Thread: Cultural Differences Between Americans and Russians

I think there is far too much emphasis on WORK and PRODUCTION in America, and not nearly enough emphasis on family. Just my two cents. But from what I hear, it is becoming more like that in Russia, too.

Originally Posted by Deborski

I think there is far too much emphasis on WORK and PRODUCTION in America, and not nearly enough emphasis on family. Just my two cents. But from what I hear, it is becoming more like that in Russia, too.

This is wrong. From my perspective there is much more emphasis on family in the West, especially in America.

Originally Posted by Anixx

This is wrong. From my perspective there is much more emphasis on family in the West, especially in America.

Interesting. What makes you think this?

Originally Posted by Deborski

Interesting. What makes you think this?

The right-wing ideology dominant to America empathizes family. This is even said in Wikipedia. This is because family seen as an instrument of inheritance for rich people. As an example it is often cited that American presidents usually have portraits of their wives and family on their workplace. The wive of the president is usually goes with him, while in the USSR only Georbachev borrowed this practice from the Americans because he admired them and this was widely publicized.

In America sometimes dynasties are involved not only in industrial management but also in politics such as the Bushs and the Clintons which is not the case of Russia.

Although currently the state attempts to impose similar values in Russia, it is still not universally accepted.

Another example is the absence of orphanages in the US where all parentless children get adopted. In Russia there are lots of orphanages.

Originally Posted by Anixx

The right-wing ideology dominant to America empathizes family. This is even said in Wikipedia. This is because family seen as an instrument of inheritance for rich people. As an example it is often cited that American presidents usually have portraits of their wives and family on their workplace. The wive of the president is usually goes with him, while in the USSR only Georbachev borrowed this practice from the Americans because he admired them and this was widely publicized.

In America sometimes dynasties are involved not only in industrial management but also in politics such as the Bushs and the Clintons which is not the case of Russia.

Although currently the state attempts to impose similar values in Russia, it is still not universally accepted.

Another example is the absence of orphanages in the US where all parentless children get adopted. In Russia there are lots of orphanages.

Well, as someone (not rich) who has lived in America most of my life, I would like to point out that not everything you read in Wikipedia is true. This is only an "ideal" - vaunted by America's right-wing conservative christian community.

In reality, many of us are separated from our families. When we graduate high school, many of go away to colleges in different states, far from where we grew up. Once we graduate, if we are lucky enough to find jobs, we may find ourselves living on the other side of the country. We are expected to work long hours, with little time left over for family.

Orphanages - foster homes - believe me, there are plenty.

I cannot fully compare to Russia, because I only lived in Russia a short time in comparison, but from my perspective it seemed that Russians, often living in multigenerational homes, are much more family oriented (in reality) than Americans are.

Originally Posted by Deborski

In reality, those of us who work are expected to sacrifice EVERYTHING for our jobs. There is no excuse here for not working.

Sounds a tad irrational. Why are you so committed to your jobs? For what purpose?

Btw, I watched a movie (Greenberg, 2010) a few weeks ago where a certain carpenter was quite comfortable in his own skin and enjoyed life practically doing nothing. Is it still an outrageous challenge to your social norms or a sign of a new trend?

Originally Posted by diogen_

Sounds a tad irrational. Why are you so committed to your jobs? For what purpose?

Btw, I watched a movie (Greenberg, 2010) a few weeks ago where a certain carpenter was quite comfortable in his own skin and enjoyed life practically doing nothing. Is it still an outrageous challenge to your social norms or a sign of a new trend?

Just a tad? I think it's completely irrational, and that we're headed for a crash.

A lot of us are tired of the corporate-run oppression, but a lot more seem to just think "that is how it is" and their thinking is constantly reinforced by politicians backed by vast sums of cash from corporations.

The rugged individualist American of the past does not fit into the corporocracy. Individuality is not encouraged in corporate systems by and large, although some of the new companies are researching different ways of dealing with employees, but many corporations insist "there is no "I" in TEAM." Sound familiar to you?

Originally Posted by Deborski

I cannot fully compare to Russia, because I only lived in Russia a short time in comparison, but from my perspective it seemed that Russians, often living in multigenerational homes, are much more family oriented (in reality) than Americans are.

Agree
I have been living in Russia almost my whole life and almost 6 years in North America (5 in the US) and I will stand on what I said before - Russians are more bound to their parents and relatives