Ask a Russian

[Daw]

Food prices in Crimea are definitely worse then in Russia.

Most probably. The question is how much worse though. So far it does not look like a disaster.

Prices in USD are pretty cheap for us westerners, though I dont know about ordinary Russian, Crimean

I don't know that, too. I would guess that an ordinary Crimean's income is lower than an average Westerner's one. Like, say, 1000$ a month, roundabout. And because it is a resort region, that income is very likely to be very uneven throughout the year.

How do these prices compare with food in Russia ?

To compare apples to apples, here's a restaurant that not only serves but also delivers Ukrainian cuisine in Moscow.

Don't know about Sydney, but those in New York can also try it. No prices shown on their page there though.

What's this about a sausage and cheese salad?

I ate it.

And yes, that post shows the eat-out meal prices in Russia out of both big cities & wilderness of taiga/tundra.

 

[red_elk]

I ate it.

You are rich guy. We, ordinary Russians, can afford only bread and water.

 

[Daw]

You just don't know for how many years I've been saving for this show off. My whole life went into that little plate of delicious salad.

 

[FriendlyFire]

You are rich guy. We, ordinary Russians, can afford only bread and water Vodka.

Fixed


Olivier salad
I though it was odd sausages used in a salad, and I learnt it is a German thing.
Here in the west we call the it Potato Salad, no sausages or meat is added though

Olivier salad (Russian: салат Оливье, Russian pronunciation: [sɐˈlat ɐlʲɪˈvʲjɛ])[Note 1] is a traditional salad dish in Russian cuisine,

The original version of the salad was invented in the 1860s by a cook of Belgian Sideways Germany origin,[1] Lucien Olivier, the chef of the Hermitage, one of Moscow's most celebrated restaurants. Olivier's salad quickly became immensely popular with Hermitage regulars, and became the restaurant's signature dish.

At the turn of the 20th century, one of Olivier's sous-chefs, Ivan Ivanov, attempted to steal the recipe. While preparing the dressing one evening in solitude, as was his custom, Olivier was suddenly called away on some emergency. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ivanov sneaked into Olivier's private kitchen and observed his mise en place, which allowed him to make reasonable assumptions about the recipe of Olivier's famed dressing. Ivanov then left Olivier's employ and went to work as a chef for Moskva

Silesian variety which may include not only boiled potatoes, carrots, peas and boiled eggs, but also bacon, sausages

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_salad

 

[REDY]

Yeah I think that under "salad" westerner usually imagines something light and healthy. We give there lot of mayoneisse and ham/salami. vegetable is actually side ingredient there

 

[red_elk]

By the way, for those who are interested in Russian traditions and habit, I recently found a good educational video. This one focuses more on gestures.


Link to video.

 

[Daw]

Olivier salad

Nah, that one ought to be home-made, or it's not truly authentic

I though it was odd sausages used in a salad, and I learnt it is a German thing.

Yeah, that one was called "Bavarian" and indeed I had something like that in Germany. Germans have it different though. Or at least what I had was not the classic Wurstsalat. The closest thing I managed to find in the images would be this Weisswurst-Radieschen-Salat, if you take the radish out, add some yellow cheese cut in cubes and some Chinese cabbage. Oh, and use these sausages instead of the white ones. So, not the Weisswurstradischensalat exactly either...

 

[Takhisis]

I ate it.

But you're not giving the recipe!

And yes, that post shows the eat-out meal prices in Russia out of both big cities & wilderness of taiga/tundra.

How affordable is that meal in Russian terms? The price sounded quite acceptable, but I'm in a country with >30% inflation so everyone tries to get rid of their money.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Interesting predictions
Both Russia and German are predicted to decline in power, I also suspect China wants to recover lost territories from Russia. The wealth disparity along the Chinese Russia border is huge. Dont worry US hyperpower status will be over and it will just become the worlds leading superpower instead

What do Russians think ?
(I make joke about Russia collapsing again and Germany starting another war but many expert in West have made this prediction)

3. RUSSIA AS WE KNOW IT ‘WON’T EXIST’

The next decade will see Russia “seeking to secure itself” before economic decline hits, Stratfor warn as it continues to act aggressively in the region.

Seeing itself under the gun, it will appear even more aggressive and territorial as it continues to exert its power internally and externally, but it will come at a cost.

“Russia will also seek to reintegrate the former Soviet republics into some coherent entity in order to delay its demographic problems, expand its market and above all reabsorb some territorial buffers,” the forecast predicts.

Such action will make its neighbours anxious both in terms of national security and rapidly shifting economic policies.

Rising military cost, declining oil prices and internal issues will all weaken Russia further with its inability to control the federation creating a vacuum.

While Russia won’t split up as such, Moscow’s influence will weaken significantly, which in turn will create a raft of semi autonomous regions.

“We expect Moscow’s authority to weaken substantially, leading to the formal and informal fragmentation of Russia,” the report warns.

“It is unlikely that the Russian Federation will survive in its current form.”

Countries including Poland, Hungary and Romania will also look to recover territory gained by Russia throughout various times in history.

7. GERMANY WILL LOSE POWER

While the European powerhouse has emerged fairly strong from the financial crisis, it remains very vulnerable with exports making up half of its GDP, 50 per cent of which flows to other EU nations.

However, the world’s fourth largest economic power is hostage to the economic wellbeing and competitive environment in which it operates, Stratfor said.

Protectionist policies will affect its exports leading to an extended economic decline which will reduce Germany’s influence within the next decade.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/econ...t/news-story/7394f3e24dca89039de5ebfe24503c6c

 

[Ajidica]

Are all Russian political campaign songs this funny and catchy?

Link to video.

 

[Oerdin]

As a Russian do you ever feel your intelligence is being insulted by the state controlled media?

 

[Daw]

But you're not giving the recipe!

I didn't know it was required. Well, here goes: take a random salad mix based on Iceberg salad or Chinese cabbage, add yellow cheese and red sausage slices. Serve with honey and mustard dressing. Enjoy.

How affordable is that meal in Russian terms? The price sounded quite acceptable, but I'm in a country with >30% inflation so everyone tries to get rid of their money.

Average salary statistics in Rubles (blue) and USD (red). Please note the aspect I mentioned to FriendlyFire earlier: official statistics does not account gray incomes which in some cases are many times greater than declared ones.

Spoiler :

That dinner was 1'600 rubles for two, so it would be something like 800 to 1'000 for one, and it is quite affordable, if not for every day then surely for a couple of times a week. However, we just don't have that culture of eating out regularly. It's more associated with travel, or having a party, or something occasional like meeting with old friends.

The place I had it at was half-full, and it is normal for around 14:00 on Saturday.

 

[Daw]

Are all Russian political campaign songs this funny and catchy?

Umm... No. In fact, I don't know any other Russian political campaign song at all, so it like there's little to compare it with. Moreover, IIRC this one came around after some elections (2004 or 2012, I don't remember which), not before.

But I may be wrong about it because I don't pay too much attention to my TV.

As a Russian do you ever feel your intelligence is being insulted by the state controlled media?

My intelligence like GRU or my intelligence like me being smart (thank you)?

No, it's not insulting. Rather boring and annoying slightly. I am not sentenced by court to watch it, be it wholly or in any part of it. Same goes to BBC, CNN, Instagram and Youtube - regardless of whoever controls them and how much they are controlled.

I've got over 100 channels in my TV (comes with internet connection at 620 rub/month for both), and I've never switched on most of them for the same reason: they're boring.

 

[red_elk]

Are all Russian political campaign songs this funny and catchy?

It's a crappy fan-art as you most likely understand. Girls are nice though.
I tried to remember anything from Putin's political campaign and all what I remember were very simple ads - when people who are considered as 'moral authority' by many Russians, who have influence in society, were saying that they are going to vote for Putin and why.

Some of these ads caused scandal in opposition, like the one with well-known actress and charity activist. People said like this cannot be true, she was threatened to say this!

Spoiler :

Link to video.

As a Russian do you ever feel your intelligence is being insulted by the state controlled media?

I definitely would feel so, if I didn't see how media in the rest of the world works.
When I see, for example, CNN coverage when they show barrage of Georgian artillery with the outline "Russia is attacking Georgia", I resort to considering all of this as part of information war.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

I definitely would feel so, if I didn't see how media in the rest of the world works.
When I see, for example, CNN coverage when they show barrage of Georgian artillery with the outline "Russia is attacking Georgia", I resort to considering all of this as part of information war.

I can only say I am ashamed and angry of the state of present day global geopolitical situation and the role the western media plays in it. Next time somebody is going to b!tch about state of democracy in Russia and simmilar I now what to think of his intelligence for sure.

Example of the Western attitude I have just learned today: USA are reluctant to help (supply weapons) Nigeria to fight Boko Haram until they grant rights to the gay community which in turn is politicaly and culturewise an impossibility for the Nigerian leaders. It turns out that the things are different then it seems to be. There happens to be oil fields in North of Nigeria. Meanwhile US allie Sauds are sponsoring these terrorist who dont even know Koran and there seems to be sponsor-links to foreign intelligent services as well. This hidden interest politics is going on for years. Back in 2008 Germany didnt allow Nigerian gunship which was repaired in Prague through its territory into the Belgian port becouse it could "influence the ballance of power in the region or could be used for repressive purposes." The Western presstitutes are going all along with that...

 

[red_elk]

USA are reluctant to help (supply weapons) Nigeria to fight Boko Haram until they grant rights to the gay community

If there are enough people in the USA, who would believe that their government cares for Nigerian gay community, why not? Let them be fed with it.

 

[Ajidica]

How much of Putin's early popularity came from appearing like an anti-Yeltsin? From what I understand Yeltsin more or less drank himself to death and just appeared like an incompetent fool while Putin was a far more athletic and dynamic personality?
If he did have significant early popularity as an anti-Yeltsin is he still riding on that or has he become liked for his own actions?

 

[Daw]

How much of Putin's early popularity came from appearing like an anti-Yeltsin? From what I understand Yeltsin more or less drank himself to death and just appeared like an incompetent fool while Putin was a far more athletic and dynamic personality?

I think you understand it right, and, In me, a huge deal came from it.

If he did have significant early popularity as an anti-Yeltsin is he still riding on that or has he become liked for his own actions?

It's never mentioned officially, like them being compared on TV or in radio talks and someone making some pivot point of it. So I wouldn't say that he rides it for political promotion.

But still, the difference is remembered and I guess it still means a lot. Also, the actions differ, too.

That said, I don't think Putin is ideal. But on the axis from zero to perfection, I would place all currently available candidates between zero and Putin.

 

[red_elk]

How much of Putin's early popularity came from appearing like an anti-Yeltsin? From what I understand Yeltsin more or less drank himself to death and just appeared like an incompetent fool while Putin was a far more athletic and dynamic personality?

Hard to say, especially considering that anything sober and able to speak clearly, would be perceived as anti-Yeltsin by that time. Putin's early popularity IMO mostly came from his decisive dealing with Chechen problem, which (the problem) was considered by many Russians as a national disgrace.

If he did have significant early popularity as an anti-Yeltsin is he still riding on that or has he become liked for his own actions?

No, it was too long ago. What still remains from Yeltsin's "heritage" until now, is completely discredited idea of Western style liberal democracy. One of the worst thing which USA and co did to destroy their reputation among ordinary Russians, is supporting this drunkard in 90-s and calling him democrat. But Putin's current popularity must be attributed to events which happened during his presidency, such as economic rally of 00-s and recently, the Crimea.

 

[Daw]

(the problem) was considered by many Russians as a national disgrace.

At that time there hardly was a single thing about the country that I didn't consider as a national disgrace to some extent.