I Grew Up in The Soviet Union During The Cold War - IAmA

I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War : IAmA
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/17rf9s/i_grew_up_in_the_sovi...
I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War (self.IAmA)

submitted 4 days ago by born_in_ussr
I grew up in the USSR ( in the Socialist republic of Belarus) in thethe 70's and 80's and saw the transformation of the country from Communist to what it is today. I immigrated to the UK in the 90's and live there now. PROOF :http://imgur.com/ZeoXLf3
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[] strangelove262 35 points 3 days ago
How were Americans perceived by people in the Soviet Union? What sort of things were said about "average Americans" by the government and the media?
permalink [] born_in_ussr [S] 87 points 3 days ago
American people were presented as two main classes. Class of capitalists who were ruling the country and hated us. The other class was of workers and peasants who were just like us. Capitalists were war thirsty evils who were so afraid of the spread of communism awareness that they were prepared to wage wars to stop it.The only good part was poor oppressed common people of US who did not have enough courage to revolt. Here is the example: It changed however when Gorbachev came into power and we saw the real picture which was of course different
permalink parent [] thirdrail69 18 points 3 days ago
That's not really that far off the mark.

permalink parent [] Tandr 88 points 3 days ago
No, no, you had it right the first time.

permalink parent [] BillyDa59 33 points 3 days ago
Why is this downvoted? Its a commonly held belief nowadays that America went into Vietnam because they were terrified of the "domino effect". I'm an American and I know my government better than to pretend we're not a war hungry, xenophobic nation. Its not the people's fault, its the government. The government that doesn't always serve the people's best interest.
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I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War : IAmA the people's best interest.
permalink parent [] tonybanks 9 points 3 days ago
How does it feel knowing that when you want to organize and protest something, the government will point guns at you? Latest example: OWS.
permalink parent [] ToMakeYouMad 10 points 3 days ago
This is not news. Look at the 50's and 60's and they had armed police at protests.
permalink parent [] tonybanks 5 points 3 days ago
And they still do.

permalink parent [] [deleted] 3 days ago
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permalink parent [] Ahhuatl 1 point 3 days ago
It is ironic that on a thread about the Soviet Union and the ways in which a government convinces us not to think critically, people would believe what some schmuck on the internet says about OWS. I've been to plenty of OWS meetings, this stuff doesn't happen.
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permalink parent [] Ahhuatl 2 points 3 days ago
perhaps you've just been to the meetings and not the demonstrations in oakland and nyc Nope. stylish anarchists and their self-important "diversity of tactics" are numerous round 2 of 36
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I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War : IAmA numerous round these parts.
Which is why the movement is named after the NYC groups and why Oakland is one of the most successful of the protests.
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[] Panzer2583 1 point 3 hours ago
Feels great. Now if only the squeezed the trigger on those dirty bums. Oh god the stink!!
permalink parent [] somenamestaken 0 points 3 days ago
Never tried it. But I will tell you how it feels to want to protect Mt right to do so but the government is taking my guns.
permalink parent [] STLReddit 12 points 3 days ago
It's downvoted because that is your opinion. Just because our government makes mistakes and does things we don't fully agree with doesn't mean they're an evil empire out to destroy the world.
permalink parent [] TheEmporersFinest 22 points 3 days ago
Not to destroy the world no, but to shape it according to the interests of the one percent, and if evil is involved then so be it.
Going to war isn't a mistake. Its something a country does intentionally.

permalink parent ] 1 point 3 days ago [] tauntobr [
Which can be a mistake, intentional or not (Iraq was a mistake) What you mean is war is not an accident.
permalink parent [] frrarp 3 points 3 days ago
You go to war deliberately though, you then retroactively determine it a mistake.

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Which can be a mistake, intentional or not (Iraq was a mistake) Iraq was not a mistake. Iraq was a war conducted because of lies, for reasons that the American people should have seen as deceptive. The upper class got what they wanted out of Iraq.
permalink parent ] 2 points 2 days ago [] tauntobr [
The war was a mistake, and a giant waste of human life and tax money. There is no other way to put it. Another mistake was vietnam
permalink parent [] BillyDa59 0 points 2 days ago
The distinction between "mistake" and "accident" is pretty superfluous. They both convey the exact same idea. I don't think anyone understands the Iraq war as the kind of accident where someone "accidentally" bumped a button with their hand and war was declared.
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[] alekspg 0 points 2 days ago
I'll give you warmongering and imperialistic but when I look at my neighborhood I see anything but a xenophobic nation.
permalink parent [] BillyDa59 1 point 1 day ago
I made the distinction between the people and the government. When you look around your neighborhood, you see the people. The government is the xenophobic element.
permalink parent [] alekspg 1 point 16 hours ago
You do know that it's the government that is largely responsible for all policies that result in immigration and therefore the ethnic makeup of the nation. Our government is responsible for a refugee policy that is the reason why I am in the United States along with a number of other ethnic groups (cubans, hmong, vietnamese to name a few), it's responsible for a porous southern border which results in constant illegal immigration and periodic mass amnesty for these immigrants (which is just recently again being considered), a generous guest worker program which allows a lot of immigrants from central and south America to come to the states legally, and by law the U.S. has quotas for immigrants from the world's nations as not to favor any specific ethnicity, and offers better chances of immigration for well educated people around the world. This is hardly the behavior of a xenophobic people OR government, in contrast to the immigration policy of a country like japan, N korea, or Iran. When viewed in perspective, the United States government is actually one of the least xenophobic on the planet and it's amazing that there isn't more xenophobia among Americans themselves.
permalink parent [] rebelxwaltz 1 point 1 day ago
except the peasants and working class are also war thirsty evils who are so afraid of the spread of communism awareness that they are prepared to wage wars to stop it
permalink parent [] alekspg 1 point 2 days ago
No, soviet propaganda tried to obscure important facts about the truth of what it was like
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No, soviet propaganda tried to obscure important facts about the truth of what it was like in America... The large middle class, the overall high standard of living, the abundance of opportunity, the relative freedom of speech and religion. You probably grew up in this country so you have no idea what life without all of those things ACTUALLY MEANT for the people living in the Soviet Union. And as someone who emigrated from the former Soviet Union it is a bit sad to me that you don't appreciate all that you have, and you have so much.
permalink parent [] Tandr 2 points 2 days ago
I am first generation Canadian, from Ukrainian immigrants. I appreciate what I have here. I am VERY aware of what information the soviets can hide from their people, including atrocities. I lost over half of my family tree to the holodomor. thanks for the assumptions though don't be drink the kool aid about 'the american way' either. Propaganda is propaganda
Well then perhaps you shouldn't be so flippant about soviet propaganda.

permalink parent [] alekspg 3 points 2 days ago
How do you react to Americans like the redditors that commented to this comment who seem to think that their government is evil and soviet propaganda was entirely accurate?
permalink parent [] Rude_Etude 10 points 3 days ago
TIL they taught the truth about US society in the Soviet days.
No, the propaganda was ridiculously exaggerated, the USA was made to look like a sort of capitalist north Korea where in fact it was a country enjoying an ever higher standard of living, opportunity, had a burgeoning middle class while in the Soviet Union people were dealing with shortages of sugar.
permalink parent [] Rude_Etude 0 points 2 days ago
The Soviets just weren't as good at extracting wealth from the rest of the world. We were ace at that, esp. after WWII.
permalink parent [] alekspg 2 points 2 days ago*
Are you kidding me? Soviet Political imperialism (and the economic imperialism that comes with it) stretched across northern Asia and Half of Europe. The Soviets not only inherited all of what were essentially the colonies of tsarist Russia beyond the Urals they took the fertile and wealthy lands of eastern Europe and central asian countries (Mongolia, Kazakhstan) as well. And corruption in the soviet union was extreme, meaning the wealth of these lands was being stolen to pad the pockets of politicians. Also, the wealth of the United states is actually significantly a result of domestic production, more so than any other developed nation. The united states produces a huge percentage of the world's entertainment in just the city of Los Angeles, the States have been at the forefront of technological advancement with much medical technology, consumer technology, and industrial technology being invented and manufactured in the states, the United states is a major producer of agriculture as well, and a large producer of energy. When compared to a nation like Great Britain or Japan the United states throughout its history is notable for producing it's wealth domestically.
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[] igrekov 1 point 2 days ago
I second Aleks.
permalink parent [] Offtheheazy 4 points 3 days ago
This is actually quite true lol. Better than they typical american sterotype of crazy communists trying to nuke us.
permalink parent [] SnowGN 1 point 1 day ago
Awkward.
permalink parent [] Bezzie -3 points 3 days ago
poor oppressed common people of US who did not have enough courage to revolt So it's EXACTLY like it is today?
permalink parent [] EUPRAXIA1 10 points 3 days ago
Or most people aren't newly liberated college students who assume that they have learned everything worth knowing by the time they are 20; yeah probably the latter option.
Sorry, but United States "oppression" is nothing like soviet oppression.

permalink parent [] Bezzie 1 point 2 days ago
I never said it was. But stuff like the laughable occupy movement was a great example of Americans being too afraid to do what is necessary to fix the problems that plague the country
permalink parent [] its_very_funny_imo -2 points 3 days ago
In Soviet Russia, Russians perceive you!

permalink parent [] zx321 1 point 2 days ago
as....?
permalink parent [] Eurocad 29 points 3 days ago
From what I've heard, people in the United States were in constant fear of being attacked. Were people in the Soviet Union just as afraid?
Yes it was exactly the same. I had a personal issue gas mask and basic military education lessons from the age of ten. That was also the age I was shown how to shoot from a AK-74
permalink parent [] Measle 54 points 3 days ago
Sounds like the Soviets were actually a little more afraid

permalink parent [] Raejk 8 points 3 days ago
Just a little.
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[] Ahhuatl 4 points 3 days ago
Well, the United States was the only nation willing to actually use a nuclear weapon and it was constantly calling their country an evil empire.
permalink parent [] alekspg 4 points 2 days ago*
The Soviet Union or more specifically Soviet Russia was ahead of America in being the most imperialistic nation of the last several decades, not only involving itself in Afghanistan but more importantly holding hostage half of Europe and chunks of Asia.
Not in question.
permalink parent [] mike45010 1 point 3 days ago
Well we didn't commit genocide against our own people... think that counts for something.
permalink parent [] Ahhuatl -2 points 3 days ago
Neither did the Russians - they committed it against a group of people they thought were inferior. If you don't think the United States did that, I know a few Native Americans who would have a word with you.
permalink parent [] schmetterlingen 4 points 2 days ago
So people are inferior for merely refusing to collectivize their farms? Stalin used genocide for ideological punishment. Also, let's be honest. The USA was rather successful with that Indian genocide and thus are definitely not their own people (were not citizens).
So people are inferior for merely refusing to [1] collectivize their farms? That was Stalin's line of thinking. Stalin used genocide for ideological punishment. Not in question. Also, let's be honest. The USA was rather successful with that Indian genocide and thus are definitely not their own people (were not citizens). That is a moronic argument. Genocide isn't reprehensible because of who it is directed towards, it is reprehensible because it is genocide. Russians had a low opinion of Ukrainians, Europeans a low opinion of Natives. In both instances the operative element is othering, the legal trappings of citizenship are irrelevant.
permalink parent [] schmetterlingen 1 point 2 days ago
I didn't say it is correct to murder people of other nations. I didn't deny it was genocide. I didn't deny that it's morally reprehensible. I merely said it's a different set of motivations when the target nation is not and never was represented by your nation. The Holodomor wasn't committed by just the RSFSR. The USSR (via the Ukrainian SSR) claimed to represent the Ukrainians at the time. While Stalin and the Russians imparted the political and ethnic impetus for the genocide (respectively), it was clearly targeting the USSR's own citizens. The USSR claimed to represent the very people 7 of 36
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USSR's own citizens. The USSR claimed to represent the very people they were starving to death.
I merely said it's a different set of motivations when the target nation is not and never was represented by your nation. And that is what I am rejecting. It wasn't a function of nation, it was a function of ethnicity. The Holodomor wasn't committed by just the RSFSR. The USSR (via the Ukrainian SSR) claimed to represent the Ukrainians at the time. Keyword: claimed. Your logic is circular. On the one hand you observe that it was Stalin and the Russians who conducted the genocide and on the other you try to conflate its perpetrators to some multi-county leadership. The Ukrainian SSR was subordinate to the Russians, it had no real power over who Stalin decided to massacre.
The genocide of native Americans by the United States government is not nearly on the scale of The soviet union. Especially because the Spanish, British contributed and it was European diseases that were responsible for the overwhelming amount of native depopulation.
Why do you keep making points that are irrelevant to the discussion?
permalink parent [] mike45010 -1 points 2 days ago
At least the Native Americans had their own army to fight back... Not to justify it or anything, but we were at war. The USSR slaughtered defenseless civilians.
permalink parent [] Ahhuatl 0 points 2 days ago*
At least the Native Americans had their own army to fight back... That is both incorrect and some terrible thinking. Native Americans did not have an army, they had small groups of warriors who were tasked with defending their tribes. This is entirely different than an army - which is trained and supported by an extensive infrastructural base. Ukraine had an army, it simply worked with the Russians. In contrast, Native Americans could not just draft people to fight, build cannons and rifles to equip them with, and send them out to destroy enemy forces. All their combat efforts were in essence defensive. Not to justify it or anything, but we were at war. No, "we" were weren't. Rather, we attacked without provocation and often in contradiction to treaties. The USSR slaughtered defenseless civilians. Again, no. Many people can and did resist Soviet oppression - which is precisely why the Holodomor began in the first place. That said, countries like the Ukraine resources necessary to resist. That was not always the case with Native Americans, who saw entire villages slaughtered but could do nothing in response.
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[] alekspg 2 points 2 days ago
Again, no. Many people can and did resist Soviet oppression Ummm... I don't know what sort of history you've been reading but the Soviet government has been both directly and indirectly linked to the murder of innocent and unarmed civilians.
permalink parent [] Ahhuatl -1 points 2 days ago
Not in question,
permalink parent [] cornfused_and_cornho 13 points 3 days ago
In the States children learned how to hide under a desk or or to huddle ass up in a hallway.
permalink parent [] akmarksman 4 points 3 days ago
Because the magical nuclear radiation is stopped by an average metal and plastic/composite school desk..........
The hiding under desks was to minimize damage from falling debris, I would think... and from what I understand much of the damage caused by a nuclear bomb is a result of the shockwave not "radiation".
permalink parent [] akmarksman 1 point 2 days ago
I know..I was being a smartass. ;)

permalink parent [] B2BWorldWarChamps 1 point 2 days ago
this is just like the "duck and cover" concept from south park.
permalink parent [] 5thKeetle -1 points 2 days ago
Yeah, even ten year old girls had to learn to shoot from an AK, hilarious.
permalink parent [+] kidl33t comment score below threshold (2 children) [+] its_very_funny_imo comment score below threshold (0 children) [] t_maia 45 points 3 days ago
Funny or not: Why was toilet paper in the USSR so rough? So that even the last arse would be red.
Funnily enough Toilet paper was hard to come by and was indeed rough. Most people used old newspapers instead. Good Joke!
permalink parent [] cromonolith 11 points 3 days ago
If QI and my memory of QI don't deceive me, the west deliberately stopped toilet paper from getting into the USSR. Then when Soviet officials started having to use old official documents as toilet paper, western agents rooted through the garbage and collected the used papers for the intelligence they contained. Sounds crazy, but I trust QI.
permalink parent [] BigBobBobson 18 points 3 days ago
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[] BigBobBobson 18 points 3 days ago
I haven't trusted QI since an episode about the origin of the word 'Fuck' was wrong and my world was shattered into a million pieces, each with Stephen Fry's lying cackling face on it.
permalink parent [] cromonolith 10 points 3 days ago
They made a correction though, no? My favourite correction was when they gave points to Dara O'Briain for knowing that the triple-point of water was at 0 degrees Celcius, then took points off of him in the next season, pointing out that it's actually at 0.001 degrees Celcius.
Oh wow, I usually just watch scattered repeats (Guess which channel), I remember the triple point correction though. Time to go find the series link!
permalink parent [] Ref101010 1 point 1 day ago
I've seen all episodes of QI, but can't remember everything that's been said. What did they say about the word fuck? AFAIK, no theory is unchallenged. One (of many) theories I've heard is that it's related to the Old Norse (also more-or-less modern western Swedish) fukka "to move something back and forwards in a rocking motion", but it's like I said just one of many theories.
permalink parent [] all_hail_discordia 1 point 1 day ago
AFAIK, no theory is unchallenged. One (of many) theories I've heard is that it's related to the Old Norse (also more-or-less modern western Swedish) fukka "to move something back and forwards in a rocking motion", but it's like I said just one of many theories. I live in the west of Sweden, and that's not a Swedish word.
permalink parent [] Ref101010 1 point 1 day ago*
Samma hr, men du har rtt. Fokka/focka was the word I was thinking about (but spelling has also varied over the centuries). Fukka is Norwegian slang though, IIRC. Can't remember where I heard/read the claim first, but it may have been in something by Fredrik Lindstrm. I did some googling just now though: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fuck Origin: 14951505; akin to Middle Dutch fokken to thrust, copulate with, Swedish dialect focka to copulate with, strike, push, fock penis However, focka today means "to fire [someone] from work", which is a slightly different meaning. (You could maybe argue that it still is "to fuck someone over", but that's a bit farfetched). EDIT: http://web.archive.org/web/20011109211024/www.faqs.org/faqs/alt-usageenglish-faq/ [Fuck] is a very old word, recorded in English since the 15th century (few acronyms predate the 20th century), with cognates in other Germanic languages. The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang 10 of 36
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languages. The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (Random House, 1994, ISBN 0-394-54427-7) cites Middle Dutch fokken = "to thrust, copulate with"; Norwegian dialect fukka = "to copulate"; and Swedish dialect focka = "to strike, push, copulate" and fock = "penis". Although German ficken may enter the picture somehow, it is problematic in having e-grade, or umlaut, where all the others have o-grade or zero-grade of the vowel.
permalink parent [] BigBobBobson 1 point 1 day ago
That it was an acronym for Fornicate Under Command/Consent of the King or something similar. Then I read somewhere else that was nonsense.
permalink parent [] megazver 1 point 3 days ago
Into an embassy.
permalink parent [] its_very_funny_imo -4 points 3 days ago
In Soviet Russia, joke laughs at YOU :D

permalink parent [] virtualghost 2 points 3 days ago
bad joke
permalink parent [] SynShads 18 points 3 days ago
I know there are plenty of people who grew up and lived in the Soviet Union that completely supported Communism and to this day, would love it if it was back. Were you supportive of the Soviet Union while you were growing up? If so, would you want Communism to make a return?
We were so brainwashed and were not taught to think. We were blindly excepting and repeating the opinions already put in front of us by our teachers. Iron Curtain was doing its toll as well as I did not know any different and had no reason to doubt the official point of view. I was very patriotic when I was growing up.I am looking at North Korea now and I think that is probably very similar how they live there. I was 100% supportive of everything our leaders did. I would not like for Communism to return. I think it is not possible and was proved to fail, however the society with some socialist values would be ideal I think.
permalink parent [] SynShads 4 points 3 days ago
Wow, I can't even imagine what it'd be like to not be able to think, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know in Soviet Russia, they were brainwashed into thinking Lenin and Stalin were both gods among men, each having their own cult of personality. Did they also have this in Belarus? I'm actually taking a class right now on the Soviet Experience and I'm very curious about all of this!
permalink parent [] born_in_ussr [S] 60 points 3 days ago
It is very easy if you try to compare it with religion, I think. When from birth you were told that certain things just the way they are. You mentioned Lenin and Stalin being like gods - exactly. I remember being a child and the thought of doing something which would be disapproved by Lenin would terrify me. From the age of 7 I was OCTYABRYONOK (the child of OCTOBER - great revolution months) I was given a badge with the picture of young Lenin and swore to try to be like him. When I was 10 I became pioneer. I have got a different badge, red scarf and my oath of supporting the party, and everything that Lenin started was even more serious. We were so politicised from the early age, when doubting or questioning the bases of our society would be equal to 11 of 36
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early age, when doubting or questioning the bases of our society would be equal to heretism in religion. It is easily done when great degree of isolation applied. It would only work behind "Iron curtain". I know know that we had people who thought differently and were not afraid to speak up. Those were very talented and brave individuals, easily branded as enemies of the state. In Soviet Union there was hardly any difference between the republics. Even though different nationalities and cultures were celebrated, however the main idea of the communism was that we were all one race - one class! and should have concentrated on class differences. We were taught that cultural differences would only divide the class of workers and peasants in their fight against the capitalists, therefore it should be left behind for the sake of the common aim!!
This post, and this entire AMA is the best thing I have seen on this subreddit. Thanks for all of these insights.
permalink parent [+] MasterGolbez comment score below threshold (4 children) [] AlwaysGoingHome 0 points 3 days ago
I know in Soviet Russia, they were brainwashed into thinking Lenin and Stalin were both gods among men, each having their own cult of personality. Like the founding fathers and some of the presidents?
permalink parent [] LincLoL 2 points 3 days ago
Not even close. If I were to say Lincoln was a shitty president, I wouldn't be an enemy of the state. (I don't think he was btw, my cat is named after him)
permalink parent [] AlwaysGoingHome -1 points 3 days ago
That's not what the comment is about. You weren't shot in the SU after Stalins rule if you said he was bad. It's about the cult of personality, making former leaders into superhuman beings and spreading propaganda about their unrivaled qualities, that made them better than normal people, including their super++good character. It's about building statues and monuments for those superhumans, telling children (mostly made up) stories about how good this semi-gods were, and asking "What would our beloved former leader do?" about current questions. All this happened and happens in the US. Think about insane stuff like Mount Rushmore...
I see what you're saying, butI don't ever recall thinking about our founding fathers as gods, just great men, and rightfully so. But then again, I was homeschooled and American history was only a small part of my education.
permalink parent [+] Deusdies comment score below threshold (8 children) [] Troll_Mane 2 points 2 days ago
Very interesting and insightful stuff. Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this AMA .
permalink parent [] YetiTerrorist 17 points 3 days ago
What was the one thing you were most excited about or what was the thing you most enjoyed after communism fell that you couldn't have prior?
The most exiting part to us was that we discovered a whole world that was hidden or distorted. The thing I enjoyed most after communism was freedom to travel where I want.
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[] ElisaAnderson 9 points 2 days ago
The most exiting part to us was that we discovered a whole world that was hidden or distorted. To a lesser extent, this is how we all live now. The cure is travel. Since moving from western europe to eastern I've gained so much insight. Talking to people from the communist times is always so very eye opening. Thanks for the AMA, love things like this!
permalink parent [] larspalmas 6 points 2 days ago
Protip: watch "Good Bye Lenin!", brilliant movie!

permalink parent [] yaipu 2 points 2 days ago
have an upvote, really good movie

permalink parent [] dasubertroll 10 points 3 days ago
Have you visited Belarus since?

Yes a few times. Last time in April 2012 with my wife and my son. I still have a big family living all over ex Soviet countries. They come to see me in the UK too.
permalink parent [] ElisaAnderson 3 points 2 days ago
Can you travel freely in Belarus? AFAIK it's the last 'real' dictatorship in Europe still. How free is it?
permalink parent [] born_in_ussr [S] 6 points 2 days ago*
Yes, you can travel freely within Belarus and Russia - they have no borders like some EU countries. Until recently you would need a special permission to be able to go abroad, in fact just a stamp in your passport. That would refuse this stamp to people who are on bail for some criminal offences, or refuse to undergo National conscript service and stuff like that. Apparently, even that obstacle is taken off now. I cannot comment on how free is Belarus, I don't live there,though have my parents, relatives and friends living there. My impression is that it is an autocratic state, where majority doesn't mind that. Most feel safe to live in such state without interference from other countries. I am a strong believer that the people and not personalities are the driving force of the history. When and if Belarus and its people would be ready to change the way their live - they would be able to do it themselves. Look at the examples of Orange revolution in Ukraine and Rose revolution in Georgia. It has been orchestrated from the West and as such did not live long. It reverted back to pre-orange era in Ukraine and it seems that the same is happening in Georgia now.
permalink parent [] Crossfire_XVI 12 points 3 days ago
Is it true that people in the USSR used do almost anything to get a smuggled pair of blue jeans from the United States? I've always heard this, but I want to know whether it actually happened.
Not always and not everywhere and not anything. In 70's Soviet Union started to trade oil and brought in some imported goods. There were people who had access to this stuff and corruption was of unbelievable proportions. It was a basic human nature to want to have something fashionable, that others could not get. Sometimes moral values were failing for those on a hunt for material gain. I believe it affected a small amount of people who lived in big cities and had 13 of 36
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for material gain. I believe it affected a small amount of people who lived in big cities and had foreign friends. I had my first pair of jeans in 1986 and it was not a big deal for me. My parents had them earlier. I remember that their cost about half month's salary (80 - 100 roubles) a pair if you were lucky enough to get it from the shop. It would cost considerably more from people who would find the opportunity to buy them for resale
permalink parent [] welcometomyface 13 points 3 days ago
I visited Moscow in 1987 on a school trip. We stayed at a hotel with hundreds of other high school students all on the same kind of trip. I remember these guys going up and down the halls knocking on our doors asking if we had anything to trade. I personally only had tons of bubble gum since we were told to bring that to trade with kids on the street for these little soviet pins and medals. But a couple of other guys decided to go for higher stakes. After the Russians left, we went to their room and there they are sitting in their underwear wearing theses giant military fur hats, military jackets and swinging around hockey sticks. They had traded the clothes off their backs for this stuff! A couple of other guys weren't as lucky. They went out to the parking lot to do their deal and got picked up by some sort of police. They dragged them in to a room at the hotel just to scare the shit out of them and called the chaperones down to get them. The cops were laughing as they told the chaperones that the kids kept shouting "spasiba" which means thank you, over and over as they dragged them away. It was the only Russian word they knew and must have been pretty funny to them. "thank you, thank you for hauling my ass off to jail"
So did you trade any of your bubblegum??

permalink parent [] welcometomyface 6 points 2 days ago
Yeah tons. The little kids would come up to you with a handful of those pins and you'd give them some gum for it. They probably thought we were silly for wanting all of those dumb pins and we thought the same about the gum.
permalink parent [] gdination 11 points 3 days ago
I can understand if things weren't great in the Soviet Union, but I'm sure there were some good parts to your life there. What do you miss the most?
The kind of people that we were. It has gone once we started to get American chewing gum and jeans. People used to care after each other. I remember making 40 minutes journey to kinder garden on my own when I was 5. Apart from walking it involved 2 bus changes and crossing roads. None of my guardians ever thought I could be in danger. It was that safe!! I remember when I lost my tickets in Moscow and was sending a telegram to my relatives to send me the money - someone in the queue saw the words in it and just gave me the money, because I was in need. I remember my parents coming home after work with a stranger. Apparently, they saw him sleeping on the bench as he had no money for the hotel and his train was departing the next day. They thought he did not have to sleep on the bench as we had a folding bed we set up for him in the kitchen after giving him dinner. People trusted each other more and were more caring. Most did not care about materialistic things.
Small towns can still sometimes be like this.

permalink parent [] willdabeast94 14 points 3 days ago
well in America it used to be very similar. My dad used to hitchhike across the country and never had a problem. My mom walked 3 miles to school every day and skied by herself since she was 4; she never had a problem. America has chanced a lot since the 60's and 70's, 14 of 36
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she was 4; she never had a problem. America has chanced a lot since the 60's and 70's, people have become a lot less trusting
permalink parent [] kingrodney1246 2 points 3 days ago
wow...amazing.
permalink parent [] cuddle_bunny 3 points 3 days ago
Damn. I feel shitty. I know I could help strangers more than with a fucking money donation (not that I have muchha!). But I do think we tend to think the worst of people we don't know. I think it is apart of this "No!" culture that we are raised in.
permalink parent [] Kyuutai 2 points 2 days ago
I think I understand what people you mean. Sometimes I am lucky to still come across just such people as you described, but it's really a pity that there are very few of them now. It's this helping to strangers without thinking of any remuneration, "why? no reason, just because they're nice people". I like this way of treating people; not towards everyone, though, because some people may be repulsive. I live in an exUSSR country (Latvia), but am ~10 years younger than you. By the way, in Russia there are more of them than here, but in cities like Moscow some people have been becoming gradually more... egotistic.
permalink parent [] frenchtoaster5 1 point 2 days ago
This is exactly what I remember of my childhood in Russia, now I live in America and it is the biggest pain to my soul to not experience such culture and individuals any longer. Where there was just unbreakable unity and love.
permalink parent [+] courtoftheair comment score below threshold (3 children) [] cj2500 18 points 3 days ago
Were you affected by Chernobyl?

I am not sure if that counts or even if that was an effect from Chernobyl, but here is the story. Chernobyl is in Ukraine, however 70% of radioactive rains fell on Belarus territory within the first few months. I lived 400 km away from it, when it happened. My parents and myself went to live for 4 years in Mongolia 3 months after the disaster happened. Something peculiar happened there. About 10 months after the disaster mu mother started to loose her hair. She was a healthy woman and doctors could not find an explanation to that, neither could they cure it. She learnt to live wearing wig and has no hair even on her eyebrows and eyelids for the last 25 years. Was it Chernobyl? I don't know. My Grandfather used to live within 200 km of Chernobyl. They were measuring radiation levels in his village and told the residents that it was not safe to live there. Apparently there was a radioactive patch there. No one allowed to grow food for sale in that area even now. My granddad refused to move out and lived there until 1996 and died aged 77. I have visited him few times within last 10 years of his life. They said the area was not clean - it is hard to understand when you don't see it
permalink parent [] breakinbread 22 points 3 days ago
Yes, that counts.

permalink parent [] MichaelNewmann 10 points 4 days ago
You have lived in both - east or west? Good and bad sides?
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Hard to say which is better. The good things about the east was that everyone in your community was more less equal. What you had everyone else had. People also had more moral values and everyone would help each other out in the community .I didnt know then but the bad thing was that we had less freedom of expressing our thoughts on any issues. In the west the bad thing is that sometimes people who are a bit mad are free to do what they want which can affect society in bad ways. Quite often when you are in trouble you are on your own you dont get enough help. In the Soviet Union the state would look after you and your life could be planned many years ahead. The good things are the opportunities and choices that you have here in the west.
permalink parent [] MichaelNewmann 9 points 3 days ago
Thanks for your reply!

permalink parent [] Dr-Maximum 0 points 3 days ago*
"your life could be planned many years ahead" : holy shit, that's not for everyone ! you see, for me, that would be a really really BAD thing. Also: did most people had much say or choice in the matter, if they didn't like the way their lives where planned ?
permalink parent [] Stromovik 4 points 3 days ago
This sentence probably meant you could plan ahead , you couldnt lose your job or your house etc. Altougth if you live in a village things could be different. (if you were a part of KolHoz )
permalink parent [] streakingduck 5 points 3 days ago
Any bad things you see as a kid?

No actually not. All the bad things that I saw were the lawless times of transition from communist to market economy times. Mafia, racket, corruption, greed, despair. It was crazy and dangerous time - life cost very little and everyone could only count on themselves to survive
permalink parent [] the_goat_boy 5 points 3 days ago
You're referring to the shock doctrine that Russia went through in 90's?
permalink parent [] EUPRAXIA1 1 point 3 days ago
Yes; that was horribly mismanaged. I know there were a multitude of other problems but I always felt one of the greatest acts of theft in the modern world was when 'connected' people were making themselves owners of shares of the companies that they had managed and justifying that ownership by the fact that they had managed the systems while they were publicly owned. I would have made a system that tried to distribute shares in all companies equally across all the people as a last acknowledgement of the fact that "everything" was owned by the people prior to communism ending. No communist country should have had any multimillionaires or billionaires for at least a decade or so after communism ended the timing is mostly just proof that they "stole" shares in companies.
permalink parent [] tonybanks -4 points 3 days ago
I remember when there were same cars on roads. Don't you remember that? Haha, I hated that part. It was boring and annoying me. 16 of 36
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I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War : IAmA that part. It was boring and annoying me.
permalink parent [] msxenix 9 points 3 days ago
What is your present day view on communism?

I think that Communism is an Utopia. It is impossible to create a society where everyone would live abiding a set of rules driven by their consciousness alone. The simplified definition of communism for Soviet citizens was:It is when you give to the society all you can and take only what really need in return-no questions asked. I would prefer Capitalism with a Socialist front.
Funny thought. Could you imagine teaching ants anything other than what is essentially communism? Just different ways animals (humans and in this case ants) are wired.
[deleted]
permalink parent [] sakaionrye 2 points 3 days ago
Not quite.
permalink parent [] Marylandman101 3 points 3 days ago
What is your view on Stalin? Trotsky? Marx?

permalink [] t_maia 30 points 3 days ago
Not the OP, but a common joke from the early 80s ran like this: Arafat dies and goes to Heaven, at the Gates he meets the Angels. They don't want to let him in, since he is carrying a gun. He peeks through the gates and sees a guy with a long beard holding a Kalashnikov. "What about him? He has got a gun!" "That is just Karl Marx waiting for Lenin."
I think he'd be waiting for Stalin. Lenin at least knew what Marxism was all about.
permalink parent [] Stained_Panda 1 point 2 days ago
Is the joke also implying that Lenin went to hell?

permalink parent [] t_maia 2 points 2 days ago
Communists don't believe in god, heaven or in hell, so I am sure he did time in an ideal communist afterlife - which is its own sort of hell. :P
permalink parent [] two_goes_there 2 points 3 days ago
Cute.
permalink parent [] courtoftheair -2 points 3 days ago
Best. Joke. Ever.

best book/movie of what it was like in the Soviet Union?

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[] born_in_ussr [S] 10 points 3 days ago
I don't think I watched or read any specific things about the life in Soviet Union. No. I know the best movie actually - Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980) Moskva slezam ne verit (original title). This film won the Oscar. If there is anything you would like to learn about Soviet Union this one is the best reflection. Just the life of few ordinary citizens throughout couple of decades. It covers only 60s and 70s, but this is the country I remember and love.
permalink parent [] megazver 5 points 3 days ago
It's officially on Youtube.

permalink parent [] kewlkidmgoo 13 points 4 days ago
American citizens were taught to believe that we'd win a nuclear war, capitalism was superior, and that they could survive a nuclear strike by hiding underneath desks. What things did your government tell you?
Pretty much the complete opposite, however we were told that we had to compete in the arms race to protect the good people of the world from the Capitalist warmongers. The difference was we were told there would be no winners in a nuclear war.
permalink parent [] MeatPiesForAll 77 points 3 days ago
That last part was sobering.

The last part is also what Americans were actually taught MAD Mutual Assured Destruction wasn't an unheard of term even among laymen.
I made it sound a little too optimistic. We weren't told we'd win necessarily. We were led to believe that we'd be devastated, but still some parts of us would survive. For the most part we'd still lose out.
permalink parent [] courtoftheair 2 points 3 days ago
That's all true...

permalink parent [] hatheaded 19 points 3 days ago
Child of the detente era cold war here (b. 1966), and I don't remember ever being taught the U.S. would "win" a nuclear war. It was all M.A.D. and detente for us. Born and lived in Florida for the first 12 years of my life. It was common for 50's and 60's era subdivision housing to have concrete bomb shelters in the back yard. Little 1-room concrete, half-buried structures with an "L" shaped entry hallway and a steel door.
permalink parent [] rainman18 3 points 2 days ago
Yeah, I grew up in the 70's and I don't recollect ever hearing the we would win scenario either. However I do remember the get under your desk and cover your head drills.
permalink parent [] kewlkidmgoo -1 points 3 days ago
I didn't grow up in that era, so my information isn't first-hand. But I didn't mean win. Obviously, both sides would be ravaged. But from a few of the movies that I saw from back then, and from what I've learned from my teachers, it seems that there was this idea that there would be American survivors and the America would still continue. And there was the 18 of 36
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there would be American survivors and the America would still continue. And there was the very firm idea that we would win the Cold War.
permalink parent [] Dylan_Ram_Brick 7 points 3 days ago
You might survive a nuclear blast by hiding under a desk. I don't know why people ridicule that technique so much. A nuclear blast is not magic and does not destroy the entire world in one explosion. Yes if the blast occurs directly over you that's it. But what if it hits thirty miles away? Shit falling on your head is likely cause of death. Everyone's not going to be at ground zero, and even if you were at predicted ground zero the missiles weren't perfect, they might miss by enough miles to allow you to survive. In the scenario of a nuclear attack "Duck and Cover" made perfect sense.
I've read about the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. People tried to jump in rivers to avoid the heat. The rivers were boiling. Nuclear radiation destroys all organic matter and sticks around for decades afterwards. And even if you were far enough to avoid the radiation, but still close enough for the roof to come down on your head, I think your desk stands a pretty good chance of breaking underneath the weight.
permalink parent [] Dylan_Ram_Brick 1 point 1 day ago
That's just silly, you're treating the explosion as magic because it involves radiation. I don't care what the source of the explosion is you're better off shielding yourself than not.
permalink parent [] kewlkidmgoo 1 point 1 day ago
I agree. Some manner of shield is always best. But you have to admit this; if a roof falls on your desk, then the desk will probably cave.
permalink parent [] No_Filter_on_Mouth 3 points 2 days ago
That is not correct. I was also raised during the cold war, and nuclear was seen as unwinnable. What we were ACTUALLY taught was the principle of MAD...Mutually Assured Destruction. In other words, it was like a continuous Mexican standoff, such that neither side wanted to pull the trigger, but both were capable. We were taught that capitalism was better than communism, and that has been shown to be true. The hiding under desks thing was a 50s-early 60s thing that was gone by the 70s and was admittedly stupid.
permalink parent [+] its_very_funny_imo comment score below threshold (1 child) [] G_I_Joe_Mansueto 4 points 4 days ago
Where you able to visit other Bloc countries? What were your experiences away from home while within the greater USSR?
There were no restrictions for travelling within the USSR (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia) , but travelling to other countries was a nightmare. Most citizens have never been abroad. As a teenager I was lucky to go to Mongolia with my parent s where my Dad went to work. It took them over 6 months to get the appropriate forms and medical tests done. They would have to have a good reputation and even family up to cousins was checked for reliability. It was considered to be a great honour to represent the USSR abroad. The place I lived in was close to Polish borders. I don't recall a single person who went 19 of 36
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abroad. The place I lived in was close to Polish borders. I don't recall a single person who went there at the time.
permalink parent [] TheReasonableCamel 3 points 3 days ago
Did people ever come from other countries like Poland?

I would suspect a few did, however I saw none as I lived in a small town (200,000 people) in Belarus. In that town during Soviet times I never met any foreigners apart from in 1980 where all the trains from Western Europe passed through our town carrying Olympic Athletes to Moscow. Me and my Grandma went and brought flowers for the Athletes to make them feel welcome in our country, no one asked/forced us to do it.
permalink parent [] TheZetetics 2 points 3 days ago
Were you able to visit Bulgaria?

permalink parent [] TheAmazing 1 point 2 days ago
I am Bulgarian and my parents have told me how they traveled to Russia,Poland,Yugoslavia,Czechoslovakia and so on
permalink parent [] The_Mermaid -1 points 2 days ago
Why was it a nightmare to travel to other countries? Was it illegal, or just really difficult?
permalink parent [+] perche comment score below threshold (1 child) [] doomgiver98 4 points 3 days ago
If you have read 1984, how similar was the USSR to the setting in the book?
I haven't read 1984, but I know what it's about. I personally lived in such a bubble that i didn't feel that it was a 1984 type society.
permalink parent [] doomgiver98 4 points 3 days ago
Well, to summarize, it's a society where everyone is programmed to accept the society and not even think about questioning the regime. And when you do begin to think something undesirable, you are taken away in the middle of the night. I was just asking if people actually think they're treated well.
I know now it was very similar. It just never personally touched me or affected me. I have never heard about people becoming undesirables for questioning the regime. People around me were relatively happy and never thought of criticizing the government. Then again, I lived in a small provincial town...
permalink parent [] Cymry_Cymraeg 4 points 3 days ago
He said he knows what it's about.

permalink parent [] doomgiver98 3 points 3 days ago
k
permalink parent [] LincLoL 1 point 3 days ago
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[] LincLoL 1 point 3 days ago
I haven't read the book in years. That comment helped refresh my memory.
But he wasn't giving a summary to you.

And I was saying that the summary in general was helpful in understanding his question.
permalink parent [+] courtoftheair comment score below threshold (1 child) [] thirdrail69 4 points 3 days ago
It should be mandatory reading for everyone. Slightly ironic statement I know. You really should read it.
permalink parent [] ElisaAnderson 3 points 2 days ago
The book is written by an englishman who was (at least at the time) against communism. Not written by someone who lived in communism. It's a good book, but just keep that in mind when you read it. Be as critical against it's message as you should be against anything else. But great read!
permalink parent [] thirdrail69 1 point 2 days ago
I've read it several times. I know what it's about.

permalink parent [] Dabuscus214 2 points 3 days ago
we've always been at war with eurasia

permalink parent [] khriys 5 points 3 days ago
1984 wasn't about them, the Soviet Union--it was dark satire about us, the west.
It was more about the dangers of total-surveillance, I think. Animal Farm is more about the dangers of Communism. :)
permalink parent [] khriys 7 points 3 days ago
If you're reading this on a tablet, note that it is a screen with a little camera. Essentially the same object as the telescreen in the book. Also note that the outer party members had to buy their telescreens in the book, and they were expensive.
Orwell actually talks about censorship in the West in his preface to Animal Farm. A short but very interesting preface. I strongly advise everyone to read it. http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/Orwell.html
permalink parent [] envyone -2 points 3 days ago*
I see this question a lot here on /r/IAMA, just to remind you guys - Orwell was a communist. 1984 is not about USSR. edit: typo
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[] obscuredreference 7 points 3 days ago
George Orwell wrote 1984... Not Orson Wells. Lol And on that subject, you might want to take a look at Animal Farm! George Orwell was a socialist (1984 was about what he feared his idea of a socialist utopia would slip out and become, if I remember well).
permalink parent [] obscuredreference 1 point 2 days ago
"Typo"? XD lol From "Orwell" to typing instead "Orson Wells" is quite a stretch. No offense, I'm just amused you're passing it off as a typo. Lol
permalink parent [] FinKM 3 points 3 days ago
Gorbachev seems to be despised by former citizens of the Soviet Union, what is your opinion of him?
He is my best politician of all the times and countries. He had the courage to admit inevitable and get the country away from the catastrophe of much more dramatic end. Most Soviet people associate him with the hardest time in their lives. Sad. He is one of the most sensible and charismatic people on the world stage.
permalink parent [] FinKM 3 points 3 days ago
That makes sense, well put. Also I would just like to say that this is one of the most informative and insightful AMAs I have ever seen, thank you very much for doing it.
permalink parent [] SnowGN 1 point 1 day ago
So, had the USSR not dissolved then, the final end a few more decades down the road would have been even worse?
permalink parent [] Aero06 5 points 3 days ago
As someone who's been through it all, do you think Socialism could work? I mean there were a variety of factors that lead to the downfall of the second world, but was it bareable? Because I always hear people say 'we won the Cold War!' and 'Communism doesn't work!', those remarks are stupid obviously, but I'd like to hear your opinion.
Thanks for your question. As I was saying before I believe in capitalism with socialist face, a bit like in China maybe. The USSR was a difficult experiment as it wasnt flexible enough and the arms race killed it economically in the end. If there are enough people who believe in the system and no outside interference I believe that it is possible to create a fair Socialist society
permalink parent [] Aero06 1 point 3 days ago
A Social Democracy, or regulated Capitalsim. In terms of modern times, I wonder if somebody from Cuba would be willing to do some sort of AMA, last time I checked it was one of the few remaining 'Communist' Countries, that wasn't in reality under some harsh dystopian rule. Also, since I note that you are from Belarus, what do you think of nationalism there? I watched a documentary on post Soviet Republics, apparently people there are upset that Communism is still glorified there and that it is pressed as more as an association of Russia than it's own state, leading nationalism to be at a low. Do you keep in much contact with Belarus still?
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[] born_in_ussr [S] 10 points 3 days ago
Nationalism was on a rise in the early 90s. It all died down as far as I know. There is a minority of Belorusians who are fussed about preserving the language and culture. Most people I meet when I visit see the future of Belarus tightly connected with Russia. the cultures are too similar, the history is so inseparable. As for the glorifying communism I used to live on the SOVETSKAYA STREET 200 meters away from LENIN SQUARE and the monument to LENIN. My parents still live there and last time I checked (April 2012) all of those were still there. However, the way it is viewed is not glorifying anything, but "what is the point to destroy something that was our history". If anything it is a good reminder. I think most people just not bothered about keep changing the names of the streets.
I would not say that Cuba isn't currently under harsh rule. Political dissidents are still jailed, homosexuals are sent to harsh labor camps, prisoners are tortured and extrajudicial executions are known to occur. Why do you think that refugees keep risking a very dangerous boat ride in order to get to Florida? People in free countries who wish to travel do not need to resort to such methods to go abroad. I'll give you that Cuba isn't as batshit insane as North Korea, but harsh dystopian rule is definitely still the order of the day there.
homosexuals are sent to harsh labor camps Total bullshit. That used to happen. Not anymore.
permalink parent [] obscuredreference -4 points 3 days ago
"Cuba isn't under a harsh dystopian rule"?! :( Have you been there or know people there? Have you talked to the people there and seen the utter misery and horror they live in? It's very bad. As for a socialist country functioning, taking a look at Europe is enough to see it doesn't work. (I left Europe for that reason, btw.) China is an even worse example. Quality of life there can be good for the elite, but for the rest it's often quite abysmal.
permalink parent [] obscuredreference 1 point 2 days ago
Haha! I knew the little children filled with idealistic nonsense would down vote my post. Too bad denying the truth isn't enough to make it go away, huh. :P
permalink parent [] tonybanks -1 points 3 days ago
The fascist experiment was the worst. Nazis went too far. Still, USSR killed millions of own citizens.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "Nazi's went too far"? There's sort of an implication to that statement that if they had only killed fewer Jews and other "undesirables", they would not be so reviled and condemned. I'm sure you don't mean to imply that. Stalin and Mao both killed more of their people during their purges and pogroms than The Nazis. They all deserve our condemnation and contempt.
permalink parent [] EUPRAXIA1 1 point 3 days ago
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[] EUPRAXIA1 1 point 3 days ago
So we didn't win the cold war eventually and communism hasn't failed as a system? Fighting the cold war was like having an investment contest with your neighbor in which he's determined to only hold on to bonds and you're allowed to and knowledgeable enough to invest in anything including stocks. Your portfolio might have more variance but the geo mean is going to be much higher and over the decades he won't be able to afford a car and you'll have moved to a bigger house or apartment.
permalink parent [] freemarket27 1 point 3 days ago
Were there any private houses in Belarus when you lived there? I am curious how a socialist system handles housing. Does everyone get the same sized home/apartment?
Most people were living in the blocks of flats. However some were living in the private sector and had their own houses. I think it was a privilege of people connected with the countryside, farming. Living in the big industrial town you would have no option to purchase your own house - there were not many built and you would never save enough for it. You would usually start your carrier at the factory. That would give you a room in the hostel or something like that and put you on the list for the flat/apartment. Depending on the area where you lived, you would probably work for that organisation for 6-9 years before you get municipal accommodation. Blocks of flats were built in accordance with 5 year plans made by party officials. There was never enough housing. Those living in their own houses would probably inherit them after living few mixed up generations under one roof for decades. My family never had their own property, not even a car, which was such a luxury.
permalink parent [] Redskull673 3 points 3 days ago
i heard you had to apply for a car and wait for a time period
Yes that is true. You could only buy Soviet made car anyway. In the 80's the list would be few years long if you wanted to buy it for the government price. There were people who bought cars and resold them. Your queue to get car could be quicker if you asked your granddad - veteran of war to do it for you. That would have priveledges and their queue would be shorter - could buy a car within a year, if you had the money.
permalink parent [] Dormidont 1 point 2 days ago
You had to apply even for a decent furniture. Or TV set.

permalink parent [] R3laX 1 point 3 days ago
I don't know about the area where you lived but in my town (LV SSR) you could work on the construction site of (your) future apartment block getting your flat ahead of the queue.
permalink parent [] SovietBattery 3 points 3 days ago
Were you raised to think anything negative about america?

permalink [] born_in_ussr [S] 13 points 3 days ago*
Yes I was. The only good part was poor oppressed common people of US who did not have enough courage to revolt. Here is the example: It changed however when Gorbachev came into power.
what do you think the role of government should be?
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permalink [] jaj5954 2 points 3 days ago
Do you have an opinion on the Republic of Georgia? When I was in Russia, I made friends with a kid from there my age back then-- he's a lawyer now, seeking to immigrate to the UK. He's extremely critical of Russia and its influence of former Soviet republics.
I love Georgians. They have such a unique culture. I think Russians adore their cute accent. By the way, I think it is the only nation in the world which calls the father - MAMA, and the mother - PAPA. I don't know what happened recently, I mean last 20 years. I remember when USSR was collapsing, Russia was supporting some separatist movements within Georgia. In return, Georgian government started to support Chechens when they wanted independence. As for the influence, it seems that like in older days it is again either American or Russian influence and I can relate to the feeling that it is better to step up and try to be in control in bordering regions, rather then let very remote and alien US to fill the gap? I came from Belarus which have greater integration with Russia then any other ex republic, which is build on a very different and fairer base. I think it is the way forward for a few other countries in the region - if they want it! There is not that much bullying any more from Russia and countries have choices (that does not necessarily apply to Georgia. I am not happy about Russian attitude towards breakaway regions)
A lot was done wrong in the USSR, but right now, what political system do you favour? (Eg Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Liberalism)
permalink [] shenron1146 2 points 3 days ago
How did the iron curtain affect musical influences, what kind of music did you listen to? What do you listen to now?
permalink [] periskope 2 points 3 days ago
Did you ever see the Russian hard rock band Gorky Park in concert in the late 80's? If so, what was the public/private opinion towards them? And did you see the Moscow Music Peace Festival?
permalink [] born_in_ussr [S] 1 point 3 days ago
It was extremely popular and I was a fan as well. I watched Moscow Music Peace Festival on TV. I was not lucky enough to go to Luzhniki Stadium to watch it. That was my kind of music at the time. I think most young people in USSR at that time were discovering rock and hard rock music without limits. The soloist of GORKY PARK - Alexander Marshal is still singing, but he is a pop artist now.
permalink parent [] drfsrich 1 point 2 days ago
BANG!
permalink parent [] spacedboy 3 points 3 days ago
To what extent could you get away with just hanging out with friends criticizing the government? I grew up in the US during the same time period and we were given the impression that you were headed to siberia if you got drunk and started bitching about the system with your friends in your own apartment. It also seemed like every apartment over there was being recorded.
permalink [] t_maia 8 points 3 days ago*
I did not grow up in the USSR, but in another bloc country. The impression is greatly exaggerated. If you persistently made such remarks (especially in public) you would not head straight to 25 of 36
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If you persistently made such remarks (especially in public) you would not head straight to Siberia, but depending upon your situation somebody might sit down with you to "talk reason". Essentially you'd be told to "tone it down or..." Since the whole system was connected and the state had authority over almost everything, you might loose your job, get into trouble at school, get kicked out of university and your friends and family would be affected too. Your children might not be allowed to go to college or your brother might be asked to move to another city to distance himself from you. One of the worst things the government in my country did was to take the children away from people who were openly against the system and put them up for adoption. The threat was subtle, but always there. Plus they could do quite a lot to wreak havoc on your life. Growing up, you quickly learned what to say when or when to keep your mouth shut. Funnily, it is a bit like learning on how to be tactful. You just did not do certain things and one of them was openly critizising the government. I think a good way to compare it with is working under an inept psychopatic boss who cannot handle criticism with nasty colleagues who love intrigue at a time when economy is bad. You need that job, but you do not dare open your mouth about all the things that are wrong in the company for fear of getting backstabbed by somebody out there for your job. So you suck it up, play three wise monkeys and worry about your own shit.
I think the scale of surveillance varied throughout 70 year history of USSR. I remember that criticizing the government and bitching about the system did not come to my head. I know its hard to imagine. I was a young communist and would not join the organisation if I was not happy. I knew it could cost me dearly to start any sort of criticism - it was called anti-soviet propaganda. To me it would be like if a very religious person would start to doubt the existence of god.
permalink parent [] MonsterTruckButtFuck 6 points 4 days ago*
If you could go back to the 70's and move to America with your family, a house, a car, and a magical knowledge of american English, would you do it? Also, how do you feel about this picture? http://zg.swl-clan.at/asset/201211/zg.vj8d.jpeg
No I wouldnt, (I wouldnt even do it now as I am happy in The UK and America is a bit too extreme for me)In the 70s we didnt have a car or our own house. We bought our first TV in 1982 and it was Black and White! However I enjoyed that life and I wouldnt swap it for the American dream Also I enjoyed your comic.
permalink parent [] gdination 2 points 3 days ago
Ha. As an American, I'm really glad to hear this.

permalink parent [] Cannibalzz 0 points 3 days ago
If you enjoyed a simpler life more, why are you living in the UK and not a more "old fashioned" country?
I felt very comfortable living in the USSR before the changes. That country and the society does not exist any more. Instead there is a lot of instability and people who went through a difficult transformation. I like to have stable and safe life. In the late 90's I came to UK to work and found the stability I was looking for. I feel comfortable here and this is my country now. My both children were born in London and I serve my new motherland by working for Metropolitan Police. Love my job and Londoners. I consider myself privileged to have two Motherlands. I am twice richer then most people because I 26 of 36
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myself privileged to have two Motherlands. I am twice richer then most people because I have incorporated the best from both systems and very different cultures.
permalink parent [] heyangelyouthesexy 1 point 2 days ago
Your statement is extremely humble. My mother always said as we get richer and more developed we also become less and less humane, less trusting, friendly etc. She still fondly remembers her childhood back in 70s where it was peaceful and people helped each other. If you ever want to move some where looking for that life before, do consider New Zealand. We're proabably the last western nation relatively untouched by pollution and mindless money grabbing. I hear Finland is very similar too.
"and a magical knowledge of american English". I think a knowledge of any type of English will do.
I'm English and disagree. I have no clue what most Americans are taking about. They don't even have real cheese.
At least we don't have chavs.

permalink parent [] Democrab 1 point 1 day ago
You do, just under different names; in Australia we either call them bogans or westies depending on where you hail from. (Westies is mainly from my home town of Ballarat, they call them that because most come from Wendoree West.)
permalink parent [] hassium 1 point 3 days ago
touche.
permalink parent [] obscuredreference 4 points 3 days ago
American cheese is actually a British invention, funny enough.

permalink parent [] red-jar 1 point 3 days ago
What was the perception of Canadians in the USSR? I ask because you don't ever see Canada as an arch-enemy to anyone, much like America was to the USSR.
permalink [] Ludicrous 1 point 3 days ago
There was also the Summit Series between the Soviet and Canadian hockey teams.
permalink parent [] Raejk 1 point 3 days ago
It was a slippery slope. Early relations were pretty hostile, seeing as how Canada did not support the communist-side during the Russian Civil War. However, during WWII relations were good, due to both nations being allies. Eventually, it gets better: After Pierre Trudeau came to power in Canada, Canadian policy changed dramatically. Trudeau was a left-leaning but free-thinking >intellectual who had traveled to the Soviet Union in the 1950s and >was arrested for throwing a snowball at a statue of Stalin. >Trudeau wanted to lessen Canada's reliance on the United States >by forging closer ties with other countries and breaking out the of >the Cold War straitjacket. During a trip to the 27 of 36
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with other countries and breaking out the of >the Cold War straitjacket. During a trip to the Soviet Union in 1971 >he identified the United States as a bigger threat to Canada than >the remote Soviet Union. The Americans, he said, are "a danger to >our national identity from a cultural, economic and perhaps even >military point of view." Eventually Trudeau backed away from his >"Third Option" policy and returned to the Western fold. However, ?>at the end of his tenure, when he believed that tension between >the US and Soviet Union were again too high, he launched a peace >mission to Moscow which the Americans did not approve of. "The government of Conservative Brian Mulroney cast a much more critical eye on the Soviet Union, despite the changes produced in that country by Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika and glasnost reforms. As late as January 1989, foreign minister Joe Clark still identified the Soviets as a threat to the West, by May however, he spoke approvingly of Gorbachev's reforms. Canada's changed position was fully shown in November 1989, when Prime Minister Mulroney visited the Soviet Union, accompanied by more than 200 representatives of Canadian business. Numerous agreements were signed during the visit, the most important of which was a Political Declaration calling for Canadian-Soviet cooperation in such areas as the environment, the Arctic, terrorism, and the drug trade. Canadian-Soviet relations were now on friendly terms, until January 1991, when Gorbachev cracked down on independence-seeking Lithuania and Latvia, prompting Canada to suspend credit and ?>?technical aid to the Soviet Union. During the 1991 Soviet coup d'tat attempt new foreign affairs minister Barbara McDougall, evoked much criticism by indicating that Canada could work with the plotters, a position that was particularly embarrassing when Gorbachev was quickly returned to office. As the Soviet Union fell apart, Canada moved speedily to establish full relations with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. It acted even before the United States, and in December 1991, Canada was the first Western country to recognize the independence of Ukraine. With Gorbachev's resignation that month, the Soviet Union ceased to exist, prompting Canada to recognize Russia as an independent state." So, Canada-USSR relations were rough at times, but considering the closeness of the US and Canada, relations weren't too bad later on. :) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada%E2%80%93Soviet_Union_relations
Spot on!! Thank you for answering it for me in such a detail as well.
permalink parent [] rathead 0 points 3 days ago
in soviet russia... you don't wear earmuffs... earmuffs wear you.

In Soviet Russia president assasinates you!

permalink parent [] freemarket27 0 points 3 days ago
Is there are brain drain happening in Belarus? Where the people with smarts and ambition leave the country?
Sorry but I honestly don't know. I live in the UK but I wouldn't call myself a brain. It is very difficult for people in Belarus to find ways to go and work/live abroad unless it's in Russia or Ukraine
permalink parent [] WArch 1 point 3 days ago
In Belarus, is there genuine popular support for Lukashenka, or is he incredibly unpopular? I've been told that, though there is a lot of vote rigging, it isn't quite as simple as a dictatorship.
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Last time I went there (April 2012) I met mainly two types of people. One type which support him one hundred percent and call him father of the nation, and another type which could see no worthy alternative to him as they believe current opposition to be heavily sponsored by the west and doesn't reflect the aspirations of the people. Both types would vote Lukashenka- better the devil you know than the devil you don't. I think the country is so far from a market economy that most people are too scared to turn back and go through the horrors of shock therapy neighbouring states went through some time ago.
permalink parent [] t_maia 1 point 3 days ago
Have you ever read "Russian Disco" by Wladimir Kaminer?

No I haven't, thanks for mentioning I will look in to it.

permalink parent [] LordByron12 1 point 3 days ago
I've read a few interesting articles on the growing economic pressures on the old S.S.R's and how Putin has tried to nosey in with them. Having grown up in an S.S.R and seen to transformation, Is there any positive points to living in a communist country?
permalink [] Moonwalker917 1 point 3 days ago*
My mum, who grew in soviet union told me there was ridiculous laws like if you build a dacha, it shouldn't have 2 floors. Do you have more exemples for dumb laws? Oh what about TV program? In the 80s they were telling us (in France) at school that everyone in USSR had TVs but it was mainly for propaganda.
permalink [] UserMaatRe 2 points 3 days ago
Somewhat related to the TV question: Seventeen moments of Spring was a hugely popular TV series. You may also be interested in the Broadcasts section on Wikipedia.
permalink parent [] Moonwalker917 1 point 3 days ago
Thanks! I will go check this out!

permalink parent [] ReIIik 1 point 3 days ago
What is your opinion on the transfer to democracy? I know that Russia experienced the biggest heroin epidemic to hit any country, and that since democracy has taken effect, the major criminal organizations have pretty much taken control of power.
permalink [] 13tw 2 points 3 days ago
What was your most favourite part about growing up in the USSR?
permalink [] AlexJPiechowski3 1 point 3 days ago
What was shunned and why? Or, what was the west perceived of?
permalink [] nunobo 1 point 3 days ago
How do you feel about your Polish neighbors? Antagonists? Or brothers separated by a border?
I love Polish neighbours. I think we have so much in common. I was born 250 km away from Polish border. I like Poland without politics and believe it should stay that way. When you start looking at the history - not so great. I am not the one to judge, but I think great mistakes were done on both sides. I was born in West Belarus, which some Polish people would remember as 29 of 36
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done on both sides. I was born in West Belarus, which some Polish people would remember as Eastern Rech Pospolita. Some still like to think that they have the right for that land. I have met many older Beloarussians who used to live under Poland. Most of them remeber it was not great. Polish masters had no consideration for Belorussian language and culture and treated peasants like slaves. In 1939 when Soviet Army went in West Belarus, common people genuinely were happy to be liberated from Polish oppression. I think some started changing their minds when the horror of communist oppression started to sink in, however the war started in 1941 and up to 1/3 of civil population of Belarus died as a result of that war. You cannot look back and have the grudge at either Polish or Russians. I believe we are all very close Slavic people and should be brothers. I have many Polish friends in UK. We never even get to discuss the past and the history - pointless.
permalink parent [] nunobo -1 points 3 days ago
You cannot look back and have the grudge at ... Russians. I can't quite agree with you there. After 60 years of occupation by the Soviets I think there is plenty of space to hold a grudge. Look how well Western Europe has done since WWII, and how much the Soviets stifled any sort of economic development.
do you mind if I correct you there? You can have a grudge with the soviet government, but ordinary Russians (especially today) have nothing to do with it. Do you hate modern Germans for what Nazis did to Poland?
permalink parent [] nunobo 0 points 3 days ago
Do you hate modern Germans for what Nazis did to Poland? Yes. A little. But that is because German actions towards Poles have yet to be fully recognized. ordinary Russians (especially today) have nothing to do with it. That may be true for Russian citizens, but the Russian government has yet to make any sort of amends for the crimes they have committed on Polish soil. For example, they refuse to release their files on the Katyn Massacre. They have the ability to set many things right, but refuse to do so.
permalink parent [] megazver 3 points 3 days ago
I like how you conveniently ignored the "oh yeah, Poles have totally assfucked the Belorussians in the past as well" bits to focus on your own historical butthurt. Excellent technique. I applaud with both of my hands.
permalink parent [] nunobo 2 points 3 days ago
Poles have totally assfucked the Belorussians in the past as well I haven't ignored those parts, I am just unfamiliar. I've looked at Polish history from the Polish perspective. I know that Ukrainians and Lithuanians have similar historic distaste for Poles, but I was unaware that the Belorussians feel the same way. Feel free to educate me.
He literally describes it in his first reply.

permalink parent [] nunobo 1 point 3 days ago
Do you have anything to add to this? I was born in West Belarus, which some Polish people would remember as Eastern Rech Pospolita. Some still like to think that 30 of 36
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remember as Eastern Rech Pospolita. Some still like to think that they have the right for that land. I have met many older Beloarussians who used to live under Poland. Most of them remeber it was not great. Polish masters had no consideration for Belorussian language and culture and treated peasants like slaves.
I am not interested in wasting my time on this with you.

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[] no1skaman 1 point 3 days ago
What is your take on western architectural and technology. A lot of USSR technology and architecture is very rugged and reliable to me how does our stuff seem to you?
permalink [] Hreinzi 1 point 3 days ago
Lets imagine, its the 80's you get to see a propaganda video of the U.S lifestyle. and its shown everything, that the average family owned at that time. What would have gone trough your head after you saw that video.
I believe I have seen those propaganda documentaries. Inevitably, they had Soviet commentaries. I just would not believe that a common US citizen would have such an easy and relaxed life and have so much opportunities. We were told that all the luxuries were affordable only by the rich and it was achieved via centuries of slave driving ordinary American people and other peace loving nations. Basically, I would view those films as "The propaganda" and nothing common with the real life
permalink parent [] wimpledpeas 1 point 3 days ago
I can't think of any question that hasn't already been asked, so I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing this AMA!! It's the most fascinating one I've seen in a while personally. Thanks again.
permalink [] kingrodney1246 1 point 3 days ago
Sometimes when I think of communism I feel like some people would never try and reach their full potential since money wasn't such a factor...Was there a dearth of high end job positions that required a lot of schooling? Also, was there some sort of avenue to get involved in politics (like run for mayor or something if there was such a thing)
permalink [] jrd_dthsqd 1 point 3 days ago
What makes more sense, English or Russian?

If you are asking about the language - ENGLISH. It is simple and precise. The best language for instructions hence making sense.. Russian is beautiful in poetry though!
permalink parent [] jclovis 1 point 3 days ago
,
Privet zemlyak!
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[] MonaghanIndustries 1 point 3 days ago
What is your opinion of the original Marxist ideology, as opposed to how it was implemented, if there is a difference? And is there really a difference?
I think it is very complicated. Even for the young communist as I was. My opinion is that you cannot predict the way the society will evolve and nudge it in that direction. Marx created some sort of a BIBLE by writing "THE CAPITAL" and "COMMUNISM MANIFESTO". Like the BIBLE it was so complicated and open to interpretations. I do not think anyone can honestly say that know exactly what were Marx's intentions and how he saw the future world. Communists in Soviet Union like priests in the church tried to find instructions in that book for every aspect of everyday's life. I think for ideology to be alive ( the same as religion) it should adapt to any current situation and be fairly flexible to satisfy the majority.
permalink parent [] AlwaysGoingHome 1 point 2 days ago
Marx didn't create bibles. The Capital is a scientific study, the Communist Manifesto is propaganda piece trying to advertise for communist groups. The people who tried to turn it into holy books were idiots.
permalink parent [] eg220 2 points 3 days ago
How was living in Mongolia different from living in Belarus?

Very different in many ways. Culture, climate. Most importantly, Mongolians had much lower living conditions and it made us soviet people apreciate more what we had in the USSR.
[deleted]
Yes, same I had the same experiences when I first came to the UK in 95 and still have the same feeling especially after short trips to Belarus. I am still grateful for all the things that make life so easy and comfortable,but I don't forget my roots and people who work there so hard for so little gain.
permalink parent [] thedonald420 1 point 3 days ago
Is there a guilty pleasure you have after the fall of the USSR that Westerners take for granted. Example: cheeseburgers, driving fast or soft drink.
permalink [] johnw1988 2 points 2 days ago
How did the education system work in the USSR? Could anyone go to a university? If not, how did one do it?
Yes anyone could go to an university. All you needed to do was finish ten years of school and pass entrance exams. Usually for 4 or 5 subjects. It's absolutely free, free place in a hostel, bursary money and guess what? At the end guaranteed work placement when you leave if you wanted it. It might not be the best working place or in a nice big city, but it was there if you needed it. Your new workplace would be responsible for finding your accommodation if you needed it.
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[] johnw1988 2 points 2 days ago
What about higher levels such as masters degree's or PHDs? How did they work?
permalink parent [] Icemanrussian 1 point 2 days ago
First generation American-Russian. My parents both grew up during the Cold War in Moscow(except my father, he was in novosibirsk). My family has always been more left, and even though my mother stated many times before, she didn't exactly like communism, but did enjoy the whole, free education and healthcare. What's your current stance on the Russian government today? I visited Russia one last time this past summer, since ill be turning 18 soon, and i'll be eligible for the draft(Russian/American Citizenship), and my relatives told me they didn't like Putin, but he was able to keep the country strong through the recession. So many remain neutral, believing there isn't much they can do. What is your stance?
permalink [] majora06 2 points 2 days ago
What was crime like? In one of your answers you tell about your 40 minute trip to kindergarten as a 5 year old, and that it was safe enough to travel on your own. Was crime as good as absent? And how was the justice system? If an officer accused you of, say, stealing, could you protest against it? THANKS!
permalink [] thomfrenchyeah 1 point 2 days ago
What are your personal politics?

permalink [] IronMew 1 point 2 days ago
Many movies and books set in Soviet countries portray a ghastly situation concerning public health in the USSR. According to them if you were a party official then you could hope to, maybe, be treated by someone who might have known what they were doing. Otherwise, you were essentially in the hands of lady Luck. How much of this is true? How was the medical situation actually like?
permalink [] djsdmv 1 point 2 days ago
Hi, Is there any chance that your name is Alexander or Aleksandar?

permalink [] sukinsyn 1 point 2 days ago
What is the most valuable thing you learned/the most profound epiphany you've had from growing up during the Cold War?
permalink [] hazardoustoucan 1 point 2 days ago
Did you know any jew back then? How was the view on jews in the soviet union?
permalink [] ElongatedVagina 1 point 2 days ago
Any views of on the Soviet-Afghan war?

permalink [] arv435 1 point 1 day ago
Given your background and knowledge about political systems, how do you view the United States politically and economically? What do you think is its future? Also, some people here in the U.S. claim that Obama is a communist and/or a socialist, I know this is not true, but could you express your thoughts on that claim and elaborate on what it means to be socialist/communist?
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permalink [] freemarket27 -1 points 3 days ago
What was the justification for calling the capitalists "warmongers"? The Americans at least withdrew from the territory they had conquered during WWII.
Not my words Soviet Propagandas To be honest its hard to disagree considering Americas involvement in every conflict since WWII(Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, El Salvador, Honduras even Afghanistan in the 80s)
permalink parent [+] freemarket27 comment score below threshold (7 children) [] gdination 15 points 3 days ago
I think it had something to do with the warmongering.

permalink parent [] Allthathewrote 1 point 3 days ago
Ha ha. Good one. That's why I grew up next to a USAF base when I was a kid in the UK. The USA hasn't withdrawn from here. It instead has made special 'arrangements' to have bases. The exact same thing as the Soviets would claim. Every time I go out to Poland we drive past an old Soviet base, ironically in the woods near the same spot was the original German border so there are also Nazi bunkers. I don't see a great deal of difference on the subject of US/Soviet bases during the Cold War, except our western perceptions are different.
permalink parent [] Nernanonose 2 points 3 days ago
^
I think this question deserves an answer

Are you fucking serious?

permalink parent [] thirdrail69 1 point 3 days ago
Surely you jest.

permalink parent [] Anfomay 3 points 4 days ago
What are your thoughts about Putin and his influences in the last years. Do you think he is attempting to take things back to the Soviet days?
I dont think that it is possible to take Russia back to Soviet/Communist days. However it is possible to regain the might and influence that the USSR had in its time and I think this is what Putin and most Russians want and so do I. The current world lacks polarity and as a result stability. Two or more powerful nations with differing opinions could make the world better and fairer.
permalink parent [] ctyt 1 point 3 days ago
Did your family have a car during Soviet times?

permalink [] UserMaatRe 3 points 3 days ago
OP answered this elsewhere.

permalink parent [] GeluNumber1 1 point 3 days ago
What would your perfect society be like? 34 of 36
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I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War : IAmA What would your perfect society be like?
permalink [] runningoec 2 points 3 days ago
I have heard that the architecture was very peculiar, in the sense that if there was one good building it was to be rebuild the same way, 5 times, in a row. Is this true? And how well were the buildings maintained? Also, not to criticize you but wasn't the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991? Your certificate says 1995.
There were 2 types of passports in Soviet Union and after it - internal and external for going abroad. For some strange reason, after USSR collapsed all the independent republics kept using the old blank passports for few years. The copy I provided was my external passport issued by independent Republic of Belarus in 1995. You would have to be born in the USSR to be issued with that. I still have my internal USSR passport somewhere which was my first passport at the age of 16. It is all in Russian though . Are you working in Border Control by any chance? You should be a detective - well done for spotting that! You are right about the buildings. It was just mass production - the easiest way to build is to create one design and copy it across the country. There is a cult movie in USSR when one lad just moved in to a new district new block of flats of Moscow in about 1980. Then he went to sauna with his friends just before New Year, got drunk and accidently they got him on the plane to Leningrad instead of someone else. When he arrived in that city, he took a taxi and gave him his address. The driver took him to the same street name and the same apartment block number, but in Leningrad - not in Moscow. The area was so similar - he did not even spot the difference. The block was the exact copy and even his keys matched the door lock. The rest was just pure comedy.
permalink parent [] runningoec 2 points 3 days ago
Thanks for the reply! I do not work in Border Control, but I am very interested in the Soviet Union and the scientific research that happened in the area. Also the movie that you described sounds very funny, do you remember the name of it?
permalink parent [] born_in_ussr [S] 1 point 2 days ago
It is called The Irony Of Fate and it was filmed in 1976. I do not know if there is a subtitled English version, but I managed to find animated intro to the movie. Click on the link to watch it
permalink parent [] akmarksman 0 points 3 days ago
Got any more women like Milla Jovovich or Milena Kunis or perhaps some redheads to send over here to the USA? ;)
permalink [+] freemarket27 comment score below threshold (11 children) [] Finite_Loop 0 points 3 days ago
In Soviet Russia you ask us anything.

permalink [] Tkpwns 1 point 3 days ago
Do you hate the "In Soviet Russia..." meme?

No, I find it cute! It is a very Russian quality - to be able to laugh at ourselves. "In Soviet Russia" has got very little connection with the reality and it is funny in different way. Funny to see what people think Soviet Russia was. Its the same as some Americans used to think that bears were wondering the streets of Moscow and other stereotypes..
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bears were wondering the streets of Moscow and other stereotypes..

permalink parent [] thescatman1 0 points 3 days ago
Were you shocked the first time you went outside Soviet?
No I was not shocked, just excited. By the time I went outside Soviet Union I have already seen what the life was like on TV and met other people who have been some places. I was just excited to see it with my own eyes. A bit like if you saw Egyptian Pyramids many times in the books or TV and one day actually went and saw them in front of you?
permalink parent [] tabledresser 0 points 3 days ago* Questions Answers American people were presented as two main classes. Class of capitalists who were ruling the country and hated us. The other class was of workers and peasants who were just like us. Capitalists were war thirsty evils who were so afraid of the spread of communism awareness that they were prepared to wage wars to stop it.The only good part was poor oppressed common people of US who did not have enough courage to revolt. Here is the example: It changed however when Gorbachev came into power and we saw the real picture which was of course different. We were so brainwashed and were not taught to think. We were blindly excepting and repeating the opinions already put in front of us by our teachers. Iron Curtain was doing its toll as well as I did not know any different and had no reason to doubt the official point of view. I was very patriotic when I was growing up.I am looking at North Korea now and I think that is probably very similar how they live there. I was 100% supportive of everything our leaders did. I would not like for Communism to return. I think it is not possible and was proved to fail, however the society with some socialist values would be ideal I think.
How were Americans perceived by people in the Soviet Union? What sort of things were said about "average Americans" by the government and the media?
I know there are plenty of people who grew up and lived in the Soviet Union that completely supported Communism and to this day, would love it if it was back. Were you supportive of the Soviet Union while you were growing up? If so, would you want Communism to make a return?
View the full table on /r/tabled! | Last updated: 2013-02-06 15:17 UTC | Next update: 2013-02-06 21:17 UTC This comment was generated by a robot! Send all complaints to epsy.
permalink [] anonymouslives -2 points 2 days ago
Isn't Russia still a communist country? I mean, It seems pretty obvious. Not that the US is any different, only here we are brainwashed to believe we have freedom and that we're a democracy, when that is clearly not true.
permalink [] lolwhatisthisim12 -3 points 3 days ago
Ya u and many others. Y does this deserve an iama
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I Grew Up in The Soviet Union During The Cold War - IAmA

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I Grew Up in The Soviet Union During The Cold War - IAmA

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I grew up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War (self.IAmA)

all 365 comments

That's not really that far off the mark.

No, no, you had it right the first time.

And they still do.

continue this thread

Going to war isn't a mistake. Its something a country does intentionally.

You go to war deliberately though, you then retroactively determine it a mistake.

Which can be a mistake, intentional or not (Iraq was a mistake) 3 of 36