Someone elsewhere who lived in the USSR (not sure where) said that they did indeed get chocolate but remembered it as something that wasn't readily available. She had a few times a year--so nothing like having a vending machine in the lobby, but she probably had it plenty of times.
The person also said they had a relative that would send them Russian chocolate made in the US because it had the same good recipe but with richer ingredients.
So basically I really agree that I think this is supposed to be a very specific character point about this woman and not a sweeping statement about US vs. USSR. Even in the US you'd probably get the same difference of opinions on Halloween candy vs. Russian chocolate--one person would consider Milky Ways their favorite indulgence, somebody else wouldn't think anyone would prefer it over the other.
The great thing about this show, after all, is that there are multiple Russian characters who have different interests. Nobody else has shown much interest in that kind of junk food. But Philip likes country music, Oleg is into new wave and gospel, Arkady likes the cigarettes etc. But Elizabeth still slips horseradish into food when she can, Philip appreciates caviar that Stan doesn't, Philip and Elizabeth and Gabriel probably eat Russian dishes for a treat.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Russian chocolate
Date: 2015-02-08 07:06 pm (UTC)The person also said they had a relative that would send them Russian chocolate made in the US because it had the same good recipe but with richer ingredients.
So basically I really agree that I think this is supposed to be a very specific character point about this woman and not a sweeping statement about US vs. USSR. Even in the US you'd probably get the same difference of opinions on Halloween candy vs. Russian chocolate--one person would consider Milky Ways their favorite indulgence, somebody else wouldn't think anyone would prefer it over the other.
The great thing about this show, after all, is that there are multiple Russian characters who have different interests. Nobody else has shown much interest in that kind of junk food. But Philip likes country music, Oleg is into new wave and gospel, Arkady likes the cigarettes etc. But Elizabeth still slips horseradish into food when she can, Philip appreciates caviar that Stan doesn't, Philip and Elizabeth and Gabriel probably eat Russian dishes for a treat.