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

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. :)