How I survived the culture shock, returning from America to Kyrgyzstan
'21.02.2019'
Source: kloop.kg
Last spring, I had the unique opportunity to visit the United States of America. Under the cultural exchange program, I lived there for one academic year and was able to better understand everyday American life.
If a year ago, when I was leaving for the United States, Bishkek seemed to me like a million-plus city with a relatively developed infrastructure, full of entertainment and opportunities for self-realization, now the outlook has changed completely, a correspondent says kloop.kg Nurzamal Janibekov.
I'm not saying that Bishkek is not such, but it is definitely far from what I was able to see in the United States.
Surely you will say: “How can you compare the major cities of America and the capital of Kyrgyzstan?”, But I will answer you that I lived in the small town of Athens in Georgia, whose area does not exceed the size of Bishkek, and the population is five times smaller.
Rude service personnel
Probably the first thing that shocks when you return home is the service at Manas airport. When, instead of the usual, constantly smiling and willing to help staff, you are met by disgruntled and rude staff, it becomes very unpleasant.
This is not only the problem of the airport, but the service sector as a whole. This is especially true of public servants. In America, you are always treated very warmly and politely, as a result of which you yourself try to be kinder to all employees.
Emergency roads
The second thing is revealed already on the way from the airport, when on the way home you feel the condition of Kyrgyz roads on yourself. From a large number of pits on the tracks you go and shake in the car.
If in Bishkek roads are usually repaired when they are already in disrepair, in the States these same pits are filled in a timely manner, so the roads are even in even the smallest areas.
Well, in big cities, on huge highways and streets you will not meet even that, because the roads there are already in perfect condition.
Mixed architecture
Bishkek does not have its own architectural ensemble at all, because the buildings are made in different styles: fashionable beautiful buildings are next to the low houses of the Khrushchev era, and small stalls side by side with large shopping centers.
The city in which I lived had its own particular spirit, thanks to the fact that the buildings were made in the same style. Despite the fact that each restaurant and shop had its own unique design, they fit perfectly into the overall composition, which created a special atmosphere.
Clogged public transport
In Bishkek's public transport it is difficult to drive, as it is usually heavily clogged. If you're lucky, you go face to face with other people, and if not, you have to breathe someone's hair.
This is due to the fact that drivers are gaining an excessive number of passengers, and this makes the trip not the most comfortable.
But it is worth paying tribute to the Bishkek transport for accessibility - we can go anywhere in the city at any time for little money, whereas in small cities in America buses only go at a certain time.
This is because Americans, from teenagers to adults, have their own cars.
No road signs
In the United States, a large number of road signs are installed for pedestrians and drivers, which is why everyone, even a person who does not understand anything about driving (like me, for example), can easily master the rules of the road.
At every turn, at every fork there are signs that show what needs to be done at the moment: stop, slow down, do not go along the line. This greatly enhances road culture.
This is also facilitated by high fines for any violations, constantly lighted tabloids on the roads that remind you to fasten yourself, and speeding will lead to disastrous consequences.
Corruption in all areas of life
In Kyrgyzstan, corruption occurs every day and has already taken root in the community. Get help, buy off traffic cops, fix grades at school, university, “motivate” policemen to look for a lost thing or investigate something? Money decides everything!
I have no doubt that the Americans have corruption, but not so deeply she sat down. Each person performs his work efficiently and does it without any monetary incentives.
But here we must understand that salaries in the two countries are different. Most likely, a certain material wealth helps Americans to be more honest. And people in Kyrgyzstan are forced to take bribes because of low wages.
Culture and personal space
Speaking of culture in general, we can say that in the States it is very high in various fields:
- People always stand in line while in line. They are waiting at a decent distance from the person standing in front, so as not to invade his personal space;
- The person who comes in first is sure to hold the door for you;
- If someone accidentally hits you, you can always hear “sorry”, well, and the second word that you will hear all the time is “thank you”;
- Everything just refers to different types of self-expression: you can walk fully patched, wear whatever you want, hold hands with your sweetheart or lover, dye your hair in any color of the rainbow, practice any religion, be of any origin, race or nationality and not catching surprised or judgmental views;
- You will never be told that people do not like about you, because you have the right to uniqueness, individuality in any form, if this, of course, does not contradict the laws.
When I returned home, I realized that Kyrgyzstan had not yet reached such a high level of development, but this did not prevent me from rejoicing at the return to the homeland, where people and nature made me happy.
Maybe the people are not as friendly and open as in the United States, but, I think, very kind and hospitable. And, despite the fact that there are not those benefits that are in America, every Kyrgyzstani loves his country and is ready to work so that it flourishes.
In America, in a year I managed to meet many Americans who are dissatisfied with their lives, their wages and the conditions in which they live.
At the same time, I know so many Kyrgyz people who, not having a small part of it, feel happy. They do not complain about difficulties, but get up every day early in the morning and go to earn money with honest labor.
I sincerely believe that it is we, the people of Kyrgyzstan, who can make our house beautiful and comfortable, because where else, if not in Bishkek, can one admire the beautiful mountain peaks in the center of the city?
