As previously noted, there are a large number of quirks here in Russia. I'm complied another little list for you to look over.
- On the tube Russians aren't plugged into iPods like we are in London, Russians actually read, albeit through different mediums - Kindles, cheap knock-off Kindles, Newspapers, Books. But they actually read, and a lot more than us Westerners do!
- They park their cars at the side of the road, or on the pavement. Leave the engine running, and sit inside their cars. Whilst seemingly serving no actual purpose. They just sit there.
- They blast the heating in all the buildings, but it's too cold outside to open the windows and thus stabilize the temperature. This means that in class you just boil and get super drowsy. I'll admit I fell asleep in class today (shush don't tell my parents!).
- These two previous points form the basis for my theory that the Russians have an energy superiority complex, such that they like to show off the prowess of their natural resources by heating their buildings to over body temperature and running their cars & wasting gas. They're just peacocking really.
- There is no real Apple store in Russia. They have RE: Store in which they sell refurbished Apple products, but no way of buying legit products. You have to import them from abroad.
- Then there's the "Rostest". Every product sold in Russia has to be certified, especially if it's an import. In order to have authorization to import something & get a clearance certificate, be it a single iPhone or a whole shipment of childrens toys, you need to pass the Rostest.
- Russians don't do organic meat, vegetables or milk. Haven't seen anything organic. I mean they are a farming heavy nation, but you never know what's made it into the ground where the veggies are grown.
- There is also no origin or description on the meat here. It's just chicken, beef, lamb or pork. No hand reared Scottish Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak here.
- Russians also don't understand the concept of the simple sandwich. Not only is it difficult to find regular sliced bread. They don't have sandwiches, not even Starbucks does! How I have longed for a Pret BLT.
- Russians don't believe in personal space. They will walk right up behind you, even on the escalator. It's pretty unnerving, especially as everytime they invade my space I think I'm being robbed. It's pretty normal to have someone breathing down your neck as you're in a queue.
- Russian women mostly, some men, don't hold doors open. I must be one of the few women in Russia who actually know how to hold a door open. The number of times I've had doors whacked back in my face and nearly broken my wrist is unreal. It's not that hard to hold a door open for someone behind you.
- Manners! There are no manners here in Russia. If I do hold a door open for someone. No-one says Thank You. No-one says Excuse Me for squishing you on the tube. Sometimes I just long for manners!
- The crisp flavors are warped. They love sour cream and spring onion, as well as crab and blue cheese. It's creepy.
- Oh and they still have mandatory military conscription here.
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| Lenin's Library - or the State Library as it now is, and a statue of Dostoyevsky (added apres USSR. They weren't fans.) |
