Personal experience: how Russian-speaking immigrants annoy Americans

I have been living in the USA for over 3 years now. I want to tell you how we can infuriate Americans, I have collected all the facts, personal experience and interesting stories.

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When I was picking up stories from my life for this article, I thought that there would definitely be three things - how can we annoy each other here, we are all friends.

But it turns out there are fundamental cultural differences that can really irritate them.

For family reasons

An American may well be offended by criticism of why he does not live with his parents.

That is, he tells us his story, how he lacks money, how he makes ends meet to rent an apartment.

And you’re like, “Why don’t you live with your parents? You could save a lot of money!”

After all, as is customary here: mother, father, son, grandmother, grandfather, and also a couple of cats can live in one very small apartment - they all calmly coexist.

But this is not an option for your American acquaintance. The thing is that here in America they simply have no idea how it is possible to live in adulthood with their parents.

They accepted that you, for example, leave for college, and that's all. You live in a hostel, in a separate apartment, roommate (when the apartment is shared by several people).

And this is not due to the fact that their parents love them less, they also love them. Congratulations on all the holidays, they live in perfect harmony - it's just accepted.

As soon as you become an adult, you pack your bags and move forward into an independent life.

I have already said that in modern America, parents do not pay for the wedding of their children. Therefore, weddings take place after 30, when the children themselves can save up for them.

That's for me?

An American can be very annoyed with our tradition of coming with a gift to visit.

We can't do it empty-handed. And I got into such a situation in my first year here - I was invited to an official event, and brought a mug to my American friend.

I congratulated her on the coming New Year, everything is as it should be.

I wanted to do something nice, but her reaction was completely different - she was clearly upset.

To be honest, I was confused. I thought she would be delighted, the doubt has already crept in that maybe she didn't like the mug.

The next day she brought me a postcard in which she thanked and said that she liked everything.

It turned out that it was customary for them, if you come to a holiday, then two people should give each other gifts. If you give a gift without warning, then you put the person in an awkward situation, which happened to me.

It is also not customary here to give flowers on the first day of school. And gifts to doctors are also not particularly welcome - they get the feeling that you are trying to gain favor in this way.

A very slippery moment. Therefore, if there is a choice to give or not to give unexpected gifts, it is better not to give.

Chef, two counters!

Americans are annoyed by our driving style.

We begin to drive like on the Moscow Ring Road in Moscow, from the extreme left to the extreme right lane, constantly rebuilding chaotically.

Here people line up and ride. Some say it's retirement driving, some say it's just quiet driving, but in most states this is how they drive.

That's why Americans like to watch compilations of accidents from our countries. Here, if you meander, the police on the highway will find you and “treat” you.

On the subject: Tasty and healthy: how to save money on food and learn English

I noticed that if there is a conflict situation on the road here (I do not mean an accident), but, for example, if someone cut off someone, then the drivers open the windows, start screaming, swearing, watering each other water can spit.

It seems that in a society where everything is so well regulated, there is this only moment on the road where you can show your insides, where you can let off steam. In any conflict situation, the middle finger and all kinds of shouts are simply used here.

And Russian-speaking guys say that Americans behave this way on the roads because they don’t accept our “come out and talk.”

Comrades women!

I told my friends that we don’t call the waiter with the phrases “excuse me, come” - if this happens, it’s rare.

We most often say: “Girl!” or “Young man!”

The Americans were shocked and couldn't believe it. I continued to tell them that sometimes they say “woman.”

I explained that a 35-year-old girl cannot be called a woman, but a 70-year-old can be called - she will be glad that she is not a “grandmother.” The Americans were very surprised.

I just remembered anecdote

I noticed that not all Americans understand our tradition of referring to anecdotes.

They also like to joke, but not like we have an anecdote for every occasion.

Same thing with toast. A long toast or a long story doesn’t work here. Americans tend to simply say “Cheers!” and drink.

While the clock twelve strike

Quite frankly, Americans don't understand our tradition of loving New Years more than Christmas.

For them, Christmas is a family holiday when everyone comes together at the same table. This is the main winter holiday for them.

And for us, the New Year is the coolest emotions, gifts, everyone dresses up. And here, on the 26th after Christmas, the trees are handed over for recycling.

To the store, like a holiday

Americans don't understand Russian speakers who dress up at the grocery store as if they were going to a party.

In our countries, as is customary, if you go to the store, then you actually went to the people, so you should be as much as possible during the parade.

If these are not heels with a dress (which I also noticed here), then, at least, smart clothes, all perfumed, because everyone is looking at you.

Well, for understanding

Americans respect our hospitality.

On Russian holidays, if an American gets there, he is surprised at home cooking.

But they generally do not understand and “can’t digest” the tradition of sitting at the table, sitting at it for a long time and raising toasts.

And this is again about the difference in cultures. They have events where everyone brings food, even if someone alone came up with the idea and invited everyone. Someone brings hot food, someone alcohol, someone water - and so they gather for a general picnic.

Whose shoe?

In America they know our tradition to take off our shoes before entering the house.

This does not raise any questions. But if a crowd of American friends comes to visit you, then your request to take off your shoes will irritate them.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Although it is not customary to take off your shoes in warm states, in your home, as a sign of respect, they will take off all their shoes and walk in as expected.

I was standing!

And finally, everyone's favorite queues.

Americans have a very keen sense of justice.

And if, as in our countries, you approach “just to ask” or walk straight through, then this does not work here. Even with pregnant women or children.

It's all about the difference of cultures, but it doesn't matter where the person comes from, if he is a good person.

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