You're being disingenuous, Big. Russians will eat their socks off if the opportunity presents itself. If you've ever sat at a Russian table when it's someone's birthday or around the holidays you'd know what I mean. People, in general, will eat as much food as put in front of them as long as it's cheap and tasty. This latter reason is why Russians might not eat as much as Americans, for example.

Originally Posted by jpv

You're being disingenuous, Big. Russians will eat their socks off if the opportunity presents itself. If you've ever sat at a Russian table when it's someone's birthday or around the holidays you'd know what I mean. People, in general, will eat as much food as put in front of them as long as it's cheap and tasty. This latter reason is why Russians might not eat as much as Americans, for example.

Holidays and birthdays yes but it wasn't in the culture to go out to eat everyday as much as you want. Things might be different now. Remember I lived there in the 80s.

Originally Posted by Big

it wasn't in the culture to go out to eat everyday as much as you want.

Because there was nothing to eat out there. For "ordinary" Soviet citizens I mean. In Moscow in the 80s, there were just a few good restaurants and they were open only for tourists and for foreign students who paid the meals in USD, DM etc., not in soviet Rubles.

Originally Posted by akzent

Because there was nothing to eat out there. For "ordinary" Soviet citizens I mean. In Moscow in the 80s, there were just a few good restaurants and they were open only for tourists and for foreign students who paid the meals in USD, DM etc., not in soviet Rubles.

Even eating at diners and at school wasn't customary. People ate mostly only at home. My parents never bought me any food outside when we went to a park and stuff. My father always told me I would eat when I got home.

It wasn't because of money either. Food at diners and at supermarkets was pretty cheap.


Akzent, the stores were full of basic foods in the 80s. Bread, milk, fish, cheese, cold cuts and stuff were always available.

In America I also ate very little outside of my house until I got to college. Once I saw those cafeterias it was all over. That much food and variety just made me want to eat all the time.

Originally Posted by Big

Akzent, the stores were full of basic foods in the 80s. Bread, milk, fish, cheese, cold cuts and stuff were always available.

pretty cheap.

... and at the same time of worst quality. To buy any good products one needed to have “connections” (russ. “blat”) with the seller – the so called system “friends of friends”.

Actually there was another reason why Soviets didn't eat outside: In public spaces (incl. restaurants), their life was controlled by functionaries of the communist party and kgb. In the private space of their kitchens, they could listen the not-manipulated news of the Russian-language broadcasts of BBC London, Radio Liberty Munich, Deutsche Welle and the Voice of America. The famous “Russian kitchen” was actually a receiver of western radios. Unfortunately, the most Soviets were just a passive listeners. They never developed any self-reflexions. That is the reason why the soviet system (of thinking, behavior etc....) still has such a big impact, even after the so-called changes in the late 80s – early 90s.

Whatever kept you slim I guess....

By the way, akzent, foods that were available tasted much better than in America. Ice cream, bread, fruits and vegetables not even a comparison.

It is true that certain foods were not available and could only be bought through connections.

Originally Posted by Big

Ice cream,

Yes, the soviet ice cream was good.

bread,

No idea, I don't use bread.

fruits and vegetables not even a comparison.

They came to you from Bulgaria and other countries.