From Ridus.ru:
Medvedev finds netizens calling him Dimon offensive
The head of state Dmitry Medvedev and his press secretary Natalya Timakova are bothered by netizens behaving badly. Despite this, they find strong criticism acceptable. Timakova admitted this in an interview with “Golos Rossii” radio.
“I don’t understand people who go onto Facebook and write, for example, “Hey, Dimon, nice one dude, you rock”. He’s not “Dimon” to you. He’s the head of state. You should be calling him Dmitry Anatolevich, or at the very least Dmitry and address him politely? It’s just good manners”, the press secretary said.
[Note: Dimon is a familiar name that is not uncommon as a nickname, but when used with a stranger shows a degree of over-familiarity or even contempt.]
Dmitry Medvedev has been on Facebook since 2011. He has repeatedly said that he welcomes internet criticism of the government, and he believes it is a sign of modern day democracy.
Comments from Ridus.ru:
NOCTmind:
You shouldn’t get angry about “Dimon”, we’re just trying to be friendly!
Балу: (responding to above)
He doesn’t need these sort of rainbow friends …
Kosstix: (responding to above)
Mrs. Timakova, log back in [under your real name] :)
Юрий Громов:
IMHO – “You can’t blame the mirror if your face is crooked” (Russian proverb).
He should be offended by his own powerlessness and mediocrity.
coyoteOdin:
Probably the guy just doesn’t want anyone to make friends with him, that’s why he’s angry.
Ольга-7757:
It’s the politest of the names I call him.
smirnoffjr:
#pathetic
mak031970:
I wonder what nickname he had as a child?
EDYARD-9503:
“You can only offend someone who takes offence”. He’s stuck at puberty (gadgets, clubs …)
xdriver:
People are talking about this over on Odniklassniki as well [Note: a popular Russian social network]. The most recent nickname for him is “nanognome”.
lex-pex:
Keep it simple, Dimon man, people will catch on! :)))
LaY_zzz:
Oh! This is the internet baby …
[Note: this is a meme in Russia, and is often followed by a phrase which means nobody gives a fuck about what you say.]
bebebe787:
This is a master stroke from the press secretary. Now, everyone will call him Dimon out of spite, but in fact “Dimon” will replace the truly offensive “little man” and “pathetic”. Job done.
