RW Fever check it and see....gotta fever of 103...And other Random musings

[WestCoast]

Rus toilet paper has gotten better over the recent years.  The days of soft sandpaper doubling as toilet tissue are over.   

Nice thread Bill!

The small bathtowels are a result of both economic issues, but just as importantly, the room available for hanging/storage.  Just two large fluffy towels can take up most of the space of a tiny Euro washer and isn't practical for most living situations.

WC, here is a photo of 15 or more Russian clothes dryers in just one building!

(Attachment Link)  


We have a 'contraption' in our home which resembles the old fashioned 'ringer' found in 1950s washing machines.  It's unattached by design, electric, and it resides out on our enclosed balcony where my wife and MIL use it to ring clothes dry before hanging them on the balcony, over the bathtub, in our hallway, etc.

I remember the "ringers" from when my mother and I lived with her parents while my father was away working.  I also remember her stating that when she had her own home she would NEVER have one in the house and she never did. 

I'm told by some of the European people that I know that one of the reasons that dryers are not popular in European apartments is because the dryers require more electricity than washers and since most Europeans live in old or very, very old apartment buildings the buildings would have to be completely rewired to accommodate the electrical demands of dryers. 

[WestCoast]

Here's one thing missing from the thread.. RW approved, slippers and 'flat wear'...Thats right, I've been reliably informed that a 'collective committee' has been formed by my lady, her sister and mom'. They went through and did some shopping for this falls 'show off your russified AM at home' fall fashion line.

GQ ain't got nuthin on me!

ECR844 does this mean that when you are in Russia that you will be able to pass for a Russian man, pointed shoes and dark clothes.  Has the 'collective committee' started with language lessons yet?

[ECR844]

Here's one thing missing from the thread.. RW approved, slippers and 'flat wear'...Thats right, I've been reliably informed that a 'collective committee' has been formed by my lady, her sister and mom'. They went through and did some shopping for this falls 'show off your russified AM at home' fall fashion line.

GQ ain't got nuthin on me!

ECR844 does this mean that when you are in Russia that you will be able to pass for a Russian man, pointed shoes and dark clothes.  Has the 'collective committee' started with language lessons yet?

So far I'm holding strong. My 'outside' fashion faux pas will remain my own for now with limited supervision. But if I am to remain an 'approved' man I need to allow the neck to guide me on my 'inside' fashion choices. So after a fair bit of 'convincing' I am acquiescing and going to trust them I'm told I have the whole works, flat shoes, and all ready to go. As for the language lessons. They've been helping me. Mostly I've been doing it on my own, although I've been told to expect more intensive tutoring when I'm back again.. Really I'm clay in their creative hands.. 8) Plus "mendeleyevs" language thread helped alot..

[blucatz]

Rus toilet paper has gotten better over the recent years.  The days of soft sandpaper doubling as toilet tissue are over.  

Nice thread Bill!

The small bathtowels are a result of both economic issues, but just as importantly, the room available for hanging/storage.  Just two large fluffy towels can take up most of the space of a tiny Euro washer and isn't practical for most living situations.

WC, here is a photo of 15 or more Russian clothes dryers in just one building!

(Attachment Link)  


We have a 'contraption' in our home which resembles the old fashioned 'ringer' found in 1950s washing machines.  It's unattached by design, electric, and it resides out on our enclosed balcony where my wife and MIL use it to ring clothes dry before hanging them on the balcony, over the bathtub, in our hallway, etc.

I remember the "ringers" from when my mother and I lived with her parents while my father was away working.  I also remember her stating that when she had her own home she would NEVER have one in the house and she never did. 

I'm told by some of the European people that I know that one of the reasons that dryers are not popular in European apartments is because the dryers require more electricity than washers and since most Europeans live in old or very, very old apartment buildings the buildings would have to be completely rewired to accommodate the electrical demands of dryers. 

What about all the new apt. buildings being built now?  Are they being wired to accept a clothes dryer?  What about being wired for cable?

[Chris]

What about all the new apt. buildings being built now?  Are they being wired to accept a clothes dryer?  What about being wired for cable?

Yes this is it Blu

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[Manny]

I'm told by some of the European people that I know that one of the reasons that dryers are not popular in European apartments is because the dryers require more electricity than washers and since most Europeans live in old or very, very old apartment buildings the buildings would have to be completely rewired to accommodate the electrical demands of dryers. 

I am guessing you mean FSU Europeans here?

[WestCoast]

I'm told by some of the European people that I know that one of the reasons that dryers are not popular in European apartments is because the dryers require more electricity than washers and since most Europeans live in old or very, very old apartment buildings the buildings would have to be completely rewired to accommodate the electrical demands of dryers. 

I am guessing you mean FSU Europeans here?

Manny:  I know a number of people from France, Germany and Italy and they have said that the older buildings, meaning buildings built before electricity and even the   buildings built in the first half of the 20th century simply do not have the proper electrical wiring to handle dryers which of course in Europe are 220/240 volts.  My assumption is that this is also a problem in Russia, because of the older buildings and the probable lower building standards (from the Soviet era).

I'm sure the new buildings being put up Moscow/St. Pete are capable of handling insuite dryers and are probably even wired for cable.

[Manny]

My wifes parents have a combined washer/dryer and AC, they live in a Soviet apartment building. I cannot comment on other parts of Europe, but in the UK all wiring is up to the modern job as any older buildings will have been rewired at some stage.

[Chris]

I'm told by some of the European people that I know that one of the reasons that dryers are not popular in European apartments is because the dryers require more electricity than washers and since most Europeans live in old or very, very old apartment buildings the buildings would have to be completely rewired to accommodate the electrical demands of dryers. 

I am guessing you mean FSU Europeans here?

Manny:  I know a number of people from France, Germany and Italy and they have said that the older buildings, meaning buildings built before electricity and even the   buildings built in the first half of the 20th century simply do not have the proper electrical wiring to handle dryers which of course in Europe are 220/240 volts.  My assumption is that this is also a problem in Russia, because of the older buildings and the probable lower building standards (from the Soviet era).

I'm sure the new buildings being put up Moscow/St. Pete are capable of handling insuite dryers and are probably even wired for cable.

I have rented apartments in both Russia and Ukraine, some of which you dare not plug anything in that resembles an electrical appliance for fear of being burnt to a cinder and yet others are as good as here, except they have power cuts on a regular basis 

[WestCoast]

Was talking to a friend who got back from visiting relatives in Russia.  Went shopping with the family (his family and Russian relatives) in St. Pete and his youngest niece talked her parents into letting her buy a pair of designer jeans in one of the new designer brand stores.  Price tag for the designer jeans for his 16 year old niece, almost $600 Canadian. He told his brother that he has never had a $600 suit and there is no chance ever that his daughters will wear $600 jeans.  His brother doesn't earn anymore the average Canadian worker and his sister-in-law works, fashion sense must be pretty important to people in St. Pete. 

[2tallbill]

Was talking to a friend who got back from visiting relatives in Russia.  Went shopping with the family (his family and Russian relatives) in St. Pete and his youngest niece talked her parents into letting her buy a pair of designer jeans in one of the new designer brand stores.  Price tag for the designer jeans for his 16 year old niece, almost $600 Canadian. He told his brother that he has never had a $600 suit and there is no chance ever that his daughters will wear $600 jeans.  His brother doesn't earn anymore the average Canadian worker and his sister-in-law works, fashion sense must be pretty important to people in St. Pete. 

Some people think that a $600.00 par of jeans are better or more prestigious than a $400.00 pair or a $50.00 pair.
Because of this people will offer a pair for $600.00. I think that people who want a $600.00 pair are less secure
people and try to make up for this with such purchases.

Just my two kopecks,

Bill

[Jared2151]

$600 ?? 

I think I would tell that young lady that I usually only pay X for jeans and that she would have to make up the difference or do without.

It's funny how kids need certain items until they have to start footing the bill.

[2tallbill]

$600 ?? 

I think I would tell that young lady that I usually only pay X for jeans and that she would have to make up the difference or do without.

It's funny how kids need certain items until they have to start footing the bill.

Yeah my son is the same. He makes $10 mowing the yard and $10 washing
the car inside and out. If he wanted something for $600 then he knows how
much labor is required to accumulate that much dough. Understanding the
value of money is one of the life lessons that  parents need to teach their children.

There wouldn't be any $600 jeans if every parent did this.

Just my two kopecks,

Bill

[fireeater]

$600 ?? 

I think I would tell that young lady that I usually only pay X for jeans and that she would have to make up the difference or do without.

It's funny how kids need certain items until they have to start footing the bill.

Yeah my son is the same. He makes $10 mowing the yard and $10 washing the car inside and
out. If he wanted something for $600 then he knows how much labor is required to accumulate
that much dough. Understanding the value of money is one of the life lessons that  parents need
to teach their children.

There wouldn't be any $600 jeans if every parent did this.

Just my two kopecks,

Bill

Another good reason for making the child pay for expensive items, is for them to earn the money to show they really do want this. That it is a need
not just a passing fancy. If they really have to have it, they will earn the money themselves.   

I made my son do this, when he decided Mountain biking was his thing.
Once he got the bike, Then I paid for all the protective gear he needed.
But he did earn the money first for the bike Cost $5,000.00, In his third year for this now, so it was a real desire.   

[Olga_Mouse]

Was talking to a friend who got back from visiting relatives in Russia. 

 Went shopping with the family (his family and Russian relatives) in St. Pete and his youngest niece talked her parents into letting her buy a pair of designer jeans in one of the new designer brand stores. 

 Price tag for the designer jeans for his 16 year old niece, almost $600 Canadian.

Erm... what was the brand, I wonder? Escada? Prada or Gucci? But aren't these brands too "old" for a 16 y.o. girl?

Here in Moscow Dsquared2 http://www.dsquared.com/ is considered now as a must-have - but I bought mine in Paris for just 149 EUR?

(Might be because it was Italian 38 \ European 32 size that nobody else needed though...)