Too Much Water Drowned the Miller
STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS IN MOSCOW Too much water drowned the miller A PROPOS When it comes to roads, the words of the great Russian In Soviet times, no one really had the need for good classic Nikolai Gogol come to mind: “Russia has two roads either. A car was a luxury item for the majority of woes: fools and roads.” Well, as far as fools go, they citizens. It only became an ordinary mode of transpor- are a dime a dozen everywhere, but when it comes to tation in the last 10-15 years. In other words, Russia roads, there is a real problem in our homeland. To put it only recently got behind the wheel. No wonder there is mildly, we have none. Napoleon once remarked: “There no developed culture of driving and road etiquette. are no roads in Russia, only directions.” The French In terms of the number of cars, the leading city in Rus- Emperor knew what he was talking about. It was the sia is, of course, Moscow. The capital, with a population absence of roads in Russia, after all, that contributed to of 12 million people, boasts about 5 million officially his defeat to a certain extent. Napoleon’s transport was registered vehicles. “Cars, cars,” — sings Valeri Leon- designed for paved roads. The French carts broke down tyev, “are everywhere/ Over century old dust/Car tracks quickly on mud and sand, causing frustration and panic have passed.” The number of cars in the capital grows among the troops. by 8-9% every year. Russians themselves have long since become accus- That’s way more than just a few.
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