Chapter 4 - Facts about Moscow and Russia

“Rassee’yoo oomom nye panyat, v Rassee’yoo mozhno tolka vereet.” – “You cannot understand Russa, you can only believe in it.” Or can you? Moscow is an huge city in an enormous country, and both have a very rich culture and history. This chapter aims to give you some insight by providing key facts about the country and its capital, and – most important – it’s people, to help you adjust to life here.

What are winters and summers like in Moscow? What makes Russians “Russian” and distinguishes them from other nations? What’s the Russian personality like? What values to Russians believe in? What is the famous Russian soul, and is there such a thing at all?

In the section entitled Behaviors You May Find Puzzling – depending on where you’re from, you may find certain behavior patterns very different from those you are used to. Why don’t Russians normally smile at strangers? Why do they stand so close to each other? And what do you have keep in mind shen standing in line, e.g., when paying your utility bills at your local bank?

This is followed by a new and fun section called Things Typically Russian (or Soviet). Ever wonder who or what Cheburashka is and how to treat your domovoi? What is a novoselye, and what does obymvat veshi mean? And what’s a subbotnik?

Then we tell you about some favorite Russian pastimes which you may want to take part in while you live here.

Recycling, is the topic of another section. While not very popular in Russia (there are few opportunites to recycle), in late 2004, several hundred recycling bins were installed around Moscow, each with bins for paper, plastic and glass/aluminum. The original containers were silver, but they seem to have been replaced with black ones recently. And so-called "Fandomats" now accept plastic bottles and metal cans. However, more and more people are becoming interested in in this challenge and you can join groups such as Greenpeace and Ecogroup if you want to be part of the solution.

Safety is normally not a major concern for the majority of expatriates living in Moscow (foreigners with darker skin are an exception), but you should still take a number of anti-crime precautions just as in any other big city (a list is provided in the book).

Cost of living is a major concern for many people moving here. Moscow is one of the most expensive cities on earth, at least where foreigners are concerned. Rental rates are generally sky high and you will find a lot of other things very expensive here. You can, however, do as the locals do and save money by using public transportation and going to local markets and smaller grocery stores where bargains are still to be had..

Russians LOVE their holidays, and there are many of them. The book has a large section devoted to all major holiays – from New Year’s, Orthodox Chrismas, International Women’s Day and Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) to Orthox Easter and Victory Day (just to name a few).

Russian names and titles can be very confusing for new arrivals, so the next section focuses on how to properly address people you know and do not now. Associated with this is are sections on Russian etiquette (things you should and should not do) and a very interesting section on Russian customs, belief and superstitions (there are hundreds of these).

The chapter concludes by providing some helpul hints and tips on doing business in Russia.

White House

Spring

Fireworks

Recycling

Spring 2010
in Moscow