Your safety: criminals in Russia.

One we have a client in Kazan we called him a brave man. Sometimes I hear some sad stories about postponing meetings between Western men and our women. They can fail because men's close people and relations persuade them not to go to "dangerous Russia". Bandits all over! If you are lucky to escape them you are certain to be caught by KGB.

It would be very funny but: I see this argument works and some men take it really serious!

Yes, we have a high level of criminal activity in Russia.

Yes, our criminals tend to form bands.

Yes, Russian laws work poorly.

It's true. But how can WE live here?? If everything were so terrible we
would have been murdered long ago!

Ask yourself; where in the world there are no criminals? Where is this paradise? We like having rest at such wonderful resorts as the Turkish,
Italian, French and Spanish seaside. You mean there are no criminals in these countries?

I'm going to tell you a typical story that happened in Kazan with our guest.

Once he came to our office with our manager.

He had to spend the night at her place! "What's happened?", we asked. It turned out to be that he failed to unlock his door and spent 4 hours
outside. When he finally became frozen all over he called our manager. It was 1 a.m.! She came and they tried to unlock the door together. It was dark and they thought the door was curved and the lock broken. Robbers! Sabina had to take our guest to her house.

Having heard this story I thought, "It's just in time! I'm writing a newsletter about safety in Russia!"

We called some workers to unlock the door and change the lock but: there was no need in the latter. The door was OK and nobody tried to burst in. Take a deep breath and relax. :))

But: Next morning he came with his forehead broken! "What's up?!", we asked. I thought the worst: beating, robbery:

But he just slipped and fell down in the bath.

Now I'm asking myself, "What's it that is going to happen with him tomorrow???" :-)))

I call this story happened in Kazan a typical one because it is VERY real. We are ready to face troubles more than good things. We tell each other
horror stories and worry a lot but we tend to learn about the majority of crimes from evening documentaries: It seems like a virtual world showing
some events that happen in our city and country but do not affect us personally (thanks God!:)!

Crimes can take place in all countries. Let's just count: Al-Kagida in America, basks in Spain, IRA in England, Albanians in Western Europe, Arabs in Israel, the North Korea in the Far East, extreme military Muslim bands in the Middle East: Oh, no registered acts of terrorism in Antarctica! How about meeting there?

I feel sad when I hear that our men and women can spoil their wonderful relations long before they meet. They just discuss the place of meeting and:
misunderstanding!

It's much more expensive for a man to meet a woman in his country, for example, a European one. But men's relations are persistent in talking him
out of going to Russia.

Of course, the best variant is to meet your fiancee in her country. You'll be able to understand her personality better and meet her family and
friends. This will make you see your future wife in various situations. You'll have a chance to see her place and the conditions of everyday life. You'
ll get more information than from a hundred of letters.

In case you are scared of Russia so much maybe you would better seek an American wife? ;-)

But I don't think it is going to be the best choice. I've just seen a well-known joke in the net. This is an American joke and it very well fits the situation:

<It's easier to teach a Russian woman English than an American one to be a good wife!>

Anyone thinking the other way??? :-)))

Your comments:

#1 DOUG (USA) at 2006-04-01

While I don't feel that your country is more dangerous than any other for
the most part I do have to wonder about being a stranger in a strange
land.
I know that someone going to the middle east who speaks only English is
looking for trouble in many areas and I wonder if this is not true in
parts of Russia as well. In many areas of the world the wrong language can mark
you as someone worth stealing from and even as someone to make a politcal
stateement through. If I spoke Russian I would feel much safer in many
places not just in Russian as few dislike Russians as much as they do
Americans. True in the more cosmoplitan areas of Russia this is not true
but, outside of those areas what is it like? I know from what little
experience I've had outside of the US people are mostly just people trying
to survive and provide for their families but, like everywhere they have
their criminal elements and many find tourists who speak only English easy
and worthwhile targets. Is this not true in Russia as well? Especially in
those parts that are predominately muslim?
I'm probably guilty of some preconceptions but then you do have Chechnia
and that is difficult for even Russians. For someone who does not know the
country it can be a bit daunting. Still I would enjoy visiting it someday
and look forward to doing so.
Doug

Author's answer: I am hurrying to comfort you, Doug. Russians easily recognize foreigners by
their looks. You may not open your mouth at all! How? I can't explain it!
But it is very simple. They are different, they differ from Russians and
that's it! So there is no need to learn Russian in an express way. However,
some colloquial phrases always ease the contact.

Russian people are very hospitable. For many of them the guest is a very
honorable person that must be satisfied with reception. People in the
streets are also friendly, as a rule, and try to help. Though, certainly
there are swindlers, especially in such crowded places as train stations and
airports. Like in other countries!

The goal of this article was to show that you shouldn't be afraid of myths
like "Russian mafia". Take common precautions and everything will be all
right!
Welcome to Russia, Doug!