hard, they are good housewives, they are always loyal, and they
dress nicely.
. There are a high number of educated people, especially in the
sciences. They are able to work under difficult conditions.
It's a wonder. It's not about equipment. That's Russia's
secret.
Major differences between cultures
. Alcohol — many Muslims do not drink.
. Families at home are bigger —5-10 people
. In Russia, people don't know their neighbors' names. They don't
greet each other on the street and communicate.
. Clothes — women dress more modestly than Russian women.
. Women don't smoke, drink, or dress revealingly as they do in
Russia.
. Families support each other more. Brothers and sisters support
each other. Russian families seem more isolated and
individualistic.
. The divorce rate at home is very low.
. Men respect women more at home, there is not so much domestic
violence as in Russia.
5. AMERICAN’S VIEW OF RUSSIANS
RUSSIAN’S VIEW OF AMERICANS
AMERICAN INTERVIEW RESPONSES
When you first arrived in Russia, what stood out the most?
. People are very thin.
. How many people actually walk. There are lots of cars and good
public transportation, but there are lots of pedestrians too.
. How dirty the cities are. I knew they would look a little run
down, but there's more litter and trash than at home.
. People don't smile.
. Russians are not materialistic. They consider other people more
important than what you can buy.
. To some degree, they are less culturally aware. Russia was
dosed off to the rest of the world and Russians are not used to
seeing people of color.
. Men with machine guns at the airport A woman with big, black
poufy hair, a frilly white blouse, an army-issue green mini-
skirt, black stiletto heels, frosty pink lipstick and a scowl
It was like a scene from a John Waters movie.
. In 1978 I arrived in St. Petersburg from Sweden. It was like
going from color to black and white. There were shortages of
food. It was drab; it was dark. I came back in 1998. Ibis time
I noticed a washed-out drabness. People wore dark clothes, not
much color. There were things to buy in the shops this time,
but somehow everything looked faded. The communist experience
was unique. The whole world moved on, and Russia was closed
off. There are some good things and some bad things in this. It
was like being dropped off in the 1950s, when I was a child.
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
the States I use obscenities every day. Now that I'm here, I
use them maybe once a month.
. Banging the fist again the palm
. Thumb between the middle and index fingers
. Touching: there's more same sex touching in Russia, women
walking down the street arm in arm or holding hands
. Shaking hands is not common practice in Russia where it is
automatic and unconscious behavior for most Americans. (Said by
a woman)
What are the most positive things that happened to you in Russia?
. I met my wife and made some very close friends from another
culture. Human contact. You realize you can make close friends
and find similarities. I also improved my Russian.
. I had an opportunity to live with a family and be included in
family life- crises and arguments included. I really
experienced normal Russian life in more depth than many.
. Positive things: meeting very friendly people/ hospitality and
the nurturing manner of Russian women. The sincerity I
-have felt from the sympathy expressed by Russians about the
attacks in the U.S.
What is the worst thing that happened to you?
. The first week I was living in my flat, and felt like a
stranger in my landlady's home, my landlady and her husband
would share nothing with me. I had to buy my own dish washing
liquid and toilet paper. They would not allow me to wash my own
clothes and wanted to charge me 20 rubles per shin. (While this
may not be typical, this incident it is a true story.)
. In St Petersburg, I got ripped off. 60 or 70 dollars in a money
exchange on the street It can happen anywhere, though, and it
didn't change my feelings; but there are nasty rip-offs in St
Petersburg and Moscow.
. Negative things: indifference to issues of lateness and when
things don't work or something goes wrong. How things tend to
be more black / white or how things are taken more literally.
How certain some Russians are about certain issues.
If you were to compare Russian and American culture, what are some of the
broad distinctions you might draw?
. Economics. In the US everything is about money. Sometimes
Russians are very concerned about money and talk about money
because it's a necessity. They have no qualms about asking how
much money you make. That's a taboo question in the States.
. Russians are more traditional, especially the way women want to
be treated by men. Feminism doesn't seem to exist. (Said by a
man)
. Russians drink more. There are few laws about drinking in
public. You can drink beer in public but not vodka. It's
strange, in the springtime, to be the only sober person walking
down the street.
. Russians are less tolerant of racial differences and of sexual
orientation. Russian men are very homophobic.
. There is no one word or phrase for "cultural identity," vanity,
or privacy in Russian language; you would have to explain your
intention in order to be understood.
Can you describe some situations/incidents in which cultural expectations
caused a misunderstanding?
. American men are not expected to be as attentive as Russian
men. Men pour drinks for women, carry packages for women, etc.
. If I'm silent, people see me as standoffish.
. Americans separate business and pleasure
By living in Russia, have you learned anything new about yourself and your
native culture?
. I learned a lot of about myself as an American. There are some
things I feel proud about. I stopped taking things for granted,
things I would have demanded in the past.
. I value independence and self-reliance.
. I notice consumerism in the US more. Everything is packaged,
everything is for sale. There's more media and advertising
everywhere. People need things NOW: fast food, quick and
efficient customer service.
. Shallow, superficial friendliness and customer service. But I
like it anyway! Maybe it's not so shallow. Maybe it says
something about egalitarianism.
. The number of trashcans and the amount of waste produced in the
US. In Russia there's no place to put trash and there are lots
of wrappers and litter on the streets. In America there ate
lots of receptacles because we produce lots of waste
-packaging, wrappers, etc. We even sell special 10-gallon trash
bags!
. The main thing I noticed and was overwhelmed by was by the
amount of choice in everything- it was great but too much to
handle sometimes, whether I was shopping or trying to decide
what to eat in a restaurant.
. I can live in an arctic climate but I'm still not a fan of long
winters.
. Americans value individualism and the right to speak their
minds freely
. Some Americans can be as ethnocentric as some Russians can be
and more concerned with events at home, but what culture isn't?
RUSSIAN INTERVIEW RESPONSES
When you first arrived in the USA, what stood out?
. The traffic system is orderly and well organized. Drivers are
polite and stop for pedestrians.
. How Americans are relaxed, they have a relaxed posture, free
behavior, a relaxed way of dressing, usually sports clothes
. Aged parents very seldom live with their grown children and
prefer living alone or moving to a nursing home
. Americans prefer to live in suburbs in their own houses and
thus a car play a very important role in one's life and there
might be several cars in the family
. They use computers a lot in everyday life
Stereotypes of Americans You Were Aware Of
. Pragmatic
. Rich
. Overweight
. Always smile
. Body conscious and fond of healthy life styles
. American women are too independent
How do you think Americans viewed Russian culture, in general terms?
. As far as I remember, everyone I met was very friendly,
considerate and helpful and eager to get to know Russians
better and learn more about our culture.
Advice friends or family members gave you
. To find some things they wanted
. To set up an aim you want to achieve in this country and to do
it. For example, to visit all the museums.
. Try to make new friends and make the most of your stay
. My mother told me to try every kind of food I can
Why questions you asked
. Why do Americans love their cars so much?
. Why do they never dress up?
. Why do they mingle at parties? Why do they invite so many
people?
. Why do they leave their nests? Why do they so often change
cities?
. Why are university professors so informally dressed in class?
. Why do children prefer to live separately from parents when
they complete high school and almost never come back to
live with the parents again?
Why questions others asked you
. Why do Russians stay at one place (at a table) at a party?
. Why do Russians have more long lasting friendships?
. Why do you prefer jeanswear: is it because you like American
style clothing or do you find this kind of clothing more
comfortable?
. Do people in Russia know foreign languages?
Stereotypes of Russians You Discovered
. Russians are poor.
. Russians dance very well. They like to dance.
. There is Mafia in Russia.
. Russian women do a lot of work at home.
. Russians don't know how to work.
. Russian women do too much work for the family. They do not
respect themselves.
. Russians are strong and hard working.
. The new generation will change the country.
. Russians don't know foreign languages.
. Starving and wearing shabby clothing
. Russians don't smile on the street.
. One young American guy mentioned he wouldn't be interested in
meeting a Russian woman because Russian women are
hairy and don't shave.
. There are few cars in Russia.
. All women are prostitutes because that's the only way to earn a
living.
How has your experience changed your original view or expectations?
I don't think Americans are rich. They get more money but they
economize and spend more rationally.
. Russian culture belongs to the eastern type and American to the
western type.
. Americans are more matter-of-fact and business-like; they are
more active; they are not afraid of making severe life changes.
. When you are in Russia, invited to someone's home, you are
asked to have tea or some food. In America this does not happen
in every house.
What things stood out the most or what things did you most notice about
Russia when you returned home?
. The one thing that pleased me is that my family was so glad to
see me.
. People not smiling. Not helpful.
. Gloomy people on the streets; impolite shop assistants; dirty
public places; no adaptation of public places for disabled
. People are less polite; there is garbage everywhere; there are
no non-smoking areas
By visiting the USA, have you learned anything new about yourself and your
. Russians are hospitable, collective. They discuss things in
groups before making decisions. They are always ready to share.
. Russians are more family oriented.
. I learned that I should not feel inferior to other people
because of being physically disabled.
. Being in the US I am conscious of being Russian and proud of
it. I don't that I stand out in American culture and most
Americans can't say I am from a different country unless I tell
them, but somehow I always "feel" Russian and tell people I am
from Russia with a sense of pride.
CONCLUSION
Let's sum up everything considered above.
Now there is a problem of misunderstanding among people of the
different countries. This misunderstanding is shown owing to different
attitudes to life, to business, to family, to fellow workers. Also because
of ignorance of traditions, customs, etiquette of other countries.
Excellent knowledge of foreign language is not a guarantee of
successful cooperation of firms or pleasant dialogue of people from
different continents. To know language is only half-affair. The most
important is to understand priorities of other people, to try to look at
the world by their eyes.
If the country is more advanced in economic, political, social
spheres, it gives more attention to studying other cultures for successful
cooperation (for example, the USA, Japan).
It is important to note, that the closer cultures to each other, the
fewer problems arise at their interaction. If cultures are opposite, then
the essence of intercultural dialogue is reduced to understanding of
different values.
For greater success in relations between the countries it is necessary
to take into account all these features.
LITERATURE:
1. «Communication and Culture» / Alfred G. Smith // Hold,
Rinehart and Winston, Inc., the United States of America,1966
2. «Crossing Cultural Borders - Russia» / Julie E. Zdanoski //
Petrozavodsk, 2003
3. «Culture Learning: The Fifth Dimension in the Language
Classroom» / Louise Damen
4. «Culture Matters. How Values Shape Human Progress» / Lawrence
E. Harrison, Samuel P. Huntington // Basic Books, A Member of
the Perseus Books Group, the United States of America, 2000
APPENDIX
A CULTURAL MODEL OF INTERACTION
When a person from a national society with hierarchical tendencies
encounters a person from a society with egalitarian tendencies, and
moreover when the country of the latter is generally "high" in the
estimation of the former, the idealized paradigm as shown in Figure 1 would
be approximated. In this diagram, X, the person from a country with
egalitarian views, behaves toward Y, the person from a hierarchically
oriented country, as if he occupied the same "level"; that is, in
equalitarian terms.
[pic]
Figure 1.
TABLE 1. SOME IMPLICIT CULTURAL ASSUMPTIONS
North American (USA)
Personal control of the environment
Change inevitable and desirable
Equality of opportunity
Individualism
Future orientation
Action orientation
Directness and openness
Practicality; pragmatic; rational
Problem-solving orientation
Cause-and-effect logic
Informality
Competition
DO-it-yourself approach to life
Contrast American
Nature dominating man
Unchanging; traditional
Class structure dominant; hierarchical Interdependence but individuality
Present or past orientation
Being orientation
Suggestive; consensus-seeking; group orientation
Feeling orientation; philosophical
Inactive; enduring; seeking help from others Knowing
Formality
Group progress
Intermediaries
TABLE 2 VALUE ASSUMPTIONS OF EAST AND WEST: JAPAN AND THE UNATED STATES
Values concerning
1. Nature and Culture vertically
(octopus pot)(draws in)
(outside/inside)
2. Interpersonal Relationships
Unated States
Heterogeneity; horizontal society guilt sasara (bamboo wisk)
Doing
Pusning
Omote predominates
Independence; I/you clash symmetrical relationships informality
Achieved status
Japan
Homogeneity; shame takotsubo
Being
Pulling
Omote/ura
We over I; amae complementary
Ascribed status
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