Rude Russia

Grrr must rant a little. It's incredible here how you'll be waiting in line for something and if your attention strays for even a moment, someone is bound to immediately budge in right in front of you, the impudence of these people! You really have to be perpetually on guard in lineups to make sure not even the smallest space opens up between you and the person in front or some bold Russian will simply cut in front. It's usually so shocking it's almost funny, as no one would dare be that rude back home! You see it everywhere - cars running red lights and cutting off pedestrians at top speed, no-one offering up their seat to some little old pensioner who just got on the bus, or the almost absurdly terrrrible service you sometimes get in bars and cafes, where the staff dont even bother to hide their hatred of you for setting foot in their establishment! It seems that there's generally a real lack of politeness and even common courtesy in Russia (at least compared to dear old polite Canada!) - the stereotype of rude Russians holds true to some extent! I've gotten used to it somewhat and dont get so mad as I often did when I first arrived but sometimes I can't help but think, what's wrong with the lot of you!?

Helen attributed the selfish drive of the ordinary Russian on the street to the harsh climate; in a country where it gets down to -40C, you just cant afford to develop such luxuries as manners and common courtesy because you'll end up freezing to death if you don't concentrate on your own survival, elbowing that little old babushka aside as you struggle your way onto the bus first for example! Mabye she's on to something there.