Exporting Raymond

[slim 1,530]

I think this movie's been posted on here and a few of you have seen it but I'm just now getting around to watching it. It was almost a perfect representation of the subtle differences in our cultures that seem to exacerbate situations we deal with daily.

It's on HBO on demand right now. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching. It's about the creator/producer of Everybody Loves Raymond taking the show to Russia. If anything, it'll give you a chuckle. If your friends are wondering what it's like, have them watch this movie. Much better than Russian Dolls!

[mox 298]

Russian Dolls is basically everything wrong with reality TV, plus Russians. But Exporting Raymond is highly recommended! We laughed our azzes off!

[Neonred 3,573]

Thanks. Just saw the online clips and it looks hilarious. I'll check it out.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I think this movie's been posted on here and a few of you have seen it but I'm just now getting around to watching it. It was almost a perfect representation of the subtle differences in our cultures that seem to exacerbate situations we deal with daily.

It's on HBO on demand right now. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching. It's about the creator/producer of Everybody Loves Raymond taking the show to Russia. If anything, it'll give you a chuckle. If your friends are wondering what it's like, have them watch this movie. Much better than Russian Dolls!

I did watch it and discussed it here before. I think it was insulting to Russians and the cultural differences were overblown. Also after his insensitive demands on his driver to explain his experiences in Afghanistan the driver disappeared and it was made out to be some sort of black mystery. The driver should have kicked his @ss.

Yes, parts were funny, and yes it shows some differences in culture as to what we think is humorous, but otherwise there seemed to be some need to put down Russians whenever he could. I mean, c'mon, how a big a deal is it that the guy gets out of his car to pay for parking? Seriously? We do that when we go to Montreal. And a driver/bodyguard??? #######, what a wuss.

We rented the DVD at Redbox some time ago and were disappointed

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Russian Dolls is basically everything wrong with reality TV, plus Russians. But Exporting Raymond is highly recommended! We laughed our azzes off!

Sure, anyone with a basic feeling of superiority would. It is basically racist humor..."look at the stupid Russians"

[mox 298]

Sure, anyone with a basic feeling of superiority would. It is basically racist humor..."look at the stupid Russians"

Well, I do have basic feelings of superiority, it's true. But "racist humor"? Hmmm...my white wife and my white self were laughing at the white people in the movie, so if it's racist then we're clearly not the target audience. It's just a movie about culture shock and having a good laugh about some of the crazy things that go on in Moscow. Same thing people here on VJ do all the time.

[amberdima 6]

Interesting. I think the American "Raymond" producer has a #######.

Edited February 11, 2012 by amberdima

[slim 1,530]

how a big a deal is it that the guy gets out of his car to pay for parking? Seriously?

It's not a big deal at all and that's why it's funny.

For someone just arriving in a foreign country who's not sure how things work, a subtle difference like the guy who's supposed to take you where you need to go just stopping the car and abandoning you is something most Americans wouldn't expect. It's also something that causes the pucker factor to kick in.

We know there's absolutely no reason for it... but America doesn't.

And a driver/bodyguard??? #######, what a wuss.

Pretty standard for foreign businessmen to be assigned a driver/bodyguard. I believe you had one (you ditched) didn't you?

For someone who's traveled back and forth to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, etc., it's no big deal and you learn after a while what's "normal." But, for a self-described "everyman" from New York who's been told he'd need K&R insurance before going to Moscow, something like a driver/bodyguard wouldn't seem extreme or unnecessary.

Most Americans think the mafia picks you up at the airport, makes you empty your account at an ATM, and then leaves you - minus your organs - in a tub of ice water at some dingy flat.

We rented the DVD at Redbox some time ago and were disappointed

Sure you were. You've been back and forth so much you're almost Russian. (Or Ukrainian.) But for normal, average, everyday people who've never been to the FSU, this show explains a lot.

Sure, anyone with a basic feeling of superiority would. It is basically racist humor..."look at the stupid Russians"

My wife watched it and she never thought it was racist against Russians. She just thought the young girls were really stupid.

Interesting. I think the American "Raymond" producer has a #######.

That was one of the big things the Russians objected to. "This man who gets pushed around by women."

Yet another subtle difference most Americans wouldn't understand.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It's not a big deal at all and that's why it's funny.

For someone just arriving in a foreign country who's not sure how things work, a subtle difference like the guy who's supposed to take you where you need to go just stopping the car and abandoning you is something most Americans wouldn't expect. It's also something that causes the pucker factor to kick in.

We know there's absolutely no reason for it... but America doesn't.

Pretty standard for foreign businessmen to be assigned a driver/bodyguard. I believe you had one (you ditched) didn't you?

For someone who's traveled back and forth to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, etc., it's no big deal and you learn after a while what's "normal." But, for a self-described "everyman" from New York who's been told he'd need K&R insurance before going to Moscow, something like a driver/bodyguard wouldn't seem extreme or unnecessary.

Most Americans think the mafia picks you up at the airport, makes you empty your account at an ATM, and then leaves you - minus your organs - in a tub of ice water at some dingy flat.

Sure you were. You've been back and forth so much you're almost Russian. (Or Ukrainian.) But for normal, average, everyday people who've never been to the FSU, this show explains a lot.

My wife watched it and she never thought it was racist against Russians. She just thought the young girls were really stupid.

That was one of the big things the Russians objected to. "This man who gets pushed around by women."

Yet another subtle difference most Americans wouldn't understand.

I am with Amberdima, the guy has a #######. And tries to make it look like THEY are stupid.

And yeah, curious how they did not take to a show about bashing men and making men look stupid.

No I never had a bodyguard, I had a driver/interpreter. There was nothing "bodyguard" about it. I actually ditched him FOR my safety And also because do you want to ride to work on the little bus full of smoking hot women or in a crappy Volga with a guy named Vitaliy? I scored better on the damn bus (including meeting Alla waiting in line for bus tickets) than I ever did in nightclubs.

[visaveteran1 33]

Russian Dolls is basically everything wrong with reality TV, plus Russians. But Exporting Raymond is highly recommended! We laughed our azzes off!

We? You got a mouse in your pocket?

[Brad and Vika 129]

Baiting and personal attacks are TOS violations. If it continues, administrative action will follow.

[visaveteran1 33]

Baiting and personal attacks are TOS violations. If it continues, administrative action will follow.

Well, I hope you won't let your personal bias get in the way of good judgment.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Well, I hope you won't let your personal bias get in the way of good judgment.

[slim 1,530]

And yeah, curious how they did not take to a show about bashing men and making men look stupid.

#1 sitcom in Russia.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I watched it over the weekend, but Vika tuned out after about five minutes. Her comments about the Hollywood Americans, their arrogance, ethnicity, etc. would violate TOS if I repeated them directly I found the film mildly amusing, but thought the American writer was the funny character. After listening to FSU immigrants say "this is so stupid, not like back home" for years, I found it pretty funny to see an American do the same in Russia. The Russians by and large seemed to be doing their jobs, and reminding the Raymond team that they weren't in America, and things are done differently here. Sound familiar?

Edited February 13, 2012 by Brad and Vika