Thread: What don't you like about Russia?

People always say that they like your country, that it s beautiful when they visit it, but of course there are some things which people dont like, find shocking or strange(possibly you know such ones even if you werent in Russia?), but as we dont want to offend anybody we try not to mention such things during the conversation with native inhabitans...I am sure that russia is FAR away from ideal country, so...your bad impressions

Originally Posted by Артемида

I am sure that russia is FAR away from ideal country, so...your bad impressions

What country is an ideal? It's not a problem when country has some strange features, but I can say what I really hate.

1. Registration. No comment. One time I stayed at my friend's home (not in a hotel)--
2. Currency exchange. Now it's in the past but why I must show my passport to exchange hundred.
3. Traffic. Some drivers could easily drive over me even in pedestrian cross zone.

Aaaaaah, I take it you haven't read that lass Heather her Gedankenscheisse...

Corruption in the education system. Appalling. Can't talk about corruption in business, because I haven't been involved in any yet.

In fact everything I don't like about Russia probably relates to this one concept - 'trust'.

I agree about registration and visa bureaucracy in general - in particular, the fact that you have to register in every city you visit (well not exactly but anyway).
Also passport control at Sheremetyevo-2 - otherwise known as the 12th circle of hell.

There are plenty of other things but they're probably just niggles.

Waxwing,, did you notice, living in Russia, that in Russian buildings, no matter how many front doors it has, only one of them is opened? The rest is always locked.

Originally Posted by waxwing

Can't talk about corruption in business, because I haven't been involved in any yet.

It's everywhere!

Originally Posted by waxwing

Also passport control at Sheremetyevo-2 - otherwise known as the 12th circle of hell.

What happened with you at passport control!?

Passport control: for an inostranyets, it seems to take the clerks/officers or whatever approximately 1 minute to deal with each person - that's assuming there are no problems. It can be longer if there is an irregularity with the documents.
On a busy day, such as a Saturday in summer, they might (just might) have 5 officers working concurrently.
This results in horrendous queues in a hot, unpleasant environment. I waited 1.5 - 2 hours this Saturday.
I happen to know that this is not particularly unusual, it's happened to me before. The quickest I ever got through was in about 45 minutes (leaving is usually a bit quicker than coming in).
I've done a lot of travelling, and I don't think I ever encountered anything as bad as that. Maybe India, I don't really remember except the airport was damn hot there.

The main thing about Russian doors is just the sheer number of them. It's quite normal to have to go through 4 between the street and your apartment. That is really strange for an Englishman, who never has more than 2. 'Fort Knox' as we always used to say.

Originally Posted by waxwing

Passport control: for an inostranyets, it seems to take the clerks/officers or whatever approximately 1 minute to deal with each person - that's assuming there are no problems. It can be longer if there is an irregularity with the documents.
On a busy day, such as a Saturday in summer, they might (just might) have 5 officers working concurrently.
This results in horrendous queues in a hot, unpleasant environment. I waited 1.5 - 2 hours this Saturday.
I happen to know that this is not particularly unusual, it's happened to me before. The quickest I ever got through was in about 45 minutes (leaving is usually a bit quicker than coming in).
I've done a lot of travelling, and I don't think I ever encountered anything as bad as that. Maybe India, I don't really remember except the airport was damn hot there.

Only 1 minute for passport/visa control? This seems fast enough to me.
The problem looks more like too less controllers -- or, probably, too much visitors.

Originally Posted by waxwing

The main thing about Russian doors is just the sheer number of them. It's quite normal to have to go through 4 between the street and your apartment. That is really strange for an Englishman, who never has more than 2. 'Fort Knox' as we always used to say.

Hint: try comparing climate in England and Russia.

waxwing

Originally Posted by waxwing

Passport control: for an inostranyets, it seems to take the clerks/officers or whatever approximately 1 minute to deal with each person - that's assuming there are no problems. It can be longer if there is an irregularity with the documents.
On a busy day, such as a Saturday in summer, they might (just might) have 5 officers working concurrently.
This results in horrendous queues in a hot, unpleasant environment. I waited 1.5 - 2 hours this Saturday.
I happen to know that this is not particularly unusual, it's happened to me before. The quickest I ever got through was in about 45 minutes (leaving is usually a bit quicker than coming in).
I've done a lot of travelling, and I don't think I ever encountered anything as bad as that. Maybe India, I don't really remember except the airport was damn hot there.

This is a border, for crying out loud! It wasn't made for people to just sail across. It's our primary filter, the first bastion of natural selection - weed out all the weaklings before they infiltrate our streets say the Russian people. If you're not tough enough to wait for a few hours you're not fit to see the rest of Russia. Good things come to those who wait.

The main thing about Russian doors is just the sheer number of them. It's quite normal to have to go through 4 between the street and your apartment. That is really strange for an Englishman, who never has more than 2. 'Fort Knox' as we always used to say.

You love pirozhki, don't you? Especially those of the porky variety? Are you being paid for spreading lies about my country? I have never seen a place where I'd have to go through more than 2 doors in Russia in all my born days. To get home I need to go through 2 doors - one to enter the building and one to get into the flat. To get to the office I have to go through 1 door. Lies, lies, perpetual lies of an uncovered English mole.

My parents complain that russians are too rude, or cold, whatever. i see how they could see that, but im not complaining. In america u cant walk down the street without 50 strangers saying hello and asking you how you are doing, it get's anoying.

Actually with the one minute thing, it doesn't sound much but it is (+ it's true there really arent' enough people doing it concurrently). I think the difference is that in many other countries they're only checking your documents, whereas in Russia they're actively filling in forms (both paper and computer).
I've never been to the States and I'd be interested to know what it's like there nowadays with the new security measures post 911. I bet it's not fun, anyway.

With the doors, well VM, that's a bit sad really, you can do better..

And 'this is a border..'? Well that's why I compared it with experience in other countries...

Back to doors: yes, climate must be part of it, for example with the double doors in the podyezd .. but what's probably the real difference is that many people have double doors, sometimes reinforced with all sorts of things, at the actual entrance to their apartments. Anyone seen Bowling for Columbine, where he goes down the street in Canada and checks if all the doors are unlocked? Of course that wouldn't happen in London any more than it would in Moscow. Used to be like that in at least some parts of England, but no more sadly.

Secret Agent waxwing, licensed to spread propaganda about Russian doors

Originally Posted by waxwing

With the doors, well VM, that's a bit sad really, you can do better..

I don't believe it, I'm getting a dressing down from the Goering of Masterussian himself.

And 'this is a border..'? Well that's why I compared it with experience in other countries...

In other countries people like to lick the foreign visitor's posterior. We don't. We like to patience torture them. Before you enter the Cave of Wonders you must prove your worthiness.

Back to doors: yes, climate must be part of it

Climate? In bloody Stavropol? Now spreading lies about "Russian winters"? Sure, in Russia men have brass testicles because of their "cold winters". Male monkeys from "civilized" countries where the weather is kept under control through regular democratic elections, even if made entirely from brass, will still lose theirs in a matter of seconds.

for example with the double doors in the podyezd ..

Fffffwhat? Doors in the podyezd? And what the hell is a podyezd? If memory doesn't fail me "podyezd" is a stretch of road leading to a building. What doors can there be? You must be raving. "Doors" in fences are called "gates" or "qualitki" in Russian.

but what's probably the real difference is that many people have double doors, sometimes reinforced with all sorts of things, at the actual entrance to their apartments.

Hmm, I don't know anyone with a double door let alone a metal one. Are you sure you can tell an apartment from a bank? Or perhaps it was a prison cell? I used to live opposite prison, now I live opposite my home...

Secret Agent waxwing, licensed to spread propaganda about Russian doors

A seemingly innocent lie like that can easily damage my country's reputation. Therefore I will counter your every attempt at spreading them. It's amazing how my absense has made the usual anti-Russian sentiment endemic to this forum stronger than ever.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

for example with the double doors in the podyezd ..

Fffffwhat? Doors in the podyezd? And what the hell is a podyezd? If memory doesn't fail me "podyezd" is a stretch of road leading to a building.

I guess waxwing ment double doors in flat...well it s pure truth and it s evrywhere, at least in my house and in подъезд(i think this is not the way to the house it s the space inside of the house - лестничные площадки) we also have 2 doors - one is metal with a speacial code and then a usual wooden one - possibly it s strange , but terrorism and drunken бомжи - people are afraid of them, England is just lucky that you dont have Chechnya and level of life is higher...

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

My parents complain that russians are too rude, or cold, whatever

everyone? why?

Waxwing - entry into the US has grown more time consuming and aggravating since 9/11. There are often very long queues at immigration especially in Chicago. Woe betide you if you make any sort of joke or snide comment to the immigration officers or heaven forbid have something wrong with the form you've filled in on the plane. Transferring between terminals within airports is also time consuming because you move out of secure areas into general areas and then have to queue again to be checked - shoes off, pockets empty, jackets off etc and every fourth or so person is selected for a special check. I don't mind security measures - they should keep us all safe BUT terrorists will just find other ways to get bombs etc on planes.

The hassles I've had getting into Russia through SVO immigration control are nothing compared to the hassles my wife has had trying to get into the UK through Heathrow immigration control.

Originally Posted by Артемида

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

for example with the double doors in the podyezd ..

Fffffwhat? Doors in the podyezd? And what the hell is a podyezd? If memory doesn't fail me "podyezd" is a stretch of road leading to a building.

I guess waxwing ment double doors in flat...well it s pure truth

It is a darn lie and he ruddy well knows it.

and it s evrywhere, at least in my house

So if it's in your house, it's everywhere, right? Female logic at its best.

and in подъезд(i think this is not the way to the house it s the space inside of the house - лестничные площадки)

1. "подъезд" is what you drive along to get to a place - the name stems from the verb "подъезжать", that is "to drive to" a place, as in "они подъехали на бомбе" - "they rolled up in a BMW"
2. that what you're probably talking about is called "парадное", not "подъезд".

we also have 2 doors - one is metal with a speacial code and then a usual wooden one - possibly it s strange , but terrorism and drunken бомжи - people are afraid of them,

Pray tell me how such a door can stop a terrorist. Can you get to your flat? What makes you think someone hell-bent on carrying out his/her bloody act of terror can't?

England is just lucky that you dont have Chechnya

England has a lot to worry about. Watch some news on the telly for a change...

and level of life is higher...

God, naivity at its utmost. Do you seriously believe there are fewer бомжи in England? They have whole armies of them. Many even walk about with mean looking dogs in tow. And you will be amazed at the number of words they have for бомжи in English - dozens of terms with a lot of regional variation. By contrast we have very few words for бомж in Russian.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

My parents complain that russians are too rude, or cold, whatever

That is true. Of all silly generalizations this isn't such a silly one. We are very rude indeed. Look at me - am I a nice guy? Hell no. Can you remember a single occassion when I was polite to someone on this board? All you get from me is negativism and rude personal attacks. We're are like that. Dismissed, private.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

and in подъезд(i think this is not the way to the house it s the space inside of the house - лестничные площадки)

1. "подъезд" is what you drive along to get to a place - the name stems from the verb "подъезжать", that is "to drive to" a place, as in "они подъехали на бомбе" - "they rolled up in a BMW"

That's not the only meaning, what Артемида wrote is also right.
http://mega.km.ru/ojigov/encyclop.asp?T ... 7%E4#srch0
For example, the following phrases are pretty common (in Moscow):
Чтобы переждать дождь мы зашли в ближайший подъезд.
В подъезде тусовалась молодёжь.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

Originally Posted by waxwing

With the doors, well VM, that's a bit sad really, you can do better..

I don't believe it, I'm getting a dressing down from the Goering of Masterussian himself.

And 'this is a border..'? Well that's why I compared it with experience in other countries...

In other countries people like to lick the foreign visitor's posterior. We don't. We like to patience torture them. Before you enter the Cave of Wonders you must prove your worthiness.

OK, I retract my former statement about poor form, you're clearly in fine fettle.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

Back to doors: yes, climate must be part of it

Climate? In bloody Stavropol?

My experience runs to three cities actually, the others being Moscow and Izhevsk. Oh and Pyatigorsk, but that don't really count, one night

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

Now spreading lies about "Russian winters"? Sure, in Russia men have brass testicles because of their "cold winters". Male monkeys from "civilized" countries where the weather is kept under control through regular democratic elections, even if made entirely from brass, will still lose theirs in a matter of seconds.

<Applause> . Stark staring mad, but very creative.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

for example with the double doors in the podyezd ..

Fffffwhat? Doors in the podyezd? And what the hell is a podyezd? If memory doesn't fail me "podyezd" is a stretch of road leading to a building. What doors can there be? You must be raving. "Doors" in fences are called "gates" or "qualitki" in Russian.

[quote:2s4m4psk]but what's probably the real difference is that many people have double doors, sometimes reinforced with all sorts of things, at the actual entrance to their apartments.

Hmm, I don't know anyone with a double door let alone a metal one. Are you sure you can tell an apartment from a bank? Or perhaps it was a prison cell? I used to live opposite prison, now I live opposite my home...
[/quote:2s4m4psk]
Hehe that was also very good that bit about the prison, but tell me what on earth did you mean about 'now I live opposite my home'

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

Secret Agent waxwing, licensed to spread propaganda about Russian doors

A seemingly innocent lie like that can easily damage my country's reputation. Therefore I will counter your every attempt at spreading them. It's amazing how my absense has made the usual anti-Russian sentiment endemic to this forum stronger than ever.

Well I can only wish you well on your heroic crusade against windmills.. sorry I mean err lies or err what was it you were against?

Originally Posted by waxwing

Hehe that was also very good that bit about the prison, but tell me what on earth did you mean about 'now I live opposite my home'

Maybe this Russian variant will help: Вы слышали об Иванове, который жил напротив тюрьмы? Теперь он живёт напротив своего дома.

I don't know exactly where that mistake about 'podyezd' got into my head. Sure, VM, I can understand that logically it must mean something like 'driveway' (?) because of the yezd bit. I think I even remember seeing a sign on a driveway of some sort into a business complex. But after the discussion I still don't quite understand. What would you call the main doors entering into the korpus/apartment block? Not just двери, surely?

And to scotcher: I expected someone to bring that up. I can well believe it, I was just comparing passport control specifically with that in other countries, for me as a UK citizen (South America, the sub continent, south east asia - even eastern europe before the EU admission - as far as I can remember, it's the worst I've ever experienced. I don't blame the people who work there - they work damn hard and it's a thankless task...)