crime in Russia

[Tatiana Osipovich]

I wish to enthusiastically second Prof. Kustanovich's e-mail
regarding Russian credit card theft, etc. It is awful that we, as
specialists in Slavic studies, would support and circulate cultural
stereotypes like the ones in Rosset's e-mail. Hundreds of millions dollars
are lost in credit card theft in the USA each year, yet we take some sort
of pleasure in seeing Russians as the bad guys again.

I spend almost every summer in Russia (most often in St. Petersburg) and I
always use my credit cards and even debit cards to get cash.  So far I
have been lucky.  However, I was not so lucky in the USA-- when I became
the victim of credit card fraud, I submitted a claim and the police did
listen to my complaint, but no one has ever been caught.

I would always advise others to use the same precautions regarding money,
credit cards, etc. in any country, Russia or the USA, but I ask my
colleagues not to support cultural stereotyping and bashing others for
crimes and misdemeanors which are committed in any country.

Tatiana Osipovich

On Tue, 13 Aug 2002, kustakv wrote:

> This is exactly the kind of alarmist generalization that drives our
> enrollments down. I spent a year in St. Petersburg,used my credit card in all
> restaurants and supermarkets which would care to accept it, and never had any
> problem. I also carried my bulging (with ten-ruble notes) wallet in my pants
> pocket and it is still with me. Maybe I was exceptionally lucky, but I can
> assure you that St. Petersburg is not more dangerous (although, alas, much
> dirtier) than other big European cities.
> 
> Konstantin Kustanovich
> 
> >===== Original Message From Slavic & East European Languages and Literature
> list              <SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> =====
> >Françoise Rosset wrote:
> >
> >> Dear SEELangers,
> >> Any plans for March 2003?
> >> besides heading to Petersburg for the tercentenary bash, of course ...
> >
> >If you go, stay very carefull with your belongings. Don't let anything
> >valuable at hotel, don't carry any bag, and keep your hands in your pockets.
> >The best would be to have something like a holster, directly on the skin,
> >under your shirt, where you keep the bulk of your money, your passport and
> >credit card. Concerning credit card, avoid using it, excepting in banks.
> >Don't underestimate thieves : they are very smart, and operate in all
> >touristic places. The police just don't care : they are underpayed and
> >certainly receive part of the loot.
> >
> >Georges (just back from Pete)
> >
> >
> >_____________________________________________________________________________
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