Why Russians don't like Americans
I've just returned from my second trip to Russia, this time I was there for a month. You'll find that in Moscow and St Pete, folks have met Americans (not alot, unless they work in the hotels, etc), and have fewer misconceptions. They know that our culture is less formal and often appears rude and arrogant, but that it's not usually intended. However, outside the cities is a little different. I was the first American most of my new friends had met, and their impressions come from the entertainment media (so I was probably a letdown). However, once they got to know me a little bit, they were very curious about the way we live - they know we have lots of stuff and they want to know how it affects they way we think, not just how we live. And, of course, everyone is different - every Russian as well as every American. (However, I must add that Russians are much more alike than are Ams. They still feel a much greater need to conform than we do. But they're getting over that!)