Vlads Pals ?

[ToraToraTora]

https://112.international/ukraine-top-news/four-eu-countries-block-russias-disconnection-from-swift-70092.html
..4 EUSSR countries veto blocking Russia from SWIFT. Selfish B'stards!

[naomi24]

To be perfectly honest, I have visited quite a number of 'socialist' countries including communist Russia a few times and, although socially and economically utterly dire, I have never found the people to be particularly unfriendly. Riding the Metro in Moscow is very much like riding the tube in London. No one talks. I have also met newly wealthy Russians on holiday in exotic places and whilst they come across as rather devoid of the usual social graces I've never had a problem with them.

[ichkeria]

On holiday in Tunisia once we met two young Russian girls (as in early 20s) from near Moscow.
The sweetest two lasses you could ever meet.
They clubbed together and bough me a bottle of vodka as they heard it was my birthday (and I was with my wife at the time, so there was no ulterior motive as if I would flatter myself!)
I can't stand the stuff mind you ;-)

[pat2604]

Hubby doesn't drink vodka. His father did!!! Christmas and Easter breakfast started with a Vodka shot!! We couldn't go to Russia in USSR days. But have been since.

[ichkeria]

Vodka seems to follow me about!

I also once won a bottle in a raffle on a football supporters minibus.
I did drink it in the end - it took about 5-6 years tho! With OJ I discovered it lost it's unpleasant (to me) taste.

[pat2604]

Nasty stuff really, but in my youth Vodka and lime was the 'in' drink, so I joined in!!!
All I drink now is the very occasional dry red wine.

[pat2604]

I have just been reminded that Russians are very stubborn!! But so am I!