It's that I just don't care. 
That line, immortalized in one of my favorite movies, Office Space, captures the Russian attitude toward customer service. They just could not care less. Most people are paid a set salary in the customer service industry and do not rely on tips like their American counterparts. Accordingly, service in cafes, restaurants, even airports, makes the equivalents in the United States look like five star quality. On the way home from St. Petersburg, we waited in a line at the ticket counter to register for our flight for almost 45 minutes while the three women behind the counter discussed the newspaper, the sad state of the public transportation system, and whatever else they could think of to avoid serving the 100 people waiting to check in for the flight. I told Anton about the line from Office Space. He loved it.
Capitalism, however, has certainly taken hold in Russia. Everyone looks for ways to make money in whatever way possible. In the three weeks I've been here, it has been strange to discover just how far Russians have taken the concept. For example, absolutely nothing in this country is free. Small things, like ketchup at McDonald's or cream for your coffee, comes at a price. In the U.S., we're all accustomed to getting the condiment for free with our fries. In Russia, you have to pay an extra 15 to 30 rubles (.40 to $1) to get a ketchup. Milk for your coffee -- that will be 30 rubles please. Even more disturbing is the separate system of prices for Russians and "foreigners." For example, while in St. Petersburg I visited several museums with my Russian colleague, Anton. The price for Anton might be 100 rubles (about $4), while the price for me was 250 rubles ($10). Anton and I had a long discussion on this discriminatory system of pricing. I explained that if museums in the United States implemented such a practice, the hue and cry from the world would be deafening. Anton agreed, said the practice was completely unfair, but then added this gem of wisdom -- "You're living in a totalitarian state, what do you expect?" We both shared a good laugh over his analysis. The photo above gives one of the best examples of the extent of Russian capitalism -- in order to use a disgustedly foul porta-potty in Moscow, you have to pay 15 rubles. There is a woman sitting in the open doorway who collects the toilet fees. Thank you, but I'd rather crap my pants.
Russian capitalism -- pay more for less!
