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Ruble crisis lends itself to Russian jokes
washingtonpost.com ^ | December 9, 2014 | Karoun Demirjian

Posted on 12/09/2014 2:10:54 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper

MOSCOW — As the falling ruble and depressed oil prices push Russia’s once-booming economy into the red, ordinary Russians are doing everything they can to lighten the mood – with black humor.

Dark humor is as much a Russian specialty as fine caviar, perfected during the more difficult years of the Soviet Union and over centuries of bleak, sunless winters. Russians routinely reach their peak joking creativity when times are their worst – and the current ruble-and-oil-and-sanctions-driven economic crisis is proving the ideal muse to inspire such irreverent expression.

“What do Russian President Vladimir Putin, the price of oil, and the ruble's value against the dollar have in common," opens one pithy wisecrack that recently made it from behind closed doors into a Bloomberg news story. “They’ll all hit 63 next year.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: economy; russia

1 posted on 12/09/2014 2:10:54 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Ёлкин - "И победить!": Послание Путина - YouTube

#АйсбергНаш. Рубль и Баррель, История Любви 😍😨😭 - YouTube

Comedy Club. Трио Смирнов, Иванов, Соболев. Падение рубля - YouTube

2 posted on 12/09/2014 2:12:35 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

All jokes must be authorized by the State. No ad hoc joking allowed. If we want you to joke, we will tell you when and how. Remember, we know where you live!


3 posted on 12/09/2014 2:17:27 AM PST by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Russian jokes are some of the best


4 posted on 12/09/2014 2:17:35 AM PST by Crazieman (Article V or National Divorce. The only solutions now.)
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Porsche, Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes vehicles have been selling as fast as dealers can put them out on the lot — but not necessarily because of a massive spike in personal wealth. It’s more to do with the fact that due to the global macroeconomic environment, a Porsche Cayenne will hold its value better than the Russian ruble will.
5 posted on 12/09/2014 2:20:16 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-08/russian-capital-control-jitters-revealed-in-bond-market-spreads


6 posted on 12/09/2014 2:33:55 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Usually when things like this happen - war soon follows...I wonder...


7 posted on 12/09/2014 2:36:07 AM PST by BCW (ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM)
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Moscow. The World Bank on Tuesday predicted that Russia's economy would shrink by 0.7 percent in 2015, but warned that the contraction would be worse if oil prices were to keep sliding, AFP reports.

The World Bank said its forecast is based on a scenario of crude prices averaging at $78 in 2015. But if oil prices fell to $70, Russia's output would shrink by 1.5 percent, it said.

Saudi Arabia Sees Oil Prices Stabilizing Around $60 a Barrel

8 posted on 12/09/2014 2:41:26 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: SES1066

In Russia you no tell joke, joke tells you.


9 posted on 12/09/2014 2:51:55 AM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Nasdaq-57 minutes ago
Brent Crude Hits Five-Year Low
$65.37 a barrel--a level last seen in August 2009.
10 posted on 12/09/2014 2:52:08 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-08/ukraine-to-observe-one-day-truce-amid-plan-for-new-peace-talks


11 posted on 12/09/2014 2:59:32 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

The Russians must have really inflated the rouble for it to fall this much.


12 posted on 12/09/2014 5:21:58 AM PST by captain_dave
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