Stunning photos from Vorkuta

I think your answers are really good especially #5(Which I will be thinking a lot later), thank you. On #4 though, is working over 40 hours a week or having two or more jobs common there? On Europe IDK much but the price of gas here on the west has pretty much stabilized, pay can afford living expenses but buying a new home can take years, and can still afford food but healthcare(Depends on country) and social services is bad, crime, social decline is still going on, social division/polarization is going on, and social education is bad.

Chiller

Thank you so much for these thought-provoking questions! They really got me thinking. 1) The term "third world country" has indeed become too broad and sometimes used negatively, making it challenging to address meaningfully. When it comes to infrastructure and service availability, Russia definitely doesn't fit that label. 2) This question is particularly fascinating. My personal estimate is that the average salary here is around 80,000 rubles or $800, which is attainable for anyone with basic work skills in any field. This seems to be a standard among my peers, with many earning that or more. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $250 per month, with utilities and internet adding up to roughly $50. For food, $200 per month per person is reasonable, leaving $200 for leisure. Yes, there are salaries as low as $300-$400, often in rural areas or part-time jobs for students, but this isn't the norm for everyone. My grandma lives on a $350 pension and considers herself quite wealthy due to low expenses and government subsidies. 3) Observing the lifestyle in Russia, with busy restaurants, airports, and the prevalence of new cars, it's hard to align that with the image of a country where the average income is $400. The visible consumption patterns suggest a higher standard of living. 4) A salary of $300-$400 is indeed low, and such positions typically don't demand overwork. However, for salaries in the $1000-$1500 range, the expectations are significantly higher. 5) The exchange rate issue is complex. A $4 cup of coffee might be reasonable in the West, but it's pricey in Russia. It might be more insightful to compare how many cups of coffee an average salary can buy in Europe versus Russia. Let me know what you think. I always find these calculations very interesting, and I'm curious to know what things look like in Europe in that regard

Hi Konstantin, I just want to ask you questions about the recent popular discussion about Russia on X. It sparked due to a recent video published about Tucker complementing how cheap Russian food and groceries compared to US are but many started to say Russia is actually a third world country, etc. I wonder if its just an anti-Russian hate or the truth. Maybe you have the answers to them but I understand if you do not know because its too complex. The questions: 1.)Is Russia a third world country? 2.)What is the average wage in Russia per month? Is the average Russian much closer to europe or the third world when it comes to pay and employment? 3.)What is the average Russians have to pay for their food per month? and does the average Russian have to pay 50% or 30% of their income to groceries per month? 4.)Are the average Russian overworked? 5.)Does the US dollar price against Ruble prove Russians are poor? Thanks.

Chiller