Job Discussion Forums

alex1970 · Joined: 19 Jun 2013 Posts: 84

Has any teacher here ever been questioned or interviewed by FSB representatives? Seems like because of the current climate.

Phillip Schofield · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:14 pm Post subject:

Never. But you seem to have endless issues. You live outside of Moscow, don't you?

alex1970 · Joined: 19 Jun 2013 Posts: 84

Unhelpful as always. I live outside of Moscow but what is special about that?

Phillip Schofield · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:04 am Post subject:

alex1970 · Joined: 19 Jun 2013 Posts: 84

If you have nothing helpful to say then don't say it. Thankfully I had no problems.

Shelby · Joined: 24 Dec 2010 Posts: 66 Location: Russia

I'm not sure if I'm reading this right. Are you saying that you have been interviewed/questioned? I also live well outside Moscow and the only problems I encounter are babushki who don't believe that a foreigner would be here or believe that if you don't speak perfect Russian you are stupid (this was a closed city until about 20 years ago so many people have never met a foreigner).

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

I had an FSB "minder" (for lack of a better term) during my first couple of years in Vladivostok. We used to meet up in a local cafe and chat about once every couple of months. He was actually a really nice guy ("kinder, gentler FSB"). He asked about expats in the city, about a new Muslim school that was apparently opening at the time, the usual stuff. After about two years, he stopped calling; I wasn't offended.

I was never really concerned, to be honest. I figured the FSB knew everything they were asking me anyway, and if they wanted me out of the country (or in jail), they wouldn't have beaten around the bush. After all, I was just an English teacher, and I had nothing to hide. In the end, I started to think that he mostly wanted to practice his English, though he never really asked for specific language tips.

expatella_girl · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:00 pm Post subject:

@jpvanderwerf2001 -

We haven't heard from you in quite some time, after a long history of useful posts.

Nice to know you're still around. Smile

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

JP - that's an interesting story. How did he first make contact?

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Hey, thanks, expatella girl! I now live in NYC, but I occasionally find my way back to the Russia forum...as with Russia itself, it keeps pulling you back in! Smile

Nexus, great to hear from you, bud! About three months or so after I'd arrived, the minder guy actually called me one day out of the blue (no idea how he got my cell number...oh, wait: FSB). He asked if we could meet at Presto Cafe right downtown. I thought it was a bit strange at first (obviously), but I thought what could it hurt. That's how it started. I guess we met up about ten times in my first couple/few years in Vladik. His English, I should say, was really excellent!

Wish I could have charged him my exorbitant tutoring rates Sad

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

Was it just you on their watch list or were the other American or British guys in town contacted as well?

Good to see you back again as well J! I might have return trip to Vlad soon - I'll let you know if / when

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Nexus: If I recall, the British proprietor of a certain cafe in town (I think you met him?) also had (perhaps still has) an FSB buddy. I might be a bit mixed up, as it's rather common, or was, that Permanent Residency candidates meet with FSB people...so that might be what I'm remembering. If you get to Vlad, swing by and he can clarify!
Be well...great time of year in Russia!