Reply #: definitely

[Taverner]

When I first arrived, I expected lines everywhre, no hope, depression, everyone in fear of the KGB. What I found was much different.

IN fact I once asked someone about the KGB, and he laughed "We see them as much as you see the CIA!"

What I thought was completely interesting is how the police in the USSR would stop and help anyone who needed it.

One old guy had his motocyle break down on the street. The cop walking the beat came buy, and helped him repair his engine, and they chatted a while.

Come to think of it, this is a refreshing change I've seen in EVERY communist country. They take the term comrade and mean it. In Cuba, Vietnam and the USSR, people didn't rush to do things. They'd strike up conversations everywhere, and if they were late to a meeting, work, etc...so be it.

In the US, everyone is rushing around EVERYWHERE.