Surviving the World Cup in Russia
December 23, 2018
I think we can all agree that, whenever guests are coming to visit, we all put in extra effort during their stay. We clean things quicker and more thoroughly than usual, we try to be more patient and less argumentative, things like that. We might even keep up these traits for a short time after the guests have left, but sooner or later we go back to our normal routines, proud of ourselves for giving our guest such a good impression.
It’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, everyone does it, from households welcoming family to companies welcoming investors, even countries hosting international events.
For instance, Russia hosted the World Cup earlier this year, and they made good and sure to be as presentable as they could be.
I happened to be on a business trip in Moscow around this time, and while there were colorful flags and banners all around, it was the cleanliness that caught my eye. Increased crowds usually mean increased litter, with rowdy fans making messes either out of celebration of their team’s victory or out of frustration at their team’s loss. However, the city had taken extra steps to ensure their streets and sidewalks were as litter free as could be. In a single day, I saw no less than three maintenance trucks washing the roads, and even noticed officials picking blades of grass out from between the tiles in park pathways!
Mind you, there are some things a country can’t clean up as easily.
Those increased crowds I mentioned earlier attract all sorts of unsavory characters, the kind ready and willing to take advantage of the unsuspecting masses while they still can. Holding tightly to your backpacks and handbags in a busy city is just common sense, but special events like big games tend to make people forget this. Of course, the thieves you should really watch out for aren’t the ones snatching purses or picking pockets, it’s the ones who trick you into giving them your money. Currency exchange rates can be complicated, and tourists can be easily ripped off, so only ever change or deposit your money in airports or hotels. These establishments will often have their own banks set up for such purposes, and are far more trustworthy than the fraudulent shops set up to scam the crowds on the streets.
Of course, getting around the streets can be something of a scam as well, if you’re not careful. For one thing, never trust Google Maps while in Russia, only locals can give you the most direct route. As such, the hotel staff recommended we take the tram to our destination, as a taxi driver would take the longest path to travel the three blocks we needed to cover, all so he could charge us more. You might be inclined to argue with them, but they barely speak any English, so you’ll be wasting your breath as well as your money.
In all fairness, the drivers do not have the most rewarding careers. Many are immigrants who are forced to work long hours, some sleeping in their cars for only a few short hours before starting their next shift. Reports have shown this poor work schedule leads to high amounts of car accidents, and I myself had the first-hand experience of a driver nearly falling asleep behind the wheel.
I was lucky enough to avoid getting into an accident on that occasion, but luck should never be relied on too heavily. We should always hope for the best, but we should also always take as many precautionary steps as we are able in order to avoid any unfortunate events in the first place. Think of it like cleaning up before guests arrive, we may not be able to make things perfect, but we can at least do our best.
Sweet tips With Ally:
-Be aware of any major events such as sports or festivals, as these will have positive and negative effects on your experience while travelling.
-Only exchange currency in trusted locations, scammers are eager to trick you out of your money.
-Understand the traffic conditions and public transportation options for wherever you are staying, making the wrong choice could cost you dearly.
It’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, everyone does it, from households welcoming family to companies welcoming investors, even countries hosting international events.
For instance, Russia hosted the World Cup earlier this year, and they made good and sure to be as presentable as they could be.
I happened to be on a business trip in Moscow around this time, and while there were colorful flags and banners all around, it was the cleanliness that caught my eye. Increased crowds usually mean increased litter, with rowdy fans making messes either out of celebration of their team’s victory or out of frustration at their team’s loss. However, the city had taken extra steps to ensure their streets and sidewalks were as litter free as could be. In a single day, I saw no less than three maintenance trucks washing the roads, and even noticed officials picking blades of grass out from between the tiles in park pathways!
Mind you, there are some things a country can’t clean up as easily.
Those increased crowds I mentioned earlier attract all sorts of unsavory characters, the kind ready and willing to take advantage of the unsuspecting masses while they still can. Holding tightly to your backpacks and handbags in a busy city is just common sense, but special events like big games tend to make people forget this. Of course, the thieves you should really watch out for aren’t the ones snatching purses or picking pockets, it’s the ones who trick you into giving them your money. Currency exchange rates can be complicated, and tourists can be easily ripped off, so only ever change or deposit your money in airports or hotels. These establishments will often have their own banks set up for such purposes, and are far more trustworthy than the fraudulent shops set up to scam the crowds on the streets.
Of course, getting around the streets can be something of a scam as well, if you’re not careful. For one thing, never trust Google Maps while in Russia, only locals can give you the most direct route. As such, the hotel staff recommended we take the tram to our destination, as a taxi driver would take the longest path to travel the three blocks we needed to cover, all so he could charge us more. You might be inclined to argue with them, but they barely speak any English, so you’ll be wasting your breath as well as your money.
In all fairness, the drivers do not have the most rewarding careers. Many are immigrants who are forced to work long hours, some sleeping in their cars for only a few short hours before starting their next shift. Reports have shown this poor work schedule leads to high amounts of car accidents, and I myself had the first-hand experience of a driver nearly falling asleep behind the wheel.
I was lucky enough to avoid getting into an accident on that occasion, but luck should never be relied on too heavily. We should always hope for the best, but we should also always take as many precautionary steps as we are able in order to avoid any unfortunate events in the first place. Think of it like cleaning up before guests arrive, we may not be able to make things perfect, but we can at least do our best.
Sweet tips With Ally:
-Be aware of any major events such as sports or festivals, as these will have positive and negative effects on your experience while travelling.
-Only exchange currency in trusted locations, scammers are eager to trick you out of your money.
-Understand the traffic conditions and public transportation options for wherever you are staying, making the wrong choice could cost you dearly.
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