АНГЛИЙСКИЙ НА СЛУХ - Ronald Reagan (Рональд Рейган)

Summary

The transcript humorously reflects on life in the Soviet Union, focusing on the bureaucratic delays in obtaining an automobile, where citizens would wait up to 10 years to receive their car. It includes a funny anecdote about a man who deposits money for a car and is told to return in 10 years, only to be asked whether he wants to pick it up in the morning or afternoon. The script also touches on how government officials had exclusive access to cars, with a humorous encounter involving Gorbachev, his limousine, and a police officer who fails to ticket him because of his importance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Long delays in the Soviet Union for car deliveries, with a 10-year wait time.
• 😀 Only 1 out of 7 families in the Soviet Union owned an automobile.
• 😀 The process of buying a car in the Soviet Union involved significant bureaucracy and required advance payment.
• 😀 A joke is shared about a man who paid in advance for a car and was told to come back in 10 years to pick it up.
• 😀 The joke continues with the man asking whether he should come in the morning or afternoon, and the response being indifferent, as it was a 10-year wait.
• 😀 The story humorously points to the absurdity of bureaucratic inefficiency with the joke about the plumber’s schedule.
• 😀 The script humorously highlights the lack of urgency or concern in the Soviet system, even for essential services like car delivery.
• 😀 Bureaucrats were the primary car owners in the Soviet Union, with most vehicles being government-provided.
• 😀 An order was issued to Soviet police officers to ticket anyone caught speeding, regardless of their status.
• 😀 The script includes a humorous anecdote about Mikhail Gorbachev’s driver being mistaken for a regular person by police, despite Gorbachev being in the car.
• 😀 The story satirizes the Soviet system’s inefficiency, focusing on the absurdity of prioritizing individuals based on status while ignoring official rules.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 10-year delay mentioned in the script?

The 10-year delay emphasizes the inefficiency and slow pace of the Soviet Union's bureaucratic system, especially regarding consumer goods like automobiles.

What does the repeated mention of the 10-year delay symbolize in the context of the Soviet Union?

The repeated mention of the 10-year delay highlights the absurdity of the situation and serves as a satire of the lengthy wait times and inefficient processes in the Soviet bureaucracy.

How does the interaction between the man and the clerk about the car delivery serve as humor?

The humor arises from the absurdity of the situation—where the clerk doesn't care about the timing of the car delivery and responds with indifference, suggesting that the man’s wait of ten years is irrelevant.

What does the joke about the plumber coming in the morning add to the comedic effect?

The joke about the plumber coming in the morning adds a layer of absurdity, showing how the man's personal concerns are treated as irrelevant in the face of a ten-year wait, further amplifying the bureaucratic indifference.

What is the role of Gorbachev in the joke involving the speeding ticket?

In the joke, Gorbachev represents a high-ranking official who receives special treatment, where a police officer refuses to issue him a ticket because he is considered 'too important,' highlighting the unequal treatment of individuals in the Soviet Union.

What does the police officer’s behavior in the speeding ticket joke suggest about the Soviet bureaucracy?

The police officer’s reluctance to issue the ticket suggests that the bureaucratic system in the Soviet Union was heavily influenced by the status and importance of individuals, showing preferential treatment toward higher-ranking officials.

What is the underlying criticism of the Soviet system found in this script?

The underlying criticism is directed at the inefficiency, delays, and lack of accountability within the Soviet system, which results in a frustrating and often absurd experience for ordinary citizens.

Why is the joke about the motorcycle cops stopping Gorbachev significant?

The joke about the motorcycle cops is significant because it reflects the absurdity of how even law enforcement can be influenced by power dynamics, with a police officer failing to ticket Gorbachev due to his high status.

What role does repetition play in the script?

Repetition serves to emphasize the frustration and absurdity of the situation, reinforcing the theme of bureaucratic delays and making the comedic points more impactful.

How does the script use humor to critique the Soviet Union’s approach to everyday life?

The script uses humor by exaggerating bureaucratic processes and delays, showing the absurdity of waiting ten years for a car, the disregard for personal concerns, and the unequal treatment of citizens based on status.