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Yeah, but I think that when I can I'll def get a car that I like, like a bmw 3 series. :P I can't believe they can be *that* unreliable... I hear though that Jettas have a problem with windows falling out and stuff like that, that's why I got a Civic instead :? But I think it was a 2000 so they probably fixed that since then. Meh, I liked that car a lot, it was bright red...
BMW's arn't unreliable. But stuff goes wrong. And when stuff goes wrong, its a pain in the ass to fix on german cars.
Ok, how many times have you been driving down the street, and you see some "Jim's japanese auto" or "Greg's asain imports" "Bob's Foriegn car repair"... They are all over the place.
How many times have you ever seen "Joe's German car workshop". (almost) never. because usaully u have to take the car back to the dealer, or to a special shop that deals only with german cars.
Its just that asian cars have a simple, reliable design, that's easy to fix, or get parts for.
I dunno, I really think there is a lot more freedom in Russia. Maybe those who moved to the US haven't really had a taste of it? You can do anything you want, go anywhere you want, drink anything you want... Yeah, you can have a car here at 16 and a better one then half of the Russians drive but it's not a big deal because everyone has them. And there are so many rules that you have to follow or you'll get a ticket that it's not that "extreme" at all. Haha even drag racing at night, it's still just "kids play." :wink: Now going down a windy two-lane Russian high way at 80 mph and passing every car by going on the opposite lane... :P And then stopping for a swim in a forest lake with zero rules to follow...that's fun! :PQuote:
I don't know... Alot of the russians who move here (especially kids) seem to like it here more than in russia. I ask them "why?" they say it's just better... More freedoms. Plus, you can have a cool car when you're 15 and a half year old.
Yes! I knew someone would understand me! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by astarz41
And if you crash that car after speeding or someone else hits you with their car after drinking lots of beer at that forest lake you get to experience the wonderful emergency medical care here and the joys and freedom of being handicapped in Russia! (how DO they expect people to get themselves up and down those steep skinny iron rails that serve as "wheelchair ramps"?)
DogBoy...i see your a ricer fan.
Do you like to put DVD screens on the back of your seats? Do you like to put stickers all over your car? Do you like to have an amp bigger than your engine? Dont forget the neon lights under the car.
Your ricer has 1.6 liters, but my bottle of sprite has 2.
Do you not find this delightfully bracing/rustic?Quote:
Originally Posted by JB
There are subways everywhere. Find 'em, use 'em.Quote:
* pedestrians have the right of way when crossing a street (over here it's RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!)
Care to share any experiences of dishonesty? I haven't had any.Quote:
* really nice, helpful and honest store clerks
Moscow tap water is quite safe. Just run it.Quote:
* clean,drinkable tap water
You pay more for your groceries, do you? As far as museum entry is concerned, pay your surcharge with a smile: they need the money and, hey, it'll hardly bankrupt you, will it?Quote:
* the same prices for everyone (not 10x more for tourists and foreigners)
Could you find such fripperies in New York or Chicago? Not without paying through the nose or moving to the suburbs, I'd vouch.Quote:
* large homes and apts with seperate bedrooms and more than one bathroom
* garages with automatic door openers
Correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogboy182
Only those that you can buy in the US. Here I could drive a baby with about 600 bhp.Quote:
and porsche is weak too.
That BMW is the cheapest one that you can get. 316i or something. A joke. While the WRX is probably the most expensive Impreza.Quote:
I believe the WRX comes with 225 horsepower, compared to a BMW (forgot the model, i can check) wich is like 115.
BS. I do not remeber that I ever had to pay more than EUR 300 for routine maintenance (every 20K km), and I never had to do anything else.Quote:
Japanese cars are the best because they are easy to fix, and they wont need new timing belts every 20,000 miles (like BMW and it costs about 3,000 to replace).
It's even better with the German cars. And they don't have that cheap plastic look and feel and smell inside.Quote:
Japanese cars are so popular because they work, and their resale values are through the roof.
Not in my experience.Quote:
German cars are good, but way too expensive to maintain.
Why do american cars suck?
They handle like shit. They drink too much. They take up two parking lots.
they look better than other cars. faster too.
Quote:
Now going down a windy two-lane Russian high way at 80 mph and passing every car by going on the opposite lane... And then stopping for a swim in a forest lake with zero rules to follow...that's fun
please tell me how u could not do this in america ?
its not like you have to register to go swimming (or skiing or biking).
And, doesn't russia require all citizens to have passports ? at like, any age ?
You dont have to even have your social security card in america untill you are 18. Now Hmmm.
Dear joysof,
* yes the hot water shutdown is so much fun! just like camping!
* You have perihods and subways on EVERY busy street where you live? Please send me the address so I can move there.
* Facts of life lesson 1; last Friday my Russian girlfriend asked for 2 batteries at a kiosk by the metro. (The pack of 2 Duracell AA batteries are labeled with one price but they double the price if you want the whole pack, this is done even at Detsky Mir) instead of a pack the woman hands her 2 unwrapped batteries and insists they are new. Of course my friend isn't stupid so she puts them in her CD player right there, and SURPRISE they are 100% dead. She only got a new pack of batteries because she didn't walk away and tried them right in front of the sales woman. Also at a lot of renoks we get slipped old or rotten milk from the back of the shelf or bruised fruits from the back of the counter. so now we inspect every thing before we pay.
* If Moscow water is so safe why does every Russian here put silver spoons in it, boil it, filter it, and almost knock my head off if I even go near the faucet with a drinking glass? If you know where the results are that show it is routinely tested and certified as safe please tell me so I can stop these crazy water purification procedures.
* I can stretch a ruble just as well as I can a dime when buying groceries but I'm married to a Russian and live on a russian salary, so yes, those overpriced tickets will bankrupt me.My family needs the money just as much as anyone else.
* I have friends in both Chicago and New York, and yes , there are lots of moderatly priced apts and homes there that are much bigger than the average Russian apt.
Better and faster than the other American cars? Anyone can do it. That is precisely my point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel_of_Death-NZ
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogboy182
Just like in Russia. The only case when a minor may have an ID is when he/she goes abroad without his/her parents.Quote:
You dont have to even have your social security card in america untill you are 18. Now Hmmm.
What about electricity shutdowns like they have in the States every so often? That better?Quote:
Originally Posted by JB
Why didn't she ask for the them from a random guy in the street?Quote:
* Facts of life lesson 1; last Friday my Russian girlfriend asked for 2 batteries at a kiosk by the metro.
I doubt it. If she had been all that clever, she would not have bought the batteries in the street.Quote:
Of course my friend isn't stupid
See? It's not all that difficult. But if you want to make your life easier, buy your food at a reputable place. Where you can see the best before dates and can inspect your vegetables and fruits when you take the stuff off the shelf.Quote:
Also at a lot of renoks we get slipped old or rotten milk from the back of the shelf or bruised fruits from the back of the counter. so now we inspect every thing before we pay.
Get yourself Russian citizenship.Quote:
* I can stretch a ruble just as well as I can a dime when buying groceries but I'm married to a Russian and live on a russian salary, so yes, those overpriced tickets will bankrupt me.My family needs the money just as much as anyone else.
Moderately? Like more than ten hundred bucks a month (rental or mortgage payments)? You can get an excellent apartment in Moscow for a lot less than that.Quote:
* I have friends in both Chicago and New York, and yes , there are lots of moderatly priced apts and homes there that are much bigger than the average Russian apt.
In my experience, they're there if you look. Besides, there's nothing like crossing the Garden Ring on foot to remind you that you're alive.Quote:
Originally Posted by JB
They won't shake hands across a threshold either. Superstitious lot. I've been drinking four glasses a day for nine months and I'm still intact.Quote:
* If Moscow water is so safe why does every Russian here put silver spoons in it, boil it, filter it, and almost knock my head off if I even go near the faucet with a drinking glass?
*Oh, and shop at Перекресток. They'll hardly stretch your ruble and their batteries are in perfect working order. Excellent fruit, too.
Concerning Moscow tap water:
Doctors don't recommend to use it for drinking without boiling it first. I remember that since kindergarten. :lol: And in hospitals there were also a lot of posters about it.
Perhaps this explains my stomach cramps.. :)
I saw those posters. I think they mean just "fresh water".
I do not drink tap water in any country on this planet anyway. Unless I have no choice :-)
[quote=bad manners]Better and faster than the other American cars? Anyone can do it. That is precisely my point.[/quote:1d3vr7av]Quote:
Originally Posted by "Angel_of_Death-NZ":1d3vr7av
I mean American cars are faster and look better.
Then you're a mere tool of the bottled water industry, bm - and that's more malign a force than Big Tobacco, if you ask me. Or perhaps you steer clear of water entirely?
[quote=Angel_of_Death-NZ][quote="bad manners":1ww3a0sr]Better and faster than the other American cars? Anyone can do it. That is precisely my point.[/quote:1ww3a0sr]Quote:
Originally Posted by "Angel_of_Death-NZ":1ww3a0sr
I mean American cars are faster and look better.[/quote:1ww3a0sr]
Than what?
Sorry, but I do prefer the taste of some particular brands to whatever there is in the tap. For example, the tap water that I currently have has too much iron in it (the soil is rich in it). I do not like the taste of it, and it is especially bad when you use it for tea (which is what I mostly use it for). I presume it is safe to drink, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by joysof
Electricity "shutdowns" happen everywhere, though I think you might be referring to those power outages...?Quote:
Originally Posted by bad manners
If you are, you might want to look into the issue a bit more.
There are very few significant "black outs" and "brown outs" in the United States, especially when you start talking about more than just small sections of cities or remote towns -- and even they happen fairly rarely. By "significant", I mean that last more than a few minutes or an hour. Neither power, nor water, get shut off for days or weeks at a time
You might have heard issues about California power shortages, but that issue has been dealt with quite effectively (borrowing power from neighboring states while getting more power plants into California itself.).
The big power outage of the North East last year was largely due to not listening to experts and trying to save money [big corporations and politicians ignoring the engineers... that's a no no!]. Also, I'm pretty sure that power outage started in Canada... but the truth hasn't really become clear. Canadian officials say it started at a power plant on the border between Canada and the U.S. but on the U.S. side, and U.S. officials say that the origin was on the Canadian side. *shrugs*.
To answer your question though...
Yes occasional accidents occuring the U.S. [like they do every where else] is better than intentional shutting off of the power or hot water in other countries. We're not talking about bare necessities here, but it is certainly much easier for economics to thrive with everything that electricity allows for... plus, hot baths and showers are much more pleasant... but that's an issue of comfort and privilege...
If you care about comfort and privilege even marginally, you can easily buy and install a small electric boiler, they are quite inexpensive these days. It will probably make showering a bit awkward but that is better than nothing. If you care about comfort and privilege in a serious way, you are going to live in a house that has a standalone or stand-by heavy-duty boiler.
But if you don't care about comfort and privilege, you are going to suffer a couple of weeks a year without hot water. In return, you're not going to pay a hundred or two (USD) each month for the luxury of not suffering two weeks a year. And you're not going to pay two more hundreds for heating when it's cold, either.
For those who live on typical Russian wages, the choice is clear. Those who live on typical Russian wages and want standalone hot water and heating should have their heads examined.
We've solved all those "fun" little adventures of daily living in Moscow. We're moving to the States! After searching for a new flat all over Moscow, we decided we can get a lot more for our money in sunny Southern California! I am now in Los Angeles getting things ready for the move.
As for electricity shut downs, never had one , and if we do get one we don't have to pay for electricity during the shut down. All houses here have BIG boilers as standard equipment and if it breaks I just call the plumber and he fixes it in less than 24 hours. The tap water here is safe, clear, and tastes good. Yes things are more expensive here but the wages are high enough to pay for everything and have $ left over for visits back to Russia.
I shop at Perekrestock all the time and am always impressed by their high prices and grouchy check out ladies. Yesterday I went to a supermarket here and was in shock after the checkout lady was so nice, polite and helpful.
Get Russian citizenship? What for? Exactly what great benefits does it offer me?
Mmm, and how many world-class theatres are there in the locale? Priorities, people!Quote:
Originally Posted by JB
What is your definition of "world class"? If you mean a venue frequented by performers of the highest level (opera, ballet, symphonies) here is just a short list (it would take days for me to list them all).
Los Angeles Music Center (a 3 theater complex)
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Hollywood Bowl
Greek Theater
Orange County Center for the Performing Arts
Pasadena Civic
These are just a few that are within 10-60 minutes from my home. I only went to the theater once this summer in Moscow because it is so expensive and so difficult to get to the theaters. The tickets here are cheaper, can be bought on line or by phone, and going by car is faster and easier than metro or bus.
Ah, yes! Wasn't that where Lear was first performed? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by JB
Not likely, Lear was first performed long before Orange County Performing Arts Center was built. But this season's performers include;
Bolshoi Ballet
New York City Ballet
Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Salburg Chamber Soloists
Paris Piano Trio and Ysaye Quartet (chamber ensembles from France)
Anne Sofie Von Otter
To see the whole season just go to the theater's web site.
Mmm. Care to fill me in on the Hollywood Bowl's performance repertoire?
Ice Capades, perhaps?
I don't see how ones interest in Classics or performing arts and ballet makes them a better person. In the west it just makes them "snooty". Personally I would rather have a barbacue with some good friends than see the Bolshoi Ballet. Is it any different in Russia?
Different people, different choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by joysof
Oh, quite. Grist to the melting-pot.
DDT, liking ballet is not considered "snooty" by people in Russia or America. If you want other forms of theater or entertainment in either country there is plenty of things to choose from. As for BBQ in Russia we go to the forest or dacha for shashlik (or buy it at Solkoniki Park on Sunday afternoons)and in America (Southern California)we enjoy the BBQ by the pool (no health certificate required) or at the beach.
I've just had a BBQ in the rain - under an umbrella! Stop fighting guys - there are cultural experiences worth having in both countries.
I hate all those performing arts like ballerina's "ice" what have you's, and plays. I'd much rather smoke a bowl and stare at a tree!
Ой пришёл крутой ! он курит свой мозг насмерть. Молодец, ты сам показал нам вот, что да, ты и тормоз.Quote:
Originally Posted by smithnweson
Watch a ballet, watch a tree. At least with the ballet you could learn something.
learn what from a ballerina...grace!! there is so much to learn from trees, they are the ultimate oganism, you lack a basic understanding of abstraction Dogboy!!!