Soviet service

Most of Russia is slowly catching on to the idea of customer service, which was (as far as I can tell) nonexistent in the Soviet era. But still, Russians spend more time waiting in line than any other European nation. Much of the waiting comes from extremely long lines at the post office and bank.

That's part of the reason I hate going to the post office in Russia. But only part of it. There are other things - ridiculous forms, rules about where you can send packages to (only central post offices can process packages to the U.S.) and what you can put in them (absolutely no mixing of print materials and non-print materials! Birthday card with birthday present? No dice.), and the little conversation I just had:

"I need to send a package to the U.S. Can I do that here?"
"Yes, but not right now."
"Why not?"
"We're out of boxes."
"When are you getting more?"
"I don't know."
"Well, where can I get a box?"
"I don't know."
"I have to use a box from the post office, right?"
"Yes."
"So there's no way for me to send a box to the U.S."
"In short, no."

(I eventually wrestled it out of her that there's another central post office near the train station, and I should check there. Glad I scoped the situation out before taking all my students to mail stuff.)