Bliss English Club

<Bliss Meeting Notice>"No meetings on 4/30 and 5/7

 Dear Blissers,

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Let’s cherish the love within families , so we have no meetings on 4/30 and 5/7 but look forward to seeing each other on 5/14 instead.

Best regards

Bliss Staff

Review of last meeting: “Business and Life in Russia.-Is it similar or different with Taiwan” By Igor Belousov on 4/23

Host:  Igor

Participants:

Annie /Fox /Sophie/Angela/Kelly/Jason/JT/Sophia/Kevin Huang and Kevin Cheng /Owen / Daniel/ Stephanie/ Winnie/Naihsin/Cara/Vanessa/Barkley/Johnson/Ellen/Nania

New Member: Kevin Chen and Burt

Meeting photo: http://ppt.cc/nDuzx

New member:

Burt: http://ppt.cc/z2NuU

Kevin Chen: http://ppt.cc/RwBo4

 Meeting Minutes: please refer to enclosed PDF file Igor presented in the meeting and answers of some questions from Igor to Blissers

The Meeting is Nothing but “Spectacular”!

u  I.Comprehensive Presentation:

Followed by warm welcome and short mutual self-introduction, Igor started well-prepared lecture on Russia together with 35-ppts mixed with historical events, music and graphs to give us a panoramic view of Russian business and life.

During the presentation, as a native Russian, he showed high consolidation and loyalty to his own country and President, held fast to their beliefs and pride in front of Foreigners, which he said Russians can endure strong criticism from their own people but not from outsiders. 

He made a lot of efforts to answer our collected questions one by one and carefully chose the right words to express his standpoints impartially, for which he even read “script” written beforehand on his cellphone!!!  

u  2.Exotic Experience

As the show “Full-scaled Ambush” was performed with Chinese classic music and dances gorgeously at the Liberty Square, Igor shared with us his Russian Chocolate, pickled cabbages and two bottles of Vodka, which he said are forbidden to drink outdoors in Russia, and demonstrated the way of drinking Vodka. After that, Igor also tasted Chinese Steamed Sticky Rice Dumplings and famous Mango Shredded Ice with us.

u  3.Reflections

The meeting corresponded with the “exotic” theme from the beginning to the end, broadened our understanding of Russia, for which we applauded for respected host, Igor, ever-helpful and loving Ellen, devoted Bliss staff and all the participants.  We made the day so” memorable.”

u  4.Host and his PPTs

Here is updated presentation to download.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gga9xg7xw48xhgh/Business%20and%20Life%20in%20Russia.pdf?dl=0

If anybody need my contact, my email garybelou@icloud.com   or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/iubelousov

  Presentation 

I-

= Business in Russia. 

- What can Russia sell or buy? 

Russia is a very big country in terms of territory but at the same time our population is not big, which is very different from China or America.

In Russia, there are a lot of resources such as land, oil, gas, water, forest and so on. Historically most of Russians live by agriculture. The Beginning of 20th century was the time for industrialization.

II- How Russian business works. 

Russian business began in 1990. It was a very hard time because transition from Soviet Union economics to liberal economics was made too fast and without proper preparation. It was a time when no real rules existed in the business. Around 10 richest people owned most of the country’s resources and most of them set the rules and controlled the government. However, those rules were not country-oriented at all. 

During 2000-2008 government and Presidents had to make great efforts to return stolen resources back to the country. It was a difficult task to make it properly and legally. 

Now Russian business is more or less the same as you can see in other places in the world. It is relatively easy to open a business and if you work legally, you can do it locally and safe. Look how many companies nowadays have subsidiaries in Russia. Even in current crisis they still have more.

What is bad in Russian business? I can’t say it is as bad as we can see in Europe now. But I suppose it is still bad. I think too many people rely on government rather than on themselves, which started from the economic security offered by Soviet Union because everybody had a job at that time. 

III-Life in Russia.

Daily life. 

- Office workers start at work from 9 or 9:30 to 18:00

- 40 hours per week

- Shops are open the same time. A lot of shops 24h

- Usually breakfast and dinner at home

- Most of the families cook at home

- After work, people either go home, or have some events like Cinema, Theatre or cafe/restaurant. But this is not usually so often.

Starbucks coffee starts from US$2

McDonald's meal something like $4 or 5

Cafe $15 without drinks

Good restaurant $30 

IV-What we believe. 

- Most of the people are Christians (about 80% say that). 

- We can criticize our government and our country but never like that if it comes from non-citizens. 

- I suppose most of the people feel strong connection with their own countries. When we go abroad, we often like these places and we can distinguish the difference but at the same time we really miss our country.

- Often asked if we like Putin or not. It is actually not a question. Because it is the question about difference.

-Putin might be not right at every moment because no humans can. But he has a very determined and honest view for many things.

- In fact he always says what he is going to do and later does exactly this. Many incumbent politicians usually say one thing but do another and change minds very soon, which you can not trust or predict.

V-Myths about Russia

Bears on the streets

- We like bears. We have brown and white bears.

- There are a lot of bears in Siberia.

- There are not so many bears on the streets. But sometimes it happens.

- Another point, usually you find our people not very friendly on the streets. I feel by myself the country is cold so you can’t smile every time. It is much better in summer.

-But still we like bears, which do not reveal emotions easily. So from this point of view you can find people just behave like bears sometimes.

VI-Vodka myths

- Everyone drinks vodka in Russia. Not really. Now people drink more and more beer. I can’t say if it is good actually.

- Vodka is the purest product to drink in case you have a good one.

- Better drink 50-100ml of Vodka than 2-3 pints of beer, or 2-3 glasses of wine. It is much better for your health. Of course you need to consume it with good food.

- How to be drunk?  MIX vodka with other drinks.  Especially drink vodka before beer or wine.

--How to drink properly? Have a little of fat meat (pork is a good choice) or butter before you drink. Have also good food when you drink. In addition, serve it cold.

Q   &   A 

l-   Business:

Q1.     What are the main products exported or imported in the trading business between Russia and Taiwan?

A1.

Russia can export resources: including oil, gas, water, agriculture, and also it actually exported a lot of our women in addition to the engines, nuclear, space and military technologies. 

Russian can import many technology products, especially dummy products, which are easily duplicated on basis of low costs.

Notice that Russia has a very big territory but not so big population. It only has 146M people.

Q2.     What do you honestly think of Taiwanese products compared with Korean, Japanese, other East Asian countries and China?

A2. I have worked with Taiwan more than 20 years, the suggestion from which will be stated in the next question. 

Q3.     What can we do better to in terms of products and policy improvement?

A3.    I think Taiwan should be more focused on their own brands and aspired to push products of their own. Honestly speaking, Taiwan can’t win a battle with China, India, Vietnam and others in OEM business for dummy products.

II-  Life:

Q1.     Is there any pension to child birth? Or are there any encouraging policies for women to pursue higher education after marriage? Do you have decreasing birth rate?

A1. Maternity leave in Russia is up to 3 years, while pension paid up to 1.5 years

     Mother’s capital for 2nd and more child is 475000 RUR = 237500 NTD 

The data of birth rate shows it is increasing!!

2010    ↘142 856 536

2015    ↗146 267 288

2016    ↗146 544 710

Q2.     How can Russians be strong and persistent in working hard with lower suicide rates as compared with London in spite of icy weather for almost half a year?

A2:  There is bad weather only in the places where there are bad clothes. 

Q3.     What makes Russian girls prettier?

A3:  Love. I think only love makes girls always better. 

Q4.     Do most Russians accept the same-sex?

     Talk about tolerance.

I think no. Most of them do not accept.

In fact I do not think that any man or woman by nature can accept. It does not mean that I fight against Gays or Lesbians. I believe it is not their choice it happened with them. I am a man also notby my choice. 

The only thing I do not want them to promote this to children.

Sorry to ask. Can Gays or lesbians have children naturally? NO. I do not want it to become the modern style. It causes a lot of people just to try. However, one try means the man is not a Gay biologically. But this is like how devil works.  

Once again we all know gays and lesbians exist. We do not need to blame them.

But I can't accept that 2 men can be the same family as man and woman. 

If you tolerate this, your children will be next. 

Q5.     What is Russian traditional social value in terms of national identities, family, and society?

Russians are historically in deep connection with the country and with the land. 

They can blame their own country but they can't allow non-native Russians or people who don’t live there to do it.  

Russians do not see they need anything from any other places in the world and they are not aggressive about this because they don’t need to.

Russians is a multicultural country. 

There are serious changes in terms of family values and society after USSR but I believe it should go back to traditional ones soon. 

Q6.     Why are Russians called militant people because of the number of wars or military exploits?

A6.  I think you might be victims of propaganda. If talking about number of wars, militants are Americans. Besides, I do not remember any war that Russia started. Russia had to react or protect its own territory. It is because Russia does not need to start a war for resources. It has all inside. 

III.   Politics

Q1.     Russia and Taiwan are republic countries. What do you think of Taiwan’s democracy in terms of economics, foreign policies or freedom of speech? 

A1.     Talk about democracy

One main principle for me is that no one should try to change others from other countries. It is kind of political terrorism. Countries and cultures are different and there are no so-called right solutions for everyone. 

Can you name any country where democracy won without very harsh start?

Do you see any country where democracy and independence make people better from scratch?

You will find that most democracies go through very harsh start and usually based on very powerful individuals. Example: Singapore with Lee Kuan Yew, Turkey with Attaturk. 

Or have you seen any successful corporation based on democracy?

Democratic procedures for changing leaders in politics is a good thing but sometimes they turn out different things when people bring bribes to the voters on basis of democracy. 

Q2.     What do you think Vladimir Putin is so popular in Russia?

A.2

He made our country live again. Actually he saved it from disintegration. 

He clearly says to others what is going to do and does exactly this. 

We can see changes in the country

He is not alone and has a team

He does not do stupid or spontaneous things.

He can wait for a while and even long time and act exactly when necessary.

He does not say stupid things to others

His words always take a lot of thoughts. It corresponds with the country he represents. 

Q3.     Do Russians have bipolar opinions about their orthodox saint Александр Ярославич Невский?

A3.

He who comes to us with the sword, shall perish by the sword

Quigladioferit, gladio perit [кви гладио фэрит, гладио пэрит)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWJ5HEOoXeA

IV.              Culture & Travel

Q1.     Please recommend sight-seeing spots, recipes and souvenirs

A1:   sight-seeing spots: Cities - Moscow, Sankt-Peterburg, Sochi

        recipes: Borch, Pelmeni

     Souvenirs: Chocolate     

Q2.    Is it true to make wishes with Russian nesting dolls? What is the legend about making the dolls?

A2.   - 1890

     - Japanese story

     - Russian story