[MarMema]

When I was in Moscow I used to play experiments on the Russian people for fun. One of them was at a local market. I would go and stand outside and every baba that came out I smiled hugely at and said HELLO, I am *** from Amerika, Privyet, Ochen preyetna. and shook their hand and really hit them hard with a lot of enthusiasm.

Just to see their reactions. Because they told me, some of my friends there, you know, how they think Americans are so wierd to smile all the time.

[struwwelpeter]

Cats are cats ;-) while people are creatures of habit. Zhanna Aguzarova said she got in a lot of trouble with the censors over that song.

You know, before we messed around in Yugoslavia, (most) Russians just loved Americans. Now there's a whole category of anti-American jokes, and a wildly popular comedian named Zadornov whose entire shtick is on what idiots Americans are.

On the first link, USA (Russian SShA) supposedly stands for Strana Shizofrenikov i Alkogolikov ("Land of Schizophrenics and Alcoholics").

Here's a Lada/Moskvich for you. The bumper sticker says "Merskvich - Fighter"

And here's something about telephones and food

[jb6]

Because they told me, some of my friends there, you know, how they think Americans are so wierd to smile all the time.

Don't tell that to the Americans from the NE or central FL.