Thread: I'm going to Russia....

So, I'm going to Russia as an Exchange student for an entire year, and I need to type up a memo for my language preparations by the 17'th of this month for the man in charge of the program. I've been studying Russian for almost two years, but my Russian isn't that great. I can have small conversations, but my vocab isn't so wide. I was wondering what you guys would recommend as study material and how I should prepare.

Where are you going to stay? What city?

No idea untill April. I just know I'm going to Russia. I get my town/city around April, and my host family in July.

get some Russian movies with subtitles and study them! Get some of the Russian classics, that way you can understand a little bit about their culture too at the same time!

The man in charge of the program told me that I should get a book called "Culture Shock: Russia" because it's considered polite to study one's culture and try to live their culture. I am definately going to do that. I have a book on historic Russia from the beginning and whatnot. I might read it. It explains how Russia came about and the like.

[quote="Orpheus"because it's considered polite to study one's culture and try to live their culture.[/quote]

That is not how one uses the pronoun 'one'. Yes, learning about Russian history and culture is a good ideal although frankly I'm surprised someone who's been learning Russia for two years hasn't already done so.

I don't think the above really helped me much. Telling me that I used "one" wrong doesn't give me ideas on how to prepare for Russia. Not to be mean, but I found your reply sort of offensive.

Originally Posted by Orpheus

I don't think the above really helped me much. Telling me that I used "one" wrong doesn't give me ideas on how to prepare for Russia. Not to be mean, but I found your reply sort of offensive.

One should learn not to be "thin skinned" before one travels to Russia.

Incorrect English should be corrected here at MasterRussian for the benefit of our Russian members.

"thin skinned"

Я, конечно, прошу прощения, но what does that mean? O_o Is it some sort of idiom

Upd: Got it.
Yeah, you're too touchy. Well, Russia will fix ya

I simply think the intonation was extremely rude, being that I'm a native speaker. No one likes being told their speech is wrong, especially if it's blantly stated. It wouldn't sound offensive if you gave me feedback on my original post, and then told me I used "one" wrong, explaining how to use it correctly and finishing with a nice comment. If I use the "one" pronoun wrong, perhaps you should give me an English lesson on them. I understand that it's good for the Russians learning English, but it's of no help to them if you don't explain how to either of us.

It's the same concept as going out to a restraunt. You don't tell the waiter/waitress "Go fetch me a refill of drink, now!". You say ,"May I have a refill, please?"

Well, you have been here at MR long enough to know Тату. No one is saying he is not rude but he is entertaining!

Originally Posted by DDT

Originally Posted by Orpheus

I don't think the above really helped me much. Telling me that I used "one" wrong doesn't give me ideas on how to prepare for Russia. Not to be mean, but I found your reply sort of offensive.

One should learn not to be "thin skinned" before one travels to Russia.

Incorrect English should be corrected here at MasterRussian for the benefit of our Russian members.

Not to be thick skinned? Don't you mean "learn TO be thick skinned"?

Я, конечно, прошу прощения, но what does that mean? O_o Is it some sort of idiom

Значит, что кто-либо не оскорбляется легко.

Originally Posted by basurero

Originally Posted by DDT

Originally Posted by Orpheus

I don't think the above really helped me much. Telling me that I used "one" wrong doesn't give me ideas on how to prepare for Russia. Not to be mean, but I found your reply sort of offensive.

One should learn not to be "thin skinned" before one travels to Russia.

Incorrect English should be corrected here at MasterRussian for the benefit of our Russian members.

Not to be thick skinned? Don't you mean "learn TO be thick skinned"?

Polish your glasses, bassy... thin skinned is the opposite of thick skinned, at least outside New Zealand :P

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Originally Posted by basurero

Originally Posted by DDT

Originally Posted by Orpheus

I don't think the above really helped me much. Telling me that I used "one" wrong doesn't give me ideas on how to prepare for Russia. Not to be mean, but I found your reply sort of offensive.

One should learn not to be "thin skinned" before one travels to Russia.

Incorrect English should be corrected here at MasterRussian for the benefit of our Russian members.

Not to be thick skinned? Don't you mean "learn TO be thick skinned"?

Polish your glasses, bassy... thin skinned is the opposite of thick skinned, at least outside New Zealand :P

Ах! Что за фигня происходит с моим зрением?

Originally Posted by Orpheus

It's the same concept as going out to a restaraunt. You don't tell the waiter/waitress "Go fetch me a refill of drink, now!". You say ,"May I have a refill, please?"

That's how we say it, (with an "a" ) at least in places where peoples houses don't have wheels. eh eh!

Originally Posted by DDT

Originally Posted by Orpheus

It's the same concept as going out to a restaraunt. You don't tell the waiter/waitress "Go fetch me a refill of drink, now!". You say ,"May I have a refill, please?"

That's how we say it, (with an "a" ) at least in places where peoples houses don't have wheels. eh eh!

RestAUrant

Well OK but at least I had the wheels taken off my house when I moved in!

Originally Posted by basurero

Значит, что кто-либо не оскорбляется легко.

Кстати, в русском слово "толстокожий" тоже часто используется в этом смысле. Вот "тонкокожий" не говорят. Обычно говорят что-то в духе:
"Ути-пути, какие мы нежные!"

у нас тоже не говорят "тонкокожий", это выдумка ДДТ. Он у нас обладает богатое воображение

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Он у нас обладает богатым воображением