Вот кстати о Европе... А можно Вас попросить иногда со мной по английски общацца? с кем попало мне не интересно, а язык нет нет да и хочется поддержать.

Sonnnegirl

But definitely yes! With great pleasure And it technically makes life easier for me since I am sick and tired of russian.typeit.org/ (I should not say so probably as this program allows me to type in Russian at all while otherwise it would take ages). So , dear, the pleasure is all mine - as far as I understand you had great experience in the States so we can have cultural exchange «American vs European »

Cleonte

Оh, great!
Hey, if it*s such a problem, I can sent you a keyboard with Russian letters. Russian post sucks, but sooner or later it will reach its destination.
And I*m afraid that cultural exchange «American vs European »will not be comprehensive, for I was in States only for 3 weeks
Thanks for letting me to torture you with my english and please, feel free to correct mе, ok?
speaking about Europe..Which country do you like most?

Sonnnegirl

(Morning!

1) So, which country (it feels like continuing yesterday discussion, so I am very much in the mood )

a) I like Latvia for many changes which happened here within 20 years. Like possibility to travel West (and salaries which allow you to do so), access to European culture and its popularization, more comfort in customer service area (well, compared to Soviet era), some changes in legislation ( one can legally listen to foreign TV, buy property abroad or be a homosexual, for example. Not the case to any of this when I was a child). Plus small size (easy commuting or reaching destination, eg I live in teh centre and it takes just 20 min to airport and 40 to Jurmala), relatively little pollution (we are trying to be the greenest country in the world and I very much like the idea. The starting way was peculiar though: killing most of local industries since they were part of Soviet network.). Plus multiculturalism in everyday life: to find good work in Riga (involving any kind of customer service) Latvian, English and Russian are a must since there are many people who speak these languages. Drawbacks: slow change in thinking when it comes to liberal values, lack of transparency in political structure (which in many ways facilitates corruption making it another problem of ours) and lack of cultural diversity on global scale (society can be quite racist for example and cuisine of non-European countries is almost not represented).

2) For living: England.

I love their common sense approach. Say Anglican church is most appealing to me (when I go to services I go to that one, though I am Catholic myself, my father was Lutheran and I have Orthodox relatives on both sides too) - and it is a good illustration. I like their approach to work (they are not afraid to experiment, creating new working places, going for innovations and keeping healthy work/life balance), ability to change gradually (instead of making revolutions like in France; well,well I foresee question about recent riots but I hope these will remain exception , not a rule), museums (it tells something about the country where many museums - like National Gallery, my favourite one - and public toilets (sorry to mention that, but a good illustration indeed) are for free. So in two words I like their mentality and approach to life as well as many cultural things one can "taste" there. Drawbacks: weather.

3) For living temporarily and coming back: France.

Staffed with castles and palaces, plenty of historic references, celebrating life 3 times a day (food is sacred for all layers of society. Strong control of quality - both for food and beverages - gives you a good chance to eat healthy even if you buy food in supermarket (you know, it makes a big diff to eat a chicken fed and raised properly and France gives you that). Plus nature which makes you happy and people who take life easy (oh, and these groomed boys! I mean men and boys take care of themselves - hairstyle, clothes etc and it is such aesthetic pleasure to see stylish creatures all around (girls are stylish by definition, aren't they?:laugh


tbc

and public toilets (sorry to mention that, but a god illustration indeed)

oh, American highways are without a rivals in this area

I mean men and boys take care of themselves

just like italians

Thanks, it was interesting to see your point!

Я бы выбрала не возвращаться, даже не задумываясь.

Вот такой я непатриот дурацкий.

Sonnnegirloh, American highways are without a rivals in this area

do you mean too many or too few?

(have no experience of American highways )

just like italians


I would still make the diff between the two. Yes, both groomed, but Italians are hot and sexy while French for me are stylish and sexy. If you know what I mean

canto_et_spero Я бы выбрала не возвращаться, даже не задумываясь.

тогда встаёт вопрос страны для проживания. И что бы Вы предпочли?

Cleonte

do you mean too many or too few?

really many, and they are big, clean etc.

If you know what I mean

Oh yeah/ I know/ And agree

(continuation of the earlier post):

so France. The drawback is their employment structure: the system is so rigid and unwelcoming to creation of working places (the topic is worth a manuscript) that finding employment there is unrealistic. So the only thing to count at is to be self-employed. Plus making friends with French is close to impossible (which is quite different with the English).

d) last but not least: Brussels. Centre of modern European life, plenty of institutions and organisations, cultural and historical centre, friendly and international. Really nice option , equal to England even though for different reasons. Easy travelling, connections with Brussels are very good now. Drawbacks: Flemish (though with French and English one can definitely survive) and prices (because of international organisations in the city) so the only proper way to start living there is to find an employment with one of numerous international organisations.

Hope I answered the question even if with a very long text

2)Correcting your English: I will try, but then no offense, agreed? For now no big mistakes spotted - your English is obviously quite good Of small remarks: I 'd say "in the States" and "my English" but then I am just being picky (at your request )


3) Russian keyboard - that is very sweet of you and the offer is tempting but are you sure it is not too pricey? The postage itself may cost a fortune!!!

4) A question back: which country would you prefer if you chose to leave Russia?

Скандинавия, Германия или Англия.
Германия кажется страной, где легко прижиться русскому человеку, кроме того, там нет таких проблем с работой как в Скандинавии...
А в Англии я ни разу не была, увы. Хотя заочно я её очень люблю из-за всего, что я о ней знаю. Да и из всех иностранных языков, которые я учила, английский у меня самый сильный.
Так что гранты буду искать, наверное, прежде всего на Островах)
Понятно, что сначала съезжу на разведку и всё такое.

canto_et_spero

разведка - это правильно и вообще в какой-то мере завидую - первые впечатления особенно сильные и (у меня во всяком случае) позитивные! это потом начинаешь и минусы замечать (ибо где их нет), и более практично на вещи смотреть. А первый раз - замечательно, взгляд не замылен и эмоции самые сильные. And England is great choice (Scandinavia and Germany may be more practical but also quite boooooring )

but then I am just being picky (at your request

its definitely my request, so feel freе to be picky!

as for the keyboard, I dont think it will cost too much
I hope I can deal with that

As for the country I prefer as a constant residence...Actually I would like to have an opportunity to own houses in different countries so I could live just anywhere I want at that exact moment/

Sonnnegirl

living anywhere : hm, nice option , but on the other hand I like now to explore the country in depth rather than experience just the glossy cover

keyboard: well, I would be grateful of course ... (I guess it can be connected to a lap-top?)

rather than experience just the glossy cover

to be honest I am OK with just a glossy cover

I guess it can be connected to a lap-top?)

I am pretty sure it can