it is very similar to argentina in a lot of aspects, la soberbia, nationalism perceived by them as patriotism - they would complain forever, but most would never leave as they love the patria, unbelievable corruption at every level, nepotism, protectionism, extremely brain washed population that largely believes that russians need a 'strong hand' and that no foreigner can possible understand that this country is an exception from any rule ( it's not a subject to any world wide accepted economic or political structures or universal historical trends of development ). Free universities, free libraries, very low cost of access to cultural events - museums, concerts, theaters. Extreme wealth of natural resources which was a main source of the money flow and the only things that the country could export, ridiculously law quality of the locally made products due to a lack of work culture and practically no exports ( before the mid 90s ) due to the cost of them. All the basics - food, clothes, medicaments, furniture, etc were slowly but surely disappearing over a period of a few decades...Can't trust any handyman to do the job properly and not to rip you off - back to the work culture. Services are almost an oxymoron...Ah, yes, bureaucracy and then some...But the most stunning semblance is their bullet proof conviction that their country is so unique, no universal law of any kind is applicable. And if you try to express your opinion, they'll shut you down the same way argentines do - don't you dare to speak about our country, cause you don't know our history and you are not from here ( that is your own complaints and suggestions contradict their own ).Please elaborate if you would ...