Oh, that is too funny!
John bought one of those hats when we were over there, and started wearing it right away. Being an ignorant American, he put the ear flaps down. Natasha kept telling him that he should tie them back up. To which John would reply, "Why??!! My ears are cold!" I think she was embarrased to be seen with us. It must be the Russian equivalent of walking around with your fly unzipped. "That is not the way we wear them!" was all she would say.
Cool site. Thanks for the link.