A lot more people smile at strangers now in Moscow. These are genuine and sincere smiles, partly stemming from the fact that the Russian capital is a far more liveable city with much better standards of living than it has ever had.
But then I am a bit cautious about people who smile too much. On a cold Saturday night, I take the metro and there is this odd couple smiling at me. I get the feeling that these two cartoon characters are drunk. One of them is dressed in a suit, but wearing black sneakers and the other in a funny t-shirt. Suddenly they burst out in laughter over god only knows what!
One of them offers a woman a place to sit and then tries to pick her up. She politely refuses. They laugh even louder and then hug each other and leave the train at the next station. They're not gay. Any public display of gay affection in Moscow will be met with disgust, aggression and even violence. When Russian men get drunk, they become extremely affectionate!
But then I am a bit cautious about people who smile too much. On a cold Saturday night, I take the metro and there is this odd couple smiling at me. I get the feeling that these two cartoon characters are drunk. One of them is dressed in a suit, but wearing black sneakers and the other in a funny t-shirt. Suddenly they burst out in laughter over god only knows what!
One of them offers a woman a place to sit and then tries to pick her up. She politely refuses. They laugh even louder and then hug each other and leave the train at the next station. They're not gay. Any public display of gay affection in Moscow will be met with disgust, aggression and even violence. When Russian men get drunk, they become extremely affectionate!
No comments:
Post a Comment