4 Differences Between Russia and America
02.03.2021
// Incredible Russia
Culture shock—if you've experienced it for yourself, then you probably already understand that
it's as rewarding as it is unpleasant.
And as an American who went to Russia for the first time in 2018, and has spent a collective two
years there since, I can say that the culture shock is long-lasting. It took me about 4-5 months
after both entries into Russia to really acclimate and to stop doing double-takes at things around
me.
That's why I wanted to share a few of my insights with you that none of my reading or research
pre-Russia could have prepared me for. While I am currently in my home country for COVID-related reasons, the Russian way of life is still very fresh in my mind.
Difference #1: The speed of life
In America, "time is money", as we say. And I believe that our culture reflects this short phrase to the fullest. In America, there is only one speed to live, and that's fast. Slow bureaucracy, service, delivery, and travel only loses money, and money is what America moves on!
That's not to say whether this is good or bad, only that I was raised in a country which is centered around streamlining business, and earning more profit. I am used to people taking their coffee togo, and businesses opening at 8am, often staying open through the weekend.
So you can imagine my surprise when in Russia, not only does the government grant every fulltime worker 28 paid days off per year, but they toss in another +/- 28 paid Russian holidays as well.
Businesses open typically at 10am, and people prefer to drink their coffee in the establishment they ordered it in. The speed of service, delivery, and bureaucracy is whatever it happens to be that given day. And while this may lead many Americans to believe that Russians live life "slower" than we do, it all really comes down to a different lifestyle and different values.
Difference #2: Transportation and infrastructure
Why is nobody in America talking about trains? Seriously though, the Russians and Europeans have got something going over there.
Russia's railway system is legendary, and to this day remains an essential mode of transport for Russians from east to west. It's affordable, abundant, and, if you ask me, comfortable. You can't beat the views of the Russian countryside rolling past your window while you sip your tea.
The trains were so great actually, that I never wanted nor needed a car. I could take a train anywhere*.*** And on the rare occasion that a train was more expensive than a plane, it was still preferable to taking a car.
That's probably because, while Russia wins for affordable and available public transportation, America takes the cake for highways and roads. Russia is such a massive country geographically that the quality of the roads is inconsistent and unpredictable, especially in Siberia.
Difference #3: Family and friendship values
Let me start this one by saying that Americans do value their family and friends—this is a human trait, and it's not exclusive to one culture or another.
But, the ways in which Russians express their love to their friends and family left me feeling like there was a whole new level to close relationships that I'd never seen before.
The opinions of one's family in Russia often carry far more weight than those of Americans. That's because, as I interpret it, Americans tend to be raised with "individual" mindsets, and think of themselves and their actions as separate from those of their family.
In Russia, they are raised with more of a group mentality, and are taught that their lifestyle and actions reflect on their family as well.
Friendships in Russia, in my opinion, were more genuine as well. While in America, we are very focused on maintaining outward appearances and keeping things civil, Russians will tell you how it is. When they ask you how you are, they really mean it! And Russians use the words "acquaintance" and "friend" more often than Americans, because they discriminate between those that they let into their inner life, and those that they keep on the border.
Bonus Difference #4: My personal favorite
Russians have this odd, but very strict separation between the home and the street. That is to say, that they are very cautious of germs and dirt coming in from the outside into their home. While this is evident in many of their habits, the weirdest one for me to adapt to was what I now call "home clothes vs. street clothes".
Coming from a household (and a culture) where our clothes only change when we go to sleep/wake up, you can imagine my surprise that for Russians, it's a little different. In Russia, you should not wear the same clothes you wear to go out inside the house.
That's right. You should change your clothes every time you go in and out of the house (with a few late-night, around-the-corner grocery store runs being the exception). It's seen as dirty, and don't even think about wearing your school or work clothes to take a nap in!
While this quirk took me a long time to adapt to, it's now stuck in my brain, and I can't seem to stop. I have 3 categories of outfits now—street clothes, home clothes, and pajamas for bedtime.
When the people around me wear their jeans inside the house, I have to bite my tongue and remember that I'm not in Russia anymore!
While there are many, many more differences that I encountered in my daily life in Russia, these four are the largest ones, and they shaped the way I look at my home country today. Hopefully they can help you prepare yourself a little better for when you take your trip.
Written by Kyla Chester
In America, "time is money", as we say. And I believe that our culture reflects this short phrase to the fullest. In America, there is only one speed to live, and that's fast. Slow bureaucracy, service, delivery, and travel only loses money, and money is what America moves on!
That's not to say whether this is good or bad, only that I was raised in a country which is centered around streamlining business, and earning more profit. I am used to people taking their coffee togo, and businesses opening at 8am, often staying open through the weekend.
So you can imagine my surprise when in Russia, not only does the government grant every fulltime worker 28 paid days off per year, but they toss in another +/- 28 paid Russian holidays as well.
Businesses open typically at 10am, and people prefer to drink their coffee in the establishment they ordered it in. The speed of service, delivery, and bureaucracy is whatever it happens to be that given day. And while this may lead many Americans to believe that Russians live life "slower" than we do, it all really comes down to a different lifestyle and different values.
Difference #2: Transportation and infrastructure
Why is nobody in America talking about trains? Seriously though, the Russians and Europeans have got something going over there.
Russia's railway system is legendary, and to this day remains an essential mode of transport for Russians from east to west. It's affordable, abundant, and, if you ask me, comfortable. You can't beat the views of the Russian countryside rolling past your window while you sip your tea.
The trains were so great actually, that I never wanted nor needed a car. I could take a train anywhere*.*** And on the rare occasion that a train was more expensive than a plane, it was still preferable to taking a car.
That's probably because, while Russia wins for affordable and available public transportation, America takes the cake for highways and roads. Russia is such a massive country geographically that the quality of the roads is inconsistent and unpredictable, especially in Siberia.
Difference #3: Family and friendship values
Let me start this one by saying that Americans do value their family and friends—this is a human trait, and it's not exclusive to one culture or another.
But, the ways in which Russians express their love to their friends and family left me feeling like there was a whole new level to close relationships that I'd never seen before.
The opinions of one's family in Russia often carry far more weight than those of Americans. That's because, as I interpret it, Americans tend to be raised with "individual" mindsets, and think of themselves and their actions as separate from those of their family.
In Russia, they are raised with more of a group mentality, and are taught that their lifestyle and actions reflect on their family as well.
Friendships in Russia, in my opinion, were more genuine as well. While in America, we are very focused on maintaining outward appearances and keeping things civil, Russians will tell you how it is. When they ask you how you are, they really mean it! And Russians use the words "acquaintance" and "friend" more often than Americans, because they discriminate between those that they let into their inner life, and those that they keep on the border.
Bonus Difference #4: My personal favorite
Russians have this odd, but very strict separation between the home and the street. That is to say, that they are very cautious of germs and dirt coming in from the outside into their home. While this is evident in many of their habits, the weirdest one for me to adapt to was what I now call "home clothes vs. street clothes".
Coming from a household (and a culture) where our clothes only change when we go to sleep/wake up, you can imagine my surprise that for Russians, it's a little different. In Russia, you should not wear the same clothes you wear to go out inside the house.
That's right. You should change your clothes every time you go in and out of the house (with a few late-night, around-the-corner grocery store runs being the exception). It's seen as dirty, and don't even think about wearing your school or work clothes to take a nap in!
While this quirk took me a long time to adapt to, it's now stuck in my brain, and I can't seem to stop. I have 3 categories of outfits now—street clothes, home clothes, and pajamas for bedtime.
When the people around me wear their jeans inside the house, I have to bite my tongue and remember that I'm not in Russia anymore!
While there are many, many more differences that I encountered in my daily life in Russia, these four are the largest ones, and they shaped the way I look at my home country today. Hopefully they can help you prepare yourself a little better for when you take your trip.
Written by Kyla Chester
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