More than just words

The Russian language, when spoken softly, is beautiful. To look at it is like a work of art on the page. My favourite letter is the start of the word 'woman', and it is also the symbol for female on toilet doors. It is ж. It is sturdy; its feet placed securely on the ground, and its strong arms reaching up in support.

I am beginning to understand the pronunciation of the letters and, given more time to immerse myself in the language, would pick up all thirty-something of them. I would, however, be sacrificing my sensitive soul to do that. The post-communist era, post-Soviet Russians are a surly lot. This is on my part a complete generalisation, and in most cases true.

Moscow especially, with its wealthy elite and its entrepreneurs, is a dog-eat-dog city. When asked a question they don't understand (especially by a foreigner) Moscovians simply turn away and ignore you until you leave. When they want something and you are there, they push past. It's a simple philosophy that reminds my of the line in George Orwell's classic 'Animal Farm' All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.