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Russian Town Bans Phrase "I Don't Know"
Have you ever tried to get anything done -- report theft, start a business, get a driver's license -- in Eastern Europe? If so, you will appreciate what Alexander Kuzmin, the 33-year old mayor of a Siberian oil town of Megion, is trying to do: make bureaucrats more friendly.
He has banned the following phrases among state employees:
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I don't know
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I can't
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What can we do
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It's not my job
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It's impossible
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I am having lunch
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There is no money
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I was sick/on vacation
If they banned these in all of Eastern Europe, state employees would become officially mute. And they say Russia is not progressive. Pretty soon, their bureaucrats might even smile!
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Gallery: Russian Police by Rulon Oboev
Filed under: Asia, Europe, Russian Federation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tammy Ashley Sep 11th 2007 5:15PM
This is a great idea, I wish they'd do that over here.
GGM Sep 11th 2007 3:55PM
A man goes into a Russian car dealership and wants to be a car. The car salesman says, "I have perfect car for you. It is black. It is ugly. You will love it."
The buyer says, "Perfect. When will car be ready?"
"Car will be ready 10 years from today," says the salesman.
"10 years from today? Will that be in the morning or afternoon," says the buyer.
"Morning or Afternoon?! What possible difference it make 10 years from today?"
"Morning no good," says the buyer, "Plumber is coming in morning."
JChili Sep 11th 2007 4:02PM
How stupid , politicians just need to stop telling people what to do , and evertything will be just 'dandy'.
Barbara Sep 11th 2007 4:19PM
I think it's a good start toward making government employees actually DO something other than make excuses as to why they can't do anything. It needs to be done here in the U.S. as well, at all government levels.
Rick Sep 11th 2007 5:04PM
I believe it was a Russian KGB agent named Boris I. Duntno who mistakenly felt that tortured prisoners were making fun of him when they answered, "I don't know"! He had to answer to his superior, Captain Icant Whatcanwedo, to account for his shooting of so many prisoners. Whatcanwedo in turn had to report to his superior, Major Itsnotmyjob Itsimpossible who passed the buck to his superior, Colonel Imhavinglunch Thereisnomoney, who in turn sent the buck back down the line to agent Duntno by telling everyone he was sick of the whole mess and didn't want to be bothered and was going on vacation. This list of forbidden phrases and more, along with their origins, can be found in Fodor's travel book on the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic and their eastern European satellite countries. Under the section, Siberia, is the disclaimer; Siberians are wacko, don't go there!
Don Sep 11th 2007 5:32PM
You'd have to be a complete moron to read that and find it either practical or appealing, but I suppose that rather speaks for itself as regards those of you who think it's a great idea, huh?
Piss Off Sep 11th 2007 6:49PM
Its not only government workers that need to eliminate those phrases. Ever talk to a cable company? And they aren't the only ones..........
Don Sep 11th 2007 7:06PM
This policy needs to be applied to our Congress and President when Americans ask why all ilegals are not deported and why the border is not secured.
rick Sep 11th 2007 7:23PM
Looks like communism is making a comeback in Russia!
DAVID Sep 11th 2007 7:26PM
I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY BANNED THOSE STATEMENTS HERE?. WOULD ANYBODY REALLY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER ANYBODY ELSES QUESTIONS? THINK THAT THEY SHOULD TRY IT IN WASHINTON D.C. FIRST.
FCTolson Sep 11th 2007 7:52PM
How about "I don't know, but I'll find out"?
Shannon Sep 12th 2007 12:18AM
You probably don't understand just what good news this is if you've never tried to do business in Russia...much less Siberia. These phrases are commonplace (along with "just wait" and "go to the left") and are indicative of a cultural mindset. The fact that someone has recognized this and is trying to do even the smallest thing to change it is, in my opinion as someone who lives in Russia, incredibly refreshing. Trust me...I have put a jar on my desk requiring 5 roubles anytime someone says "it's impossible" in my office and it filled up pretty fast. Thankfully, the second jar is stays empty. Progress!