'I thought they were laughing at me': how did the Americans impress the immigrant from the first minutes of communication
'05.01.2021'
A friend of the blog's author "Where do we live?" on Yandex.Zen, blogger and writer Victoria Gabrielyan moved to the United States many years ago. But he still remembers his first impressions of this country.
Many believe that in the United States, the first thing that catches the eye is the smiles of Americans, others are sure that the too bright appearance of people in the United States may surprise a person unaccustomed, but Victoria remembered something else - compliments that are customary in America to give each other, and which you do not expect if you come to this country for the first time.
“When I came to America twenty years ago, I was surprised at all people who do not smile (I myself am pretty smiling), not clean and free toilets at every step (even in the forest) and not abundance, even to the point of indecency, everywhere and in everything. I was surprised at the compliments that strangers say to each other at every turn. And, by the way, quite sincerely, "- said Victoria.
She recalled her first encounter with the American habit of complimenting strangers. This happened immediately upon arrival in the States.
“When I, back at the airport, when I just landed on American soil, the lady at the customs said that she liked my hair color (I had a shade of“ eggplant ”), I fell into a stupor. And my ex-husband got off his feet to explain that they are not laughing at me, but fully respect my choice of hair color, "added Victoria.
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She said that after that she faced similar compliments many times, and still notices that in the USA it is customary to say some pleasant words to each other, even if they are strangers, even if it is some trifle.
“And then it rained down: what a beautiful scarf you have (in the store), I like the color of your nail polish (at the doctor's appointment), I adore your shoes (at a concert, when I'm on stage, not my game, mind you, but - shoes). I really love this quality of Americans. And I myself say compliments, and I'm not afraid to say: “I love everyone!”, ”Said Victoria.
Original column published on the blog. "Where do we live?" on Yandex.Zen
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