New habits that the American acquired in Russia
'25.01.2020'
Source: Reporter
American Joanna Stein lived and worked in Russia for two years. Returning to her homeland, she brought with her new habits. She considers some of them even very useful and suitable for life in the USA. Others simply remained in memory, the girl does not use them in America, writes Reporter.
Cult slippers
At first, Joanna was surprised that when she went to visit her Russian friends, she was offered to take off her shoes and put on slippers. But then she realized how convenient and pleasant this Russian tradition is. Indeed, in slippers, the legs feel much more comfortable than in street shoes. And the dirt from the street does not spread around the apartment.
Now she herself at home, in America, wears slippers with pleasure and offers to wear them to her guests.
Public Transport
Perhaps partly the habit of the Russians not to wear street shoes at home is due to the fact that many people here do not take private vehicles, but use public or walk. In Russian cities, most of them move using public transport, rather than in private cars, as in America.
Joanna noted that in Russia the network of buses, trams and subways is more developed than in the USA. This allows people to move freely around the city without having their own cars.
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Be beautiful for no reason
If an American can afford to leave the house in a shapeless, rumpled T-shirt, without hair and makeup, then most Russian girls do not. And this is not only about employees of companies where there is a strict dress code. In Russia, a woman should always look beautiful in public, and not just on a special occasion. Therefore, a Russian girl who met on the street with a carefully styled hairstyle, flawless make-up and high heels is most likely a rule rather than an exception.
Returning to America, Joanna continued to monitor her appearance and even learned to wear high-heeled shoes daily.
You want to be clean - temper
Most of us are familiar with the situation when hot water is turned off for about two weeks in the summer. Of course, we are talking about those who have hot water entering the apartment through a water supply. And then we have to either warm the water in the basins, or swim in the cold shower. If the street is hot, then for many of us it is a pleasure to freshen up under a cold stream of water. And there is no particular choice. If you want to maintain hygiene, bathe in cold water.
For Joanna, at first the lack of hot water was a serious test, but then she even began to like it. Now in the US, she occasionally takes a refreshing and invigorating cold shower with pleasure.
Russian tea
Among Americans, tea is usually associated with the British. Joanna also used to think that the world's leading tea lovers live in England, but now she doesn't think so. What was her surprise when she came across a Russian tea party.
At work, her Russian colleagues often took small breaks after a spiritual conversation and a cup of tea. And when she came to visit, she was surely offered tea.
She did not bring the habit of regular tea parties to America, but she always keeps a pack of tea in case any of her Russian friends come to visit her.
Amazing build
In America, nobody cares about your build. Everyone doesn’t care whether you are complete or not. But in Russia, as noted by Joanna, everything is different.
The most interesting thing is that it has a slender and miniature figure. The Russians, having learned that she was an American, were very surprised. Indeed, according to many Russians, all Americans, except for Hollywood actresses, are fat and ugly. Well, not only Americans have false stereotypes, we also sometimes suffer from them.
Why wash your hands
Having been in Russia, Joanna acquired a very useful habit - to wash her hands immediately after coming home. She took it from her Russian acquaintances.
It seems to us usual and natural that, having entered the house, you should immediately wash your hands. After all, they donkey invisible layer of street dust. Americans, oddly enough, are not accustomed to this.
Joanna and now, being in America, each time, stepping on the threshold of the house, first of all she goes into the bathroom and washes her hands with soap.
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Toilet paper
Joanna did not immediately get used to the fact that there is usually no toilet paper in the booths of public paid lavatories in Russia. Most often it is stored at the entrance where the cashier is located. A roll of this essential item is present in a single copy. Everyone who wants to do this simply unloads the right amount to himself and goes to the booth.
Why do we need two entrance doors?
It seemed to Joanna, and even now it seems, strange that some of her Russian acquaintances at home have two front doors. Moreover, two entrances do not lead to their apartments, just two doors are installed at one entrance - one after the other.
She did not understand why this was necessary - for safety reasons or for warming. Only now hesitate to ask. So it was for her the biggest Russian mystery.
