievement. You will hardly meet someone without a college degree. It is probably the most educated city on earth. As a result, randomly stopping someone under 30 on the street will likely result is at least survival level English. The percentage drops as age increases. If, on the other hand, you approach older people in a small village 500 km from a large city the changes are dim.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | there anything in paticular that i should buy while in russia? |
Real estate is a good investment, it did not take a big hit like in the west as a result of the Bush recession. Most items are imported so duties and the VAT make a lot of items more expensive than the in the west. Good prices are mostly on things that tourists don't care about. College tuition for example is cheap, cars are not, medical care is very cheap, cell phones are not. Buses, trains and metros are cheap, taxis and airlines are not. Diamonds, furs and original art is reasonable.
| cjstanchek wrote: | | in advance for your replies |
You are welcome. If you need advice while you are here or need to know the hottest club that week just ask, I'll probably have some useful info.
Tips. If you have a GSM phone get it unlocked and get a SIM card and number for your stay here. Or buy a used phone for $30, you can't survive without a mobile phone here. Learn the Cyrillic alphabet so you can sound out words on signs. It is surprising how many words you will recognize. Best advice is, if you are single, good, if married, too bad, you will be very frustrated. Modern Russian girls are not anything as portrayed in the west, they are smart, independent, well educated, feminine, usually well dressed and well groomed, slim and fit. They are NOT looking for the first western guy to rescue them. They probably have a higher quality of life than you do. But they are remarkably sane/normal, easy to meet if you are polite, have something interesting to say and are not obnoxious. If you are really cute, young and active socially you will meet a lot of them. If not, you will meet some of them. They will give out phone numbers and email without hesitation, don't think it is because they like you, their phone is as casual as giving their name, it means nothing other than a means of communicating. In the west girls play games that would not be tolerated here. Be normal, not overly aggressive or anti-social and you will be fine......and never want to leave. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 23
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Great answers stanj. Refreshingly honest. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gaijin
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 155
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
@Stanj : I agree with pretty much everything you said but have 2 remarks :
About girls, yes they are usually much better in every aspect than in the west, but why would they be better-off than westerners? And you still have a lot who are only interested in spending some stupid foreigner's money when they have the chance. Don't be stupid and you might find the woman of your dreams and live happily with her ever after.
Second thing : Try English in Peter and your chance of being understood is low, even with young people. Sure, one in 2 or 3 will tell you something like
"Smolny catedral ? rite den sekond left den strait, strait strait long" But for a real conversation, it's closer to one in twenty or twenty-five. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BrianR
Frequent Guest
Joined: 12 Nov 2006
Posts: 58
Location: Sydney, Australia
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: Re: stupid things i've heard about russia |
|
|
| stanj wrote: | | Jeans? Since they all come for China they are more expensive here than in Wal-Mart but still pretty reasonable. |
My wife tells me they can be pretty expensive in the shops on Nevsky Prospect |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stanj
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Location: St Petersburg Russia
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| gaijin wrote: | @Stanj :
About girls, yes they are usually much better in every aspect than in the west, but why would they be better-off than westerners? And you still have a lot who are only interested in spending some stupid foreigner's money when they have the chance. Don't be stupid and you might find the woman of your dreams and live happily with her ever after. |
What westerners fail to realize is that it is a very stratified society and class(social class, not economic class) is an indicator of what sort of character a person might have. I meet and gravitate towards a different crowd obviously if you are finding gold diggers.
Better off? Absolutely. A typical early to mid 20s lady with a degree that is marketable has so much more in options and security than her cousins in, say, the USA. She probably has no debt, a free and clear apartment and living expenses low enough for a great deal of optimum choices to be available. A young person in the US, if they did not drop out of high school or college, leaves college with few job prospects and a mountain of debt and no assets. The option of taking off for a month to explore Tuscany is not available to them. After paying for insurances of all sorts, housing, a car payment, even a $50k job leaves no extra for savings or luxury. They have to just hope they do not get sick or they might even lose that. If they get laid off they are bankrupt and learn very quickly how stress every day and night feels like.
The 22 year old girl in St Petersburg has commons expenses of about $40, if she has separate private health insurance besides the federal system, that might be $250 a year(most use only the national health care system). Probably no car because she has good public transportation. Her biggest decision of the month is whether to go to Thailand or Brazil for a month, or get those great Italian heels. Of my hundreds of young friends most own their own flat, 1/2 have a car and take regular and extended vacations and still can save $500-1000 each month. Yes, they lead a less stressful life and have more options than people in the US. They have less overhead. Although it is just as or more expensive to buy things here as in the US, there is a much shorter list of things that are needed to live. Food, Commons, internet, mobile phone is about it. Support services are cheap here but account for several thousand dollars a month in the US. If one of these ladies quits her job she can get by on borrowing $50 every couple weeks from parents or friends. Not having the constant pressure of mounting and never ending bills really adds to the quality of life.
Sure there are those who do not have decent jobs, but what ever job they do have pays their own way without going into debt. If they loose a job they are not faced with a life affecting crisis. Its main impact is more free time.
| gaijin wrote: | thing : Try English in Peter and your chance of being understood is low, even with young people. Sure, one in 2 or 3 will tell you something like
"Smolny catedral ? rite den sekond left den strait, strait strait long" But for a real conversation, it's closer to one in twenty or twenty-five |
Again, I must recommend finding a different group of people to hang out with. The quality and depth of discourse is one of the joys of living here. Bright curious, well read, well traveled and rational people are a joy to be around and I refuse to believe where ever I go I just happen to stumble on the only rational and intelligent people in the city. I doubt I would have stayed here so long if I had not been so impressed with the people, particularly the young people. A random conversation here is NOT of the same stuff of a random conversation in the US. The few times I return back to the US for a week or so I seldom talk to anyone, there is no common thread of conversation. I don't follow situation comedies, tabloid scandals, or radical hate radio so I am the odd person out and like it that way.
The last time I went dancing, a week ago, I randomly met 1/2 dozen very attractive young women, and we turned it into a party of strangers at my table. After far ranging discussions I asked their professions. Each was either a manager, a doctor, a accountant or small business owner, ranging in age from 21 to 25. Each spoke several languages and most of the conversation was in English, Each had traveled extensively and had broad interests. One had a serious boyfriend(home playing with the computer) and one had just started a relationship that was too early to tell if it might be serious, the rest were too active and optimistic to be tied down to a man., foreign or domestic, and certainly not a man who wasn't just as desirable and interesting as they were. This isn't '98
This was a disco, an all night dance/party scene. What is so remarkable about this is that it is typical and routine to meet such young women. We have been texting to plan a picnic next weekend. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
