One small step against Putin, one big ripple in the pond (we hope)
We finally arrived on Cape Cod after going through a horror trip to get here. I'll post in the Lounge about that.
Many, if not most service businesses here get summer employees from a long-standing program to bring students from Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East here for summer jobs. Their pay is not great, but they do get to come to the USA for the summer, and have visas that allow them to extend their stay for a month after their work ends, if they want to use the money they have earned to travel around.
Bulgaria is especially heavily represented, but they are from all over, from Lithuania in the north to Romania and the former Yugoslav republics in the south to Russia in the east. At first, we were surprised to see some Russian students at the cashier yesterday, but then logic set in. These kids obviously had their visas and travel plans set a year ago, before Putin decided he'd make a few hundred million lives miserable for the hell of it. The outcry from the American businesses, already strained to find workers, would have been loud and uncomfortable for politicians of all stripes if the Russian students had suddenly been prohibited from coming. Putin, of course, not only wants whatever money they can bring back, but also has some potential street protesters out of his hair for a few months. I figure that while these Russian students are here, it is OUR duty to make sure that Putin ends up wishing they HAD stayed in Russia and protested in the streets.
We got to the supermarket relatively late, so few cashiers were manned. The one we ended up at had a female cashier and a male bag packer. I heard them conversing in Russian, so I spoke to them in Russian, which startled the hell out of them. I remarked offhand, "oh, we ALL understand what you are saying." It took them a second before they realized I was joking. They asked where I learned Russian, and were surprised to hear "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (they said my accent was remarkably good)." They noticed I was speaking German with my wife, and I explained that was because she was German. I think they were expecting a hostile reception, being Russians in the USA in the current political climate, and with access to American news reporting, which tells them things that Putin's media censors would never let them hear.
Their English was VERY good, so obviously only the best students even get the chance to come for the program. Not only did they NOT get a hostile reaction, we were most cordial, and told them we'd see them again, as we would be here for a few weeks. Not once will we ever give them a hard time about Putin or the war. It sure as hell isn't THEIR fault, and the better the treatment they get here in the USA, the more effect their report of their experience when they get home will have on those who would never get to come here. The news they get about what Russia is really up to in the Ukraine is an added bonus, as their memories don't get erased when they return to Russia. It will spread that Putin is lying. Like weeds that push up through asphalt, no matter how thick a street is tarred over, Russian students coming here and having a good time will generate reports that their leadership would like to repress, but can't.
We have a little under four weeks to do our small part in this matter. Be assured that we will.
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Those kids are damned lucky to have you and your wife talking to them.
I am quite sure that they won't see your input as small.
