Russia
My Friend Mehul from India, he lives in Russia brought out quite a few differences in culture and how things are done.
- No MRP
Toffees in supermarket
Growing up, it was expected that Maximum Retail Price would be written behind every product. In Russia (and other countries) however this is not done and one must read off the shelves the product price. I feel this is very disadvantageous to the customer as the shop can price a product anything they like. Interestingly, MRP was written in USSR but was removed in Russian Federation.
2. Cheap and abundant alcohol
Bottles of Vodka in a supermarket
Alcohol and especially vodka is famously associated with Russia and it shows. Starting with the fact that you can get a very wide range of alcohol in the general supermarket. This is a no-no in India as you must visit a separate shop to buy any alcohol. Secondly, compared to India, the alcohol in Russia is very cheap. Although I must say, even the cheap stuff is usually better in quality than the similarity priced Indian stuff.
3. War memorials everywhere
A memorial in Samara, Russia
Monuments commemorating World War 2 can be seen in almost every corner of most Russian cities. I've even seen one in a university naming the students who fought and died in the 'Great War’ in 1940s. It was surprising to me coming from India where a memorial to the fallen soldier can be seen only in major cities and capitals. However this reverence to the past can be justified since Russia/Soviet Union did sacrifice a lot and lost orders of magnitude more people than other countries, and the effects can be seen even today.
4. Circuses
A lion in a mall zoo
Russians hold great interest in circuses have permanent buildings for circuses in city centres. Most surprisingly, they still feature exotic animals like tigers and elephants. In India use of such animals is rightly banned. Biggest surprise for me however came in a shopping mall, where you'd expect to find clothes, there was a zoo! In the picture you can see a freaking lion in an indoor mall zoo. I cannot imagine this in India for sure, and has overall been a negative point for me about Russia.
5. Pristine environment
My dog swimming in river Volga, the biggest river of Russia (and Europe)
Coming from the crowded and polluted cities of India, Russia was literally a breath of fresh air. The rivers, even along the cities, are clean enough to swim, boat and relax. In India I cannot imagine dipping my feet in a river (sewer?) which flows along a city. My Russian friend complained how dirty Volga has become and I could only laugh thinking of comparison back home. The environment is one of the biggest positives I have about Russia.
There are many such examples, small and big, which I might add later. I however must add that even with the differences there are quite a few things similar between India and Russia.
Pictures Source Wikipedia
Thanks for Reading
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