What Americans Really Think About Russians
Stereotypes about Russia
“A distant, cold and very unfriendly country, where bears walk the streets, vodka flows like a river, and the president sits on the throne that he inherited from Stalin…” – approximately this kind of stereotypes still spin in the heads of ordinary Americans, and what is most terrible, it is on them that the idea of Russia in general and the Russian people in particular is built. It would seem, how can such an outdated and untrue opinion about Russians exist in the 21st century? It’s simple.
Stereotypes about Russia
You may be surprised, but ordinary Americans, far from political squabbles and preoccupied exclusively with their own affairs, are practically not interested in Russia, and the Russians themselves do not care much about them. Therefore, information about our country, once heard on TV or read on the Internet, is practically not actualized in the minds of Americans.
Cosmonaut Lev Andropov in the movie Armageddon
Moreover, the misconception about Russia, all the hackneyed clichés and stereotypes, continue to be actively circulated in the media and exploited by Hollywood, which almost always portrays Russians as gloomy, rude and combatant comrades who value strength, money and… Vodka. Where can I go without her!
Captain of Militia Ivana Danko in the movie “Red Heat”
And such opinions exist outside of politics. If we also take into account the political context, then we will go into the unknown wilderness, so it will not do this. But you can imagine the surprise of ordinary Americans who were lucky enough to meet and even make friends with citizens of our beautiful country and personally see the absurdity of existing stereotypes! Though… You don’t even need to imagine anything – I’ll tell you everything in a moment.
Americans and Russians
Finding themselves with Russians for the first time in their natural environment, so to speak, many Americans, especially those who have come to Russia to study or work, feel uncomfortable because of the general atmosphere of harshness and anxiety that is literally in the air. In their opinion, almost everything in Russia is designed to prevent the common man from achieving his goals quickly and effectively.
Russian People
To put it simply, the Russian people are accustomed to the fact that nothing in this world is given for free, and in order to receive some benefits, it is necessary to work hard. This aspect, according to the Americans, has developed in the Russians an amazing ability to adapt to circumstances. Therefore, when it comes to reaching heights and improving the quality of their lives, Russians show incredible resilience and strength!
Girl working at a factory
Moreover, after talking to Russians in person, ordinary Americans formed a strong conviction that the pressure of the surrounding reality and almost daily stress significantly help our citizens to learn to appreciate the moments of communication with loved ones, the importance of education and career aspirations.
Russian family
Young people in Russia, according to Americans, imagine life as a ladder that you need to climb without help, knowing how many people have already fallen from it before you. What’s more, Americans who have been in Russia for a while have suddenly become aware of why Russians are so fond of drinking (not as much as the statistics show): they drink alcohol because it is the only way to relax and forget about their problems, at least for a while.
Russian Youth
Interesting observations are made by Americans who meet Russians abroad, for example, while studying at a European university or vacationing at this or that popular resort.
Americans on Vacation
First impressions, as you know, are deceptive, so many Americans at first seem rude, unsociable and even timid to Russian girls, and young men – uncouth people, looking everywhere for booze and a reason to enter into a conflict. Probably, this impression is partially true, since we all know how ugly our compatriots can behave on vacation, but we will not generalize, of course.
Russians on vacation
And with the passage of time, the seemingly gloomy Russians revealed a completely different side to the Americans – they turned out to be attentive, sympathetic, generous, intelligent and very sociable. Moreover, Americans admitted that despite their rather superficial knowledge of Russian culture and mentality, they were literally fascinated by some Russians, especially those who knew how to cook well.
Russian girls on vacation
Americans are also impressed by more mundane, so to speak, everyday things. So, for example, they sincerely admire the ability of Russian people to stand in queues, cope with all bureaucratic subtleties and … sleeping in the subway. Once in the Russian subway, the Americans were genuinely perplexed as to how it was possible to relax and fall asleep in such a hum and noise?!
Russians sleeping in the subway
The Americans also note that the Russians almost never bother with details and try to act spontaneously whenever possible. So, for example, when going on a trip, an ordinary American will plan it for a long time, taking into account all the risks and force majeure.
Packing for the trip
Most Russians, so to speak, “seize the moment”: there is a day off – we go out of town, we find cheap tickets – we fly abroad, we want to go hiking with a backpack – just on the road! An American will think three times about all the consequences before doing anything. The Russians, on the other hand, take it and do it. So much for the difference in mentalities!
The Russians are marching
And, by the way, it is curiosity and the desire to verify the veracity of all the stereotypes about Russians that exist in the world that pushes Americans to get to know our country more closely. Some even move to large Russian cities, such as Moscow or St. Petersburg, in order to experience the peculiarities of Russian mores on their own skin. And, of course, the first impression that people make on the streets often coincided with the stereotypical one, and was far from the most pleasant. To be honest, people in Russia are sad, no one smiles at anyone on the street.
Passersby
However, an interesting observation is that the facial expressions and tones of most passers-by change dramatically if you ask them for help – anything from asking for directions to choosing a painkiller at the pharmacy. Of course, there are those who will just walk by or rudely bark something obscene in response, but they are in the minority. The overwhelming majority of Russian citizens will definitely come to the rescue because they know that they can easily find themselves in a similar situation.
Girl showing the way
Summarizing all of the above, we can draw a certain conclusion about how ordinary Americans actually see Russians. Based solely on personal experience, the majority of Americans believe that you can get everything or nothing from communicating with Russian citizens. Yes, Russians are unfriendly, reserved, gloomy, and in principle, the first impression of them is very difficult. It is as if they are in an invisible shell that protects them from all external stimuli.
Russians don’t smile
However, as soon as you talk to them a little and, so to speak, feel a “gap” in this very shell, Russians suddenly reincarnate and reveal a completely different side – they become friendly, sociable, open and as hospitable as possible. And at such moments, one gets the impression that, despite differences in culture and mentality, Russians and Americans are, in fact, not so different.
Russian Students in America