Here's The Thing

Until very recently, my interaction with the city of Moscow consisted almost entirely in points of transit such as train stations and the dread Sheremeyetevo terminal 1.

After living in Moscow for about a week, I'm fairly certain that Moscow would not need to apply too much effort to improve its image to the world.  After all, first impressions are lasting impressions.

THE AIRPORT:

The Sheremyetevo airport appears to have mothballed Terminal 1.  In it's place it has constructed a new gleaming and modern facility: Terminal D. Terminal D is located immediately next to the international terminal instead of 5 kilometers away (and up to $80 taxi ride) like Old Terminal 1.

The upgrade with Terminal D is clear.  There is now seating for all passengers instead of the usual rush for the last available seat.  The restrooms are new, clean, and shiny.

But why, oh why Sheremyetevo airport do I see the same rip-off artist taxi drivers?  You now have put up signs not to trust them, but can't you just... make them go somewhere else?  I'm sure you can.  The police checked my documents twice while I was unloading furniture from a truck to my new apartment so it appears they have the necessary free time to assist in cleaning up Shemyetevo's image, and what is for many a negative first impression.

THE TRAIN STATION:

The same breed of taxi drivers are also waiting for you at Moscow's train stations.  But here I would like to mention the porter service.  My wife arrived by train with our four small children and I was there to meet them at the train station.  Naturally, she was exhausted, I was a bit harried, the children were overwhelmed, and our need for help was clear as we stood there in the snow with five very large and heavy pieces of luggage.

A porter with a small metal cart offered to push our bags the necessary 200 meters for 2000 rubles (roughly $70).  It is possible that I made a suggestion to him as to what he could do with his "official price list" and managed to hire his help for 500 rubles.

HERE'S THE THING:

It has not taken long to learn that Moscow is not made entirely of taxi cab drivers and porters.  When I need directions, nearly everyone has taken the time to make sure I understand where to go.  Nearly all interaction with government officials, real estate agents, and yes, taxi cab drivers who don't work at the airport or train station have been very professional and helpful.

Actually, perhaps the main impression I have is not how pushy the people of Moscow are, but how patient they are.  I have read that the average traffic speed in downtown Moscow is about seven and a half miles per hour.  This is to be expected in a city of this size.  But that does not tell half the story.  In the back alleyways, there is no such thing as two lanes and they are not one way.  This means, when two cars approach each other, one is going to have to back up.  Backing up is not easy; it's always a tight squeeze.  But in this process, I haven't seen any honking, rude gestures, or shouting.  Everyone just seems to calmly do what is necessary to keep moving.

In a city that has the third highest real estate cost in the world, each square foot holds value.  That means that the local grocery store is trying to maximize space which accounts for narrow aisles with barely enough space for two shopping carts to pass each other.  If the person walking in front of you stops with their shopping cart,  chances are you will just have to wait until they have chosen which size and brand of sour cream will best suit their cooking plans for the evening.  I can feel my temperature rising as I try my best to wait quietly: "No, now they're checking the expiration date!  Canned tomatoes aren't going to go bad!".

I grew up in a small town and now I have come from the city of Perm (population 1 million).  I don't know if the taxi driver or porter question will ever be decided, but take a deeper look.  Sometimes you just have to wait for someone else because here's the thing: the larger the city, the more patient the people.