Do you truly love your fiancé???

[Cixelsyd 1]

It's so depressing to see so many narrow-minded views in this forum.

I guess it really is extremely rare to find a quality of people who can appreciate the likes and differences between cultures.

The world truly has a long way to go still.

Considering the purpose of this site, I would have thought the situation to be different.

[m&k 0]

Heh, I don't feel so militant about the language issue, but for practical purposes forcing everyone to speak and study in Ukrainian just isn't practical. The issue of textbooks comes to mind: Quickly translated, with mistakes, into Ukrainian. So no more Russian textbooks which were just fine, just the new Ukrainian versions, and not enough of them. In addition, not everyone understands them. People grow up with a language and it takes years to become truly comfortable in another language if they haven't heard it from an early age.

Of course, it does create jobs as people who are fluent in both languages convert documents, textbooks, etc from one to the another

Let them speak what they want, especially Russian with Ukrainian accent

[Martyshk 137]

Just as I thought.

Shouldn't think all that much, might distract you from worrying about how people are doing in poor old Ukraine...and how to get rid of cats or whatnot

Problem with you and VV, is that you don't have structure to your arguments, you just throw out wiki links (oh yeah, wiki is such a reliable resource) and state something and that is all.

[Martyshk 137]

Let them speak what they want, especially Russian with Ukrainian accent

My Ukrainian teacher used to throw me out of class every couple of weeks, because she just couldn't stand me (she was from Ivano-Frankovsk) speaking Ukrainian with a Russian accent hehe.

[visaveteran 0]

You can't find real bread in America for under $3 a loaf (where you understand the ingredients list). Even the junk processed stuff is a dollar a loaf. It's under 10r. in Russia and the loaves are bigger. The cheese is better in Russia. I prefer many types of Russian fish, caviar and sushi. Cookies and mayonnaise consist of things that the average person can explain. The chocolate is usually better. Salad dressing is amazing in Russia (yeah, I know it's just the fat). You can buy ice cream on the street for 3r. It's not bad ice cream.

I realize some of this is subjective, but I think it's true.

Most fruits and vegetables come from outside Russia...often from China and Azebarjan. The cost of food has skyrocketed recently in Russia due to oil prices dropping and general Russian incompetence and greed. The good foods, such as they ae, are in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Try shopping in Siberia.

The worst thing about Russia is it does nothing for veterans and old people. My wife's mom gets $100 a month. Not enough to buy basic food for two weeks. She lives out of her garden. There are no VA Hospitals or programs for vets. You want to live in Russia...or praise it? Look closer.

[visaveteran 0]

Not a big fan of the black bread that's so popular everywhere, but I've had some fantastic breads in Russia. The fish is AWESOME too (helps to have a MIL who is an amazing cook), and even some of the cheap caviar is heavenly. My only criticism of the beef you get is that they like it really fatty, and for some reason the restaurants like to cook it tough. (once again, helps to have a MIL who is an amazing cook. ) And yes, I like the fact that you can readily identify most ingredients in the food, and that high fructose corn syrup isn't in EVERY FSCKING THING YOU BUY. We're very label conscious, and I almost fell over when I read on the label that my beloved Worcestershire sauce contains high fructose corn syrup. (apparently the Worcestershire sauce you buy overseas uses sugar as gawd intended).

You forgot what gives Russia and Ukrainian food that special taste...radioactivity.

[Cixelsyd 1]

Not a big fan of the black bread that's so popular everywhere, but I've had some fantastic breads in Russia. The fish is AWESOME too (helps to have a MIL who is an amazing cook), and even some of the cheap caviar is heavenly. My only criticism of the beef you get is that they like it really fatty, and for some reason the restaurants like to cook it tough. (once again, helps to have a MIL who is an amazing cook. ) And yes, I like the fact that you can readily identify most ingredients in the food, and that high fructose corn syrup isn't in EVERY FSCKING THING YOU BUY. We're very label conscious, and I almost fell over when I read on the label that my beloved Worcestershire sauce contains high fructose corn syrup. (apparently the Worcestershire sauce you buy overseas uses sugar as gawd intended).

I would have to agree with the fatty beef. I'm not sure if it's the animal, or if it's just how they do the cuts though.

There's so many things I've had there which I like, it's hard to remember and name it all. They have really good sausages and cheeses you can't find here in the U.S., which is too bad. I hate fish in general though, so I can't comment on that.

I do find they just cannot make Americanized food. What I mean by that are things like pizza for example. For myself, I find if I try anything that isn't inherent to the the culture or nearby cultures, then I'll be sorely disappointed. If I abide by the previous rule, then I find everything is sooo good and like nothing you will find here in the U.S.

[Martyshk 137]

You forgot what gives Russia and Ukrainian food that special taste...radioactivity.

Wow... just wow... and of course before that it was, um, lemme guess... COMMUNISM that gave the special taste?

You are just despicable

[eekee 182]

Almost all food tastes better in Russia. I can't even eat some kinds of fruits and vegetables in the US without getting stomach problems. So many chemicals and strange, large sizes with neon colors. If you go to a farmer's market, it's OK. Go to a regular supermarket and nothing has any taste and every ingredient list is written in a foreign language of additives. HFCS makes rats get fatter at something like 5 times the rate of pure cane sugar. Maybe you have less choice and variety, but what you do get tastes better in Russia.

[Martyshk 137]

I would have to agree with the fatty beef. I'm not sure if it's the animal, or if it's just how they do the cuts though.

There's so many things I've had there which I like, it's hard to remember and name it all. They have really good sausages and cheeses you can't find here in the U.S., which is too bad. I hate fish in general though, so I can't comment on that.

It's the cuts.

It's a long tradition of preparing it that way, because fatty meats (especially pork, actually) helped with the vodka consumption

Basic chemistry there.

Tradition is more of a Northern (Siberia) thing. But it's really up to people to cook it the way they want.

In my family, we always cooked the meat lean and got rid of all the fat. Sh!t, I still do it when I cook here. Even with chicken...

As far as not being able to find stuff in U.S.... as much as I hate going to Russian stores, I go for the cheese and cold cuts.

[baron555 934]

The food is better in Russia is just as I expected. They have better/cheaper breads, cavier, sushi, ice cream and mayo.......but what about everything else?

My wife was born and rasied in southern Russia near the Black Sea and has lived over 7 years in Moscow, so her comments are based on those life experiences.....

The quality, quantity and variety of beef, poultry, pork, veal and seafood and produce, even at the local WalMart compares to nothing like that in Moscow. Now when we go to Caputos and their huge produce section, or Pauline Market and their meat and sausage shop or Issacson and Stein's Wholesale/Retail fish market, she has never experienced anything like that.

Now we here are very biased living next to Chicago and it's huge ethnic population which in turn allows this variety to occur, at very nice prices. And living near Wisconsin gives us a very nice selection of nice cheeses.

Maybe where you all live you only have the local Piggly Wiggly to shop from and your views are biased because of it. I do know that after Alla met with Gary and Alla's Alla last summer in Moscow, my Alla was very concerned about the food and food prices from what his Alla told mine about her experience living in Vermont. She now understands the differences between the two areas of the US.

She is still amazed that we go to the grocer and come away with all this very nice quality food for such a low price. Why? is her only comment.

What she is really asking is, "Why can't it be like this in Russia, also?" She knows the real answer but still questions it. Maybe many in Russia do not question it and that is the real problem. Would you agree?

Edited April 7, 2010 by baron555

[SandT 0]

Batka Lukastinko is working both sides of the coin atm. He got mass loans from the Kremlin, and he just received the last installment of a $700,000,000 loan from the EU. I pray for the day a bullet finds his head. He's a criminal...murder, kidnap, extortion, etc... the list goes on and on. The younger generation in Belarus is ready for a change, but the old guard USSR thugs aren't willing to relinquish power. Belarus time is coming, and when it does I wan't to be there for the celebration.

As far as living in Belarus, I find the peoples of western Belarus...Brest region, Grodno, etc...more friendly than the peoples of eastern Belarus ...like Vitebsk and Orsha. They actually smile at you and converse in the stores in western Belarus.

My experience to date is with Western Belarus and somewhat with Minsk. People are mixed, but yes, many of them are friendly and decent enough. No arguments about Lukaschenko (sp?) really. People in general are afraid of him, but tolerate him, or maybe simply accept. The contrast in some people (government officials, police) is interesting - some of them have been quite civil and decent, others seems almost a throwback in time. While it can probably be discounted for foreigners, ironically, I've heard more than a few believing Belarus is less corrupt than Russia or Ukraine - possibly due to everyone *below* Luka being afraid of him.

If we did move there, I would do my best to avoid government or police problems, but besides that, and an occasionally unnecessary roadblock for visiting dignitaries (Putin, others), you could still live well enough there, if you wanted to. Some of the billboards are hysterical, though - quite a few, all happiness and smiles, or the ones saying working overseas is slavery. Or buildings 'renovated' for visits, and they only paint the front face of them, so things look better from the street.

[visaveteran 0]

It is somewhat depressing, I agree. Although to be fair, it's only two people here that are so militantly hateful. I happen to love the culture and people, and I won't make any bones about it. But I do get that for some guys, it's just not their cup of tea. I get that, and to an extent I can eve respect it. But to focus so much hate, venom, and bile on it...well I just can't suss it. For me personally, if I hated her culture and her people to such an extent, I'd have just looked elsewhere for a companion.

Take comfort in knowing that it's only a couple people. The vast majority of RU members are at least able to separate the people and culture of their bride's country from a USSR that hasn't existed for over 20 years. And take note too that the two trouble-makers who are kicking up such a fuss are well into middle age, and just can't seem to get over something that everyone else got over years ago. They are the exception that proves the rule.

I'm sure the "vast majority" will sleep better knowing you, our great judge, has blessed them with your approval.

In truth, you are the chief trouble-maker and, as you yourself owned, you're addicted to stirring up trouble. I only wish you were better at it. Then it might be more challenging. You're biases and prejudgments are always obvious and predictable.

[Cixelsyd 1]

It is somewhat depressing, I agree. Although to be fair, it's only two people here that are so militantly hateful. I happen to love the culture and people, and I won't make any bones about it. But I do get that for some guys, it's just not their cup of tea. I get that, and to an extent I can eve respect it. But to focus so much hate, venom, and bile on it...well I just can't suss it. For me personally, if I hated her culture and her people to such an extent, I'd have just looked elsewhere for a companion.

I couldn't agree with you more.

I mean, I'm ok with someone saying "I wouldn't want to live in ABC because of XYZ, but I can appreciate 123 about it". (I know, sounds like a Jasckon's song).

It does amaze me that a person(s) can downshift an area/people so much and then claim to be worldly though. And that's directed at both sides.

Take comfort in knowing that it's only a couple people. The vast majority of RU members are at least able to separate the people and culture of their bride's country from a USSR that hasn't existed for over 20 years. And take note too that the two trouble-makers who are kicking up such a fuss are well into middle age, and just can't seem to get over something that everyone else got over years ago. They are the exception that proves the rule.

This is true, and I aim to find the counter part. Due to the *cough* fair and balanced moderation system, it's just easier to turn the ignore list into a raging party.

[eekee 182]

You can get good stuff, Baron, like I said--if you want to go to Whole Foods or the local Farmer's Market. Regular big store? No.