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[Nexus]

[bobs12]

You've been here way too long when you think of buying a plug for the bath... and adapting the washing machine to provide hot water when you get cut off for a month. That's tonight's entertainment.

Not to mention trying to make an airconditioner out of a second-hand fridge. That's my winter project for next summer. Who cares if you can get a real one for $100?

[Communist Smurf]

Here are two stories that follow the spirit of this thread:

At a local pizza place, similar to Sbarros, a man walks up to the counter and asks, "У вас есть молочный коктейль" ("Do you have milkshakes?") The attendant responds, "Нет но есть пиво" ("No, but we have beer.") The consumer came back, without hesitation, "Я Возьму это" ("I'll take it.")

I made reservations to go on vacation for two at a travel agency, but after a few days I realized I needed to cancel them. I stopped by the agency with my girlfriend and canceled the reservations with a small penalty. A few hours later, I remedied the problem (which was work-related) and called the agency back. My girlfriend was told by the travel agent that they were able to fix the problem. She happily responded that we shouldn't need to pay any fees, all reservations are still on hold, and she advised that the two of us should stop fighting with eachother and hung-up.

These stories are based upon actual events.

CS

[zaneth]

Walking down a street the other day and suddenly got Nexus' joke with the "aaarrgh!" Good one. Yes, I'm a little slow.

Back in America. So many shiny cars. Walking in the airport parking garage and every single car in the row was shining. On the way out did finally catch a glimpse of an old Chevy Luv pickup. Was so thankful. Streetsigns that I don't have to mentally translate seem to be shouting at me. English everywhere, what a trip.

You know you've been in Russia too long when you realize you'd completely forgotten about the existence of drinking fountains.

[bobs12]

I think I'll draw this thread to a close by saying that we've been here way to long.

[zaneth]

You feel a little nervous when you hear a joke criticizing the person in power.

You check your bus ticket to see if the sum of the first three numbers equals the sum of the last three digits.

[gonzoteacher]

I decided it was time to leave southern Ukraine after 2 1/2 years when I forgot how to flush an American toilet.

[alekto]

I have a whole list of "you've been in Russia too long when..." things.

However, from personal experience:

You know you've been in Russia too long when:

- you get excited about the apperance (and steadily falling prices) of watermelon during the summer.

- you get excited when your local rynok stocks more than a few mangy tomatoes after winter has passed.

- you get all worried when you go to a supermarket back home and you *don't* have to put your bag away first.

- you find the Underground in London not only expensive, but boring compared to Russian metro systems.

- you pine after kefir

[bobs12]

Never pined for kefir, but miss kolbasa when I'm not here.

This one's a topper:

[zaneth]

I think I'll have been in Russia too long when I start lining up with my neighbors to patronise those western style markets when they come to town.

For now I'm boycotting them in favor of the open plan Russian style things.