Hand writing is important for students, who studies in Russian universities. Because usually we take notes of lecture in handwriting way and somtimes make words short. I remember there were a chinese students, they asked my note book to copy lectures, but couldn't understand anything, even though I write very clear. 

Also in case if you would like to go to physician. They write a note with recipe or medicines. But their handwritings hard to understand even for native speakers))))

Niel, there is another problem, more serious one.
Some people write Т (cursive т is m) and П (n) the same way as Ш (ш) and И (u). To distinguish between ш and m some people write a line below the former ш and above m.

In Serbia these forms are taught in school, in Russia they can meet them, but aren't taught. They could be seen 100 years ago too.
this one was written by Nicholas II:
http://stor.calligraphy-museum.com/source/image/ManuscriptsSHM/a8caba70-5928-476c-a515-60ef78e92c4a.jpg

Again, in white (in case someone wants to decipher):
"Письмо Государя
Императора Николая II
Министру И.Д. С.Д. Сазонову
отъ 14 iюля 1914 г."