This morning as I was walking up the stairs in the hotel I passed a maid mopping the stairs. I have seen women scrubbing the front of buildings to remove the ever-present slush that results from the periodic thawing of the snow that becomes very dirty from all the traffic. Learning to work with the Russians is challenging. Americans want information or an answer right now. Russians don't get excited about things until closer to the actual deadline.
Nothing is done in a hurry.
Personal relationships are critical to success in doing anything over here. I've bought cakes from Russian shops before, and they have always been very good. I guess that's progress. Many western brands are now available. Coke and Pepsi are everywhere, and Japanese electronics and American items are not hard to find.