Around the World...and then some

Простая картошка

This post in no way makes up for the almost month-long lag in posting, but someday, if you want to hear about Petersburg or Helsinki or how many pills Irina Ivanovna will give you when you get sick, ask me and I shall tell. But for now, I've just got a short story that must be told.


All around Moscow, they have a chain of kiosks that sells baked potatoes. So one day, on my way to a dance class, I stopped at one of these kiosks because I hadn't had lunch and thought I should eat something before I danced. So I walked up to the lady and asked for a plain potato (clearly, a "plain" potato actually means with butter and cheese. plain just doesn't mean plain in russia. ever.)

The lady made up my potato and then asked me "Какые салаты?" "Which salads?" The toppings that they have for you to put on your potato are meat/vegetable/mayonnaise salad-y things.

I simply responded that I didn't want any salads, at which point she looked down at me and said, "Девушка. У нас написано 'картошка с наполнителем'." "Miss. It is written on our sign that we have 'potato with fillers'."

"Знаю, но не хочу." "Yes, I know. But I don't want any."

At this point, I got an eye roll, a sharp stare, and the words "Следующий раз что вы хотите простую картошку, не проходите." "Next time that you want a plain potato, don't come by."

Marshall Field could have taught these Russians a few things. Namely, about the customer and how he or she is always right.

posted by Becky @ 7:42 AM