Apparently the head of Russia's bid to host the 2018 World cup finals has criticised the drinking habits of young people and the high crime rates in our nations cities (see Britain's worst towns thread). Far be it for me to contradict a Russian in a position of power, but I fear his comments may backfire on him. Alcoholism and crime in Russian cities? Perish the thought!
Russian commentsAnd according to this report the.. "average Russian drinks
18 litres of pure alcohol every year".
Russia battles the bottle
Comments
if i was you i wouldnt leave the house ever again
With a Russian takeover of the Club just days away best to stay off this topic IMHO
wheres alexi smertins wife when you need her
Not round my house, mores the pity!
Some people in the media are questioning whether we should have complained, whether it isnt too petty. But with some experience of Russians, I think it was right to do it. Its a Slavic characteristic to be more showy, to posture more in public than we would do. Russians have a kind of romantic respect for Britain, just as I think we do/did for Russia. Most Russian and other Slavic males in business or politics aspire to be a bit of an English Gentleman They are kind of pushing the limits to find out what goes beyond the borders of acceptable 'gentlemanly' behaviour. So we told them.
I am not sure what Russia 2018 would be like. The fact is that I have avoided returning to Moscow since 1992, because in many ways an ordinary business visit is a bloody nightmare. On the other hand ordinary Russians, once they get to know you, can be the warmest and most soulful people you can meet in Europe.(Is Russia Europe?..) And as for the women...well I will be too old by then, but any young single male should have at least one relationship with a Russian woman. But for similar reasons, I'm planning one last hurrah for my Saga generation mates in Kiev 2012:-).
Good job this isnt the Guardian. I'd get hate mail for this :-)
Apart from anything else, the prospect of hundreds of thousands of football fans arriving in a country where a bottle of vodka can be bought for less than £2 is quite frankly terrifying, it's going to go very wrong.
I went to Moscow this summer and found cheap drinks no problem, whether its vodka/beer in supermarkets or pints for about 70 roubles (less than £1.50) in a local pub near our hostel. I think the 'most expensive city' tag is based on prices for things like nice hotels and restaurants, which I've heard are extortionate.