Life in the USA: expectations and reality in the experience of a Russian-speaking immigrant
'05.11.2021'
Source: Yandex Zen
Author of the channel "Elena in America" on "Yandex Zen" spoke about her own expectations regarding life in the US and what reality turned out to be. What did you find out?
1. Waiting: assumed that Americans live in big cities, in high-rise buildings, and go around the house in slippers or barefoot.
- Reality: most of the country's inhabitants live in one-story America, in their homes, and many walk around the house in street shoes.
2. Waiting: Americans do not grow vegetables and fruits in the garden, as is common in Russia.
- Reality: in our state, many have garden beds, and Americans, for the sake of self-indulgence, grow various vegetables and fruits. The most common are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, herbs, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
3. Waiting: only policemen and criminals own weapons.
- Reality: Buying weapons in the USA is almost as easy as going to the grocery store.
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4. Waiting: in the USA I will celebrate the New Year on a grand scale.
- Reality: many Americans celebrate this holiday in a restaurant and at parties, get laid off on January 1, and 2 numbers already go to work.
5. Waiting: I thought that it was difficult to get to Canada from the USA.
- Reality: if you have a green card and drive a car, you do not need a visa and you will be easily allowed into Canada. They say that in Mexico, too, but has not yet verified.
6. Waiting: I believed that the worst roads in my life were in the Russian city of Kirov.
- Reality: Detroit’s roads can give them a head start.
7. Waiting: I never thought about such a piquant detail.
- Reality: It turned out that about 80% of adult Americans are circumcised.
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8. Waiting: thought we would eat fast food regularly.
- Reality: eat, but only once every couple of months. Here you can find almost any cuisine in the world, for every taste and budget.
9. Waiting: I was afraid that I would feel uncomfortable among the locals.
- Reality: I am comfortable communicating with the Americans, and I have already adopted something (do not give unsolicited advice, smile at strangers, compliment, tie up and maintain a small talk).
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10. Waiting: I expected that I would be “blunt” from American English for a long time.
- Reality: I almost didn't "stupid", although I studied British at school and university.
And what were your expectations and how did they diverge from reality? Share your experience!
