Personal experience: 6 rules of the Americans, which should be adopted by everyone
'14.09.2019'
Source: New Time
My big maternity trip to America is an immersion in American life as it is. Dived and study. I'm doing my little anthropological study. I formulate for myself the general rules of life, by which everything is saturated here and to which everything is subordinated to a different degree. All areas of life: life, travel, medicine, language practice. So far there are six such rules, writes Natalya Emchenko for New Time.
1. Simplify
Americans seek to simplify. In architecture, clothing, organization of everyday life (do not iron things, buy ready-made food or semi-finished products, and so on), in the level of bureaucracy, decision making. Where it is difficult to simplify at times. Where average is easy to simplify. Where it is simple, but possible even easier - to the extreme point.
The complex here does not take root, does not survive, does not integrate. All life, all services, medicine, communication with the state - everything is permeated by this principle. And simplify without losing the basic meaning.
For example, in one of the nearest schools there is a queue. Big one. The rest of the schools are far away; children need to be taken there. So, the line is controlled by a lottery. Lucky - you're in it. No luck - no. I ask: “Why don't you select the best children?” They answer: "Why complicate it?" Really, I think, why?
2. Do
Take and do. No feats and tears. And without much doubt. In any unclear situation, just start. Don't wait for anyone or anything. To get started, you just need to start. Actually, as it seems to me, this is also about “simplifying”. Just make a decision and act.
It is from this rule that the hospital comes from (which were built mainly at the expense of patrons, the walls of clinics are strewn with tablets with the names of local residents who made large donations), parks and squares (from benches to ponds - everything was created thanks to the same patrons), universities, churches, concert halls.
Dozens and hundreds of small local initiatives come from the same rule. From bike paths to solar panels in playgrounds. Americans really have little faith in the state, despite all its greatness. I don’t like how something works - do it better. Take a step, then another step. And so, step by step.
Americans smile everywhere, simply because it’s easier to live. Hence, the willingness to move from place to place, change professions, generally change everything.
On the subject: Point of view: the myth of fake smiles and dumb Americans
3. Live
In the sense - to enjoy life. Let simple joys into it. Celebrate. Have fun. Be yourself and don't care what others say. Live with those who bring joy. Rejoice, yes. Rejoice out loud. Loud, confident, out loud. So that everyone knows and hears. After all, what could be more important and better than joy?
And if something / who is not happy - out of sight, out of mind. And at any age. Both 50 and 60 years are great for happiness or to start all over again.
It is from here - the American habit of smiling. Americans smile everywhere, simply because it’s easier to live. Hence the willingness to move from place to place, change professions, points of application, generally change everything. Yes, a huge number of failures, but also a considerable number of victories and breakthroughs.
Hence, fantastic outfits in the most unexpected places: people with pots on their heads, dressed as supermen, in crowns, in the guise of Elvis or Marilyn walk the streets, stand in lines, go in public transport, and come to the doctor’s appointments.
Very calm attitude to overweight. And in general - to your body. Like, why upset. This does not mean that the Americans do not take care of themselves at all, do not play sports. This means that they do this not out of hatred of their imperfect body, but out of love for it.
Hence, the habit of complimenting strangers, if you want. After all, if you can, why not make even one person happier? After all, nothing is needed for this, only your desire. What is worth approaching a stranger and saying that he looks amazing? Especially if it looks amazing. Nothing. So you need to say, without fail.
4. There is
In general, if a new religion arises in America, it will be about food. And not just about food, but about barbecue. In the USA they eat a lot, all the time, everywhere. In parks and squares, in special areas for barbecue. They eat on boats, on benches, on beaches. In amusement parks and attractions. Large square chests-refrigerators are taken everywhere with them, from which they take and absorb tasty and harmful.
In cafes and restaurants they also eat. But this does not even compare with the scale of the barbecue and outing revels.
In general, cafes and restaurants in America are a separate story and a separate genre. As a rule, a democratic format. As a rule, with a focus on those who live nearby. Those who come in every day, who know each other and all the waiters by name. With the question “what is your name” every time you place an order (your name will be entered on the order and on the receipt). With fun, noisy traditions. For example, in one of the local crab cafe-restaurants, the cashier announces into the microphone that there is a birthday boy in the hall, and all visitors knock on the table with hammers for a couple of minutes and shout the traditional “Happy Birthday” and congratulations. It's very loud, but also incredibly cute.
The cafe here is not a public catering, it's a neighbor. Or often - a continuation of their own kitchen.
On the subject: 5 strange habits of Americans who will surprise any Russian
5. Earn
Earn. Earn. Earn Money: Americans talk about money out loud and out loud. But not about how to get rich. And about how to make money. Projects, projects, startups - everything will work. What if it shoots. But what if. Need to try.
Americans work precisely to earn. Unlike Europe, there are many convenience stores and pharmacies. Supermarkets open until midnight. Services that can be ordered at almost any time of the day.
In America, making money is practically a function of the body that is brought up, nurtured from early childhood. Sending to work in eateries and gas stations of teenage children. Hiring foreign teenagers in babysitters to their babies.
6. Loving children
Maybe it sounds weird, maybe obvious. But babies cause delight in Americans. Present. Genuine. Mimic. Even huge tattooed horsemen. In a fit of this delight, the Americans look into the strollers with their children, spread out in a smile, tell their parents that they have not seen a more beautiful child. And they go further on the rise of an unprecedented.
The pediatrician will begin the appointment with the fact that you have the most beautiful baby in the world, and he would not refuse this. Then he will familiarly pick up the baby in his arms just to play and crawl with him. And only then he will make a rapid, by our standards, a superficial examination, because why complicate things (see point # 1). In general, the topic of American medicine is a large separate topic, which will be the next blog.
These six rules are quite applicable anywhere in the world; they have no rocket science. They have their pros and cons. But, understanding them, it is easy to understand and accept all sorts of oddities and surprises traveling around America. And to receive from them (oddities and features) is not stress, but pleasure.
