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They still have a strong culture of "going visiting". People drop in for tea, to chat and visit with a friend, and enjoy good conversation. This died out in the US sometime not long after the 1950's. That, plus the fact that Americans generally don't value the art of conversation. I've also noticed, that an effort is made in Russia to visit elderly people who live alone, to keep them company and help them stay connected with the community.
I always thought it was the other way around.
I thought the Westerners knew the "art of conversation" - i.e. how to make a "small talk" in particular, while Russians were totally void of it. They could however talk for hours (Russians that is) if they'd find the conversation genuinely interesting.
Overall Russian culture is less formal than Western cultures, and that's why there were so many "unplanned visits," and people were just dropping off.
Thank you.
Plus I see now the increasing presence of the *psychologists,* ( instead of talking heart to heart with friends, as it used to be,) I see some Tony Robbins ( and other "personal coaches") that are making inroads into Russia. I see the same commercialism and an attempt to break the original Russian culture, I see an attempt to Americanize it.
Thank you.
Plus I see now the increasing presence of the *psychologists,* ( instead of talking heart to heart with friends, as it used to be,) I see some Tony Robbins ( and other "personal coaches") that are making inroads into Russia. I see the same commercialism and an attempt to break the original Russian culture, I see an attempt to Americanize it.
I think, that it is not an attempt. This is a fact, Russian culture is Americanized. Not completely, but very powerful layer. Fro example, my favorite movie is "Terminator II", my son's favorite cartoon is "PAW patrol".
In the 90th a culture of America came to Russia (primarily through movies and cartoons) and was assimilated and reworked. The second generation was born after that.
I think, that it is not an attempt. This is a fact, Russian culture is Americanized. Not completely, but very powerful layer. Fro example, my favorite movie is "Terminator II", my son's favorite cartoon is "PAW patrol".
In the 90th a culture of America came to Russia (primarily through movies and cartoons) and was assimilated and reworked. The second generation was born after that.
Well it is a very consistent effort ( to Americanize Russian culture) - I can tell you that much.
It's not just "movies and cartoons" - that wouldn't be a problem. There are more gremlins at work. It started thirty years ago, ( and may be even earlier,) when people in power ( certain part of them) were convinced that America is the epitome of "successful society" and needs to be emulated, if THESE PEOPLE wanted to be successful and assured of their well-being. And so it begun.
Practically everything that Russian government was trying to achieve for the last thirty years was to emulate the US style - be that governing, system of education, popular culture, or culture in general.
I mean such ideas as destroying the traditional values of Russian family and trying to assure people that sending your elderly parents to some "retirement home" as it's done in America is "prestigious" - that's coming straight from the government.
The ideas that intellectuals and thinkers shouldn't be promoted as the "stars of the society," but the athletes, the fashion models, the socialites should be admired instead - those ideas are coming straight from the US and are enforced by the "ideology department" in Russia ( I mean who is in charge of TV programs there, what do you think?)
With other words, Russian government wants to make sure, that MONEY rule the society, not some "mysterious Russian soul."
PART of Russian society ( particularly the upper part) wholeheartedly supports this idea ( and then some more.) But other part is definitely resistant. What will come out of it remains to be seen.
P.S. By the way I've noticed now - Russians were dropping BY ( i.e. visiting with each other,) not OFF as I've put it earlier, in a more casual manner than it is in the West.
Is this still a case Maxim, or this custom is dying off as well?
I would say that in big cities our homes aren’t so open not because of lack of hospitality but due to extreme busyness.
The average family rolls around work and their children. Even kids have very strict schedule. All my friends’ children (and mine as well) have some regular sport, languages and art, and all of that apart from school.
So, it’s not appropriate to show up without some kind of warning (you just may catch nobody at home)).
On the other hand, real friendship and genuine communication is always valued by Russians. We share a lot with my friends about what’s going on in our lives/work/marriages and I can’t imagine my life without it.
Well it is a very consistent effort ( to Americanize Russian culture) - I can tell you that much.
Sorry for off topic- it’s partly about Americanization…
You know, I often read Relationship threads in this forum.
Have noticed that lots of people from there are very helpful, supportive and sensible.
Frankly, I was surprised with the whole level of psychological knowledge and attempt not to judge but help.
Yes, the policy is very painful between our countries, but common people from America seem quite likeable to me. I don’t know, maybe you’re taught some psychological/relationship lessons in schools, but you are really good!))) What do you think about it?
I live in a place called Sitka, Alaska. It was founded by the Russians a couple hundred years ago as a fur trading place. There is still a lot of history here related to that period of time. The Russian orthodox church is still here and its a place of historical significance for all the tourists that stop here. We sure don't have anything against the Russians! Matter of fact, it was the capitol of Alaska until the American government bought it back like 147 years ago from Russia. Alaska is a whole lot different than the rest of the U.S. We are glad to see them come visit from down south and damn glad to see them leave in the fall. They spend their money here as tourists and pay crazy prices to go fishing for salmon. For the most part, the tourists stumble around and we try not to run them over as they pay no attention to crosswalks or traffic in general. Our population is like 8500 when all the snowbirds go back down south. Nice and quiet then.
Just opinion of course but traveling from the US, unless one lives around the coast in the NE parts, to Europe and or Russia is no small matter. It is expensive and takes time. Americans usually don't have many holidays they can just take. 2 weeks is on average (total estimate by me and no numbers to support it) the max a US citizen can probably spend.
So when the decision is made to cross the Atlantic, the majority settle on West/South Europe. There is more to see (subjectively speaking of course). More famous landmarks most Americans are familiar with.
Sure Saint Petersburg, Moscow and perhaps Sochi are places many would like to see, too but time is a factor.
I would say that in big cities our homes aren’t so open not because of lack of hospitality but due to extreme busyness.
The average family rolls around work and their children. Even kids have very strict schedule. All my friends’ children (and mine as well) have some regular sport, languages and art, and all of that apart from school.
So, it’s not appropriate to show up without some kind of warning (you just may catch nobody at home)).
Well that's typical America for you, right there
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On the other hand, real friendship and genuine communication is always valued by Russians. We share a lot with my friends about what’s going on in our lives/work/marriages and I can’t imagine my life without it.
We are not un-interested in Russia. On the contrary most of us know Russia has a fascinating country. I’d love to see Moscow and Saint Petersburg. However it is not an affordable destination by any means. Seems many overseas believe we Americans are rich, no we are not. Most of us wonder if we can pay all our bills each month. For this reason I will likely never see many of the places I would love to see.
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that are making inroads into Russia. I see the same commercialism and an attempt to break the original Russian culture, I see an attempt to Americanize it.
in a more casual manner than it is in the West.
