The next one requires some understanding of post-soviet folklore: "New Russians" are people (or more accurately - not too bright mugs) who have made it under the new quasi-capitalist regime. They are usually very affluent and they just love flaunting their riches about (like nouveau riches with all the negative connotations this term implies).
So, a new Russian is driving in his flashy new Beamer down the highway when a big semi-trailer suddenly cuts him off. He narrowly escapes a serious accident, but he loses his bumper and one headlight, not to mention the damage to the body-work. Now he is furious, honking his horn at the lorry driver, making angry faces and waving his fist. The semi-trailer slows down and stops. Out comes a big guy in a tailored black suit - at this point the guy in the Beamer begins reaching for his sidearm, anticipating trouble. But the guy in the tailored suit smiles and waves merrily, so the New Russian relaxes and steps out of his car.
"Hello!" says the lorry driver, "terribly sorry about that, didn't see you there".
He proceeds to open the trailer, and the other guy's mouth just drops open - it is full of money. Huge stacks of it, laid out neatly, filling the entire trailer.
"Let's see", says the lorry driver, "for the damage" - he takes two huge handfuls of $100 bill bundles and hands them to our guy. "Now, look, I know I've caused you some alarm and some grief" he hands him a few more bundles, "and I'd appreciate it if you didn't make a fuss about it" - still more money.... "and, so that we part as friends, lemme give you some more, oh, and take this too - buy a few bottles of good vodka and drink to my health with your friends".
The other guy just stands there, hugging a huge pile of cash that can probably buy him several cars like the one he's been driving in, eyes wide open, mouth trembling.
"Who are you?" he asks with deep reverence.
"Me? I'm a new Russian!"
The beamer driver slaps his chest with one hand, letting the money drop to the ground and exclaims:
"Then what am I???"
Edited by S.O.A.D.A., 31 May 2009 - 06:07 AM.