There was still not much tourism, but the attitudes of people
changed. This first time it was less friendly, people spoke
less English, and there were millions of forms to fill out,
scattered all over the place. You had to be precise, because
the authorities were hypervigilant.
. Crazy drivers everywhere, incredibly long waits for trams and
buses, no timetables for buses and trams, people going out of
their way to help you find a destination
Stereotypes You Were Aware of Before Coming to Russia
. Lines everywhere (though I knew it was thing of the past)
. No freedom of speech
. Few products
. Pervasive presence of Mafia
. Young people getting rich very quickly
. Prostitution (from news exposes about dark side of big city
life)
. Prejudice against people of Southern nationalities
. Russians drink vodka
. Russians are poor, suffered a lot, are very serious, have bread
tones
. Never smile
. Bureaucracy is infamous
. Churches with onion domes, great literature
. Russian women dress up, but it doesn't matter so much what men
wear.
. Every woman is looking to marry an American, there are mail
order brides, women want to get out
. I remember bomb scares in American during the 50s and 60s and
hiding under desks. The Russians wanted to come and
conquer the USA, we were told. They had the same message as us.
. Russians tend to be paranoid.
. Russians don't think in or about the future. Americans think
about the future, but not the past or present. Americans
pay for classes so they can learn to live in the present!
Russians don't plan so far ahead. If they have money today,
they
spend money today.
. Russians are quite rigid about teachers being authoritative and
strong disciplinarians.
Advice family & friends gave you before you left home
. Don't drink tap water.
. Advice to women: be prepared that girls here dress differently:
Russians dress for fashion and Americans for comfort
. Be careful, you can't trust people there.
. Be careful. Russia is not safe because of worries about war,
bombings in Moscow, unrest, crime, civil strife. General
danger.
. Bring toilet paper and jeans. You can sell your jeans.
. You need to have good health insurance and be prepared to fly
back to the US if you need treatment Hospitals are bad and
doctors aren't very good. In fact, doctors run the gamut from
very dedicated to indifferent.
Why questions
. Why is shopping a three step process? It's so inefficient.
Maybe it prevents shoplifting.
. Why is only one person doling out money?
. Why is only one door open?
. Why is service so bad? Is it because there is no tipping and so
no motivation?
. Why can we sit in a cafe all day without buying very much?
. Why do women wear such high heels?
. Why do people crowd others and cut in line?
. Why do shop attendants go on so many breaks or just close down?
. Why are things so unpredictable? Nothing is consistent.
. There are no schedules at school. I arrive at school to teach
and I'll be told "there is no fourth grade today." Why can't
people tell me in advance?
. Why are restaurant workers so indifferent or outright rude?
. Why do Russian women think they need a man for anything
technical or physical?
. Why must everyone sit at a party?
. Why can't people put bags on the floor?
. Why do men carry purses (for women)?
. Who does everything break so easily?
. Why does everything need to be stamped?
. Why are there so many forms?
. Why do women dress like hookers (prostitutes)?
. Why do women wear see-through trousers with thongs and stiletto
heels?
. Why is everything so dirty?
. Why do people spit and blow their noses onto the street?
. Why are people so mean to each other (at stores, yelling at
customers)?
. Why do people push in front of others?
. When a husband beats his wife in public, why doesn't anyone do
anything? Why are people so reluctant to stop and help?
. Why are there no public toilets even approaching American
standards? Why do people accept such things?
. Why do toilets have no seat covers? Is there a shortage? Can't
they find them somewhere?
. Why do Russians drink so much tea? Why don't they drink during
meals?
. Why do Americans say "excuse me1 when they bump into strangers
and Russian don't?
. Why are Russians so formal when you first meet them?
Things that frustrate
. People always on the make
. Large injustices in society, for example, why are teachers paid
so little and then expected to buy their own textbooks
. I'm annoyed at people looking and making an instant judgment
. Russians are emotional, prejudiced and xenophobic.
. The Russian sense of personal space, especially in public
sphere: people stand much closer, pressing up against each
other, pushing
Why questions Russians asked you about Americans
. Why do you want to come to Russia? (most consistent question)
. Why are Americans fat? Why do they all have cars? Why are they
so loud?
. Why do Americans drink so much water?
. How can you believe men and women are equal when they are so
different?
. Why don't Americans lock their doors at night?
. Why do Americans smell like soap? - What interviewee's mother
taught him: "If your clothes smell like you, they're dirty."
. Why do Americans smile all the time?
. Why are Americans so informal about everything?
. Why do Americans ask so many questions?
. Why don't you speak English correctly? It's your native
language, isn't it?
Stereotypes Russians You Met Had of Americans
. Americans are rich. "You can afford to pay that price, that's
nothing for you at home!"
. Americans have cars — are fat - are loud.
. Americans are rich, noisy, lazy, and unworldly.
. Americans always smile.
. All American women hate men.
. American women are drab, dull and unfeminine.
. American women want to do everything themselves.
. American women are ambitious and individualistic.
. American women are not afraid to speak their minds or confront
authority.
How are Americans viewed?
. Russians are accepting of American music, movies, and clothing
but still have anti-American sentiments. It's a kind of guilty
pleasure - a sense they are letting themselves, their roots,
and their standards down. They accept American cultural
products while remaining anti-American.
. They think we're rich; even our poor, compared to their poor.
Retirees on cruises set this stereotype, with Russians
misunderstanding that some people must save for a long time for
such a trip. Also, Russians on exchange programs stay with
middle-class, educated families. They don't see American
ghettos.
How has living abroad changed your original view or expectations about what
life in Russia would be like?
. Some stereotypes were borne out. People can be very rude in the
public sphere— in restaurants, airports, trains. On the other
hand, if you're invited to people's homes you'll find they're
the most hospitable people you've ever met. I didn't expect
warm hospitality though I was prepared for inhospitality in the
public sphere.
. I tend to try not to have too many set expectations before I go
to a different culture. Sure, I have some, but part of the
experience is seeing what is there and seeing how you can adapt
to these circumstances.
Gestures that are different, etc.
. I always speak with my hands and show facial gestures. Most
people here don't gesture much when they speak. Ibis is true of
facial gestures too. My face always betrays my feelings.
. The Russian gesture for being drunk.
. Helping women put their coat on; other women can't do this.
. Men NEED to carry things and pay. I met a male friend at a
cafe, and he HAD to pay, to be a gentleman, even though I know
he doesn't earn a lot of money. No Dutch treat.
. The weight of swear words is stronger here than in the US. In
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