We went to Ikea today in Moscow in 'Teplay Stan'. I used to live in Bratislava and a trip to Ikea (without a child I might add), was a pleasant, almost therapeutic experience. You could push your trolley (cart) around the isles, casually looking at cushions and lamps, admiring a nice bottom or two of a Slovak girl as she walked past, while you listened to soft easy music playing in the background of the store. You could take your time, have a coffee and pay for your items and leave relaxed and in tune with the world. Not so in Moscow.
We arrived at 2 pm, the car park was not full since it was a week day, however inside Ikea, people pushed past you, one almost knocking my wife over as he walked by with a mobile phone glued to one ear, people everywhere. My wife took her time, while I fought and battled with my off spring as he jumped up and down in an Ikea shopping trolley, grabbing everything off the shelves as we passed. I just wanted to get what we went for and leave pronto. My wife had all the time in the world while my nerves reached fever pitch. At the checkout, a Russian woman pushed in front of us, as is the custom in Moscow and went to pay for her stuff. My wife protested speaking in Russian to the rude woman but she carried on shouting at my wife. In Russia it's all about who shouts loudest to get what you want. The other shoppers in front of us, gave us both dark looks and seemed to be on the woman's side, had we broken an unspoken holy Russian rule when waiting in line? Maybe! Russians have their own unique system for queuing. It involves jumping in, queuing in two or even three lines to reach one checkout. You have to be fast and to be awake to prevent queue jumping or don't fight it at all and let it wash over you. This maybe the best policy to avoid a bloody nose or frayed nerves. I left the store sweating and gasping for air, as if running naked into the sea, free from my Ikea chains of shopping misery. Moscow is like a sardine can with too many fish.
The journey home to the center was tough, crawling along the highway in thick truck smoke, sandwiched between old trucks and antique buses. It really is a living hell here when it comes to shopping and driving. The locals and some long term expats, take it as normal and accept it. Not me sir. I hate it. Only go to Ikea when you have to and only go once a year dear reader.
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I agree, Moscovites have become animals, I remember walking my grandfather, and we were passing through a metro to get to the other side of the road, and it was almost as nobody cared if there was an elderly person walking, one man nearly ended up knocking him over.
ReplyDeleteMy other experience was at Auchan, the ones at 'Gipermarkets' it was insane, everyone pushes, shoves, one lady ran me over with her shopping cart, and I went into a rage, and another lady at a different Auchan, in a smaller complex, I nearly went bezerk was it not for the apology and the baby stroller.
Moscow will turn any sane man, into a freakin' wild animal, its only a matter of time!
You know what I mean!!! Give me the countryside any day !!
ReplyDeleteOne guy said " You are either nice or live in Moscow " I lived there for quite sometime before moving to States and last May when we were visiting with my 3 y.o. daughter, realised that I am so not "in tune" with this city anymore. My parents took me to Ashan on shopping spree I begged them to leave after 15 minutes of being pushed and yelled at . I didn't dare to go to Ikea :) (My parents live in Yuzhnoe Butovo) not very far from Teplyi stan. Are you in the South West district as well? It looked for me that shopping centers are the only exciting activities people preffer to do (though everybody complained that they have no money ) Shopping in Russia is very stressful.
ReplyDeletePublic transportation was another story when I had my kid and her stroller people looked at me like at enemy of the nation #1. I noticed that normally she would be the only kid in the whole metro wagon/bus. My favorite one is that when somebody pushes you out of the way then they turn around and give you a look that it is entirely your fault and you are the one who is causing all the problems ... On the positive note I know tons of nice, sweet, polite, educated Russian people... though majority of them have little to do with Moscow or trying to stay away :)
D.
D As I have learned Moscow is NOT Russia or Russian people. There are many good, kind Russians you just have to find them its the same in any big city.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you think so! I was just very sad reading about all your struggles and Russians are letting you down man...
ReplyDeleteD.
You're right,sir! ;D I am here for already 5 years and I have had enough! Most of my Russian friends are stubborn too: we love to play the shouting game when people are being rude to us. I just can't wait to finish my final year and pack my bags home!!!
ReplyDeleteilyasr2 ....5 years wow! a long jail term. I am stuck here at least for 2 more years !!!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. 90% of my Russian friends plan to emigrate, mostly to the West. I know nowhere is perfect, but living here is a real challenge...
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