Helpwithsomequestions?

[Zita Dabars]

Dear Seelangers,

National Textbook Company has asked me to update my <The Russian Way>, the
last edition of which was printed in 1997. I would appreciate if those who
have been in Russia recently could answer any of the following questions and
reply to me off-line.  (The "points" below refer to the headings in the book.)

Point 2.  Advertising. What things are advertised in Russia on billboards?
Snickers were advertised all over the place when I wrote the first edition of
the book.  Now, are they still being advertised?  I understand that
cigarettes, drinks, travel agencies are big.  What else? Computers? Cars?

49. Religion. Where can I find the latest information on the breakdown of
religions in Russia?  Earlier I quoted information from <Soviet Union, a
country study> that gave figures for 1989.

Point 64. The Telephone. I have received conflicting reports whether
telephone directories, especially with residential phone numbers, exist.
Some Muscovites say that they do, and that they even can be purchased, as
well as found in libraries and offices.  Others say this is not true.  I
realize that yellow pages type of telephone books do exist.

To obtain a phone number from 09 in 1993 cost 125 rubles and there was no
charge for non-government business phone number information. Has that changed?

How easy or difficult is it to find places from where a business man could
send or receive a fax?  What would the costs be?  (There used to be a place
in GUM, but it was not there the last time I was in Moscow in 1996.) In
general, any experience you can convey to me from a business point of view
would be appreciated.

Point 67. Toilets.  I understand that the situation has improved
significantly with the advent of paid toilets. Any comments on this point
will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Zita Dabars

CORLAC in retirement
7223 Lanark Ct.
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 821-1994 (phone and fax)
e-mail: zitad at aol.com