My best friend Kate wanted to share her story about her problems in trying to obtain paperwork from the Russian Consulate. This is her story through my words. (She told me I'm the writer between us so I could tell it better)A few weeks ago, my dear Kate told me to come with her to the city (She is a Jersey girl) to go to the Russian Consulate. I was more than happy to join her since it is near where I live. She warned me that she wanted to get there early in fear she wouldn't be seen.
I told her not to worry. I had picked up visas before and visited the Chinese and Indian consulate and they weren't so packed. She warned me again that I'd be dead wrong.
We get to the consulate and there's a pack of mad Russians banging on the door. It is not even 12 noon. There is mass confusion at the place. There are two lines and we're not sure what line she needs to go on. The people are just as confused and speaking in their Russian tongue and looking at me strangely (I am not Russian. I am Hispanic.)
20 minutes later a man opens the door and people are shoving to get in. Sweet little old ladies were pushing through with their cane to get in! We couldn't even ask what line to get on because the door was shut on us.
At one point, the rude man at the door shoved the door on a little old lady who could barely walk. How could he do that? It was lunch time for the Consulate so we decided to get some sushi. We put our name on a list to keep our spot in line. Upon our return, the line was longer and filled with people we didn't see before. The "list" was apparently gone and void. We had to get a new place in line. We're not happy campers at this point.
We saw people cutting the line and getting in. I got upset because I knew how long we had waited to be seen. Kate tells me this is what people do. They either know someone inside or paid a few hundred to be seen faster.
The line felt a lot like thisI got to talking with Kate and asked her if this always happens. Her response in a nutshell was that it is always like this. Even in her Russian home country. People who are in the Government feel superior and will see you when they want to. There is no order, no fairness in waiting in line. And if they are rude and cold to you, too bad. That is just how it is. You could wait hours and not be seen and there is no justification about it
Being persistent and unruly at this point, I could not understand why it is like this. She told me "That is how Russia is" She isn't ashamed to say it and feels everyone knows this.
After hours of waiting, we get frustrated and leave. No one helps us and nothing can be done at this point. She ends up going a few weeks later with her mom who speaks fluent Russian and pushes aggressively to be seen.
I felt awful about the whole ordeal and was shocked at how we were treated, considering its a representation of their country. But even more shocked that she said this is normal.
Have you ever had problems with Consulates or Governments abroad? How would you feel if this happened to you?
Comments (6)
I actually went to Moscow this summer. It was great, to be honest. Maybe things are different in other cities/towns but Moscow was superb. Very clean, neat, bright, and welcoming. Public transportation was quite crowded but it's a huge city and I didn't expect anything else. People are mostly nice in a sense that they don't shove you around any chance they get. They let you be if you do the same. I didn't have to deal with consulates or any government branches thank God since I did everything I had to online (the best decision ever!)
I loved that trip. Will probably go again next summer.
@LonerB@xanga - Thanks for responding! I'm glad you had a great time! I told her I still wanna see Russia despite our troubles =)
@dolcecorazon@dollarish - Go to Moscow or St. Petersburg, you'll have a great time! Just don't go in winter - it's brutal.
@LonerB@xanga - I bet. I went to Montreal in winter and that was cold. I cant imagine Moscow!!!
@whereisdolce - Yeah, it gets pretty nasty.
I visited Moscow several years ago. It was fun, but getting the visa is the nightmare of nightmares. Somehow, like you said, Russian government is not efficient, very rude, no rules, and corrupt. A lot of furstrating lines and long long waits. However, once we get through, the people are very nice! Hope someday, Russia government will learn and improve.