The other side of Russian dashcams
May 3, 2013 11:11 AM Subscribe
Russian dashcam videos tend to focus on the violent and bizarre. Here's a compilation that highlights more of a sense of community.
I was kind of uncontrollably tearing up (telling myself "keep it together buddy!" at my desk) whenever someone helped another cross the road, but that last clip, where the woman gives a peck of a kiss of thanks after being pulled from a snowbank, I totally and completely lost it. Just had a good five minute, full convulsing cry I couldn't stop easily.
Man, I never in a million years thought Russian dashcams (used to prevent insurance fraud!) would make me fully cry like that.
posted by mathowie at 11:19 AM on May 3, 2013 [32 favorites]
Man, I never in a million years thought Russian dashcams (used to prevent insurance fraud!) would make me fully cry like that.
posted by mathowie at 11:19 AM on May 3, 2013 [32 favorites]
Yeah. I also find little acts of kindness to be almost unspeakably moving. I am glad to see them, because they remind me of the person I want to be.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 11:21 AM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 11:21 AM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
Wow, I hate being a killjoy on this one but I think the music was super over the top, and I could have done without it.
That said, I really liked the video and I enjoyed seeing a different side to Russia than what usually comes up on Youtube. It's really nice to see people take care of each other like that.
posted by dubitable at 11:25 AM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
That said, I really liked the video and I enjoyed seeing a different side to Russia than what usually comes up on Youtube. It's really nice to see people take care of each other like that.
posted by dubitable at 11:25 AM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
mathowie, you might want to watch doing that kind of stuff at work, your boss might see you and say something
posted by dubitable at 11:26 AM on May 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by dubitable at 11:26 AM on May 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
Ow! My feels!
posted by sparklemotion at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by sparklemotion at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
Baby stay safe. Why are you on the highway baby? Where are your parents? Stay safe baby.
(I do sorta feel like that video montage could be used to sell Pepsi.)
posted by QueerAngel28 at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
(I do sorta feel like that video montage could be used to sell Pepsi.)
posted by QueerAngel28 at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
As a Canadian, I feel a strong kinship with all the Russians helping each other push their cars out of snowbanks. As the child of former Lada owners, doubly so.
Also, Make Way For Ducklings outside the Kremlin? eeeeeeeeeeeee!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
Also, Make Way For Ducklings outside the Kremlin? eeeeeeeeeeeee!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
So many big burly men helping so many little old ladies and other small things. That was lovely!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 11:37 AM on May 3, 2013
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 11:37 AM on May 3, 2013
You can use it when you play videos, or when you have an opinion you weren't asked for.
That's a little harsh, don't you think? The music was pretty cheesy. I muted it and liked the video.
posted by echo target at 11:37 AM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's a little harsh, don't you think? The music was pretty cheesy. I muted it and liked the video.
posted by echo target at 11:37 AM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Never turned on the music. That was a great compilation.
posted by VicNebulous at 11:42 AM on May 3, 2013
posted by VicNebulous at 11:42 AM on May 3, 2013
I also find this to be the type of thing which gives me the sniffles. Lovely.
posted by maxwelton at 11:47 AM on May 3, 2013
posted by maxwelton at 11:47 AM on May 3, 2013
I agree it is nice now can we can about WTF BABY GET OUT OF THE DAMN ROAD.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:52 AM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:52 AM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
I am going to assume now that the Former Union is infested with people who drive around looking for babushkas they can help cross the street.
Disabusing me of this notion would be unwelcome.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:59 AM on May 3, 2013 [12 favorites]
Disabusing me of this notion would be unwelcome.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:59 AM on May 3, 2013 [12 favorites]
.... what are you all watching? just a bunch of fish-tailing rigs culminating in a person being beaten & their car overturned into a ditch...
posted by RollingGreens at 12:00 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by RollingGreens at 12:00 PM on May 3, 2013
Oops my bad, clicked another link without noticing, pardon me...
posted by RollingGreens at 12:02 PM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by RollingGreens at 12:02 PM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
Google "mute".
You can use it when you play videos, or when you have an opinion you weren't asked for.
Come not between the Nazgul and his glurge
posted by thelonius at 12:20 PM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
You can use it when you play videos, or when you have an opinion you weren't asked for.
Come not between the Nazgul and his glurge
posted by thelonius at 12:20 PM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
It might just be the Canadian in me but my favorite was the guy who swept the snow off the other driver's bumper. Priceless.
posted by hoodrich at 12:28 PM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by hoodrich at 12:28 PM on May 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think the scene with the baby may be the opening to the next Mad Max prequel.
Or anyway it oughta be.
posted by notyou at 12:35 PM on May 3, 2013
Or anyway it oughta be.
posted by notyou at 12:35 PM on May 3, 2013
I was sort of hoping the baby would throw up its chubby little fists and airbend the oncoming truck out of the way.
posted by elizardbits at 12:45 PM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 12:45 PM on May 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
I about lost it on the baby in the road full of semis, mostly because that is my exact fear with my little one, combined with the cynical view that nobody here would be so courteous.
posted by CancerMan at 1:07 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by CancerMan at 1:07 PM on May 3, 2013
This was just what I needed. Thanks, paleyellowwithorange.
posted by fight or flight at 1:08 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by fight or flight at 1:08 PM on May 3, 2013
I did not expect this, nor I expected to be as moved. I'm Russian by birth, and have a lot (too much?) cynicism towards that country. I am touched there are so many good people there. There should be good people everywhere. ("Look for the helpers"...)
posted by olya at 1:09 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by olya at 1:09 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
My favorite part to all of this was that for most of the cases, the helping happened without any fuss or even any communication. The guys/gals just got out, did what needed doing and went back to their business.
posted by hoca efendi at 1:16 PM on May 3, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by hoca efendi at 1:16 PM on May 3, 2013 [9 favorites]
Was that make way for ducklings in front of the Kremlin?
I thought it was, even if it wasn't and quietly squeed at my desk.
posted by Hactar at 1:22 PM on May 3, 2013
I thought it was, even if it wasn't and quietly squeed at my desk.
posted by Hactar at 1:22 PM on May 3, 2013
As the child of former Lada owners, doubly so.
Lada was properly called Zhiguli in the USSR, or more colloquially, Six (based on pronounciation, as in Six-uli). I used to play in a metal band and one of the guys had a Zhiguli, which we used to drive to gigs and which we affectionately called Six Six Six, The Number of the Beast.
posted by Pyrogenesis at 1:25 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lada was properly called Zhiguli in the USSR, or more colloquially, Six (based on pronounciation, as in Six-uli). I used to play in a metal band and one of the guys had a Zhiguli, which we used to drive to gigs and which we affectionately called Six Six Six, The Number of the Beast.
posted by Pyrogenesis at 1:25 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was sort of hoping the baby would throw up its chubby little fists and airbend the oncoming truck out of the way.
After all the crashing meteor stuff this year, I kept thinking about that time baby Kal-El lifted up the pickup truck in front of Jonathan and Martha Kent.
posted by lampshade at 1:32 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
After all the crashing meteor stuff this year, I kept thinking about that time baby Kal-El lifted up the pickup truck in front of Jonathan and Martha Kent.
posted by lampshade at 1:32 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can't really appreciate this unless you've watched the other, more common type of Russian dash cam. I've watched scores of them over the past few months (long story), and I've seen old women run over by cars, horses hit, men fighting, a gun aimed at a guy so that the gun-wielder could get the right of way, transport trucks jacknifing, more men fighting, cars spinning out, hundreds of accidents (mostly because apparently Russian drivers don't check for traffic before they turn), and ... did I mention men fighting?
posted by anothermug at 1:47 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by anothermug at 1:47 PM on May 3, 2013
Lada was properly called Zhiguli in the USSR, or more colloquially, Six
This was basically my parents' car in the early '80s. The cool thing was it came with a full socket set in the trunk. The downside was, you needed it.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:49 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
This was basically my parents' car in the early '80s. The cool thing was it came with a full socket set in the trunk. The downside was, you needed it.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:49 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
So sweet, stopping for a baby in the road. In the U.S., drivers just speed by our wandering babies. (?) I'm not sure if "a sense of community" completely describes what I'm seeing in this video.
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot at 2:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot at 2:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
In the U.S., drivers just speed by our wandering babies.
Wait, what?
posted by downing street memo at 2:07 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wait, what?
posted by downing street memo at 2:07 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think my reaction to the crazy-driving Russian dashcam compilation would have been different if I would have seen this one first. But I'm not sure exactly how.
posted by klarck at 2:12 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by klarck at 2:12 PM on May 3, 2013
In the U.S., drivers just speed by our wandering babies.
You must be in a different U.S.
The one I live in - despite all its flaws - does not live up to that reputation. Sure, a lot of insane and insensitive things happen here, but babies wandering in roads tend to garner a bit of attention.
But yeah, it must be another U.S.
posted by lampshade at 2:22 PM on May 3, 2013
You must be in a different U.S.
The one I live in - despite all its flaws - does not live up to that reputation. Sure, a lot of insane and insensitive things happen here, but babies wandering in roads tend to garner a bit of attention.
But yeah, it must be another U.S.
posted by lampshade at 2:22 PM on May 3, 2013
When that guy picked up the baby and held it away from his body like that, I was pretty sure the baby was going to pee. I don't know why I thought that except that that's what toads do when you pick them up like that.
So I've spent a lot more time with toads than with babies. Sue me.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:25 PM on May 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
So I've spent a lot more time with toads than with babies. Sue me.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:25 PM on May 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
Picking up the baby: My body language interpreter is stuck 50/50 between "I've never been around toddlers, I don't know how to pick it up" and "I am NOT molesting or kidnapping this toddler, I am trying to help"
posted by Doroteo Arango II at 2:26 PM on May 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by Doroteo Arango II at 2:26 PM on May 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
In Dashcam Russia, tears jerk YOU!
posted by Kabanos at 2:36 PM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Kabanos at 2:36 PM on May 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
So many big burly men helping so many little old ladies
They're braver men than I. After I read this story, I vowed that I'm never coming near a little old Russian lady ever again.
posted by dersins at 2:52 PM on May 3, 2013
They're braver men than I. After I read this story, I vowed that I'm never coming near a little old Russian lady ever again.
posted by dersins at 2:52 PM on May 3, 2013
Yes! This was great, just perfect. I, too, am surprised by the number of small, stooped elderly ladies trying not to be smushed crossing the road. Maybe it's the same woman needing assistance over and over again? In any event, I'm glad she/they live in a place where folks are willling to stop and escort them. Good job, you guys!
posted by but no cigar at 3:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by but no cigar at 3:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Locally, a number of elderly pedestrians have been killed crossing the street. We have laws and media campaigns to try to get drivers to be more attentive, but it's still a scary thing.
It's also apparently a world-wide phenomenon, given that one lady in the video crossing herself before the driver stepped in to help.
posted by CancerMan at 3:08 PM on May 3, 2013
It's also apparently a world-wide phenomenon, given that one lady in the video crossing herself before the driver stepped in to help.
posted by CancerMan at 3:08 PM on May 3, 2013
i am mad at that stupid baby for making me worry about a baby
posted by elizardbits at 3:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 3:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [8 favorites]
Babooshkas seem to get a lot of deference, as they should...
posted by jim in austin at 3:51 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by jim in austin at 3:51 PM on May 3, 2013
If you live in the US, and you have the ability, check out--
- how many elderly people have been run over where you live
- how many of those resulted in any penalties for the driver
It seems to me that the main difference here is that we have enough resources that most people are never faced with the need to cross a road like that, because they're driving. If that changes...
posted by alexei at 4:29 PM on May 3, 2013
- how many elderly people have been run over where you live
- how many of those resulted in any penalties for the driver
It seems to me that the main difference here is that we have enough resources that most people are never faced with the need to cross a road like that, because they're driving. If that changes...
posted by alexei at 4:29 PM on May 3, 2013
Thought to myself "This is exactly what I (didn't know I) needed right now." Then read the comments and was further comforted by many of you saying the same thing. Hooray humans today!
posted by iamkimiam at 5:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by iamkimiam at 5:03 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
All those road crossings and helping people up just kind of drove home to me what a simple but meaningful gesture offering someone a hand can be.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 5:41 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 5:41 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
That young boy that held his hand out to the old lady with the umbrella got me right in the feels. Tears. Fucking metafliter, giving me tears over the Russians.
I hope his mother sees that. I hope she sees this video and realizes that's her son and pats herself on the back.
posted by youandiandaflame at 5:52 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
I hope his mother sees that. I hope she sees this video and realizes that's her son and pats herself on the back.
posted by youandiandaflame at 5:52 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
See, I was looking at baby-saver's body language and thinking, 'I bet he's just gonna toss that kid down the slope.' I mean it would be effective. Unless the baby sorta died in the fall. That would be bad.
posted by angrycat at 6:13 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by angrycat at 6:13 PM on May 3, 2013
There's actually two babies; one tries to escape in a stroller.
posted by Brocktoon at 6:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Brocktoon at 6:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
okay so now i've gone on a youtube spree of watching vids of people doing good deeds, this one made me smile lots.
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 6:25 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 6:25 PM on May 3, 2013
> one tries to escape in a stroller.
you don't get more russian than that.
posted by _dario at 6:29 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
you don't get more russian than that.
posted by _dario at 6:29 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Come on, admit it... there's a moment when you think the truck driver's just going to put the baby in the way of that other truck.
posted by pompomtom at 7:31 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by pompomtom at 7:31 PM on May 3, 2013
I hate to be a downer, but I just recalled a story from a few years ago where someone was hurt when someone else helped them cross the street. There was a lawsuit and a lot of controversy. This was in the US, does anyone remember this?
posted by Brocktoon at 7:42 PM on May 3, 2013
posted by Brocktoon at 7:42 PM on May 3, 2013
The person who helped the fallen guy on crutches in the middle of the slick winter street? It's like the Voight-Kampff home game. The baby freaked me out ("look out for the baby!"), but man did I just feel for that poor guy just struggling to get up and being unable to.
posted by blueberry at 9:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by blueberry at 9:17 PM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Brought me to tears, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Also:
There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.” ― Kurt Vonnegut
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 10:54 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.” ― Kurt Vonnegut
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 10:54 PM on May 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Brocktoon, are you thinking of the Verizon driver case? In any event, there are frequently lawsuits by good samaritans who end up getting injured themselves, although most US states have a law that indemnifies samaritans who act within reasonable bounds to e.g. pull a person from a burning car, in which they might aggravate an injury.
man did I just feel for that poor guy just struggling to get up and being unable to.
I found it interesting how many times just adding the mass of another person to the "unit of humanity" crossing the street made them more visible and got vehicles to stop. At least, I would like to believe this means the other drivers were distracted or focused rather than, you know, callous.
posted by dhartung at 2:49 AM on May 4, 2013
man did I just feel for that poor guy just struggling to get up and being unable to.
I found it interesting how many times just adding the mass of another person to the "unit of humanity" crossing the street made them more visible and got vehicles to stop. At least, I would like to believe this means the other drivers were distracted or focused rather than, you know, callous.
posted by dhartung at 2:49 AM on May 4, 2013
Lada was properly called Zhiguli in the USSR, or more colloquially, Six
They were named after the last digit in the model number. VAZ-2105 is the Five, 2106 is the Six, 2107 is the Seven, etc.
posted by floatboth at 3:35 AM on May 4, 2013
They were named after the last digit in the model number. VAZ-2105 is the Five, 2106 is the Six, 2107 is the Seven, etc.
posted by floatboth at 3:35 AM on May 4, 2013
I found it interesting how many times just adding the mass of another person to the "unit of humanity" crossing the street made them more visible and got vehicles to stop.
I think it was the stopped car with hazards on that played the bigger role.
posted by alexei at 3:48 AM on May 4, 2013
I think it was the stopped car with hazards on that played the bigger role.
posted by alexei at 3:48 AM on May 4, 2013
I really needed this after coming across the Liosliath thread this morning.
posted by Sphinx at 9:00 AM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Sphinx at 9:00 AM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well that was lovely. Although watching the baby in the road made me SO ANXIOUS. (I think he's holding it that way because the baby is naked and he's afraid it will poop on him.)
posted by KathrynT at 10:46 AM on May 4, 2013
posted by KathrynT at 10:46 AM on May 4, 2013
dhartung, yeah that sounds right. It's one of those paradoxical quandaries and I can't really decide who was right or wrong in that case.
posted by Brocktoon at 12:33 PM on May 4, 2013
posted by Brocktoon at 12:33 PM on May 4, 2013
This was sweet. Five minutes of kinship with others. Thank you for that! On that note in non-video mode there is also this blog entry about humanity at an airport gate.
posted by onlyconnect at 12:55 PM on May 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by onlyconnect at 12:55 PM on May 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
I about lost it on the baby in the road full of semis, mostly because that is my exact fear with my little one, combined with the cynical view that nobody here would be so courteous.
Every so often it seems that I do read a story about a small child in the US that's found wandering around outside the house. It usually turns out that the mother is in a very marginal situation, either overworked and poorly housed or on drugs, and the kid is just old enough to figure out locks and gets out of the house while she's sleeping. I feel as bad for a mother in that position as for the kid.
posted by Countess Elena at 4:05 PM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Every so often it seems that I do read a story about a small child in the US that's found wandering around outside the house. It usually turns out that the mother is in a very marginal situation, either overworked and poorly housed or on drugs, and the kid is just old enough to figure out locks and gets out of the house while she's sleeping. I feel as bad for a mother in that position as for the kid.
posted by Countess Elena at 4:05 PM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, I'm bookmarking that video again to watch whenever I need a good cathartic cry. Someone should do a study on why it is so consistently moving to see people shepherding ducklings and little old ladies across the road, because it makes me blubber every time and I am clearly not the only one.
onlyconnect's blog post link is well worth reading too.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:29 PM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
onlyconnect's blog post link is well worth reading too.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:29 PM on May 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
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Just what I needed this am. Thanks!
posted by notyou at 11:15 AM on May 3, 2013 [1 favorite]