Talking here as a Russian person who came to the US a few years ago I still have relatively fresh look at cultural differences between America and Russia, where I'm originally from. But what I found interesting is that I had to take some time to think about all the cultural distinctions that astonished me the first time I got to the States. Apparently I assimilated faster than I thought I would.
The main dissimilarities that influence many other discrepancies take root from different mentalities of highly individualistic and personalized approach of western civilization in the US and a long time historical collectivism and socialism that influences mind set of generations. What also brought my attention is that Russian and American people think in different categories, in Russia people don’t look at the future more than 5 years ahead meanwhile in the US people plan their lives ahead and try to follow it. This phenomenon also comes from different economical and political stability in the countries which influence people’s way of thinking about the future.
From the parenting point of view our cultures differ too, which I found very curious. The Russian fathers generally care less about children and the opposite is true for the American fathers. This can be a result of maturity also because Russian couples on average have kids earlier than American couples. The woman in Russia usually the ones who want children in the first place and they are very caring mothers no matter if their kid is 5, 25 or 50 years old, which can be annoying sometimes. Whereas American women does not seem to be so much into having children, even though they might like them. They concern more about their careers and themselves first and think about kids later (individualism what can you do). I personally think closer to American way who have children later, build their carriers first, and take equal responsibilities for rising their children.
One last interesting thing I would like to mention here as well is stereotypes....yes, old fashioned stereotypes who in our modern, progressed and technological advanced world still rule people's opinion about features that each culture has when there is a lack of awareness. And stereotypes by American people about Russian are not an exception. Some of them are funny and harmless and some are kind of nasty and unpleasant for me as the Russian person. I bet many people would understand what I’m trying to say here so let me stick just to the funny ones. The stereotypical understanding is that Russia is a faraway, snowy country, where one must wear a fur coat and valenki (felt boots), people do nothing but drink vodka and play balalaikas, while bears are leaving their forest homes to go walking down village streets. This stereotype is still popular and it makes me laugh every time I hear it. However, it also reminds me that I myself also should not make opinions about a culture based on stereotypes and common believes because there is so much more to it that for a manager who wants to expand internationally it can be critical.
The main dissimilarities that influence many other discrepancies take root from different mentalities of highly individualistic and personalized approach of western civilization in the US and a long time historical collectivism and socialism that influences mind set of generations. What also brought my attention is that Russian and American people think in different categories, in Russia people don’t look at the future more than 5 years ahead meanwhile in the US people plan their lives ahead and try to follow it. This phenomenon also comes from different economical and political stability in the countries which influence people’s way of thinking about the future.
From the parenting point of view our cultures differ too, which I found very curious. The Russian fathers generally care less about children and the opposite is true for the American fathers. This can be a result of maturity also because Russian couples on average have kids earlier than American couples. The woman in Russia usually the ones who want children in the first place and they are very caring mothers no matter if their kid is 5, 25 or 50 years old, which can be annoying sometimes. Whereas American women does not seem to be so much into having children, even though they might like them. They concern more about their careers and themselves first and think about kids later (individualism what can you do). I personally think closer to American way who have children later, build their carriers first, and take equal responsibilities for rising their children.
I agree about the stereotypes. it is funny, but its also sad because some people truly think that Russia is a big always cold economically and technologically undeveloped village where there's no summer and where bears are walking in the streets. It shows how some people are uneducated.
ReplyDeleteGood piece of work, Alla! So true about stereotypes. No matter what country you are from there's always gonna be funny and upsetting ideas people have about you. I could relate to many things you've mentioned here:different roles of man and women back home,adopting to this society quickly, expanding our own horizons just by living among so many different people. And yes,learning to respect those differences is the key to many doors in business : )
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that parenting in Russia is very different compare to Korean way. Lot of the Korean parents often place supporting children on the top of their life-ladder, so that they spend the most of their income into the education and well-being of the children.
ReplyDeleteActually i kind of like the way American parents raising their children. They treat their kids as indepent individuals who have thir own thinks. Unlike them, many Asian parents, especially fathers, want their children to follow the path they've designed.
ReplyDeletePS. I have to admit that when you mentioned you came from Russia, i immediately think of Vodka and extraordinary cold weather.
Interesting thoughts. I believe i assimilated the American culture too fast and had some difficulties to find differences to write about in this assignment, as well. However, stereotyping is something we should always try to eliminate due to various reasons. Above all, because it's an irrational thought, therefore unfair and without support. I also found the same problem when I moved here. Being from Brazil, I many time hear stories that Brazil is a big party place, where people only go to the beach, play football, walk around in bikinis and speedos... Very far from the truth. Brazil is an emerging country and economy, where people are working very hard to change its history. And management is a very important tool we rely on for success.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Alla. And i want to add my 5 cents to the issue of stereotyping other cultures - unfortunately it will not be possible to eliminate unless you go and experience it yourself. What we know about other cultures is based on what we ones saw on TV, read in a magazine or have been told to think a certain way.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that i would respectively disagree with you on is what you've mentioned about American women and how they care about their kids. I do not have kids yet, but i have not met even one woman in USA who wouldn't love, cherish or adore her baby. I can agree on not having enough time to spend with the little ones because NYC does not let you stop, you have to wake up in a morning and run, run, run. But American women, or women i know personally, will do anything to make their child feel loved. Russian women have more time to be with their kids or just don't have that kind of pressure as American women do.
I would like to start off by saying your response was very informative and well organized. You brought some interesting points about the differences between Russian and American culture as far as views of raising children and planning for the future. To go off on a tangent, I would like to compare the differences and similarities Asian and Russian culture.
ReplyDeleteIn a Chinese household similar to Russians, the fathers play a small or even unexisting role in the growing of their children. To them their is no going to baseball games, bringing your kids to practice or extra-cirricular events. Luckily, to counter the lack of guidance, the Asian mother is just the opposite. Like a Russian mom, from birth till your 20, and even after you have your own kids, they will still call and check up on you. The three words to show the unbreakable bond between my mother and I is "did you eat yet?" Generally in American culture after the child is 18 the parents tend to let the children spread their wings, make their own mistakes and so on. Similar you your my mother still calls me up and try and give me financial advice, such as investing in real-estate and so on so I can retire early...blah blah.... The point is they never let go which can be argued as both a pro and a con.
As far as investing into the future, that's where we differ. My parents started making smart investments for the "future" since they were in their early 30's. Instead of enjoying life now and buying that new BMW they rather go with the Honda and eat at home. It's partially their cultural background, but also because of the living cost in the United States. Generally in the U.S we have one of the highest living standards in the world, so to survive here you need money, thats the bottom line. Even with planning for the "future" (past few years) and working hard, majority of them still end up in debt. So it's not so much that Americans want to plan far into the future, the country we live in dictate we do.