17 Dec, 2014 16:46

Shopping frenzy, social media fuss and jokes in Russia as ruble collapses

Luxury cars, jewellery, fridges and TVs are selling like hot cakes. Russians are rushing to buy retail after 'Black Tuesday’ - the day the Ruble lost 20% of its value. And you can watch it on social media.

Car dealers are speaking of a “boom” since November - high end brands are being bought off the lot, for cash. Mercedes-Benz and Lexus being the most widely reported purcahses.

“As soon as euro started rising, we sold all cars, even the most expensive,” says a BMW sales rep in Barnaul, southern Russia. AltaiEuroMotors, official Volkswagen dealer in Barnaul, reported Tuesday “only several cars” were left in the shop.

Meanwhile the Russian Lada Granta joined the ranks of the cheapest cars in the world, coming second after Chinese and Indian autos. Currently it costs about 300,000 rubles ($4,500).

Home appliance, smartphones, diamonds and computers are also in the pre-bust shopper eye.

Anna Trofimova, Head of PR at retail giant Media Markt told RIA Novosti of “a considerable rise in demand on TV and Home appliances. Sales of TS sets have risen more than twofold,”

Conusmers scooped up iPhones and iPads at prices over $100 lower than in the US . Apple's Russian website stopped online sales “due to extreme fluctuations in the value of the ruble…”.

Currency exchanges have been overwhelmed across Moscow and local media outlets are reporting get-rich-quick schemes.

One suicide was reported - a businessman in a luxurious Moscow hotel - due to “psychological overstrain”.

Ruble jokes go viral on social media

Amid the ruble collapse Russian social media is exhibiting its usual knack for humor.

One of the top memes involves teh following:

-What would change if you go back to future?

-Rubles!

#Repost from @fildare with @repostapp --- #рубль #евро #доллар #курсвалюты #банк #ангарск pic.twitter.com/ofa4VkCTBg
— Фото из Ангарска (@InstaAngarsk) December 16, 2014

The fans of famous Star Wars saga didn't miss a moment to compare the fall of ruble with the fall of the Galactic Empire. the ruble is now on twitter where it posts every day, feeling sorry for itself.

Star Wars: The Fall of Ruble pic.twitter.com/2EAw2sSBjk
— Duran / Дюран (@userdie) December 12, 2014

The authors of the video below decided to make up a beautiful love story between ruble and a barrel of oil via the plot of famous movie Titanic.

"Do not let go of my hand," shouts ruble with the voice of Leonardo DiCaprio.

"I'll never let go," oil repeats the famous phrase by Kate Winslet.

Some twitter users posted ruble as a sick old guy.

From middle age to old age to death. The RuNet jokes about the Russian ruble's lifespan. pic.twitter.com/R89MKYg76i
— RuNet Memes (@RuNetMemes) November 8, 2014

Власти РФ перешли к прямым угрозам в попытке укрепить рубль http://t.co/L2tOeqcnlv pic.twitter.com/xj29Yk9ePj
— Виктория Алимова (@vikaalimova2) December 5, 2014

Social media even "invented" spacial treatement for a sick ruble. It included a plantago to "cure" ruble's wounds, a sticking plaster and even an icon of St. Matryona, believed have a gift of healing.

Рубль, не болей pic.twitter.com/rofCNRYs7x
— Александр Сидякин (@A_Sidyakin) December 17, 2014

The Russian bear can water the ruble and it will be strong again, believe other twitter users.

Мы верим... . • ° #рубль #курс #экономика #медведь #Россия pic.twitter.com/dRTp43SRNu
— 100% . • ° Рыжевский (@RPGrpgS) December 17, 2014

“Did you manage to make a wish?” Euro asks dollar ironically watching the falling ruble

Рубль продолжит падение, считают курганцы http://t.co/ZJdWyu94Ux pic.twitter.com/KtRwFHE21J
— Область 45 (@oblast_45) December 5, 2014

"Everyone! Run!" shouts a ruble plummettng from a multistorey building.

Курс евро превысил 71 рубль после очередного падения нефти http://t.co/dLiomJboFl pic.twitter.com/94pCafYmCw
— МК (@mkomsomolets) December 12, 2014

The ruble was also pictured in a "Sad Keanu meme" showing a famous photograph of sullen-looking Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves eating a 'ruble' sandwich.