And yet... Russia is plagued with thieves, pickpockets, muggers, and the like. Absolutely plagued with them.
I've been to many world landmarks. I noticed (so probably a lot more) SEVEN attempts to pickpocket me while I was at just one touristy destination in Russia. My local guide shrugged it off, just a part of living in Russia, you'll get robbed a LOT.
I could count my money at Niagara Falls, in the open, no problems, even at night. I've seen people leave ten thousand dollars on a table in Vegas to use as a "I'm still sitting here" placeholder, and it go untouched. It rings very hollow that Russians, so blase and used to mass thievery, would say that Americans are the money-hungry ones.
EDIT: Then again, they do nothing about it, so perhaps yes, they don't care about money. I guess if you cared, you'd care more when it is stolen...
A note on this, stealing from foreigners is not only accepted, but encouraged. Russia even famously will allow hackers to target anyone they like so long as they aren't Russian. They even will inform cyber criminals if they are wanted by interpol.
And yet... Russia is plagued with thieves, pickpockets, muggers, and the like. Absolutely plagued with them.
I've been to many world landmarks. I noticed (so probably a lot more) SEVEN attempts to pickpocket me while I was at just one touristy destination in Russia. My local guide shrugged it off, just a part of living in Russia, you'll get robbed a LOT.
I could count my money at Niagara Falls, in the open, no problems, even at night. I've seen people leave ten thousand dollars on a table in Vegas to use as a "I'm still sitting here" placeholder, and it go untouched. It rings very hollow that Russians, so blase and used to mass thievery, would say that Americans are the money-hungry ones.
EDIT: Then again, they do nothing about it, so perhaps yes, they don't care about money. I guess if you cared, you'd care more when it is stolen...
Your examples in Niagra Falls and Las Vegas tell me the average American is a million times more honest than our filthy politicians.
A note on this, stealing from foreigners is not only accepted, but encouraged. Russia even famously will allow hackers to target anyone they like so long as they aren't Russian. They even will inform cyber criminals if they are wanted by interpol.