Tucker Carlson Stunned By Length of Russian CVS Receipt
MOSCOW — Internet personality Tucker Carlson, recently in Russia to produce content for his thousands of online followers, was shocked by the lengthy receipt he received after making a small purchase at a CVS pharmacy in the Russian capital.
In one video, Carlson holds up a comically long strip of paper, which appears to be several feet long.
"I've never seen anything like this," Carlson exclaims in the video, struggling to keep the receipt from touching the ground. "Is this normal in Russia? Do they always give you a novel with your toothpaste?”
The right-wing video blogger was astonished at the endless coupons, rewards, and personalized product recommendations printed on the arm-length receipts given to customers who purchase even a single item.
Mr. Carlson, known for his provocative and often controversial takes on politics and culture, declared that the detailed and generous receipts were a sign of Russia's superiority over the United States.
“The leaders and institutions of America should be ashamed of themselves for their inability to offer the same access to savings and exciting promotional opportunities that Russian CVS customers have had for years,” said Mr. Carlson after spending the equivalent of a full day’s pay for the average Russian on a 3-pack of Listerine Breath Strips.
“This is as clear a sign as any that life in Russia is better in every way to the experience of the average American.”
Mr. Carlson gave no indication that he intended to use any of the coupons, nor did he seem to understand or have much interest in the Russian product promotions included on the receipt.
It was the length and breadth of the receipt alone that was enough to convince him that Russia was a land of plenty, where even the most mundane transactions were imbued with a sense of abundance and possibility.
"In America, you're lucky if you get a coupon for 50 cents off your next purchase," he said. "In Russia, they understand that the customer is king. It's a lesson we should all learn.”