Symbols of America

[peacetraveler22]

For the past few weeks, Ilya Varlamov has published posts incorporating photos from Moscow in the late 1980's - early 90's. I love these! Amazing to see how the country looked right before the collapse of the USSR. In today's post, I saw this photo from 1990. A massive queue to enter the first McDonald's in Moscow! I can't imagine such a scene, or how this fast food chain symbolized so much to people at that time. In 1990, I was 17. A senior in high school, getting ready to graduate and enter university, and closely following events overseas.

What other places, items and things did Soviet citizens associate with America before the collapse? My aunt visited Russia in the early 1980's, and she told me stories about locals asking her for bubble gum and wanting to buy her Levi's, straight off her body. This is no joke.

This is what makes Russia so fascinating to me - very rich and diverse history, constantly shifting and changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Not sure how most Russians feel about the current direction in which Russia is moving...I hope you feel for the better, because it's depressing and sad to live in a place where you feel absolutely no hope or prospect for the future. I have never once felt this way about my life in America...

Comments

[atlantis555.livejournal.com]

Пора валить Пора отписываться. Сраная американка скатилась в сраное говно.

Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говорят

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Зря ты так, она не делала тебе ничего плохого, не стоило писать эту гнусь :(

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[atlantis555.livejournal.com]

Я уже не первый раз замечаю в её постах такое, знаешь, гонево и троллево насчет России. Жратва ей наша не нравится, политика, люди-балбесы, всё такое. При том, что по её словам, читают её в основном в России, а в Пиндостане она никому не интересна. Да ты сам посмотри - пост про Россию или около того - куча каментов. Пост про какой-то американский говнопраздник - писят каментов, все забили болт. Ну и? Зачем кусать кормящую руку? Нет, кусает. Да ну её нахуй тогда. Разжиревшая пиндосня никогда не поймёт, в каких условиях мы живём и всегда будет удивлённо смотреть сквозь монокль - а чё это у вас нету звездолётов? Фи, пойдём, гамбургера ебанём.

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

но в этом же вся и суть, как смотрится наша дряхлая империя со стороны. Когда иностранец пишет нечто критическое о нашей родине возникает обида, с этим ничего не поделать, это же наша страна, мы любим её. Но эта обида это совершенно детская эмоция. Быть разумным и последовательным гораздо полезней и для себя и для страны, чем печатать оскорбления поддавшись смутному порыву плохо понятных чувств. Я сам периодически оскорбляю одного придурковатого фашиста, который пасётся здесь, но он сам желает этого, он пишет коменты и ждёт, кто клюнет, чтобы написать ему гадость. А Шэнон же не злонамеренна абсолютно, порой она неуклюжа, порой наивна, но она добрая женщина. Ну и прости, если обидел, это я тоже из любви к родине, желаю чтоб родина смотрелась достойно;)

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, actually quite often, I can't understand the Russian mind. And what is so offensive or insulting about this post? It was simply a question to the audience about American symbols during Soviet times. Nothing more. But thanks for coming to my defense. It's nice to have many protectors here. :)

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

To be honest, i defended my country rather than you. I wouldn't want that my country and my people look like a bunch of rude barbarians. People here have gone through very bad times and will survive bad times again, it doesn't lead to politeness of society. Be forgiving please 8)

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sorry, your efforts were futile. Because the last comment this user just wrote a few minutes ago was the most insulting of all. :((

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Sadly. Our demonic, smacking of sulfur chum Fitz acquired one more soul ;)

Quite likely many people wouldn't like to remember those times...

[xpo-xpo-xpo.livejournal.com]

It was death of a great country with great ideals (it's a different matter how did these ideals find their realization) and replacement of it by real "Upper Volta with missiles" (as now it's not quite an insult but rather quite truthful representation: 75% of exports are mineral resources). So it can be quite unpleasant to recall them one more time :)

Re: Quite likely many people wouldn't like to remember those times...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Okay, I understand. But this still doesn't give someone the right to call me "American shit" and other insults. And many people yearn for Soviet times, including some of my readers.

For some people everything (or everyone) American is shit.

[xpo-xpo-xpo.livejournal.com]

You can do nothing with this. You may look for some ban-hummer or just smile - may be your smile can change someone's mind :)

Re: For some people everything (or everyone) American is shit.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well now I'm taking a break from LJ for a little while. For my mental health. :)

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm saying absolutely nothing about Russian policy or people in this post. The post was a question to readers - maybe you have not practiced English in a long time and misunderstood what I wrote? :))

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[nucleosome.livejournal.com]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj4hxehkP4Y

А ведь мы же расссссссия! Подумать страшна великая страна

Re: Вот это и есть ёбаный стыд о котором так много говоря

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What is this scene about? I can't understand the actors' Russian. :(

[nucleosome.livejournal.com]

It's an episode from screen adaptation of popular Russian author - Pelevin and his book "Generation P". I'm sure you heard about this author, but in case you didn't here is what is written in wiki about "Generation P": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_%22%D0%9F%22)

It was translated into English: http://www.amazon.com/Homo-Zapiens-Victor-Pelevin/dp/product-description/0142001813/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books.

The youtube episode I've posted is a kind of quintessence of "russian idea" (although the book was written in 1999, but it gives you a clear picture of "russian" way of thinking, as nothing has changed since then).

It's 2014 and I am reading comments from Russians lika atlantis555 in your lj and I understand that nothing... nothing has changed since 1999.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, sometimes atlantis555 is rude and aggressive for no reason. He simply has a strong dislike for the West, and sometimes takes it out on me. :( Pity, it seems many Russian can't separate ordinary Americans from the politics of our nation. Thanks for the links.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What is wrong? Why do you find this post offensive? It was a simple question, with absolutely no malicious intent. I was relying on my reader's insights to tell me about American symbols during Soviet times. That's it. I don't understand the hostility in your comment. :(

[atlantis555.livejournal.com]

Ты знаешь, что такое "скатиться в сраное говно"? Не знаешь. Погугли. А лучше, спроси кого-нибудь из овер трёхсот триллиардов экспатов из России в Пиндостан. Они тебе объяснят. Всего хорошего. И не пиши мне больше, американское гавно.