When People who have never visited Russia describe what they think a typical Muscovite looks and acts like they usually paint a grim picture. It usually involves a large leather jacket, perhaps with some fur on it, a large boxy hat made of more fur, thick boots and almost always a frown, scowl or emotionless look on the face of their imagined Russian. While I would agree with that entire description (moreso with "emotionless" than frown or scowl) I have been pleasantly surprised by a few funny moments in Moscow.
People here aren't really known for their sense of humor, so it when it does happen I notice it. Take for example the lady selling gloves as the men's clothing store:
Me: How much do those gloves cost?
Lady: 3,000 Rubles ($100 roughly)
Me: Oh, that's too much for me. Maybe in five years. I'll come back then.
Lady: (without breaking character) We'll wait for you.
Hilarious.
Then there was the lady at passport control last time we left the country. We were the first to check in so we had our pick of lines to go through. There are the normal traveller lines then there are the diplomat lines. Seeing as I was not a diplomat I went to stand behind Jessica in line, but that's when the lady in the diplomat line waved me towards her.
Me: (handing her my passport and smiling) But I'm not a diplomat.
Lady: (again not breaking character) Not yet you're not. Have a great day!
It was by far the best passport experience I've ever had in Russia. It made me laugh all day.
So, you see, Russians can actually be funny. That or maybe I'm not hearing them correctly and am just making up humor for them. Either way, it's making me laugh.
1 comment:
Yes, it's funny! I am laughing out loud. So glad you wrote that down before your forgot to. ~ Emily
Post a Comment