Way to Russia Talk Lounge

kidloca · Just Starting Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

So, I was reading the interviews posted on the site and was pretty upset to see that many of the people interviewed said that Americans were stupid and naive. Have these people met so many Americans that they can generalize a whole nation? Yeah, we have a lot of idiots here, but I don't think America is the only place. Remember, America IS made up of people from other countries, after all. Maybe because we are friendly and outgoing, that's taken for childishness? I don't know. Maybe it's because of what you see of America on television or in newspapers? I would think that people would understand that you can't believe everything you see on tv or read in a paper. I know most Americans are skeptical. Maybe it's because we have so many different races here that we are less likely to generalize a people from a certain country to be "stupid." Sorry for the ramble. I would really like more Russians opinions. Maybe the people they interviewed just had some personal problems.

vox16 · WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 356

I guess some of Americans indeed confuse 'the world' (like in the world series) and 'the rest of the world' and expect the latter to be like the former. Other are not realy naive but unaware of byzantine lifestyle and rely on the law too much.

kidloca · Just Starting Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

I'm not sure what you mean by "rely on the law too much." And isn't everyone "unaware" of a lifestyle different from their own unless they study or experience it at some point in their life? I have to say that I, personally, am jealous of Europe and Asia because it is so easy for citizens there to just hop on a train or boat and be in another country. American's have to fly if we want to get anywhere besides Canada or Mexico. Maybe thats why our general population remains "unaware." But I don't see how that is reason for someone to call Americans stupid.

vox16 · WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 356

What interviews are you talking about (i.e. link please? )

darthvader · WayToRussified Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 423

Perhaps here, Vox16:

http://www.waytorussia.net/Features/RussianPeople.html

This section is just crying for an update though!

kidloca · Just Starting Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

Yes, those darthvader. Thank you. I guess my frustration is that I'm wondering if the majority of Americans traveling to Russia are making a bad impression and people are basing their opinions are actual interaction, or is it that, which I may wrongly feel, it has become fashionable to dislike and put down Americans in general? Or, as I'm hoping, are Russians generally open to accepting an American as a person and not a product of our government? I'm so interested in and excited to learn about Russian culture and I'm sorry if any of this is coming across as offensive in any way, but I was genuinely surprised by the views expressed in said interviews.

Ender

Ledo · Just Starting Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

this is stereotype like about "drunken russians"
We just have differ between mentality.
And the main problem In my opinion is mass media and disinterest people to other nationalities. Most russian people trust to TV and news from government...but if you look to foreign chanel you can see another vew from hole world!An sometimes I hate this...what I listen that I trust.There is no own opinion

Ender · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

Ender · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject:

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

Hmmm, many Americans travelling to Russia only confirm theimage Russians have of Americans in general. Ignorant about approximately everything, loud, rude, very poor vestimentary tastes. And many Russians travelling to the USA come back with a comforted bad opinion about Americans. Let's face it, unless you only meet people from the higher classes, university professors and artists, a European or Russian person can only be apalled at the profound ignorance of Americans.
And the average level of general culture in Russia is the highest I know, by far. The average level in the USA is the lowest I know, also by far (I can compare 7 countries on 3 continents).
The expectations on clothes are also the highest. They don't expect expensive clothes but good tastes. I was in the USA recently, the poor taste hurt my eyes, and I'm not Russian.
I was in a train between Piter and Moscow yesterday. All I could hear, when my neighbour was not snoring, were people discussing in English, with an american accent, at the other side of the wagon.
Here pointing with the finger, not holding doors, not taking the coat... for a woman is considered rude.

Before Americans (or people from any other country) complain about the bad image they have in a country, they should try to understand it and try to improve it.
I'm French. French people are the some of the worst tourists in the world (with Chinese and Americans) according to tourism professionals . Never happy, always expecting people to speak French, often saying that everything is better in France. I can see it's not a wrong image most times I meet French people in Russia or elsewhere. I don't think I should tell people they are wrong about the French, I think I should act better to show that all French people are not that bad.

Ender · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

Ender · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:44 pm Post subject:

jo jo 7 · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: