Alaska Chat III (wages, expenses, pension)

[Лютый]

Originally Posted by gobrien

I don't know much about modern Russia, and I would like to know more. I just read a really good historical book set in WW2 from the perspective of people in Leningrad before and during the blockade, it was written by a woman who used to live there.

Yes, WW2 was the huge test for peoples living in USSR. The Soviet people (Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, Georgians, etc.) had won an aggressor in 1945. Thus the country has lost more than 28 million people. Now the people of the former USSR live in the different countries. However representatives of the same people live and work in Russia, as well as in Chukotka as before.

[Лютый]

Originally Posted by vpcats

-21C is NOT Spring to meeeeeeeeeee.

What I was really asking Oleg is, if don't you have to use some of your vacation time to do these maintenance types things in your home?
Over here in the States, there is never enough time to do everything, especially if you work all week so many people put aside some vacation time to catch up and do some work at home themselves. It's very expensive to keep hiring people to do things. I have to do that often because I don't know how to do any of that hard labor stuff myself! Plus, I'm a weakling (not strong).

Do you live in a home with a lot of land or apartment building?

Certainly I use my vacation to do somethings in my home. I have the apartment which demands a regular care it.

[Лютый]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I know what you mean gobrien. We think of the socialist/communist countries as having bare shelves and everything being rationed. We get this from movies and from real life documentaries and word-of-mouth stories.
And I'm sure it was true once upon a time. And it's true in some countries now, like Cuba and Venezuela and a few others which are following the same path unfortunately.

You are right. Thanks.

[Лютый]

Originally Posted by gobrien

I guess it is a lot like what people think (or don't think) of Alaska. But I think grocery stores are interesting how they differ in different areas. Like in New York, aren't there a lot of smaller markets that people walk to, in addition to the big box stores that people have to drive to that most of us are used to having? I love hearing about how different people live and what is normal for them.

Agreed. I like hearing about how different people live too.

[gobrien]

Originally Posted by Лютый

Agreed. I like hearing about how different people live too.

That is why I wanted to see pictures of just ordinary places like the store or the other businesses. Just as an example of what normal life is like. Pictures of Alaska always seem to be pretty nature scenes and I like to see the towns too. Maybe we should have a new reality show that has people all over the world videotaping just an ordinary day doing the things everyone has to do. Bringing the kids to school, going to work, the store, out to eat, and home. It would be really great for the new understanding we would have of each other.

[Nephler]

Had a great day out with the dogs. We went over and climbed the Butte, then went for a nice walk in the woods near Jim Lake.

[JohnPF]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I know what you mean gobrien. We think of the socialist/communist countries as having bare shelves and everything being rationed. We get this from movies and from real life documentaries and word-of-mouth stories.
And I'm sure it was true once upon a time. And it's true in some countries now, like Cuba and Venezuela and a few others which are following the same path unfortunately.

It is easy to google average salary in Russia and one in USA.
Average Monthly Wage In Russia (http://www.acg.ru/english/news2.phtml?m=1602 - broken link) thats below $9000 per year.
Average US wage comes at about $ 40,000 per year.
It's but one way to compare the standard of living.

How much is a State employee on Lyutys level making in US? Does anyone know? Because gold, cars, planes and real estate costs the same all over...

[JohnPF]

I'm missing on the Night of Musical Landscapes radio thing... got to go

[Лютый]

Originally Posted by gobrien

That is why I wanted to see pictures of just ordinary places like the store or the other businesses. Just as an example of what normal life is like. Pictures of Alaska always seem to be pretty nature scenes and I like to see the towns too. Maybe we should have a new reality show that has people all over the world videotaping just an ordinary day doing the things everyone has to do. Bringing the kids to school, going to work, the store, out to eat, and home. It would be really great for the new understanding we would have of each other.

Agreed

[gobrien]

I don't think what the pay in Russia is really something that is what I wanted to know. They pay pretty bad in Arkansas where I used to live and I lived better there in a lot of ways.