Thread: What's the point of the Russian Tourist Invitation ?

Firstly: no, Ataklena, I was not kidding -- yes, I was on Glazunov's exhibition; yes, I enjoyed it alot.

Originally Posted by Dobry

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Why "shame" -- I think, it's quite fair. If for example, I'll need to pay 150 R instead of 50, to visit, for example, Glazunov's exhibition -- I'll think twice before doing so. I'm not that rich.

I understand the debate...but Scorpio, please explain why you think it is fair?

And why do you not want foreigners to see wonderful exhibitions?

I saw the Chagall exhibit at the State Russian Museum, in September...but I had to pay MUCH more money, than my girlfriend and her son. This is not fair, not right.

Let me accent this point: I don't want foreigners pay MORE because they are foreigners. I want our citizens to pay LESS! The museums are important part of our historical and cultural heritage. So: for our citizens museums must be for affordable prices (and for anybody working it budget organisation, like me, 100 R is quite noticeable amount of money). For foreigners, museums have *no* obligations, so they can charge market prices for visit. Definitely, it's fair.

Originally Posted by Dobry

And you did not answer the "militzia" problem... many, many stories of Americans (especially Americans) held by the militzia trying to get money...hours spent in a militzia station...passports stolen by militzia...many true stories of such treatment. These are the stories that cause Americans to consider NOT traveling to Russia.

I did not know I was asked. But if you're seriously asking, please give me some links confirming any of these. "Passport stolen by miltsia"? Weird.

Originally Posted by Scorpio

I did not know I was asked. But if you're seriously asking, please give me some links confirming any of these. "Passport stolen by miltsia"? Weird.

No, I don

It seems that some folk on our MR have their own agenda, which is fine,... I guess.

I think that many people here at MR have a naive opinion about going to RUssia. Dobry's experience is a common one. I have heard countless stories just like Dobry's. And I am surprized that any of you have not heard the same. I told you all once of a story where a friend of mine was walking down a Russian street with his russian girlfriend and a militsia tried to force the girl into having sex with him as payment for being with an American. I have been warned that if I see the Police walking down the street and it is late at night that a I should cross the road in order to avoid contact with them if possible. Going to Moscow is not like going to ....say New York, for an American!

GIven all this, I don't have a problem because I'd rather Russia be anti tourist than the alternative..........becoming just like the West.

Originally Posted by DDT

GIven all this, I don't have a problem because I'd rather Russia be anti tourist than the alternative..........becoming just like the West.

Hehe...yep, I understand your reasoning.

Originally Posted by Lampada

It seems that some folk on our MR have their own agenda, which is fine,... I guess.

Explain, please...I assume you are referring to me...do you think I have an agenda?? I don

Originally Posted by Dobry

Originally Posted by Lampada

It seems that some folk on our MR have their own agenda, which is fine,... I guess.

Explain, please...I assume you are referring to me...do you think I have an agenda?? ...

I am not telling. You'll never know the answer.

Originally Posted by Lampada

Originally Posted by Dobry

Originally Posted by Lampada

It seems that some folk on our MR have their own agenda, which is fine,... I guess.

Explain, please...I assume you are referring to me...do you think I have an agenda?? ...

I am not telling. You'll never know the answer.

Oh, puleeze!

Originally Posted by Lampada

Originally Posted by Dobry

Originally Posted by Lampada

It seems that some folk on our MR have their own agenda, which is fine,... I guess.

Explain, please...I assume you are referring to me...do you think I have an agenda?? ...

I am not telling. You'll never know the answer.

I have an agenda.

It's small, blue, and I've scribbled an awful lot in it already.


(OK, OK - I'll say it myself. Groan. )

Originally Posted by Dobry

The best example is how the Militzia treats Americans. My biggest fear, in Moscow everyday, is that I will be stopped, harassed and bothered by Militzia wanting money. This is common in Moscow (although it has never happened to me in Petersburg). This never happens in America, ever. And this is not good for Russia and tourism.

Yeah, Moscow militia is a bunch of morons who are allowed to do whatever they want as long as they protect Moscow bureaucrats' interests. Thanks to beloved Moscow major.

They treat that way not only foreigner but Russian citizens who do not have Moscow registration as well.

[quote=Dobry]Sometimes I feel a general sense of "unwelcome" (but not often) from some Russians. Most Russian people are very kind and nice ... but not all. I sometimes feel that some Russian people see me as "American...tak, he must be a bad (evil) man". Or, often I am mistaken for Estonian (because of my accent when I speak Russian), and I am not well-treated.

My last trip to Petersburg...several Russian soldiers were on holiday, and insisted on sitting with my girlfriend, Olga, and me at Muny Hunny Club. The soldiers tried to convince Olga that she should stay away from me, because I

[quote=Dobry]
Please, others on the board confirm to Scorpio that the militzia will stop people, and will expect money. And I know this also happens to Russians...I

[quote=Scorpio][quote=Dobry]
Please, others on the board confirm to Scorpio that the militzia will stop people, and will expect money. And I know this also happens to Russians...I

Well...I

[quote=Dobry]I can

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Personally, for all of my life (I'm 35 years old, most of them spent in Moscow) I had only one close encounter with militsia man. It was 4-5 years ago, in cheburechnaya near metro Petrovsko-Razumovskaya. They (politely) asked for my passport (which, surprisingly, was with me ), carefully studied it, returned it, откозыряли мне (I have no idea, how to translate it!), and left. Needless to say, I heard no rude word from them, not to mention demanding money or such.

If something doesn't happen to you it doesn't meen this is not happening to anybody.

It's because you're a Muscovite, and you look like Muscovite, and you behave like Muscovite, and you have Moscow registration.

I've got a friend who is half Russian half Armenian. He is about 40, he was born to Moscow mother who couldn't find a husband and decided to have a child anyway. Why did she choose a Caucasian man to father her child? I don't know. Maybe she felt in love. Maybe he was the only one who agreed. Maybe she just didn't think about it, it was Soviet time, time of "international friendship".

His father couldn't marry his mother (and, I guess, didn't want to), but he didn't disappear, he visited and helped with money. When a friend of mine was 14 or 15 his father died.

Nowdays this friend of mine who has been a Muscovite since he was born but who looks like Caucasian is stopped by militia almost every day and quite often is harassed and acused of falsifying his passport. Numerous times he has been taken to precinct and spent several hours there. Just because he looks Caucasian. He is afraid they'll destroy his passport one day.

It became way easier after he bought a car. But he wouldn't risk to ride a metro even during rush hours when it's way quicker.

Vesh makes an excellent point.

I don

You do look very Anglo-Saxon. Especially with the candles.

He looks Jewish. Esp. with the candles.

Vesh reminded me of something I always wondered.

We white people call ourselves Caucasian, believing that means we are white. While Vesh used Caucasian as "a person from Caucasus" (кавказ), to me it looked slightly amusing, becuase his friend was being stopped for being a Caucasian, while the Russians (who are Caucasian) weren't...

So, how would you in English describe a person from the Caucasus?

Dobry your picture is back! It was funny when it was really huge.