“Pryvet. Kak dela?”

I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely young lady a few days ago at an event in Manhattan. We were just at the beginning of our niceties, exchanging some basic information about what part of the city we live in, when she stated something about her experience with Sheepshead Bay.

Young Lady: Oh, hi. It’s nice to meet you, Ray. And where do you live?

Me: I’m from Sheepshead Bay.

Young Lady: Oh, you’re from Sheepshead Bay?

Me: Yeah. You heard of it?

Young Lady: I used to go there a lot, but I don’t like to go to there, anymore.

Me: Really? Why?

Young Lady: Because, every time I go there all the Russian people start speaking in Russian to me. I tell them that I’m not Russian and I don’t speak Russian, but they still keep talking to me in Russian. I don’t know why they do that. I don’t even wanna go back there.

Me: (looking dumbfounded) Oh, I see.

Has anyone ever had a similar experience as my new friend? Would an experience such as the one my new friend described make you want to stay away from Sheepshead Bay or would it make you feel welcomed as part of the community? Speak up, here. Russian language speakers welcome.