http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/wo...WT.mc_ev=click

An interesting article. It includes comments on how personal issues are handled in each nation.

Other differences: Russians would never think of hiring teenage babysitters. (That's what grandparents are for.)

If you are familiar with other cultural differences, please feel free to share them.

[unaluna]

As a first generation Italian American, the article makes me kinda homesick. I was raised in a different culture, more like the one described. It's hard to straddle that line. The next generation usually does better.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/wo...WT.mc_ev=click

An interesting article. It includes comments on how personal issues are handled in each nation.

Other differences: Russians would never think of hiring teenage babysitters. (That's what grandparents are for.)

If you are familiar with other cultural differences, please feel free to share them.

my opinion of the article is that that the author makes americans out to be all the same for example he says Americans leave their curtains open at night... not all americans do that and in fact everyone I know does ****not***leave their windows covered at night even in the summer time. its not american culture that dictates whether americans leave their windows uncovered or not. its the weather, or the need for fresh air, the need for lighting. ... there are many reasons why someone here in america would leave their curtains open at night, but there are just as many reasons why americans choose to close their curtains at night too.

the article also doesnt say that with in america there are many different cultures.. the different Indian cultures, black culture, white culture, spanish culture, theres even a neighborhood called "china town" where everything is of the Chinese culture, ...america is made up of many diverse races and cultures. it isnt one shoe fits all country.

in the article it also states other Russian authors say Americans never say things they dont mean, and curiosity is absent..lol I know many Americans that say things they dont mean and are very curious about things...

over all my o-pinion is to each his own meaning of course there are going to be articles out that make judgement and comparisons of life.. that's part of being human and having a brain that thinks and has their own way of thinking.

[pachyderm]

I close my curtains at night!

I don't open my curtains, period! It's curious how the Russian way of dealing with problems is buying a bottle of vodka (all alcoholic beverages are depressants) and having a talk with a friend even if it means knocking on their door at 3 A.M.! Talk therapy is conducted with friends.

Also, I just saw a NYC local TV report on how dangerous it is to leave your children in the care of their grandparents - a Russian tradition. In comparison, the Russian author noted the cultural difference that American parents would rather leave their children in the care of teenage babysitters over the children's grandparents. Here is evidence that this tradition has really taken root into our culture. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/80...nd-child-care/

Originally Posted by amandalouise

my opinion of the article is that that the author makes americans out to be all the same for example he says Americans leave their curtains open at night... not all americans do that and in fact everyone I know does ****not***leave their windows covered at night even in the summer time. its not american culture that dictates whether americans leave their windows uncovered or not. its the weather, or the need for fresh air, the need for lighting. ... there are many reasons why someone here in america would leave their curtains open at night, but there are just as many reasons why americans choose to close their curtains at night too.

the article also doesnt say that with in america there are many different cultures.. the different Indian cultures, black culture, white culture, spanish culture, theres even a neighborhood called "china town" where everything is of the Chinese culture, ...america is made up of many diverse races and cultures. it isnt one shoe fits all country.

in the article it also states other Russian authors say Americans never say things they dont mean, and curiosity is absent..lol I know many Americans that say things they dont mean and are very curious about things...

over all my o-pinion is to each his own meaning of course there are going to be articles out that make judgement and comparisons of life.. that's part of being human and having a brain that thinks and has their own way of thinking.

I think it's fascinating to read how other cultures perceive us! The point is not whether one agrees with what is said or not. A book of this nature that briefly summarizes our diverse nation will deal mainly with stereotypes. As noted, most Americans close their curtains at night! To be fair, the author is probably also dealing with Russian stereotypes!

Here in NYC, which is very diverse, it is interesting to speak with tourists and see their reaction to a place like this. I once spoke with a Norweigan tourist who could not believe how diverse (with an exclamation point!) the peope here are. I have a Persian friend who was shocked to see that everyone did not dress 24/7 in the designer clothing one sees TV characters wearing.

[DenisDonnacha]

That was a good read, I'm taking it with a pinch of salt though, as said earlier it's probably dealing in some stereotypes of both nations.
Cultural differences are always interesting, it can be a real shock sometimes too when you go somewhere expecting the people there to be what you saw on tv or read about and they're not.