I was deployed to Uzbekistan in 2003. Young Uzbek women were very nostalgic about Soviet days where “there was plenty of food (?) and everyone had a job with thirty days vacation a year”. They would have been children in 1991.
One Uzbek lovely who resembled Crystal Gayle told me in perfect English that she admired Josef Stalin and that he ruled with an iron fist as the Soviet Union was so huge.
We G.I.’s agreeed that under communism she would be some Russian general’s b!tch.
As for Russians, a lot on us thought the fall of communism would somehow change their character for the better. It hasn’t; they are still suspicious & resentful of the West and blame us for their problems.
Russians don’t even have the comfort of Imperial days; “If only we could tell the Czar our problems, everything would be all right!”
Enjoy their pirogies & vodka, but steer clear of Russians. Even Stolichnaya is distilled in Latvia now.
“” “” As for Russians, a lot on us thought the fall of communism would somehow change their character for the better. It hasn’t; they are still suspicious & resentful of the West and blame us for their problems.”” “”
How do you know? :)
I hope you didn't give them money or matches. And did they drink your battery fluid? Uzbeks! They are the weak link in the Great Chain of Socialism.