russian language lessons/ russian restaurant?

[Vovan]

To skn420: I'm not a staff member of the embassy )) Why not to call them up and ask ? If you have some questions feel free to contact me in icq:38886645. I rarely visit this forum.

[Katya]

Alrighty. A kruzhok of Russian speakers and others interested is going to be meeting Thursday 23 September at Borders cafe on Orchard at 7.00 pm. How will you recognize us? I'll bring along my little Russian flag. See you there!

[mummy]

Hi everyone, anyone knows if it is safe to travel there? Heard stories about skinheads and racists there and worry if tourists will get killed. BTW, are there any russo skinheads that came to Singapore? it would get really scary if they do.

[mediashark]

Hey guys (hi Vova!)!

Actually there are no authentic Russian restaurant in Singapore. The 'shashlik' in Shashlik isn't really shashlik (just plain meat!), neither is the borshch (just tomato soup!), or pancakes with caviar (ten-dollar lumpfish caviar? you gotta be kidding!).... it was one of the reasons why I decided to cook up a storm for my farewell party before I went back to Moscow (I'm Singaporean but been shuttling back and forth). Finally my friends got to taste real borshch, herring salad and the like.

Yes, so the only solution is to learn how to cook it... and know where to find ingredients. You can practically find everything in the Cold Storage supermart in Holland Village and Jason's Marketplace at Raffles. Expensive but...

Actually I used to throw parties for Russian friends... but since I am no longer in Singapore.... Sorry folks... maybe when I return in May 2005...

You guys probably want to check out my site www.freewebs.com/sg-ru/

And to the paranoid mummy traveller--don't go to Russia. I have been living in Moscow for almost a year without even any minor incidents. If you're going to have that kind of mentality, then just stay in Singapore. Russia doesn't need tourists like you. If you get killed, you probably deserved it anyway.

--Anya [email protected]

[mummy]

to Mediashark:

Are u black, white, asian, caucasian or what? IF u're white, they won't tell u apart from russians. but if not, u'll be instantly recognized. Media reports about violence and skinheads' killings can't be wrong???

BTW, ur website doesn't work

[mediashark]

I am Asian. Singapoeran actually,.

BTW the website is working as of now. Freewebs was probably down at the moment.

Unfortunately foreign media never gets Russia right. There are 10 milliion or more people in Russia, so a few got whacked. Other Russians are just as much as a target as foreigners, since there is so much mixed blood. And do you think the skinheads would take the trouble to travel to Singapore to beat you up? Usually such attacks don't take place in broad daylight. Most people try to get home before nightfall and go out in pairs or groups. Don't forget there are American skinheads too.

Actually the majority of Russians don't care and will mind their own business if you are minding your own business too. Unless you get lost and try to ask for direction, they will be very helpful. More often than not I have to kindly explain that I am a foreigner and have a little trouble with the language, they just politely and patiently help me out. So what if they recognize me as a foreigner? I don't pretend to be one of them and I respect their position as my 'hosts' and my position as a 'guest'. Furthermore, I don't put myself into dangerous positions like walking alone at night or in some dangerous neighbourhoods.

Anyway still there are some things that are expected of foreigners--for example it's considered rude to speak in a foreign language loudly in public or not give way to fellow passengers on the buses or trains.

Oh yeah, here's a little story... Once there was a rowdy bunch of tourists on the bus. Thinking that no one understood English here, they started making rude comments about everything about the bus driver, Muscovites, Metro etc. The guys opposite me started looking uncomfortable and making secret signs that showed his disapproval. Those tourists really annoyed me too, so I decided I also had enough, stood up, strode over to them and said, "Look guys, if you have a problem with this bus, please get off. The weather today seems nice enough for a walk." There was an awkward silence till we reached the next stop and they got off. Many fellow passengers gave me a nod of respect and a babushka somewhere said something really nice to me. I can't remember what she said but it really made my day!

I doubt the media reports any of these....

[Kerry Rockz]

True there are American skinheads. But these guys get it from the law. America is afterall a lawful society.

In russia, skinheads get away cos the legal system there is corrupt.

The media is never biased how they report America vs russia.

[mediashark]

LOL! EVERYBODY gets away! If you have the money, that is.

Kind of like "nothing is permitted, but everyting is possible".

Hmm so if skinheads are a problem, you can get yourself a "roof" or protection from the police. Ask for a price list. Or ask your local mafia boss.

Not biased you say?

I believe American media was the reason why nobody was prepared for the financial crisis of 1998. They painted pictures that were far too rosy.

Russian media is still crap. And they don't take too well to Americans or foreigners... maybe that's the whole reason why the RF is full of xenophobes...

Umm... can the Russians on the board say something? Want to hear your opinion.

[Den]

Privet vsem , Katya - davno s Moscow? want keep in touch [email protected] or msn there

[Ruslan]

I'm Russian, always glad to meet new friends. In Singapore since March. PM me if you need practise in Russian.

[thelostnomad]

There is a language school that have Russian class at many levels.

inlingua School of Languages, Singapore
E-Mail : [email protected]
Homepage : http://www.inlinguaSingapore.com
41 Sunset Way, #02-01/04 Clementi Arcade, SINGAPORE 597071
Tel: (65) 6463 0966 Fax: (65) 6467 5483
1 Grange Road, #04-01 Orchard Building SINGAPORE 239693
Tel: (65) 6737 6666 Fax: (65) 6737 6007

It took me quite a while to find a language school in Singapore that offers Russian class! But I haven't tried any class. Too busy at work and their schedule doesn't fit mine Russian is a really really difficult language. I almost fainted when I learnt about the 6 cases and 3 genders and singular and plural ... I wonder how a Russian could remember all the rules!

Currently I'm learning by using the Pimsleur mp3s.

I have a Russian boyfriend in Moscow and was visiting Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, Vladimir & Suzdal last summer. It was really nice. I totally love the country. The history and arts are soo rich you've never ran out of things to discover. I really like the opera in Mariinski theater in St Petersburg I'm coming back to Moscow in December to experience the Russian winter - kinda crazy I know!

But of course there was some annoyance here and there. I was shocked a little bit at the attitude of Russian in Moscow. They never queue for anything and you gotta be aggressive if you want to get anything done. And the service quality in restaurants or hotel is not so great as in America. The receptionists in the Sovietskaya hotel in St Petersburg were really rude. At first I wondered what I did to offend them, but then my bf told me that it was normal customer service standard in Russia.

But.... after you get used to all that, Russia is a great place with unique characteristics. Man, I fell in love with the artistic decorations in Moscow underground. And the female Muscovites, they are very beautiful and sexy and fashionable - made me wonder why my Russian bf didn't fall in love with one of those!

Ok, for those who read until now... There's a Russian restaurant u might want to try out:

Nadejda
140 Arab Street
6396 3445

I want some Kvas! Cheers!