In general, people from Russia like the USA. But there are certain things that drive Russians crazy in America. Anatoly Vlasov is a young Russian guy who spent some time in the United States and told his countrymen about his impressions in several videos. So, what are the things that people from Russia find surprising or infuriating?
10 things that drive Russians crazy in the USA
1. People are too obedient.
Americans follow instructions, obey the rules and lack flexibility. You won’t be able to talk to an official and sort things out, which is possible in countries of post-USSR. Even in a traffic jam, people stay in their line, which doesn’t move. Although the next line could be moving fast. It drives you insane. Russians are flexible, you can find solutions. Russians have a soul; Americans behave like robots.
2. Prices in shops are without tax.
And sales tax is different by state and city. It’s hard to get used to.
3. Americans are too independent of what others think of them.
For instance, people in streets may look extremely untidy and dishevelled. They wear clothes that look like rugs. Some people walk in canvas shoes that have holes and their toes are showing up. Lots of people are morbidly obese. But they seem to absolutely do not care how they look; overweight people wear tight clothes that highlight their extra weight. It really spoils the impression about the country.
4. Girls. In America, it becomes clear why so many foreigners come to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to look for a wife.
Slavic girls are easy to pick from the crowd, because the majority of American women take absolutely no care of their appearance. Most women only start looking after themselves, go to gym, after the age of 30. Because the age before 30 is considered in America like a second childhood, when a person doesn’t need to be responsible, and young people simply have fun and enjoy life. This is why Hollywood actresses become so famous in America: They look so different to all the grey mass of girls in the streets.
5. Americans are hypocritical.
They smile and ask how are you, but there is nothing real behind this superficial care, just regular politeness. Someone who tells you today that he will be happy to help you and asks you to keep in touch, the same person will forget about you tomorrow, and may even talk badly about you behind your back. For Americans, it’s normal. Friendship here is a very different thing. People here are just acquaintances though school, college, work, not real friends in what Russians mean by this word.
6. Constant discontent of various social groups.
After seeing how people live in regional Russia, it’s strange to see so many protests constantly in American streets, organized by women’s movements, gays, blacks, and other social groups, talking how they are oppressed, not listened to, and so on. It’s absurd, but the government starts acting on such complaints and doing something. In the opinion of Russians, Americans are simply spoiled. If they knew how people live in Russia and other countries, they would not be complaining so much. People get used to good things and demand even more.
7. American food.
The local food is limited to burgers, fries, and steak. The rest of dishes come from cuisines of other nations. Meals in the USA restaurants are too large. Shops are full of frozen meals, which are fatty and unhealthy. Too much food and drinks in stores have high sugar and salt content. There is such a giant variety and such food is constantly pushed through advertising. This is why there are so many kids in the USA with diabetes and extra weight. If you move here, you’ll have to constantly explain to your kids that the food their friends eat is unhealthy and harmful.
8. Homeless people in streets of large cities.
It’s a real problem and it’s right in your face. As compared to Russia, the number of homeless people is enormous and they behave very arrogantly. They approach you and ask for money; when you carry groceries you’ve just purchased, they ask for food. One of my friends was approached by a beggar who told him to ask his friends for money, because he said they looked like they had money. In Moscow, such a beggar would get a fist in the face immediately, but in the United States they act this way and don’t worry.
9. Tips in restaurants.
Gratitude is not compulsory but the bill includes 3 recommended levels of tips (15, 20, and 25%). Anything less is considered inadequate. It feels like every year the size of required tips is growing and soon will reach 50%. If you don’t leave tips, a waiter or a manager of the restaurant approaches you and asks what’s wrong, what did you dislike. So, if you don’t want to make a waiter unhappy, you have to pay the required tips on top of the bill.
10. Prices for homes and medical.
Medical services are extremely expensive and without insurance, you cannot afford to visit a doctor. Even if you have a medical insurance, in case of medical problems you will have to pay extra on top from your own pocket, possibly about 10%. Serious operations cost hundreds of thousands dollars. Housing is also extremely expensive.
Other uncomfortable things
These include non-metrical system (Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, pounds instead of kilograms, etc), but this takes the least time to adjust to.
- Read also: 10 things that Russians love about America
Video: 10 reasons not to move to America
A modern Moscow dweller explains what he dislikes about the USA.
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It’s comforting in a weird way to know that I’m not alone in thinking this…
It’s interesting to know what Russians find to be crazy in my country, and my observations and thoughts are: 1. People are too obedient: Yes, Americans tend to be safe drivers, while Russians drive like they are on a seek and destroy mission. That being said, driving in Russia isn’t quite as adventurous as riding the tail end of a tuk-tuk during monsoon season and rush hour traffic in Bangkok, Thailand. 2. Prices in shops are without tax: I think the sales tax in every U.S. State is exceeded by the VAT in Ukraine, Russia, etc. In America I don’t… Read more »
Outstanding rebuttal, sir. I even learned where the word “tip” originated from.
Very interesting to read this article as it was nice to see my society through different, outside eyes. The things noted above are normal so I don’t see it as strange. All the things noted above could also be said about Canada where I’m from as our countries are very similar culturally except for our healthcare which is free because it comes out of our taxes we pay.
Let’s have a conversation about these things for greater understanding? 1. People are too obedient. This is partially true, as Americans people are trained by schools and organizations to be obedient and not use critical thinking. However, it’s not everyone… there are different kinds of schools… different culturs… people come here from all over the world, even Russia. So, critical thinking is something learned at home, in some schools or by those who are naturally less passive and more intelligent. The other side of this coin is that you may be misunderstanding why people are all in one lane of… Read more »
The writer is largely correct.
Having lived and worked in Russia, many discussions I had with Russian men and women about the American culture and how it has gone completely down the toilet in the last thirty years.
That’s why I moved to Singapore and in process of obtaining citizenship. Want to live in America? Why ?
There are many places far better and the feminists aren’t in your face every five seconds.
I’m not sure where this idea that “the feminists are in your face”, and from other posts above, that feminists are responsible for limiting the expression of personal opinions comes from. I live on Long Island, hardly a major area of conservative values, and I can’t recall ever seeing any demonstration of feminist principles… or vegetarian, or gay rights, or anything like that. I’m sure they exist, but idea that you can hardly avoid them is hardly accurate. Frankly, with online communication being easier each year, it becomes easier for people to put their opinions out for strangers to see.… Read more »
These issues with the American lifestyle are spot on! I should know I have lived here all my life. Eastern European, Russian and Ukrainian women (all these people actually) are alive and healthy! Go to MATCH.com and put in looking for a woman at 50 & 90% are over-weight! I’m assuming the men’s profiles are the same. The American medical system (call it sickcare!) is broken. The total cost for all medical issues (Rx, doctor’s nurses, etc. – anything medically related) is about $4 Trillion (yes the Big T!…). And the US is only 17th in the world in the… Read more »
The article is right on. People in Russia don’t have the disposable income American’s have. However, they dress much better and are more formal.
why does this guy worry about the cost of a home and medical. does he plan on buying a home?
I’d like to say that when you move to another country, you would get to another world with its own laws, rules and regulations that may differ from ones in your native country. You need time to get used to all of it. Though on the other side life in another country is an interesting experience.
how often will you see a country come together like the u.s the way they did when hurricane harvey hit my home state in texas. jj watt a football player donated 100,000 of hiis own money and he wanted people to match it. well within 7 days people of the u.s has donated 17 million dollars to his harvey fund. tell me another country that does this? that is just the watts hurricane charitable . our president gave 1,000,000 of his own. this country comes together during difficult times
Ray,
It’s very similar here in Australia during cyclones and hurricanes. Also if it happens in Asia or NZ, they send a lot of assistance, including emergency teams and money. The whole world does the same things when natural disasters happen 😉