Sovok of the Week

The latest diplomatic row between Great Britain and Russia over the murder of an ex-KGB spy Litvinenko is nothing but total nonsense. After a short trip to England I can testify that nowhere in Europe Russians feel as welcome as in the UK.

What are some things that make the Russians and the British like each other so much?

Here is a short list that I compiled after observing the British in their natural habitat.

Top Ten Things Why Britain is Like Russia

10. The British look frighteningly similar to the Slavs-same swollen red faces in the morning, same bad haircuts, and same BO.

9. The linguistic infatuation with "flats" and "lorries" rather than "apartments" and "trucks."

8. The strong inclination to resort to the good old fist-fighting after a night of heavy drinking.

7. The prevalence of the soccer culture. In fact, many a British men look like soccer-players in their everyday lives. Just like many Russian men do.

6. The same bad food dominated by large chunks of bland meats and potatoes.

5. Large stuffy department stores the likes of which I have not seen since the times of Brezhnev.

4. The love of drinking. Need I say more?

3. The same obsession with moda (fashion) and fashionable brands. Adidas seems to be the perennial favorite both in Lipetsk and Liverpool.

2. The commitment to tea-drinking, especially if tea is imported from India.

And (drum-roll, please) the Number One Reason why Britain reminds me of Russia is …

1. The love of tracksuit tops!! Of course, the Russians might go one step further and don the whole suit, but still. What’s up with the tracksuit tops, gentlemen?

-DJ VadimJ