19 archived photos, unique portraits of citizens of the Soviet Union.

[krassavchick]

http://www.go2life.net/history/325-19-arhivnyh-foto-unikalnye-portrety-grazhdan-sovetskogo-soyuza.html

How things have changed    

[MrMann]

There are a few more from the same series here:

http://englishrussia.com/2012/12/23/the-end-of-the-ussr/

Some of them look much older than 1990-1991!

[Eduard]

Yes, I remember those times, looks depressing...

[Muzh_1]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

[Mikeav8r]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

Great photos..you would think they were looking at a bunch of aliens...

Interesting, and what I would imagine as typical, comments about the photos as well.

[krassavchick]

Yes, I remember those times, looks depressing...

Apart from maybe the photo in the village and the obvious landmarks, i can't relate any of those photos to modern Russia, and that's a good thing!

[Net_Lenka]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

Great photos..you would think they were looking at a bunch of aliens...

Interesting, and what I would imagine as typical, comments about the photos as well.

Indeed two worlds - like two universes
One is from that universe where only 14 years passed since  terrible War II, wich took away 20 mln lifes, left in ruins half of the country  That world  where people were pround of the victory in that battle and WERE they could rebuilt  their homeland and  send a man to the cosmos ( even having patches on their pants)
Another one is from that universe where it's counted more wise to lay under Germans just to be able to create one more new new style of stuff
Though there is also the third world - the world of ignorance, who can look across Atlantic  at those photos and see nothing except poornes of ones and shown up of other
( Each time read your posts  I wonder  how you, who wish to get Russia wives, cpild be SO FAR from us -- indeed aliens Never could immagine how it's possible to live among you

[Mikeav8r]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

Great photos..you would think they were looking at a bunch of aliens...

Interesting, and what I would imagine as typical, comments about the photos as well.

Indeed two worlds - like two universes
One is from that universe where only 14 years passed since  terrible War II, wich took away 20 mln lifes, left in ruins half of the country  That world  where people were pround of the victory in that battle and WERE they could rebuilt  their homeland and  send a man to the cosmos ( even having patches on their pants)
Another one is from that universe where it's counted more wise to lay under Germans just to be able to create one more new new style of stuff
Though there is also the third world - the world of ignorance, who can look across Atlantic  at those photos and see nothing except poornes of ones and shown up of other
( Each time read your posts  I wonder  how you, who wish to get Russia wives, cpild be SO FAR from us -- indeed aliens Never could immagine how it's possible to live among you

Yes I understood the context..You misunderstood what I meant.  The expressions captured on the faces of the local citizens as the French (I agree with your sentiments) walked past them is what I was referring to.  The war was indeed a recent memory for those and the courage and tenacity of the Russian people during those tragic times cannot be overstated (I have said this in other posts) so please do not generalize as others do on this forum.

Welcome to RUA by the way.

P.S.  My intent was to find a relationship, possibly leading to marriage, anywhere..not just Russia...just so you know.  I was on 3 local sites and only 2 international...only a fool would believe a soul mate is restricted by a border.

[Anteros]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

Great photos..you would think they were looking at a bunch of aliens...

Interesting, and what I would imagine as typical, comments about the photos as well.

Indeed two worlds - like two universes
One is from that universe where only 14 years passed since  terrible War II, wich took away 20 mln lifes, left in ruins half of the country  That world  where people were pround of the victory in that battle and WERE they could rebuilt  their homeland and  send a man to the cosmos ( even having patches on their pants)
Another one is from that universe where it's counted more wise to lay under Germans just to be able to create one more new new style of stuff
Though there is also the third world - the world of ignorance, who can look across Atlantic  at those photos and see nothing except poornes of ones and shown up of other
( Each time read your posts  I wonder  how you, who wish to get Russia wives, cpild be SO FAR from us -- indeed aliens Never could immagine how it's possible to live among you

Yes I understood the context..You misunderstood what I meant.  The expressions captured on the faces of the local citizens as the French (I agree with your sentiments) walked past them is what I was referring to.  The war was indeed a recent memory for those and the courage and tenacity of the Russian people during those tragic times cannot be understated (I have said this in other posts) so please do not generalize as others do on this forum.

Welcome to RUA by the way.

P.S.  My intent was to find a relationship, possibly leading to marriage, anywhere..not just Russia...just so you know.  I was on 3 local sites and only 2 international...only a fool would believe a soul mate is restricted by a border.

And who might that fool be?   

[Anteros]

How about Christian Dior in 1959 Moscow?

http://www.go2life.net/people/161-30-unikalnyh-foto-1959-goda-kristian-dior-v-moskve.html

Yes, who could ever imagine a period in time when a Western Woman was better dressed than an FSUW? 

[Net_Lenka]

THe point is whatever we "look at" we see different things, different memories and thoughts  are raised  Well no wonder and it's even not big deal actually  that you show little efforts in trying to understand what you see from OUR point of view.
Some times it's even interesting to  know how our life looks like from aside But to LIVE among such aliens like you the rest of your life.... yeap god help your women

( PS I  speak "in general" basing my opinion on what I have read on forums like that for rather long time, and on THIs forum as well  as I am not a newbier here at all )

[Eduard]

Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things.   

[Net_Lenka]

Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things.

Reading such posts I feel pity for people who could remember only THIS from the USSR times. They realy had miserable life in the USSR just because had specific measure of life values
Also it's sad that such people very often is the only one sourses and experts of life  USSR for foreigners

[Eduard]

Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things.

Reading such posts I feel pity for people who could remember only THIS from the USSR times. They really had miserable life in the USSR just because had specific measure of life values
Also it's sad that such people very often is the only one sourses and experts of life  USSR for foreigners

Dear Lena,
you sound very judgemental. How do you know what my memories are and that "this" is the only thing that I remember. You have to read and make an effort to understand things in context and do not generalize. Note that I wrote "Looking at photos like these"... THESE photos bring sad memories. It doesn't mean that I don't have many happy memories but in this particular thread we are discussing these particular photos. Please try to pay attention to the context and try not to judge any one. You will feel better about yourself.

[Millaa]

It's not photoes made in USSR 20 years ago... it's the Land of Freedom our days 





Photographers are rarely impartial and see what they want to see.

[Net_Lenka]

And I though  think words like THAt "Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things."  left no other "context" about what you value  I just want to let foreigners know that many who lived in BOTH variations ( socialism and capitalism) and continue to live to be able to compare have different "context" to what you show here

[Eduard]

It's not photoes made in USSR 20 years ago... it's the Land of Freedom our days 





Photographers are rarely impartial and see what they want to see.

What you might not realize is that the "homeless" people on the photos you posted in most cases don't have to be homeless. Most of them choose this lifestyle often due to mental illness or an addiction. If they wanted to they could get a section 8 apartment (government subsidized apartment that costs very little), welfare (free money), foodstamps (more free money to buy food with which they may exchange for cash and use to buy drugs and alcohol), medicaid (free medical care) and free education if they want it.
At least these people have freedom to live their life the way they want to, it is by choice. Soviet citizens with mental illness weren't treated the same - they were rotting away in psychiatric prisons "hospitals", being tortured and abused.
If you are trying to compare life in the US to life in the USSR and think that there was good and bad in both countries you would be correct. There were some good things about living in the USSR but IMO the bad/good ratio in the USSR would be 90/10 while in the US it was 10/90.
Regretfully the US is changing now under this president. He did promise to fundamentally change this country and he is being successful at that. 

[Eduard]

And I though  think words like THAt "Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things."  left no other "context" about what you value  I just want to let foreigners know that many who lived in BOTH variations ( socialism and capitalism) and continue to live to be able to compare have different "context" to what you show here

I'm sorry, Lena, I couldn't understand what you were trying to say.

[Millaa]

If you are trying to compare life in the US to life in the USSR and think that there was good and bad in both countries you would be correct. There were some good things about living in the USSR but IMO the bad/good ratio in the USSR would be 90/10 while in the US it was 10/90.
Regretfully the US is changing now under this president. He did promise to fundamentally change this country and he is being successful at that.

Eduard, somehow I don't surprise your version of good/bad ratio ibn the USSR and US. Guess why? These are memories of offended person, so its can't be objective.

[andrewfi]

And I though  think words like THAt "Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things."  left no other "context" about what you value  I just want to let foreigners know that many who lived in BOTH variations ( socialism and capitalism) and continue to live to be able to compare have different "context" to what you show here

I understand what you mean. I have friends here who miss the old days and, I have to say I understand what they are getting at. Life was in many ways easier, more free time, less responsibility and less to worry about. I remember going fishing with a friend who runs a bar. Now I am not a fisherman and neither is he. We went with family and friends to a local lake where we spent the night by a big fire 'fishing' from a little rubber boat while we drank and ate fish (not the ones we caught because we failed spectacularly at that task!).
As we drive back to his nice new home in his shiny new people carrier he told me that he missed being able to do this - what used to be a common thing in his family's life was now a rare special treat.

Foreigners often talk about human rights and gulags especially Americans, while forgetting the prisons and work camps in their own country. The reason is that most people never find themselves in places like those, they are an invisible abstraction. People think about and remember family, home, work and play.

Estonia probably had among the highest of living standards in the Soviet Union but I know from my time in Russia and from what I saw in Moldova that there are plenty who miss the old days and still enjoy the pleasures of those times whenever they can.

[NS1]

I can't speak on Old Soviet times, but if you look at recent history, in Any country.
Many people miss what you describe as family time. Even life in North America.
The quality of family time has eroded and is much more rare.
Both parents working, 7 day a week business and shopping. Life is more busy.
This is not always good. I think it affects many people, from many cultures.

The race to the top, keeps most busy, QUestions is to the top of what?

[krassavchick]

And i just thought i was sharing some interesting photos 

[Net_Lenka]

And i just thought i was sharing some interesting photos 

Okay Here is a chance for your reabilitation - go and find something more positive about life in the USSR to share here. I think it would be more interesting because it's more rare thing among those stuff foreigners managed to dig up from internet each time they try "just to sharing something about the USSR" ( Hint-  it should not be girls in mini skirts some of you used to post like the only one positive stuff)

[Muzh_1]

Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things.

Reading such posts I feel pity for people who could remember only THIS from the USSR times. They realy had miserable life in the USSR just because had specific measure of life values
Also it's sad that such people very often is the only one sourses and experts of life  USSR for foreigners

Well said.

My wife grew up in the USSR and she experienced the turmoil of the Soyuz implosion.

Still, she said she had good times growing up and things were good for her as a child.

Also, she can't stand the cut-throat capitalism for the sake of a buck. Of course she likes good things and likes to spend her money on these. But the amassing of fortunes is not her cup of tea.

[Muzh_1]

Looking at this photos and remembering how we used to live in the USSR really saddens me. For some one (like me) who lived it, it is very difficult to understand how some people here in the US are thinking that Socialism and Marxism are good things.

Reading such posts I feel pity for people who could remember only THIS from the USSR times. They really had miserable life in the USSR just because had specific measure of life values
Also it's sad that such people very often is the only one sourses and experts of life  USSR for foreigners

Dear Lena,
you sound very judgemental. How do you know what my memories are and that "this" is the only thing that I remember. You have to read and make an effort to understand things in context and do not generalize. Note that I wrote "Looking at photos like these"... THESE photos bring sad memories. It doesn't mean that I don't have many happy memories but in this particular thread we are discussing these particular photos. Please try to pay attention to the context and try not to judge any one. You will feel better about yourself.

Gee Ed, when you go on the record that you had good times there, then feel free to be offended. This is the first time I've seen you put in writing that you have happy memories from the former Soyuz.