Thread: easter / may day

have easter and may day holidays finished in russia yet? are people back at work again?

My lecturer brought us in some kulich (sp?) this morning - not too bad!

[Edit: it's Russian Easter cake]

Originally Posted by z80

have easter and may day holidays finished in russia yet? are people back at work again?

Actually just starting. 1 - 4 May holidays are over, now waiting for 9 - 11 (Victory day+weekend).

And many friends of mine, for example, don't work 5-8 either, because their bosses think that in any case nobody will really work. So they celebrate from 1 through 11

I'm living in the wrong country.

I have heard such an opinion already from my American friend. We was talking about holidays in January. :P

YES! Russia is one of the countries that have the most celebration days in the year, it is very well known fact. Besides, you very easily may not try to work hard any day you like, so it is ideal place for idlers. (On the contrary you cannot earn very much here, but it is a trifle for real lazy fellows).

Just booking my flight now. I'm there dude.

I think the great majority of Russians cannot work systematically and methodically day after day. It's against our nature. We prefer alternate idleness with period of crash effort. Maybe it's because our peasant's ancestors had to work hard for a such short Russian summer and they had nothing to do for a long winter.

I have to admit thats what I do. I do practically no work all week, and then on friday I work like hell and do about two weeks of work.

My situation is different though because my boss is scared of me he doesn't let me work properly anyway.

Originally Posted by Dima

I think the great majority of Russians cannot work systematically and methodically day after day. It's against our nature. We prefer alternate idleness with period of crash effort. Maybe it's because our peasant's ancestors had to work hard for a such short Russian summer and they had nothing to do for a long winter.

Yes! It is also true. I always postponed everything -- homework, exams, projects, work -- till the last days and minutes, but then I did my best, what I could and even what was beyond my powers. I may admit that it works not all the times, but if it doesn't you always may say "Oh, it is not a matter of life and death, after all".

Postponing homework? I think that might apply to all students, not just Russian students. I know everyone here waits until the last day to cram for tests.

So, I think, it is usual for all realy human beings (except workaholic Japanese, who are aliens, may be).

Originally Posted by Dima

I think the great majority of Russians cannot work systematically and methodically day after day. It's against our nature.

Not ALL russians, of cause. Actually, the people having serious work, are, well, working seriously. There are some ones, which are working 10-12 hours a day, with one day for rest and no much holidays. But they are getting REAL salaries also.

But the most of the people are living according to classic soviet principle: "We are pretending we are working, they are pretending they pay us money."

Originally Posted by Dima

We prefer alternate idleness with period of crash effort. Maybe it's because our peasant's ancestors had to work hard for a such short Russian summer and they had nothing to do for a long winter.

Yes, I heard about this theory. Probably, there's some reason in it.
But anyway, if large part of the economy is in the deep... well... collapse, how one can expect people to work? Where?

I was not serious. Just for the fun. It's widespread among the Russians stereotype that, for example, Germans can methodically work and we cannot but it's not our fault - it's just climatal influence or something else. However many a true word is spoken in jest.