Russia. I'm currently the only one posting under #russiabynatives, but I'm certain there are other Russians - and Russian-speakers - here. elizabeth, are you a Russia native? The more I hear about it, the more I'm getting under the impression that Russia and the US are not so different as the Cold War's slow-fading fog would suggest - at least in the bases of the mindset. I've never been to the US, but plenty of people told me about it - just check the aformentioned hashtag's post comments. rd95, weren't you commenting there as well?
Not native, I'm born and raised in Montreal but we speak russian at home and I've gone to russian school on weekends until I was about 15 :) I've been in russia a couple times and it's really nice that people don't really notice i'm from abroad until I say some strange word that everyone understands around here like recyclage (recycling in french).
Last time I've been there was last winter (well, more like early spring, but it's still winter when there's snow on the ground, right?). Still wonderful. The only thing I don't understand is why your pubs and bars close so early. Perhaps last time was a bad day?
How come you're so deeply into the Russian language and culture? Are your parents Russian? Just say "ресайклинг", or "клининг", or whatever substantive you might derive from English. There's an odd obsession with English words in Russia currently - like it was with French at one point, I presume.until I say some strange word that everyone understands around here like recyclage (recycling in french).
Yes, that's exaclty what I do except I say 'ресиклаж' . Or stuff like 'пошли в даун таун '. I don't have many examples, but I remember getting a lot of weird looks in Russia with people asking me what I meant. Yeah, my parents are (kinda) russian, emigrated to Canada in the 90's. I say kinda because in the USSR, it was all one big country and my roots are actually Jewish, Polish, Ukrainian, Belorus and not so much russian but my parents grew up in Soviet Culture and only spoke russian so culturally, I say they're russian. It's easier than explaining my whole family history to anyone that asks :P
My intention was to tell about Russia from within, to provide a look at the mysterious state on the other side of the pond (seeing how Hubski is very US-centric). If there's something you can add to that from your experience from within the country - you're welcome to take part. How come you're in Canada now?
My parents moved when I was in school, just wanted to get out of the country. I now study at a major Canadian university, getting my engineering diploma. Couldn't be happier, really, and even though I still have friends in Russia I don't intend to come back and live there after my studies are done. Visited the country a couple years back, and honestly, it's not a place I want to spend the rest of my life in. Even Moscow (or, perhaps, especially Moscow?) depresses me, the people, the attitude, the quality of life, the rudeness and the "жлобство" (is there even a word to describe it in English?). Also, there is nothing quite like being approached by the "гопники" in my hometown, it is such a magical feeling and one I grew quite unaccustomed to after years of living in a society that simply doesn't have anything remotely close.
"Boorishness" and "slobbery" are both given in the dictionary; do you feel like they represent the quality well enough? I forgot they still existed by now. Haven't met any since I finished local high school. Did they ask for "сига" or "позвонить чо", by any chance? What makes you not want to return to live in Russia? Also, I would advise you to come to other cities still, despite your terrible experience with Moscow: those cities beyond the Ural seem to be all less densy populated, slower and calmer. Visit Tomsk if you'd like to get the impression of pre-Soviet Russia mixed with some late-Soviet and modern architecture, or visit Kemerovo if you'd rather see a mostly-modern-ish look. Both have quite an impressive view."жлобство" (is there even a word to describe it in English?)
Also, there is nothing quite like being approached by the "гопники" in my hometown