Культурные отличие

Cultural differences

So I’ve been told to talk more about the cultural differences between Russians and Americans. I know there are a lot of misconceptions and ignorance about the Russian population, mostly because of the Cold War mentality.

There are a lot less differences than you might expect. European or Latin cities differ more than Russian, though I’m not exactly qualified to say that. People’s values, once you get to know them, are much the same. People care for their family and friends, work hard, and hope to lead a good life.

However, for your amusement, I’ve compiled a list of some of the more humorous and/or important differences.

·         Toilet paper is orange or green.

·         Toilets are in a different room than showers.

·         It’s better to look pissed off in public than friendly.

·         When in doubt, dress to impress. Even if that means wearing 4-inch heels to walk around the city.

·         Sidewalks and streets are washed every morning.

·         If you step in an open manhole (more common than you might expect), break your ankle, and try to sue someone, you’re going to get laughed at.

·         Americanos are lattes. Lattes are macchiatos. Macchiatos don’t exist.

·         You can get a drink pretty much anywhere, at any time of day. However, if you drink at home and not during a meal, you’re probably an alcoholic.

·         There are no to-go coffee cups.

·         If you bump into someone, just keep going. Russians don’t understand apologizing for something so inevitable.

·         Men should always hold doors open and carry bags for women. Women should never reciprocate, or they insult the man’s abilities.

·         In America and Russia, it’s rude to not offer your seat to an elderly or pregnant woman on the subway. However, if you don’t in Russia, the woman will tell you to move your ass for her.

·         Every meal is followed with a cup of tea or coffee. That way you always have warm soup belly.

·         Every couple must be sickeningly affectionate in public

·         Caesar salads have green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sour cream.

·         TV shows swear in English. All the time.

·         There’s a police officer on pretty much every corner, but more often than not he’s asleep or doing something totally irrelevant to his job.

·         Budweiser stole their name from an infinitely more delicious Czech beer, Bud Weisser. That’s not really a Russian thing, but I thought it was important.

·         If you ask someone for directions on the street, you’re more likely to get glared at then helped.

·         Always have exact change. Otherwise they might not let you buy whatever it is you’re trying to get.

·         Russian men are in no way deterred when you say you have a boyfriend. Even if your (pretend) boyfriend is standing right there.

·         McDonald’s has a chicken, bacon, and fried onion burger. Jealous? I thought so.

·         Drinking on the street, though technically illegal, is totally commonplace. And cheaper!

·         The same goes for not wearing seatbelts. Not sure if the cheaper part applies though.

·         Female friends often walk arm-in-arm. For a while I thought there was just a massive amount of lesbians.

·         The warning on cigarettes doesn’t say “warning: cigarettes may cause prenatal defects” or whatever random warning American cigarettes say. No. In block letters, it says “cigarettes are killing you.”

·         Russians don’t like lines. They like huddles pointed in the same general direction.

That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m sure there are plenty of new differences for me to discover though.