Thread: Thinking about possible travel to the US - some question

Can you please start a new thread with the cultural differences you mentioned? I'm going to Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus for the first time in a few weeks so am very interested in hearing about the differences. I'm an American.


Thank you,

Scott

Originally Posted by Deborski

Those sound like very silly rumors to me. If you come to America, the main thing is to just be aware of cultural differences. I have lived in both America and Russia so there are few things I could say that might help. For one, people in Russia are comfortable with much closer personal space than Americans are. Americans don't like to get too close to you physically (unless they are drunk or horny) so you should generally just be aware of that. Russians also like to be very helpful to strangers. I remember a Russian guy brushing dirt off of my coat when I was living there. In America, that would be a little strange and even intrusive. There are many more cultural differences - big ones - but for a tourist trip here, these are the main things to think about. I would not listen to silly rumors like the ones you heard. Just be respectful of people, and they will (usually) be respectful to you!

Originally Posted by fortheether

Can you please start a new thread with the cultural differences you mentioned? I'm going to Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus for the first time in a few weeks so am very interested in hearing about the differences. I'm an American.


Thank you,

Scott

i would not recommend traveling on a car, the road police a lot of times is acting unlawfully and will frame you up

please do not try to bribe anyone, even if conditions allow to

be particularly wary of extortion at the customs, it can come in many guises

if medical workers demand money for something covered by your medical insurance don't give in, unless of course your health profoundly depends on your decision.

keep a mobile phone to use for calls within the country you're in and a couple of numbers of the US consulate in that country
do not hesitate to threat will a phone call to the consulate if any official is harassing you

if you happen to have to protect your rights, basically do it as you would do so in the US

in Ukraine police emergency number is 102, ambulance 103

don't try to bring into Ukraine gadgets with built in video camera (except cell phone) this is prosecutable as criminal offence

of course it's best if you have someone from the locals keeping company with you

Thank you - a lot of real good ideas!!! What about staying in a Russian home with Russians including sleeping there?


I've never bribed anyone in my life and plan to keep it that way.

Thank you,

Scott

Originally Posted by LXNDR

i would not recommend traveling on a car, the road police a lot of times is acting unlawfully and will frame you up

please do not try to bribe anyone, even if conditions allow to

be particularly wary of extortion at the customs, it can come in many guises

if medical workers demand money for something covered by your medical insurance don't give in, unless of course your health profoundly depends on your decision.

keep a mobile phone to use for calls within the country you're in and a couple of numbers of the US consulate in that country
do not hesitate to threat will a phone call to the consulate if any official is harassing you

if you happen to have to protect your rights, basically do it as you would do so in the US

in Ukraine police emergency number is 102, ambulance 103

don't try to bring into Ukraine gadgets with built in video camera (except cell phone) this is prosecutable as criminal offence

of course it's best if you have someone from the locals keeping company with you

Originally Posted by fortheether

Thank you - a lot of real good ideas!!! What about staying in a Russian home with Russians including sleeping there?

are you considering this because you think it's cheaper?

i won't speak for Russia, because I live in Ukraine, but a hotel or an apartment rented on an hourly basis could be an option to consider just because in this case you're your own master, not sharing the space with anyone else. These apartment offers can be found in local newspapers.

In Moscow we are staying at our friends place.

Scott

Originally Posted by LXNDR

are you considering this because you think it's cheaper?

i won't speak for Russia, because I live in Ukraine, but a hotel or an apartment rented on an hourly basis could be an option to consider just because in this case you're your own master, not sharing the space with anyone else. These apartment offers can be found in local newspapers.

Originally Posted by fortheether

Can you please start a new thread with the cultural differences you mentioned? I'm going to Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus for the first time in a few weeks so am very interested in hearing about the differences. I'm an American.


Thank you,

Scott

As for the safety rules in Russia, I would advise the following:
Russia is generally a safe place for foreigners, but you have to apply some common sense:
- Buy a local SIM-card rather than using your home one, it will help you to save your money greatly;
- Don't take too much cash with you (there are lots of ATM machines in all big cities, many big stores also accept credit cards) - generally, a few thousand roubles would be enough, and you can always withdraw more cash when you need;
- Always take your passport and visa, it may help if some problems (and better keep it in you pocket, not in your bag);
- Better call a taxi by phone, rather than stopping it in the street. Or, if you stop a taxi in the street, discuss the price in advance before even getting in (otherwise a taxi driver may charge you several times more because you are a foreigner);
- Use public transportation when possible, it is cheap and quite safe. Some big cities in Russia have an underground system - that might be the best option for you.
- That's OK to shop in an official store. But do not shop in a market alone for the same reason: you would most likely be charged extra price for being a foreigner;
- Do not flash your money in a crowdy place;
- Do not buy anything from strangers in the street;
- Do not drink with strangers;
- Do not walk alone in a dark deserted street;
- It would be excellent if you find some friends you can trust to;
- Do not do anything illegal of course.

As to the cultural differences, there are many of them. You will notice them easily. What comes to my mind first:
- Do not expect strangers to smile to you. Russians do not smile as often as Americans do. That does not mean they do not like you. The reason is the smile in Russia is understood differently: you have to have a reason for smiling! We smile to a baby, we smile to close friends when we are really glad to see them, we smile to someone we like and know well, we smile when we are really happy or when something is really funny. In USA, a smile is a neutral sign. In Russia, no smile is a neutral sign, and a smile should be sincere.
- Generally, Russians do not like insincerity. If asking "How are you?" (Как дела?) in Russia, be ready to hear a honest answer, not just the universal "fine" as in the US. A Russian will not usually say he is fine if he has some problems at the moment. He will tell you some story about his problems instead.
- For the same reason as above, Russians do not like a meaningless "small talk" between strangers. That is not customary to talk to people you do not know in order just "to fill a pause": in a supermarket line, in an elevator, in a hotel corridor etc. unless you really need to ask something.
- But Russians are usually very warm and open with their friends. If you make friends with someone, you can expect sincere heart-to-heart conversation with them.
- Russian women are 0%-feminists. They expect signs of attention from men: a man is expected to open a door for a lady, to offer his seat in a public bus, he MUST take her heavy bag to carry, he MUST offer his hand to a lady when exiting a car, a bus or a tram (the man should exit first). He MUST pay for her in a restaurant if dating. Failing to do so is considered rude and "uncultured".
- When invited to someone's home, ALWAYS take your shoes off before entering an appartement.

There are of course more to come. But at least I would recommend that you follow that advice.

Originally Posted by Боб Уайтман

As for the safety rules in Russia, I would advise the following:
Russia is generally a safe place for foreigners, but you have to apply some common sense:
- Buy a local SIM-card rather than using your home one, it will help you to save your money greatly;
- Don't take too much cash with you (there are lots of ATM machines in all big cities, many big stores also accept credit cards) - generally, a few thousand roubles would be enough, and you can always withdraw more cash when you need;
- Always take your passport and visa, it may help if some problems (and better keep it in you pocket, not in your bag);
- Better call a taxi by phone, rather than stopping it in the street. Or, if you stop a taxi in the street, discuss the price in advance before even getting in (otherwise a taxi driver may charge you several times more because you are a foreigner);
- Use public transportation when possible, it is cheap and quite safe. Some big cities in Russia have an underground system - that might be the best option for you.
- That's OK to shop in an official store. But do not shop in a market alone for the same reason: you would most likely be charged extra price for being a foreigner;
- Do not flash your money in a crowdy place;
- Do not buy anything from strangers in the street;
- Do not drink with strangers;
- Do not walk alone in a dark deserted street;
- It would be excellent if you find some friends you can trust to;
- Do not do anything illegal of course.

As to the cultural differences, there are many of them. You will notice them easily. What comes to my mind first:
- Do not expect strangers to smile to you. Russians do not smile as often as Americans do. That does not mean they do not like you. The reason is the smile in Russia is understood differently: you have to have a reason for smiling! We smile to a baby, we smile to close friends when we are really glad to see them, we smile to someone we like and know well, we smile when we are really happy or when something is really funny. In USA, a smile is a neutral sign. In Russia, no smile is a neutral sign, and a smile should be sincere.
- Generally, Russians do not like insincerity. If asking "How are you?" (Как дела?) in Russia, be ready to hear a honest answer, not just the universal "fine" as in the US. A Russian will not usually say he is fine if he has some problems at the moment. He will tell you some story about his problems instead.
- For the same reason as above, Russians do not like a meaningless "small talk" between strangers. That is not customary to talk to people you do not know in order just "to fill a pause": in a supermarket line, in an elevator, in a hotel corridor etc. unless you really need to ask something.
- But Russians are usually very warm and open with their friends. If you make friends with someone, you can expect sincere heart-to-heart conversation with them.
- Russian women are 0%-feminists. They expect signs of attention from men: a man is expected to open a door for a lady, to offer his seat in a public bus, he MUST take her heavy bag to carry, he MUST offer his hand to a lady when exiting a car, a bus or a tram (the man should exit first). He MUST pay for her in a restaurant if dating. Failing to do so is considered rude and "uncultured".
- When invited to someone's home, ALWAYS take your shoes off before entering an appartement.

There are of course more to come. But at least I would recommend that you follow that advice.

Excellent.A very interesting read.

Thank you!!!! Very big help.

Originally Posted by Боб Уайтман

As for the safety rules in Russia, I would advise the following:
Russia is generally a safe place for foreigners, but you have to apply some common sense:
- Buy a local SIM-card rather than using your home one, it will help you to save your money greatly;
- Don't take too much cash with you (there are lots of ATM machines in all big cities, many big stores also accept credit cards) - generally, a few thousand roubles would be enough, and you can always withdraw more cash when you need;
- Always take your passport and visa, it may help if some problems (and better keep it in you pocket, not in your bag);
- Better call a taxi by phone, rather than stopping it in the street. Or, if you stop a taxi in the street, discuss the price in advance before even getting in (otherwise a taxi driver may charge you several times more because you are a foreigner);
- Use public transportation when possible, it is cheap and quite safe. Some big cities in Russia have an underground system - that might be the best option for you.
- That's OK to shop in an official store. But do not shop in a market alone for the same reason: you would most likely be charged extra price for being a foreigner;
- Do not flash your money in a crowdy place;
- Do not buy anything from strangers in the street;
- Do not drink with strangers;
- Do not walk alone in a dark deserted street;
- It would be excellent if you find some friends you can trust to;
- Do not do anything illegal of course.

As to the cultural differences, there are many of them. You will notice them easily. What comes to my mind first:
- Do not expect strangers to smile to you. Russians do not smile as often as Americans do. That does not mean they do not like you. The reason is the smile in Russia is understood differently: you have to have a reason for smiling! We smile to a baby, we smile to close friends when we are really glad to see them, we smile to someone we like and know well, we smile when we are really happy or when something is really funny. In USA, a smile is a neutral sign. In Russia, no smile is a neutral sign, and a smile should be sincere.
- Generally, Russians do not like insincerity. If asking "How are you?" (Как дела?) in Russia, be ready to hear a honest answer, not just the universal "fine" as in the US. A Russian will not usually say he is fine if he has some problems at the moment. He will tell you some story about his problems instead.
- For the same reason as above, Russians do not like a meaningless "small talk" between strangers. That is not customary to talk to people you do not know in order just "to fill a pause": in a supermarket line, in an elevator, in a hotel corridor etc. unless you really need to ask something.
- But Russians are usually very warm and open with their friends. If you make friends with someone, you can expect sincere heart-to-heart conversation with them.
- Russian women are 0%-feminists. They expect signs of attention from men: a man is expected to open a door for a lady, to offer his seat in a public bus, he MUST take her heavy bag to carry, he MUST offer his hand to a lady when exiting a car, a bus or a tram (the man should exit first). He MUST pay for her in a restaurant if dating. Failing to do so is considered rude and "uncultured".
- When invited to someone's home, ALWAYS take your shoes off before entering an appartement.

There are of course more to come. But at least I would recommend that you follow that advice.