visiting Russia

[Yoshimasa Tsuji]

I am not disdainful to Russia, I am just a bit cautious when I
live there. I wanted to advise students visiting
Russia to be very aware that Russia is full of hazards. You are right to
be frightened if someone approaches after you or if you see someone
in the staircase/landing when you are opening the door. Ordinary Russians
will be scared, too. Wise people have told me that everyone thinks
they are safe until they suffer.

The statistics show the crime rate, particularly
the number of murder cases in Russia, is not significantly greater than
in US. Moscow has been safer than New York all the time.
  Bankers and politicians are often killed by contract, but people
in the street regard those cases as internal strife among criminals
and don't fear much.
  The general conditions of life has been worsening year by year
as far as the lower classes are concerned, but one rarely witnesses
street violences these days. (The years 1993-1994 were really horrible,
but normality has come back since 1995).

  What shocked me a month ago in Russia was the sudden outburst of
anti-US feeling all over Russia. America is not the only member of NATO,
why against America only? I just want you to be aware of the Russians who
feel immensely hurt in their pride by the West, particularly by America.
That was a very enlightening experience, indeed.

  It is highly advisable for foreigners to bury themselves in the
sea of Russians: buy cheap clothes and shoes as the Russians do, and
speak quietly in Russian all the time. If dressed drably and the
accent a little odd, you will be regarded to have come from
a remote republic (I was once thought of to be from Yakutia! If I change
my spectacles, I'll be perfect), and will be very safe. (And as a bonus, you
will be paying much less for tickets etc. than ostentatious foreigners).

Cheers,
Tsuji