Way to Russia Community and Forum

Paul-Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1073

From another site

Don't be offended if your American:

Does not wear slippers indoors- We traditionally wear out outdoor shoes
indoors or take off our shoes at the door step when entering a home.

Becomes noticeably frustrated after speaking with you- Ukrainians speak
English bluntly and their directness may offend Americans. Use the
words "please" and "thank you" often to remedy this.

Becomes noticeably frustrated after waiting in line and seems to go
backwards instead of forwards- Ukrainians are experts at waiting in line
due to the experience gained from waiting in communist cues.

Thinks America won WW2- It's in our history books.

Thinks Australia is a country in Middle East- Geography is not required
in our public schools.

Points with his finger instead of his palm

Does not have a college degree- Many Americans do not have a degree and
are quite successful.

Puts his feet on tables and chairs and places his hands behind his head
in a sign of superiority

Sits on cold concrete

Does not kiss others hello or goodbye on the cheek- We take our
personal space very seriously.

Clothes don't match and are not ironed- We prefer comfort to fashion.

Is perverted- We are a sexually frustrated people; many of us go
without sex for years.

Refuses to drive a car in Ukraine- Traffic is too hectic for us and
your roads are in need of repair.

Is always mindlessly smiling- In America, if you don't smile constantly
you are considered unfriendly.

Is not aware of your famous artists, musicians and authors- We are only
accustomed to British foreign media.

Is generally loud- We talk loud on busses and trains, slam shut doors
and will shout your name across a room.

Does not eat enough of your home cooked meals- His stomach is
accustomed to McDonalds and not your fresh fish and vegetables. Your
American
will not eat anything with a head still on it and he is especially
frightened by your moldy cheese.

Does not show initiative when deciding where to eat or where to go-
Your American is in a foreign country and expects you to lead him. Also,
everything is different to him; it's as if he is on another planet.

Sleeps in his clothes

Showers once a day- Despite bad weather conditions or having ridden on
a train or trolley bus.

Tips more than appropriate- Our waiters rely on tips for their income.
Assist your American when tipping.

Does not shave your armpits but expects you to be completely hairless

Thinks that you are too skinny- Americans prefer their women curvy and
with a little meat.

Enjoys drinks hot or cold but never at room temperature

Eats multi-course meals out of order

Does not open doors for you or hang up your coat as often as he should-
Chivalry is dieing in America; men and woman act as competitors and
are seen as equals.

Confused tired or ill when he arrives to see you- He may have jet lag
from flying half way around the world to see you.

Complains about service- Americans are accustomed to being waited on
hand and foot.

Ender · Last edited by Ender on Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

nikir · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 54

What are you trying to say here Paul Holmes? What purpose does this gibberish serve?

Paul-Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1073

It was from another site and it what someone posts how they thought Americans thought or behaved in their country.

I thought it was hilarious although mostly untrue, but it is the same thread as "ask what Russians anything you want blog on this site" as you get an incite what they think of Americans and what particular person thought was rude or strange behavior that many Americans do or are perceived that they do. It is a stereotype which gives an incite on some people in UKraine and Russia think about Americans.

Again what is with moderators here being insulting or concern more prostitution and misogynist views about women. You sit there and watch one man discuss how he gets ripped from a Russian prostitute and say nothing, but decide to rip into me about an average person in Ukraine/ Russia 's view on what they believe the behavior of Americans in their country.

But you are Nikir and you have returned to be the Old Nikir. Well bud, many Russians who I have spoken with dislike their role in big American WW2 movies and they told to rent or purchase Russian war movies to see their version.

Well my know it all friend, when I was on the train from Kazan to Moscow, I was asked if I was a sex tour or something by an average man,so the thoughts that many men are over there to be perverts is also a common thought.

Customs about cold drinks in which I had the cook of a restaurant warm up milk, because it is considered unhealthy to drink cold milk in Russia and very strange. Or the view that cold water will give you a cold.

Or the fact when I was there the first time, I asked to drink tea with my meal, because I had a headache and needed the caffeine to cure it and had to argue with the waiter that it was ok in this case to drink tea with a meal instead after it.

Other stuff that they consider strange that is not written here is not putting jacket away on a hook, but on a chair (mostly because you are worried about your documents)

Many of the comments made by this person were nationalistic angst against Americans.

Welcome the old Nikir back.

Reeza · Just Starting Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I'm an American and I found this interesting, helpful and amusing. Thanks, Paul. All people can benefit from information about how others view them. I have been embarrassed by the behavior of some Americans when I have travelled in Europe, so I'm not surprised by some of the stereotypes. We need to be told what NOT to do in other countries. I have a few questions about the post:

Is showering once a day thought to be too much or too little? It's not clear. I think once a day is the minimum, and more often in hot weather. Americans hate body odor.

Is wearing outdoor shoes indoors considered rude in private homes where you are a guest? Is this true in any public buildings?

Can you recommend a good Russian film about WWII?

Some comments:

I don't know anyone who sleeps in his clothes unless he is drunk or homeless. I wonder where that stereotype came from.

Only lazy people with bad taste wear wrinkled unmatched clothes while traveling or anywhere else. Most Americans have higher standards.

Loud people are considered rude in America as well, but they exist. People talking loudly on cell phones drive me crazy. When I hear loud American tourists when I am in Europe, I shake my head and move away so nobody will think I am with them. But the loudest tourists I have ever heard were a busload of old Italians. I thought I would lose my hearing!

I would be happy to answer any questions people have about Americans' strange behavior and what is considered normal in the USA. Nothing will offend me - bring it on! Later, when I return from Russia at the end of May I will have some questions about the Russians. Is that fair?

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 445

Ender · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: not offended

Reeza · Just Starting Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Thanks for your reply Ender, especially the list of films. I have seen Ballad of a Soldier and liked it very much. I will order Come and See, The Dawns Here Are Quiet and Torpedo Bombers. The others are not available here.

Now I will do my best to answer your questions one by one, but I can't really speak for the "average American" because there is no such thing.

1. On amateur video tapes I saw many fat people. Moreover there are many fat children. It is true that most Americans are fat?
Government statistics say that 34% of American adults are obese (fat) which is more than ever before but still not "most." We know it is a problem related to unhealthy processed foods, but it won't be easy to change. Research shows that in other countries where American fast food has become popular, people are also getting fatter, so watch out!

2. On amateur video tapes I saw many young women but found that very few are really attractive. Far less than I see on the streets of my city. It is common rule or it is just my "perverted" perception (my wife have nearly model appearance)?
This is a question of taste and it depends on where you go. Where are you getting these amature video tapes of fat unattractive people? Maybe you need to change video stores.

3. What does average American know about Russia? Do they perceive Russia as enemy or threat to the world security?
The average American knows very little about Russia and most other countries. Many were raised to believe that Russia was our main enemy, but since the Soviet Union broke up the perception of Russia is friendlier.

4. Do Americans like really big cars?
Yes, many do. But they are sorry when gas prices get as high as they are now. I drive a small car.

I need more time to answer the rest of your questions, so I will continue later.

Ender · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Not Offended

BELS · Lounge Lizard Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 117

I go along with Paul Holmes on this thread, wheres the thanks button. Athough I don't always support Americans, as I'm British. Paul holmes often makes agreeable posts in other threads, if he's right I will agree with him, If I don't I will disagree.

I think the presence of Brits and Americans are about 50/50 at the moment. Perhaps there are more Brits, but even the count of the Brits have dropped due both to countries relationships at the moment .

First it was The British Council, and the way things are going perhaps BP might also pullout.

That's what happens if too many get the wrong attitude of Americans or Brits.

To summarise, bad attitude means less big investment in Russia.

Reeza · Just Starting Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I will continue answering Ender’s questions about Americans:

5. What does average American think about negros? Please without this politically correct shit. I heard they are most significant source of crime.

This is the most difficult question you asked. First of all, nobody here says “negroes” anymore, not even racists. When you say “average American” I guess you mean white people since the US population is 80% white, but some black people could be average Americans, too. I can’t give you a scientific answer, but I think it is fair to say that most white people are afraid of black people, and most black people don’t trust white people. In big cities where white and black children go to school together, they grow up being more comfortable with each other. In other areas where whites and blacks don’t mix, there are more racist attitudes because they don’t get to know each other. This is also true with Mexicans, Asians, Arabs and anyone else we think of as “foreign.” We all seem to be afraid of people who look and act different from us until we get to know them. I think this is true in all countries, and sometimes the fear is based on religious differences rather than race.
Regarding crime, I found some statistics on homicide (murder) in the USA: From 1976 to 2005, 52% of homicides were done by blacks and 46% by whites, but the total population is only 13% black, so the homicide offense rate is 7 times higher for blacks. But this is interesting - 86% of white murder victims were killed by whites, and 94% of black victims were killed by blacks. A black person in the USA is 6 times more likely to be murdered than a white person. So black murderers are not killing white people very often. Mass murderers and serial killers are almost always white men.
In my opinion, the crime statistics are related to the fact that 25% of black Americans live in poverty, compared to 10% of whites. I think it would be more accurate to say that poor people are the most significant source of crime, and a lot of poor people happen to be black. I’m not saying this to be politically correct or to avoid offending anyone - I really believe it.

That question wore me out, so I will take another break. Whew! Four more questions to go!

Reeza · Just Starting Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

My answers to the rest of Ender’s questions:

6. What does average American think about sexual minorities like gays?
Gays are becoming more accepted in the US, but there are many factors that affect public opinion. For example, more than half of Americans are against gay marriage, but many of those people wouldn’t say that they hate gays - they just don’t want them to be able to marry each other. If we called them “civil unions” instead of marriage, most people would probably accept that. Religious beliefs have a strong influence on these opinions. As with other minorities, in big cities where gay people are more visible, they are more accepted. I think every major US city has an annual event focused on the gay/lesbian community. Many gay people blend into society and wouldn’t even be noticed unless they mention that they have a same-sex partner. The “average American” does not accept the more outrageous stereotypical gay behavior that emphasizes fetishes, cross dressing and stuff that many gay people don’t even do. In my opinion that is why some “gay pride” events that showcase these unusual interests just increase negative reactions to gay people.

7. It is true that american economy is driven by a small business companies?
Yes, according to what I have read, small businesses (firms with fewer than 500 employees) drive the U.S. economy by providing jobs for over half of the nation's private workforce. Small businesses create about 70% of new jobs in the US.

8. When you need something from your local government, do you scream from bureaucrats and their rules and procedures, or your problems usually get solved without unnecessary time and nerves loss?
Well, I can give you some recent examples. I live in Milwaukee, a city with about 600,000 people. The street lights in front of my house were not working last month, so I telephoned the city hall and reported it. All they needed to know was my address. The lights were fixed within a few days. I also saw some gang graffiti spray painted on a building down the street. I called a special graffiti hotline at the city hall, and someone painted over the graffiti about one week later. Of course people complain that our property taxes are too high, but if we didn’t get good service like these examples, people would be complaining about that.

9. It is true that your road police incorruptible?
Are you asking if our police will take bribes? There may be a few who would accept a bribe, but for the average person, offering to bribe a police officer would probably lead to more trouble because it is another crime. For police it would not be worth the risk of losing their job unless the bribe was really big. Drug dealers and criminal organizations can afford to bribe dishonest police. The most common complaint against police in the US is that they beat up some people while they are arresting them, and that they stop and question black people and other minorities for no good reason. I believe that most police are honest and fair, but the corrupt and violent ones give the others a bad reputation.

BELS · Lounge Lizard Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 117

HUH! I think you are on the wrong thread, why not try politics and BUZZ OFF!

sphygmo · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject:

Reeza · Just Starting Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

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