Winston’s Advice Articles On Traveling and Dating in Russia

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

Hello.  My name is Winston.  I have been in Russia 2 times, spent a total of 6 months spent there, been to 9 cities, met hundreds of people, and dated many women there.  Based on my first-hand experiences, lessons, observations, and advice from others along the way, I would like to share some tips regarding traveling in Russia, its culture, and dating its women.  Keep in mind though, that none of these rules are absolute, and only meant as general guidelines to consider.  Oftentimes, you still have to just go with the flow.  I hope you find this information helpful.  If you have any questions or comments, my email is WWu777@aol.com.  Thanks and enjoy!

 

 

Winston's How-To Guide for Traveling in Russia

 

 

Contents

Crash course in getting around your first time in Russia

Communicating

Customer service - what to expect and what not to expect

Hotels

Taxis

Taxis at the airport

Riding the bus or metro

Traveling on long-distance overnight trains

Arranging accommodations and transportation through marriage or adoption agencies

Ordering in cafes and restaurants

Dealing with police or militia

Carrying cash and other valuables

Bringing your own medicine

Hospitals

Laundry

Public restrooms

Packing

Showering without hot water

Getting a haircut

Visas

Budget traveling in Moscow

Cultural differences in spending and saving money

Meeting people

Calling Russia from abroad

(Introducing Winston's calling card shop!)

Getting used to a new image and status level

 

 

Crash course in getting around your first time in Russia

 

The first two words you need to learn in Russian, which you'll be using the most often, are "Gdeh?" (Where?) and "Skolkah?" (How much?)  If you just know those two simple words, you will already be in good shape to get around places and buy things or pay for things.

 

If this is your first time in Russia and you hardly speak any Russian, you are apt to be nervous and confused about getting around.  Don't worry though, it's easier than you think, especially when there's always people around, even in small cities, to ask for help.  Here's some tips.  Unless you can pronounce your destination name or address in Russian correctly, you should ask your hotel receptionist, guide, translator, friend or any English speaking Russian person, to write it down for you on paper to carry with you.  Or else take the brochure with your destination on it.  Also, remember to bring the information of your return destination too.  (Usually, the hotel entrance card you get after registering in will do the trick, since it usually has the hotel address on it.) 

 

When you need to find something or are lost, you just ask people around "Gdeh (name of place)?" (Where is ..... ) or if your destination is written on a paper or brochure, show it to them after saying "Gdeh?" and they will point you in the right direction.  Often, it's not enough to just be pointed in one direction because your destination may require turns, which would be difficult for you to understand and them to explain.  Therefore, a good idea is to walk a few blocks in the direction you are pointed in, and then stop and ask someone else so you know whether to continue in the same direction, make a turn, or walk back to take a turn you missed.  If you follow this method, little by little, you will find where you need to go.  It works very well. 

 

Also, "Skolkah?" (How much?) or "Skolkah stoit?" (How much is the price?) is the other one you'll always be using as well for when you pay for things like taxis, buses, metros, hotels, groceries, souvenirs, and other costs, etc.  If you didn't learn the numbers in Russian before you arrived, just ask the person to write down the price for you, or give him a pen and notepad.  That will do the task.

 

Finally, after asking people for help or buying something, you should thank them by saying "Spashiba" (Thank you) or if you're feeling very pleased, say "Spashiba bolshoy" (Thank you very much). 

 

 

Communicating

 

Here is where the skills of those who are resourceful or creative come in handy.  Communicating with people who don't speak English can be fun sometimes and frustrating at other times.  (It's fun when you're trying to get to know someone you like, but not so fun when you are trying to describe a problem, solve a dispute, or ask for your money back)  Most people will have a lot of trouble even attempting to communicate here.  Like most people, you will probably arrive in Russia with some phrasebooks and pocket dictionaries.  However, I have found that something helps you a lot more - electronic translators.  If you get them in the US, they are very expensive of course, but you can get some cheap efficient ones in Russia at department stores.  Look for a section that sells electronics and ask to see them.  They usually start at a thousand roubles and up depending on their vocabulary size and features.  The ones that dictate words through a speaker though, are much more expensive. 

 

The one I got says "Brilliant 2000" on it and only cost 1100 roubles (about 40 dollars) but works like a charm.  It is simple, easy to use, and has a vast vocabulary range that will do what you need.  In addition, it also has a simple Russian to English translation feature too, that will allow the person you're talking with to translate what they want to say back to you.  And it's small and thin enough to put into the inside of your coat jacket.  However, since it only translates one word at a time, you have to be a little creative in finding ways to get across a meaning.  And as you might expect, some will be better at deducing what you're trying to say than others.

 

You will find that it also helps a lot to pay attention to facial expressions, when you can't understand what the person is saying.  The facial expressions often give clues, for example if someone shrugs, has a puzzled look on his face and says "Niez nayu" you can deduce that he means "I don't know."  With practice, you will learn to read these facial expressions.  Also, if you have trouble getting something across, it often helps if you use analogies or examples to illustrate your point.  It takes some practice to be good at that, and even then, you can only explain simpler things, not complex things.

 

Communication skills are something you have to practice or be resourceful with so not everyone will be good at it.  If it helps you can just hire a translator or guide, but that would often cost a lot.  Fortunately, I've always been talented in games like Pictionary, Charades, or Scrabble type games, so I've been able to use that to enhance my communication skills.  For people like me, translators are often unnecessary.  But for others, they may help a lot in making things more comfortable and easy to deal with.  So if you need it and can afford it, I'd say go ahead and get a translator.  However, I should tell you that the translators working for marriage agencies tend to be more expensive than independent ones or city tour guides.

 

Whatever the case, when speaking English in Russia, do not speak your normal fluent English, even with English-speaking Russians.  Instead, speak slower and more carefully than you normally do, and avoid slang such as "how come?".  Talk as clearly and simply as you would with a little child.

 

 

Customer service - what to expect and what not to expect

 

Before you go to Russia, you must first drop the notions you have in the US of "excellent customer service to please the customer" or "the customer is always right" type of philosophies.  That way is not the norm in Russia, and for many Americans, this comes as the first culture shock.  If you're a Westerner, one of the first things you'll notice about Russia is that the service seem rude, cold or apathetic, and don't seem to care to try to please you.  The truth is, outside of luxurious 5 star hotels, customer service in Russia is unlike anything in the states.  Russian businesses usually go by the book on everything, even if it involves small trivial things.  Rarely will they go out of their way to do something extra for you.  You usually have to pay for every little thing, even for butter, ketchup, or sometimes sugar cubes.  Even if the staff wanted to be generous to you, often they can't because their bosses are very strict and stingy, and wouldn't allow it.  The staff would be scolded, reprimanded or fired if they didn't do everything that way, even to please a customer.   That's the mentality most Russian business owners have.  Therefore, don't expect that customer service people will bend any rules to please you.  It happens occasionally, but most of the time, it won't.

 

Also, in disputes, the customer is not always right like in the states.  In fact, the customer is almost always wrong.  Even if the staff or business messes up on something, they will not take any losses for it.  Instead, you would have to take the loss for it.   And if both of you are at fault, such as due to miscommunication, then you most definitely would have to take the loss, not them.  Often, it is not worth it to argue with them about it, unless it has to do with a great sum of money. 

 

Therefore, when these kind of things happen, try not to take it personally or get offended.  It's not happening because they don't like you, nor are they trying to give you a bad time.  It's just how they do business over there.  And that's nothing personal.  In fact, many of these workers are much more friendly, lively, and free-spirited once they are off work. (It is a cultural quirk that is inverse to the states, where people are friendlier at work when they are paid to be than off work when they don't have to be)

 

Remember that this is not America, and that Russians do not have the same concept of fairness and justice that we do.  In fact, besides this issue, many of the pros and cons you are used to in America are reversed in Russia.  There are way too many for me to list, of course, but finding these things out is one of the fascinations of being there, because you learn something new everyday.  So even in the bad times, try to see the positive in it. (And if you think they have it bad there, just remember that they don't have to deal with health insurance, car insurance, or mortgages like we do, which makes them a lot more stress-free and less likely to "lose it".  I told you the pros and cons were reversed :)) 

 

In addition, things in general are just not as efficient as in America, so don't expect them to be.  When something goes wrong, people there usually just shrug or laugh and say "It's Russia" because they are so used to such bureacracies and inefficiencies that they have learned to not take things too seriously anymore.   That's the mentality there, and part of what makes people so free-spirited and playful over there.

 

 

Hotels

 

In almost any Russian hotel, there is a tight security system as follows.  Each floor has a concierge lady, dressed like a maid, who guards and manages her assigned floor.  After paying for your room, she takes your receipt and hands you the key to your room.  When you are leaving, you are supposed to leave her the key, while she gives you a hotel pass for you to carry on you.  This pass lets the doorman know that you are a resident there before letting you up again.  All this may seem like control-tight security to a first time Westerner in Russia, since our hotels are not so closely guarded and controlled.  But it has its advantages in keeping you safe.

 

Regarding the floor concierges, they usually have 24 hour shifts, and not only take and give you your key, but also changes your sheets, bring you hot boiling water for your coffee or instant noodles, and may do your laundry for a negotiated price.  Keep in mind though, that in the cheaper hotels, the concierge ladies may be much more grouchy and unpleasant, giving you dirty looks and looking for excuses to scold you all the time.  But don't take that personally, as they are way overworked and underpaid, especially in the cheap hotels.  And furthermore, I hear their bosses treat them like crap too.

 

As in any big city, the further from city center you go, the less expensive the hotels are.  (Sometimes, 10 - 15 minutes further down can mean the difference between hundreds of dollars!)  This is true, of course in Moscow as well.  If you look at the metro map of Moscow, you will see many metro lines crossed by a circle line around the center (known as brown line # 5).  The hotels within that circle are SUPER expensive, and can start at 200 dollars or more. (The only exception I know of is the Rossia, the biggest hotel in all of Russia, located right next to the Kremlin Red Square.  They sometimes have rooms for 50 dollars.)  Outside of that ring, the prices go down to as low as 50 - 30 dollars.  Or if you don't mind dorm style accommodations, you can also opt for youth hostels.  There are plenty of them in Moscow and St. Petersburg (email me for a list of them if you need them). 

 

A nice inexpensive hotel complex in Moscow that I know of is called "Izmailovsky".  It is a complex of about 5 hotels situated in a plaza, located right off metro station "Izmailovsky Park" (on the dark blue line in the northeast corner of the metro map).  I recommend it because it has some features and advantages.  First of all, you can usually get a suite for two for about 30 dollars.  Second, since there are 5 hotels in the complex, you can almost always get a room somewhere.  Third, it has complete amenities and services.

 

Now here's another secret.  There are also what are called "hidden hotels" in Moscow that only Russians know about and go to, which don't seem to advertise to foreigners (don't ask me why) though you can stay in them.  They can vary in quality, but are fairly inexpensive even if located near city center.  Here's one I know that is close to city center.  I don't know the name of it, but it's situated in the same building as the famous Traveler's Guest House youth hostel, located near metro stations Prospect Mira and Rizansky Prospect. (see www.hostels.com for exact address or email me for directions)  In fact, almost all the youth hostels in Moscow are situated inside these unknown hidden hotels because they rent floors from them.  Therefore, if the staff of the hidden hotel don't speak English, you can always get the receptionist of the youth hostel (they are required to speak very good English to work there) to help you.  Anyway, this hotel is fairly close to city center, but get this.  The rooms you rent there are actually two rooms adjacent to each other by your own private bathroom hallway!  One is a bedroom, and the other a living room.  However, the couch in the living room folds out into a bed.  This means that it can accommodate up to four people, for the price of a single room!  And at 30 dollars, that's a steal! 

 

This would also be a good option if you are staying with a woman you're seeing who is not comfortable or ready to sleep in the same room with you yet, as it saves you from having to pay for two separate hotel rooms.

 

If you are bringing a guest or woman to your room who isn't registered to stay there, that person has to sign in with the doorman security.  Usually, there is a curfew at which time they must leave.  Otherwise, the guest can stay longer if a fee is given to the doorman. 

 

Now for something a little shady.  It's something to do if your girl dumps you, or you are feeling depressed or bored, and you want to do something besides drink the blues away.  Almost every hotel in Russia or Ukraine has "call girl" services.  You can ask the doorman for it, or if you walk around the hotel lobby for a while looking bored, they will usually offer it to you.  How it works is that the security doorman will ask you to go to your room, then he makes a phone call.  In a short while, there will be a knock on your door and you will have several women in a line-up for you to choose from (kind of like it is in the Nevada cathouses).  I don't know where these girls come from exactly, some might live in the hotel while others have a driver who shuttles them over.  After choosing the girl you want, another girl usually takes the fee, which is usually only between 500-700 roubles (about $15-20) per hour if you're not in Moscow or St. Petersburg (otherwise, it's considerably higher in those cities) and leaves, giving the hotel its cut.  Discounted rates for all-night are also available.  Usually, safe sex is a requirement and the girl will have condoms for you to use.  When your time is up, one of her colleagues will knock at the door or call your room.  All of this is perfectly legal though, so don't worry about getting in trouble with law enforcement.

 

You can find information for hotels in any Russian city online.  However, the ones that advertise online are usually the most expensive ones.  To find less expensive ones, you would have to rely on word-of-mouth, local people, or asking the taxi drivers there. 

 

 

Taxis

 

In Russia, there are two types of taxis.  The official ones are unmistakable, and then there's unmarked "gypsy" ones, which can be private taxis or just drivers deciding to stop on a whim to make some extra money.  If you are new to Russia, you may be tempted to fear the unmarked cabs because you were always taught never to get into a car with a stranger like that.  However, understand that using them is normal and considered basically safe in this country.  The unmarked gypsy cabs also tend to give you lower prices (they don't have overhead and middlemen costs like the official ones do) and are more open to bargaining.  Just make sure that the driver is alone.  It is recommended by most travel guides that if you are alone, do not get into an unmarked cab that has two or more people inside, or else your safety could be jeopardized.  Also, using unmarked cabs is especially more risky for women, as they are a more likely target for predators, so they may consider opting out of this option if they are alone and don't feel confident.

 

Here is the standard way to hail a cab in Russia.  Just stand on a street with moving traffic, and hold your arm out about waist length with your open palm facing down.  If you're looking for a gypsy cab, just do this until one stops.  If you only want an official cab, just wait until you see one before hailing it.  If you're staying in a hotel, you can ask the receptionist to call a cab for you, but it will be more expensive than if you hail one on the street. (they will tell you that their cab services are safer though, since they have a vested interest in doing so)

 

In most cities outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg, they are very inexpensive, costing between 50 and 70 roubles per ride.  You can expect this far to be consistent there.  However, in Moscow (and St. Petersburg is getting up there too) the taxis can cost anywhere between 70 roubles and 1000 roubles or more, depending on the distance of your destination, the traffic, what the driver feels like quoting you, how greedy he is, etc.  Therefore, taxi rates in Moscow are VERY variable and unpredictable.  That is why it requires bargaining skills to ride taxis in Moscow.  It's simply a must, unless you are so rich that it's not an issue for you.  Normally, it's best to take the metro, since it's cheap and doesn't always take longer than a taxi (the reason is because the heavy traffic in Moscow sometimes slows the taxis down to being not much faster than the metro).  And you'll find that it's the case in Moscow, that getting anywhere takes a long time.  It's inescapable and something you have to accept when you're there. 

 

But if you find yourself in a situation where you have to take a taxi there (such as if the metro is closed after midnight, your legs are too tired to walk, you're with a girl wearing high heels, you have heavy luggage with you, etc.), here is what you need to do.  After hailing a cab, if you can't pronounce your destination and street name in Russian, have someone write it on a piece of paper for you, or show them the card/brochure with your destination on it, and then ask the driver "skolkah" (how much) or "skolkah stoit" (how much is the price).  Seeing that you are a foreigner, the driver will usually give a higher than normal price, such as 500 roubles. (Most of them know how to quote prices in English)  Then you counter with a low price and offer 100 roubles.  Usually they will say no way.  So you work your way up and offer 200 roubles next, and so forth.  Usually, they will cut it down a bit for you.  If not, then just say thank you "spashiba" and then close the door, and hail another one.  Usually, within three tries, you will find one that is decently priced.  If not, then perhaps your destination is far away enough that it requires a higher fare.  Oh and if he can't quote prices in English or you in Russian, just use a notepad and pen to write the numbers to show each other. 

 

Also, when getting off a train station, avoid the hustling taxi drivers trying to offer you a ride.  They are usually very shady and attempt to quote you prices way above the standard, hoping that you don't know any better.  Many have quoted me 20 dollars at first, for a 3 minute ride, hoping that I didn't know it was only 3 minutes away, to which I laughed in response.  Be warned though, they are very insistent, but don't give in.  Instead, if you need a taxi, go to the street and hail one down.  Or, if you're like me, avoid the hassle and try to use the metro or bus if it's convenient for you and your luggage is light.  Outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg though, taxis are relatively inexpensive, so you can use them more often.

 

Now here is where the dilemma comes in.  If you are with a Russian woman, it looks bad to her, even if she is a nice good person, to be bargaining with the taxi driver in front of her.  Not only do men need to appear generous in front of a Russian lady, but they need to appear not concerned about money, regardless of whether they are rich or poor.  And it embarrasses some Russian ladies to be next to a guy who is bargaining.  Therefore, if a driver attempts to scam you, then you are caught between a rock and a hard place.  On the one hand, the driver is giving you an inflated price because you are a foreigner with extra cash to spare for them.  But you can't defend yourself against it because it looks bad to the Russian lady with you.  So what do you?  It's not an easy dilemma to resolve.  But here's what I would try.  Don't have the Russian lady talk to the driver first (although it's tempting to just let her tell him the destination).  Instead, you tell or show the driver your destination, asking your woman's help if needed, and then negotiate from there, but be quick about it.  If you don't take too long, it won't look as bad to her.  That's all I can say.

 

Oh and one more thing.  Most Russian women are accustomed to walking and have strong feet (some even have blisters and veins on their feet to show for it :)).  They are accustomed to taking buses, trolley, minivan buses, or metros and therefore won't have a problem with it.  But there are a few though, who are too lazy to walk, ride buses or take the metro, and think they are princesses who deserve the high class treatment of riding taxis.  In this case, you will have to make a decision as to whether you want to pay the price of keeping her, and if she's worth it.  Normally, it's best to use both forms of transportation.  For example, using buses and metros in the day when there's time to walk and sightsee, and using taxis at night after a long day when both of you are tired.  However, there are some women who will ONLY ride taxis, and they are usually the same ones who like to order wine all the time too.  That's when you have to make a judgment call about whether you want to expend the resources to keep someone like that or not.  If you're not on a budget and are only there for a week or two, then it may not matter to you.  Otherwise, it's another story.

 

 

Taxis at the airport

 

Most people who fly to Russia are probably either arriving at the airport in Moscow or St. Petersburg.  If you land there, keep something in mind.  The taxi drivers outside who are waiting to hound you, are not standard taxis.  They are monopolized by some company or mafia group, and will charge you at least 40 dollars and up to get you somewhere.  You will also find them incredibly pushy and aggressive in getting you to ride with them.  My advice is not to take them because they will rip you off (and in worse ways than the ones at the train station).  Instead, you can easily take a bus into town that will get you to a metro station that will get you to where you need to go (and if not, you can just take a regular taxi from there the rest of the way).  However, the problem comes when you arrive at the airport at 11pm or midnight, because that's about when the city bus service from the airport stops.  In that case, you could be forced to take one of those rip-off taxis or sleep in the airport waiting area until morning, neither of which are nice prospects.  Therefore, if you know your flight will arrive after 11pm, it's best to arrange some kind of pickup on your own.  If no one you know is able to pick you up, many hotels and even youth hostels have airport pickup services that will cost about 20 or 25 dollars.

 

 

Riding the bus or metro

 

If you're on a budget like me, you may find yourself taking buses and metros.  They are much cheaper than taxis, very inexpensive, and sure beats walking.  In almost any Russian decent sized city, the bus system is very comprehensive and frequent, and will get you to near almost any place.  The fare is usually between 5 and 7 roubles per way, and students with a pass get on for free.  During commute hours, you may find yourself packed tightly with too many people and no breathing space.

 

If you are new to Russia, here are some tips for learning to get around on buses.  Again, as in the suggestion for riding taxis, have your destination name or bus stop name written down on a piece of paper or brochure.  There are two ways you can do this.  One is to show your destination to the bus driver, and then use some pantomime signals (by either pointing to your ear or mouth) to tell him to alert you when they reach your stop.  Not all drivers will be able to understand you, but the ones that do are usually very reliable in remembering to alert you for your stop.  The other more easier way is to ask a person on the bus to alert you when your stop approaches.  Or they can tell you how many stops it will be before you get off.  It's best to approach a younger person for help with this, since they are more likely to know some English.  Then thank them by saying "Spashiba bolshoy".  If you find that you just missed your stop, go up to the bus driver and say to him "Astanovka pajalst" (stop please or next stop please).

 

When you get on the bus, a ticket taker lady will usually approach you to collect the fare and issue you a thin paper ticket.  On some buses though, there is no ticket taker and they use the honor system to collect your fares.  You are expected to go to the front of the bus and give the driver the fare.  But of course, many do not do that and simply enter and exit from the back of the bus.  Also, during commute hours when buses are so packed that you can't move around, the ticket lady may not come to you to collect the fare.  In that case, you can just get off without paying, cause there will be no way for you to do so.  But be warned though, in some cities (such as Novgorod) they have a rule that if you forget to pay the ticket lady, she is allowed to fine you for 50 roubles as a late penalty fee.  Sometimes, they may purposely not collect from you at first so that they can have an excuse to fine you, especially if you are a foreigner, in order to squeeze some extra cash from you.

 

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can take the metro subway system, which will get you to within walking distance of most places and main streets, though sometimes you may have to take a transfer bus from the station to your destination.  The last time I was there, the fare was 7 roubles per way, but if you buy them in bulk quantity (with credits on a metro card in Moscow and tokens in St. Petersburg) the price goes down.  For example, if you buy 10 credits at once, the price drops to 5 roubles per way, or 50 roubles total.  When you're at the ticket window to buy the credits to the metro, you can just use your fingers to indicate how many credits you want to buy and put the cash under the window.  She will give you your change and the metro card or tokens.  It's best to learn how to say numbers in Russian though, in case you are buying more than ten credits.  I would suggest buying at least ten credits each time though, since they are so cheap and it saves time to not have to stand in line each time you ride the metro.

 

At first glance of the metro map, especially at the one of Moscow, it can look intimidating and you may fear getting lost in a maze.  But don't worry, it's easier than it looks.  The Moscow metro, in fact, is claimed to be the most efficient system in the world.  Your hotel or travel guide may have a metro map for you.  If not, it is best to get a wallet sized copy of it to have ready, which is easily obtainable in stores around the area.  Or, you can just print one out at these online links.

 

Moscow metro map:

http://www.hotels-moscow.ru/metro.html

 

St. Petersburg metro map:

http://www.hotels-moscow.ru/spb/metro.html

 

When you need to, you can pull it out and ask people for help by pointing to your destination station.  The beauty of the metro is that there is never a shortage of people around to ask for help.  And again, try asking a young person because they are more likely to know some English. 

 

(It is best to be get acquainted with the Russian alphabet first, so you can read the metro signs in Russian.  You can get acquainted with the whole Russian alphabet in two hours by going here:  http://langintro.com/rintro/null.htm  The lessons you go through there acquaint you almost effortlessly.)

 

With the metro, use a similar strategy to riding the bus.  When you descend the long escalator into the metro station, you will first have to decide whether to take the train on the left or right.  Look at the signs above.  They list the names of the stops in both directions in Russian.  Look for your destination station name on your piece of paper or brochure, and find the matching one on the signs to know which train to take.  If you're lucky, it will be on the same line.  If not, you will have to transfer lines to get to it.  If you don't already know the station you're at, look at your metro map card to find it, then your destination station, and then plot a course using a transfer route to get there.  If you need to transfer lines, focus on the transfer station between the line you're on and the line you need to transfer to.  (Note:  Although your metro map may have the names of the stations also written in English and Russian, the metro signs will only have them written in Russian, sorry :))  Then follow the arrows on the signs and take the train heading in that direction. 

 

Onboard the train, you will usually find a copy of the metro map along the wall.  Stay near that map, and count the number of stops to your destination or station.  Pay attention each time the train stops, so you will know how much further it is to go.  At this point, if you learned the Russian alphabet, it will come in handy because you can listen to the intercom which announces each station as it stops, to gauge where you're at on the map.  Listen for these words at each stop "Stanzai ....... (station name at this stop).  Sleduchei stanzai (Next station is......)"  If you get confused or lose track of which station you're at, ask someone nearby.  Point to the station currently outside, and then the map and say "Gdeh?" (where?) or "Stanzai zavut?" (station name?) 

 

By the way, if you're boarding or leaving a train, and you hear the words "Asteroznah divi zakravaitsa" then hurry up because it is cautioning you that the doors are about to close!  If you hear this and you're still outside the train, you may start pushing the crowd in front of you a little to hurry up and get in.  It is common practice in Russian metros for people to push their way in before the doors close, as long as they do it gently and firmly.  Otherwise, the doors could close in on your body, which can be unpleasant.  Believe me, it's happened to me before.

 

If you arrive at your transfer station, you will now need to look for which direction to walk in to get to your transfer line.  You can do that by looking for the color of your transfer line, however that may be a bit tricky in Moscow because the color shades of the metro lines are not consistent and may confuse you.  In the St. Petersburg metro though, the metro line colors are more consistent.  Therefore, I would suggest looking for the metro line number instead, which is much more reliable.  You will see the line numbers on your metro map.  For instance, the brown ring line that goes around the center of the Moscow Metro is labeled as line # 5.  The signs above will show you the colors and numbers of the various transfer lines you can go to.  Follow the arrow to your transfer line.  Be prepared for a long walk through tunnels and stairs.  And if you get lost, just ask people around for help, especially a young person.  When you get to the other line, follow the same strategy as before to find the direction of the train that you should take.

 

This might all seem a bit tedious at first, but don't worry, it gets a lot easier with practice.  You don't need to be brilliant to figure it out, you just have to pay attention.  And when in doubt, it's best to ask someone near you for help, otherwise you could waste a lot of time being lost.  Even if they don't speak English, they will try their best to help you.  Remember that in Russia, people are not so individualistic or stuck on privacy like in the West, so it is ok to directly approach a stranger for help.  So don't be shy or too proud to ask for help. 

 

Finally, here's some warnings to keep in mind.  Beware of pick pocketers in the metro station.  They tend to lurk where it is most crowded.  For example, in St. Petersburg, at the transfer station from the red line to Nevsky Prospect station, which is at the heart of the city center, there is a train door where tourists commonly pass through.  The pick pocketers know this and hang out there, hoping to catch foreigners with cash and valuables on them.  I had my bags unzipped there before, and paper pulled out my back pocket as well.  So it's best to have your cash and valuables either in your front pockets, secure pockets, or passport protection belts tucked inside your shirt (see the section on Carry cash and other valuables).  Avoid putting your wallet or cash in your back pocket. 

 

Although the St. Petersburg metro entrance gates utilize a nice round carousel structure that you just push and turn, the Moscow ones are quite different.  There, you have to slide in your metro card, take it out, wait for the green light to appear, and then walk through.  Now here's what to watch out for.  If you forget to take out your metro card when it pops up and try to walk through the gate, the barrier gates imbedded in side slots will spring out in front of you.  Many new people to Moscow, both Russians as well as foreigners, make the mistake of forgetting to take their card back out.  Remember that you always have to take the card back out, even if you've just finished the last credit on it, to activate the green light that lets you go through.  It is not like the subway system in San Francisco, for example, that eats up your last ticket if there's no more money left on it.  People can easily confuse that kind of system with the Moscow one. 

 

Now, if the barrier gates spring out in front of you, all you will get is a little shock or surprise.  However, if you're walking too fast through it, it can actually nab you in the sides.  Ouch!  Some guys at my hostel have told me that when they were nabbed by these gates, that it seemed that it was aimed at their crotch area, which was very unpleasant.  (I guess the powers that run the Moscow metro system like to use fear to condition people to obey laws?)  Fortunately, I haven't experienced that, only the shock of having them spring in front of me when I was new.  The point is, it's best to walk through those gates at a normal pace, so that even if you do everything correctly, if there's some case of malfunction, you don't get nabbed in the sides by these barrier gates.  I've noticed two types of barrier gates.  One type looks like old plastic or wooden boards that spring out firmly, but wouldn't hurt as much if you got caught between them.  The other kind though, which are made of crude metal and spring out in a triangle shape, are the ones that can hurt if you get nabbed in the body by them.

 

 

Traveling on long-distance overnight trains

 

Unless you're rich enough to be taking planes everywhere, trains are one of the joys of traveling in Russia.  They are both cheap and efficient.  They are reliable and timely, and unlike Amtrak, they are extremely inexpensive.  An overnight trip that goes for 10 hours usually costs about 10 dollars or 300 roubles for the "placard" class wagons which have open door bunks sections.  The higher class "kupei" wagons on the other hand, have closed sliding door bunk sections and can cost up to double in price.  If you can, get the kupei class wagons, especially for longer rides.  There are several advantages to them.  They have cleaner living quarters and hallways, more comfortable beds, cleaner bathrooms that are NOT locked up during sanitation stop zones (a huge inconvenience in the placard wagon if you really have to go!), food service carts that are wheeled to you, and close proximity to the restaurant wagon (about one or two wagons away, whereas if you are in placard, you may have to cross up to 9 or 10 wagons to get to it!)

 

The kupei wagon is usually several hundred roubles more in price.  However, it is well worth it.  The ticket lady at the train station will usually quote you one price for placard and another for kupei.  But sometimes, if you ask, you can get a lower price kupei seat at the same quality as the standard price.  I don't know how they do it.  But the ticket lady seems to have the power to fudge the prices a little if you ask her to. (But again, don't do it if you're with a Russian lady you're trying to impress :))

 

Regarding purchasing train tickets at the station, here are some tips.  First of all, check with your hotel because sometimes they will have a ticket office for the train.  There may have a little fee for booking through there, but it's well worth it because it saves you the hassle of going all the way to the station and back, which can take up to a few hours with the long walks and lines. 

 

Otherwise, if you can't speak Russian or aren't going to the station ticket office with a Russian person, have someone write the name of your destination city on a piece of paper, the train class you want, and the day you want to depart.  After showing this information to the lady, she will usually write the price in roubles for you on a piece of paper.  When you pay, she will then print out a beige colored ticket with information on it.  If this is new to you, you will need to bring this ticket to an English speaking Russian person to explain what each of the numbers on the ticket mean.  Once you get familiar with that, you will be able to read it yourself.  On the other hand, if you didn't go prepared and have to wing it, here is what I suggest.  Try your best to pronounce the name of the city you're going to (If it's Moscow or St. Petersburg, you should have no problem :)) or write it on a piece of paper.  Then write the date you want to leave (remember to write the date in their format of day/month/year, and not in ours!) and then say either "placard" or "kupei" class, followed by "skolkah stoit?" (how much is the price?)

 

If after you do these things, you still have trouble, then don't worry.  At the ticket lines, there are likely to be many people in line.  The odds are extremely high that someone there speaks English.  Just ask for help, and don't be shy about it.  Remember that Russians are not hung up on privacy and space from strangers like we are in the West.  People will not be defensive if you approach them directly.  Walk around and ask who speaks English or say "Vi gavarite pa angliski?" or if you want something simpler to remember "Pa Angliski?"  Even if they only speak a little English, they can help you still.  It's best though, if you bring along either a map of Russia so you can show your destination, or have a travel guide book such as Lonely Planet with maps inside the pages.

 

Finally, remember to leave for the train station early, especially if you're in Moscow or St. Petersburg.  In those big cities, getting places often takes longer than you expect, and you need a good margin of error in case you run late, because the trains there leave exactly on time.  If you're rolling luggage around the metro to the station, it will slow you down considerably.  Or if you're in a taxi to the station, you may hit heavy traffic that will slow you down, causing the driver to rush and risk getting into an accident.  So leave extra early!  Or else you could regret it and get into a frenzied rush.

 

 

Arranging accommodations and transportation through marriage or adoption agencies

 

If you dealt with Russian marriage/dating agencies or adoption agencies before coming to Russia, no doubt you would consider having the agency arrange the trip for you, providing accommodations and transportation. (By the way, adopting a child in Russian is getting to be more common now among Western parents because the wait time and bureaucracy is much shorter and simpler, and the biological mother can't take the child back later if she changes her mind, unlike here in the West)  Generally, the accommodations and transportation that they arrange are going to be much higher in price than if you arranged it yourself.  After all, they get commissions off their referrals or profit from service charges, and of course the higher end hotels are the ones that can afford to give the agency commissions.

 

Now, if you have a lot of money to spare and prefer the peace of mind of having it all arranged, then by all means let the agency handle it for you.  But if you're on a budget like me, then I should let you know that it's not really necessary to have the agency arrange these things for you.  It is very easy and often fun, to do the legwork and arrange it yourself.  You can try to arrange accommodations over the internet, but keep in mind that usually the higher end hotels are the ones that can afford to advertise on the internet and take reservations.  I'd suggest getting a Lonely Planet travel guide of Russia to take with you.  They usually have a list of addresses and contact information for hotels from the low end to the high end for you to choose from.  But keep in mind that the guide does NOT contain all the hotels that exist in each city, and that the prices in it are often outdated as prices often change in Russia.  You can also ask people in the city you arrive in, as to which hotels they recommend at the price range you're looking for.  And in regards to train tickets, you can get them yourself using the methods I described in an earlier section above.

 

 

Ordering in cafes and restaurants

 

In cafes and restaurants, it can often be frustrating to be dealt with menus in Russian.  Most places do not have English menus, so you will encounter this very often.  One way to avoid this is to find the cafeteria type cafes which serve food in lines where you pick what you want and put it on your tray.  Those work well and since food usually tastes the way it looks (if you have some experience in eating it before) you can tell what to get.  Some cities have many of these cafeteria type cafes, while others have very few of them.

 

Another way is to have a set idea of what you want beforehand, have someone write it down on paper for you, and show it to the waitress.  She will tell you if it's available or not.  Remember to be as specific in the description as possible, or else you may not get something you like!

 

Still, if you have to deal with a Russian menu, it's best to be with someone who can explain it to you.  If you are with an English speaking Russian, then here's a good way to do it.  First, if you have an idea of what you want, then say it and have your companion look for it on the menu.  Otherwise, it would be too long and tedious for someone to translate every item on the menu to you.  Instead, ask them to name the various category sections on the menu, such as "salads, soups, meat dishes, fish dishes, desserts, etc."  Then, pick a category, such as soups for instance, and have them translate each item in that section for you until you find something you want.

 

Tipping is not the custom in most Russian cafes and restaurants, except for the higher end ones in Moscow and St. Petersburg.  As a general rule, if you feel pleased with the service, then tip what you want.

 

 

Dealing with police or militia

 

If you are stopped by the police or militiamen there to check your documents, remember not to be defensive or argumentive with them.  That only makes it worse.  Instead, act cool and lighthearted.  Joke around with them a bit too.  Russian men tend to be easily amused and are eager to kid around with you.  If you can get on their light side, they are much more likely to let you off without any hassle.  They are not required to do things by the book, and often make judgment calls.  And if you give them a good impression, they will often make the call in your favor. 

 

Remember that in Russia (and many other countries as well for that matter) when you deal with a cop, it is not like dealing with an enforcer of the law who does things by the book like it would be in the US.  Rather, it is like dealing with someone on a personal level in an informal setting.  Just have a conversation with him as an ordinary person in a polite respectful manner.  Use your interpersonal skills, casual communication, etc. to get on his good side.  Talk to him as though you were talking to a good friend.

 

It seems to me though, (and I've heard this from others as well) that if you have an American passport, they will often let you get away with things (such as registration problems) more easily than if you have a passport from a different country.  I don't know why.  There might be political or social reasons behind that.

 

However, if the officer seems very harsh and grumpy, just act like an innocent tourist.  I don't necessarily recommend this, but if he asks you something in a harsh tone, just shrug and say "Ya ni panimayu" (I don't understand) and repeat it for everything he says.  Oftentimes, rather than try to communicate with someone who can't understand them, they will just let you go.  But like I said, this may not always be a good strategy depending on the situation.  You will have to make a judgment call here.  Go with the flow.  If he is asking something you understand and can easily show evidence to satisfy him, then go ahead and do it.  But if you don't get what he's saying, just shrug and keep saying "Ya ni panimayu".  Most of the time, they'll give up and let you go.

 

Finally, I've noticed that when you are in the company of a Russian woman, it seems that they rarely stop you to check your passport (perhaps because they don't wish to bother the lady).  Therefore, if you're out walking by yourself (especially in Moscow) and you see a suspicious policeman or militiaman in your path, look around for the nearest female pedestrian and try to walk beside her for a while as though you two are together until you pass the view of the cop. (and yes, that may be a good way to meet someone new too :))  It'll greatly minimize your chances of being stopped. 

 

 

Carrying cash and other valuables

 

One of the exciting things about Russia is that anything can happen, from the best to the worst.  The country and environment is unstable and in a constant flux of change (perhaps this is why unstable people and misfits in American tend to fit like a glove in Russia? lol  Just kidding).  This also means that you could be mugged or cleverly scammed before you know it.  Therefore, don't carry too much cash with you.  I would suggest carrying several hundred dollars at a time, using your ATM debit card to withdraw money from the cash machines there (which they call "bankomat") each time you need to replenish your supply.  And many will advise you to divide your cash among different pockets of your clothing to help protect yourself.

 

But remember this very important thing though.  Carry a hidden money belt under your shirt wrapped around your torso, or a necklace money belt.  I know it feels hokey and nerdy to wear it at first, but I can't stress enough how important it is to have it.  Inside the money belt, put your passport and ATM debit card (they are the most important and essential items you need!), along with some spare cash, credit cards (at least some of them), and any other important documents (such as train tickets).  This money belt inside your shirt virtually eliminates pick pocketing.  I can't tell you how many times I've met other tourists at the hostels I stayed at, who didn't have this money belt, and lost their passport or had it stolen.  If you lose your passport, you could end up having a hellish time trying to get a temporary passport and visa from your Embassy to stay here or leave the country!  I've heard many terrible accounts of this happening, so be warned.  And if you lose your ATM debit card, you would be toast as well since you couldn't withdraw cash anymore except with your credit card. (not recommended)

 

Also, if you are in Moscow or St. Petersburg, put your wallet in your front pocket, not your back pocket.  In crowded areas there, such as the metro, there are pick pocketers lurking and they know how to spot foreigners.  In regards to traveler's checks, I wouldn't bother with them because most places don't take them, and to convert them to cash in a bank, the department which handles that is often not open, even when the bank is.

 

 

Bringing your own medicine

 

Bring a supply of the medications or medical supplies that work best for you.  This one is especially true if you're going to Russia in the winter or cold season.  Since our body's antibodies and white blood cells are mostly adjusted to the cold/flu viruses in our own country, they will often be unaccustomed and defenseless against the cold/flu viruses in the air of foreign countries like Russia.  Therefore, you are likely to get sick very easily, especially if you hang around crowded areas or ride in closed train compartments.  When this happens, if you don't have your medications with you, you will deeply regret it because the tablets and syrups you get in Russian pharmacies (called Apteka) are nowhere near as effective, and some don't work at all.  Therefore, you would suffer horrendously without any effective treatment.  And that could easily ruin or impair your trip.  At that time, you'll be kicking yourself for not bring that Robitussin or Tylenol Cold that worked for you so well back home.  So don't forget this!

 

 

Hospitals

 

Most hospitals in Russia use crude methods of treatment (don't even ask) but are so cheap that you can just stand in line in a waiting room and pay a few dollars to get a visit.  However, I have recently found information about medical centers that give Western-style medical care, but they are mostly in the big cities.  You can find information about these centers at this site of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia below:

 

http://www.amcham.ru/page.php?pageid=129077032227631

 

It's a good idea to print out the information on that page before going to Russia, in case you need it.

 

 

Laundry

 

Unfortunately, there aren't really any coin-operated public laundromats over there.  So the only way to do laundry is to either use the hotel services, wash them yourself by hand, or use someone's laundry machine in their home.  Most hotels will have laundry services if you ask, and even if they don't, the concierge or maid on each floor is usually willing to wash them for you (either by hand or with the machines used for washing bed sheets) for a negotiated price.  You can also wash them by hand with soap or detergent, but I would avoid this since it's very tedious, difficult, and often doesn't clean your clothes very well (though it's ok with socks and underwear)  But it's a useful skill to learn because sometimes during traveling, you may have no choice.  You can also ask someone you know to let you use their laundry machines, but make sure you know this person well, and if not, then offer them a little money in exchange.  However, most people's laundry machines are small and not designed for big loads.

 

 

Public restrooms

 

I don't like discussing this topic, but some things need to be said about it.  In Russia and other Former Soviet Union countries, most public restrooms are not free.  A collector at the entrance takes a fee of between 5 and 10 roubles.  Now here's what you should remember.  Some of these public restrooms have NO toilet paper inside them!  The thing is, you have to ask for it from the fee taker before you go in.  Otherwise, if it happens to be the case, and you don't know about it, you may find yourself in a situation where you need it and it's not there.  At that point, it is tedious and inconvenient to have to go out and ask for it.  Therefore, before going in, ask the fee collector if there is paper in there or if she has to give some to you.  Just point to the restroom and ask her in an inquisitive tone "Knega?" (paper)  In any case though, it's best to bring along your own supply of toilet paper tissue, in case the restrooms don't have any tissue at all.  After all, this is Russia and you can't expect the same efficient quality control methods you are used to in the West.

 

 

Packing

 

Americans tend to have a habit for over-packing and preparing for every situation.  Russians, however, tend to pack lightly and economically, so they see this American habit as strange.  If you're on an extended trip or are going to many cities though, I would recommend dropping this American habit.  The problem is that even if you are taking taxis or cars, you will often be dragging your luggage across distances, crowds, walkways, etc. and by then, you will wish you had lighter luggage.  And on trains, the corridors are narrow so large luggage may be difficult to drag through and put in the storage bins under the seats.  It is best to have either a large backpacker's backpack or one luggage cart with wheels to roll on.  Also have a small backpack or handbag available for souvenirs or gifts you accumulate.  For long trips, pack about 5 changes of clothes.  My suggestion would be to just bring the bare essentials of what you know you will need, but with things you may or may not need, if it's something you can probably get there too, then don't bring it along just to be prepared.   Otherwise, you may regret it later when you find that it is a pain in the butt to be dragging around things you don't even end up using and not having room to put your new souvenirs or gifts into.

 

 

Showering without hot water

 

One of the inconveniences of Russia is that during the summer, the cities often shut down the hot water lines to fix the pipes so that they'll be operational when winter comes.  This shutoff can last anywhere between a few days or a few weeks, and can be an inconvenience.  Here are some ways I've dealt with this problem.

 

First of all, if you're renting an apartment in the area, ask if you can get one with a "kolonka" in it.  A "kolonka" is a gas heater tank placed in the shower bathtub that when lit, heats the water going through.  It's simple to operate with matches and levers, and you can ask the owner or caretaker to show you how to use it.

 

Sometimes, part of the city will be without hot water, while another part will continue to have it.  If convenient and economical, you can phone another hotel or hostel in the area and ask if their hot water is working.  Otherwise, if you're in an apartment without a "kolonka" tank, you will have to resort to the old fashioned way of boiling the hot water.  Simply find a clean pot or bucket, boil several kettles of hot water, pouring them into the pot/bucket, and then mixing it with cold water just enough.  Then use a cup or saucepan to shower yourself with the warm water.

 

If, on the other hand, you're stuck in a hotel or hostel and can't boil hot water to shower with, then don't worry.  There is still a way to shower without going directly under the cold water directly (ouch!).  Unless you don't mind taking a cold shower directly, get into the shower with the cold water running, but don't go under the running cold water.  Instead, stand just far enough in front of it to be out of the water stream.  Then, cup your hands to scoop some of the cold water, and slowly rub every part of your body with it, to gradually adjust your body to the cold water.  When you're done, do the same with the soap, rubbing yourself all over with the foam lather.  Finally, rinse off the soap with the cupping water by hand method again.  Next, shampoo your hair by just leaning your head into the cold water stream without putting your whole body under it.  That's it.  It's that simple.

 

 

Getting a haircut

 

If you think it's practically impossible to get a good haircut from someone who can't speak your language, well I've got good news for you.  You're wrong :)  I thought at first that it would be impossible too, but there is an easy way to do it.  It's similar to the techniques you used to find your way around Russia.  First, you write down in English on a piece of paper the instructions for how you want your hair cut, being as specific and descriptive as possible, including details such as clipper length numbers, sideburn trimmings, etc.  Then, take those instructions and have your hotel receptionist, guide, or any English speaking Russian person translate them into Russia for you on a piece of paper.  Put that translated note into your pocket, wallet, or somewhere you can easily remember to find it.  Whenever you need a haircut, just pull out that note, show it to the barber or stylist, and ask “Panimayish?”  Usually, they'll nod their head and do a good job.  That's it!  You can keep that note and use it whenever you need it again.  I used the same translated note for 5 months of haircuts, in fact.

 

Oh and many hair styling places, even in Moscow and St. Petersburg, are dirt cheap and do a good job too.  You can get a basic haircut in most places for 100 to 150 roubles.  Just ask around for one.

 

 

Visas

 

You can easily get a one month tourist visa to Russia by applying directly at the Russian Embassy nearest you.  However, to save yourself the legwork, you can have an internet travel agency do it for you.  It will cost a bit more because of their fees, but not by much.  One that I and many other would recommend is Go To Russia.net (www.gotorussia.net).  They have a good solid reliable reputation and are most often used by Americans going to Russia.  On their site above, there is also a toll free number you can call if you have any questions.  Their staff have always been courteous, friendly, and efficient, in my experience.

 

While the one month tourist visa is easy to obtain, anything longer, such as the longer visas such as the 3 month business visa, 6 month business visa, 1 year business visa, homestay visa, etc. require more paperwork and document hassle.  For those, it is best to have an internet travel agency or the inviting institution apply for those for you.

 

A tricky issue that sometimes comes up is the problem of whether it is possible to extend your visa if you need to.  People and organizations will often tell you conflicting things about this issue.  Some are sure you can extend your visa without leaving Russia and others are sure you can't.  I'm still not clear on the dynamics of this issue, but here's what I've gathered so far.  It seems that it depends on the organization that issued your invitation letter.  Some organizations, if they have certain roots or connections, have the means to extend your visa by up to two weeks without you having to leave the country.  Others don't have this power.  (One exception though, is if you become hospitalized or injured to the point where you can't move or board a plane, in that case the government will automatically extend your visa.)  So if this might be an issue for you, it's best to speak to the organization who provided you with your invitation letter about it, or the travel agency that you used to apply for the visa. 

 

In any case, if you find yourself needing to extend your visa and can't do it without leaving the country, you can just ride the train or bus to a neighboring country that you do not need a visa to enter into, such as Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, etc.  From there, you can stay in a hotel or hostel for a while, and use almost any travel agency there to apply for a new visa back to Russia.  The travel agencies there will always have English speaking staff, and depending on what you pay, the new visa could take anywhere from a few days to a week to process.  Just to let you know though, Estonia and Lithuania are generally cheaper places to reside in while you do this, than Latvia or Finland.

 

 

Budget traveling in Moscow

 

If you're a budget traveler like me (except when out on dates with girls I want to impress of course :)) you may find Moscow a bit expensive for your tastes, especially if you stick with the touristy areas, so here's a site with a lot of useful tips and recommendations.

 

http://www.cheap-moscow.com/

 

 

Cultural differences in spending and saving money

 

One of the biggest causes of conflict and misunderstanding between Russians and Americans is the issue of spending money, especially since many Russians mistakenly think that all Americans as filthy rich with a bottomless supply of cash, thanks to the image Hollywood gave them.  Americans are taught to spend money wisely and efficiently, and saving it for future long term use.  Russians, however, live for the day and are more likely to spend their surplus cash without regard for efficiency or savings.  Most of them don't have enough to save up anyway.  And they can better afford to splurge too, because they don't have the kind of bills and payments that Americans are used to, so they have no understanding of the pressures Americans have either!  Therefore, both sides do not understand each other in this area.  It is difficult, therefore, for both sides to respect and understand each other on this issue because of their different mentalities and conditions.

 

One thing you need to keep in mind is that no matter what you say, many Russians see you as rich and always having filthy amounts of spare cash.  Therefore, if they see that you are budgeting, or reserving money aside for tomorrow's expenditures, etc. it looks like you are stingy or greedy to them. (It should also be noted that the Russian definition of "greedy" is different than the Western definition.  By Western standards, a greedy person is someone who has an insatiable desire to acquire wealth, power or material assets, while by Russian standards, it refers to people who are economical and who try to withhold spending their money.)  Even if you claim that you aren't rich or that you have limited resources, they still won't believe you.  In their minds, if you have money to travel and visit their country, then you must have plenty of cash to spare at all times for all situations and all people.  And it doesn't matter if you've already spent a lot of money the day before or if you will have to spend a lot tomorrow on something else or someone else, because that's never a factor to them in what you will spend now. 

 

The reasons for this, as far as I've been able to gather, are several.  It's not that they are dumb about money matters.  Their mentality of it is different from ours because of their environmental and societal conditions.  Many Russians are unable to comprehend saving or budgeting because they've never made enough money to utilize those concepts themselves, so they have a hard time relating to your concept of it, especially when they see you as being a millionaire with lots of extra cash on you at all times.  Also, on a more abstract metaphysical note, I have been told that it also has to do with the nature of the Russian soul.  I haven't been able to fully understand that yet, but here is what I surmise in theory.  Russians do not see money in terms of numbers that are added and subtracted from your wallet or a balance in your bank account, like we do in the West.  They don't see spending money as losing money.  Instead, they see spending as releasing pockets of energy that are not lost, but just converted into another form or bounce back to you.  In essence, you could say it's a higher view of reality that takes into account your friends and loved ones, rather than the individual.  The collective interconnected energy of their group, to them is what it's all about, rather than just individuals fighting for their own needs.  So if this situation arises, try to be understanding about it and remember that they didn't grow up in the same conditions as you. 

 

This can create a theoretical dilemma.  On the one hand, you can't be economical or efficient with money without the risk of appearing stingy or greedy.  On the other hand, since scarcity is real and money is not unlimited, you also cannot behave as though money is never an issue and is unlimited, (unless you are super wealthy) or else you will soon lose a lot more than you planned, or even all of it.  Such a dangerous reckless habit or mentality could bankrupt you easily, as it would only be a matter of time before reality caught up with you.  So the question is, how do you balance the two?  Where do you draw the line?  It's not an easy question to answer, and you will have to make some judgment calls based on the situation.  But as I discussed in an above section, generally if someone treats you like you ought to spend freely, or like you have an unlimited supply of cash, that is a bad sign.  A nice self-respecting person who cares about you would never do that, regardless of how rich they think you are.  So if you are constantly pressured to spend more than you want to, that is not a good sign about the company you are in. 

 

The most logical and safe solution I think, is to take a middle ground rather than one extreme or the other.  Be a little more generous and less economical than you usually are, but not so much that it gets out of control.  Of course, in reality things are not always so cut and dry, and sometimes the line between frugality and stinginess will not be clear, nor will it be drawn in the same place by everyone.  In that case, you will have to rely on your sense of judgment and gut feeling.  If you mess up, just learn from your mistakes, and remember that those who truly care about you will forgive you, while those who don't aren't worth your time anyway.

 

If in the presence of Russians, you don't wish to spend your money on something, don't try to justify it to them by saying that you can't afford it, or explaining anything about budgeting or saving money.  Just simply say you don't want to, and leave it at that.  It's the safest and cleanest way to do it.  Most Russians will not ask why or pressure you for a reason.  Instead, they will usually just let it go and accept that you have your own reasons.

 

Finally, if you find yourself in a situation where you are pressured to spend money that you don't want to spend, here's a trick you can try.  Don't put all your cash in your wallet.  As mentioned in the section on carrying cash, divide your cash up into different locations on yourself so no one knows where and how much reserve cash you have.  Keep a small amount of cash in your wallet.  Then, if you need to, pretend that you don't have enough cash on you by taking out your wallet and showing the person that you don't have enough cash for the situation that he/she is pressuring you to spend for.  However, if you find you are constantly in this kind of situation, you either are hanging out with the wrong people or too stingy for your own good.

 

 

Meeting people

 

If you're shy or don't know anyone in Russia, don't worry.  It's easier to meet people there than you can imagine, except for maybe Moscow.  Meeting people in Russia is a whole different dimension than it is in the USA.  In America, strangers are strangers and people don't like to meet you unless it's through an organization like work, school, clubs, friends, church, etc. and even then, it's not al