As a Russian-American, I’m used to answering questions on Russia. Most of them are mundane, revolving across the similar theme: how a lot does it price to purchase this or that in Russia? Condominium costs normally appeal to the majority of the eye. My notion that these costs can dramatically range between Moscow and, say, a small metropolis in Siberia, normally meets with an incredulous stare. A declare that almost all People wouldn’t afford to purchase an condo in some neighborhoods in Moscow stuns many individuals.
There are, in fact, questions on politics. After being requested a zillion instances what I take into consideration Putin, I now ship a response as polished as knowledgeable elevator pitch. (I can’t repeat it right here.) I additionally keep in mind a query that made me virtually speechless: “Was your final czar (Nicolas II) additionally president?” Hmm, no, he was not.
This time of the 12 months, questions flip to Thanksgiving. Do they have a good time Thanksgiving in Russia, and if not, why? My trustworthy makes an attempt to argue that Thanksgiving is rooted in occasions in American historical past that had by no means occurred in Russia normally go nowhere; my interlocutors appear to really feel that I’m merely dodging the query.
So, at some point, I made a decision to strive one thing totally different. When requested, by an academically wanting gentleman at a celebration, why they don’t have a good time Thanksgiving in Russia, I answered: “As a result of the Russian authorities is so incompetent that it may well’t present a turkey to each Russian household.” The gentleman nodded approvingly, visibly impressed with the depth of my evaluation.
Glad Thanksgiving to all my American associates and colleagues!
Picture credit score: https://www.news9live.com/art-culture/how-new-england-first-thanksgiving-plays-a-role-in-america-origin-story-136294
