The racism of Russian pricing

Ok, maybe not racism. But nationalism or certainly linguo-centrism.

Backing up. Last summer I was in St. Pete for a few days, went to the Russian Museum. I was with a friend whose last name is Morrison. We all had Russian student cards, which you can usually present to museums to get in for free or a very discounted rate. (Sidenote: I have not paid for a single museum this time around, and I've been to a lot). My buddy handed the woman his card, she looked at it, said: "Morrison. That's not a Russian last name" - and charged him the full amount. I got in for free.

But here's a pic I took the other day at the Pushkin apartment museum that really captures the whole stupid system. It's so transparently obvious, the scheme. Even if you don't read Russian:

Close up:

"Using of cameras in the musuem - 300rbl; Videocameras - 500 rbl"

Guess what the Russian says right above it with 100ryb and 200 ryb right next to it. Smooth Russia, smooth.