Breaking Stereotypes

[peacetraveler22]

Someone recently sent me this meme and it makes complete sense to me. It highlights one of the main stereotypes of Russians - that they're cold and emotionless. In my first Russian post, I essentially said the same thing after observing average Russians on the street. I've watched many speeches by Putin and it's true that his expression rarely changes. I spent New Year's Eve last year with Russian speakers, watching Russian holiday programs and Putin's New Year's speech to the nation. It was completely bizarre that on a festive occasion he displayed no smile or enthusiasm, standing there like a robot reading off a teleprompter. In contrast, Obama is perhaps one of our most emotional Presidents. He's stern when necessary but also shows signs of emotion, crying or laughing in speeches as the subject dictates. He's often photographed playing with his kids, going on dates with his wife, or drinking a beer. I like it. It makes him human and people easily relate to him. It has nothing to do with the politics of our respective nations and leaders, but rather to personalities and the way we interact with one another.

One of the main purposes of  my blog is to help bridge the gap between Russians and Americans, to help us better understand one another and our cultures. So this weekend let's have an honest and open discussion about stereotypes.

Each year at my apartment pool we have foreign lifeguards who come to America on work/travel programs sponsored by the U.S. government. I was speaking with a Serbian guard yesterday who told me about his "crazy" Russian roommate. "She's crazy." These are the only words he used to describe her. Obviously I don't think you're all crazy, or I wouldn't take the time to write here and communicate with you. But it's a common perception of Russians - that "they're crazy." :) Here are some others, broken down by gender:

Russian Men        

- Raging alcoholics, drinking vodka at all hours of the day
- Chauvinistic
- More aggressive than American men
- Many are part of the Russian mob, driving around in black SUV's

Russian Women

- All are beautiful
- They are always dressed up, wearing heels and make-up
- They are very easy and slutty
- Desperate to marry a Westerner
- Happy to stay at home, pop out babies and make dinner for husbands
- Mail order brides

I don't really know many Russian stereotypes about American men, but I suspect the following are at the top of the list for American women:

- We're ugly
- We take no pride in appearance
- We're "manly", having lost all sense of femininity
- We emasculate men
- We're all raging feminists :))

On the gender front, there's absolutely no doubt that gender roles are more clearly defined in Russia. In the States, male/female roles are often blurred in relationships. I don't necessarily think this is a good thing, but it's a result of the feminist movement. Despite the accusations of many, I'm not a feminist. Men and women each bring unique attributes to relationships, and it becomes complicated when there are power struggles at every level. However, I don't believe a woman's sole place should be in the kitchen or changing diapers. We're much more than that, and can compete with men on an intellectual and professional level. I make more money than almost every man I've dated, really have no desire to have children, and am happy to pump my own gas. Would it be a problem for a Russian man? Maybe? And I'm very independent. I don't expect a man to pay for everything, constantly buy me things, or show other signs of superficial affection. It's not a way to express love in my opinion. This doesn't mean that I don't like a bouquet of flowers or other surprises on occasion, but it's not something I demand out of a partner. I'm not sure how to find a happy medium with gender roles. I suppose when the right person comes along, it will not even be an issue.

With respect to America as a whole, I think the stereotypes are as follows:

America

- Americans are stupid, and know nothing about other countries or cultures
- We're fake, with smiles constantly plastered on our faces
- We're all fat, eating fast food everyday
- We live in a police state under a zionist government
- All black people in America are sitting around eating fried chicken and watermelon, living off of welfare and/or are thugs
- Americans are all carrying guns, ready to shoot each other at a moment's notice
- There are tons of gay people engaged in public displays of affection at every corner

And for Russia, I will say only that the country is perceived by many outsiders as being totally corrupt, with a government controlled by money/bribes.

What do you think? What are the most common stereotypes about Americans? And for those who have actually traveled to the States, did you have a different perception of us after the visit? Which stereotypes were confirmed and which broken?

I constantly write about my impressions of Russia/Russians, so it's time for your input on Americans and my nation. :) Next week, I'll return to travel posts. I didn't have time this week to organize and process photos.

Comments

[wzfun.livejournal.com]

Many american girls so pretty! Like you, for example :-)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[ipona-mat.livejournal.com]

Sounds like "Breaking news" :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Have you been to America?

[bondart.livejournal.com]

"stupid Americans" is pretty much a meme nowadays. The one you did not mention is American Patriotism, US flags in everybody's backyard, stars and stipes underwear, etc. Oh, and that your humor is pretty much all about fart and burp jokes)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

If that's a stereotype then it's absolutely true. Americans are extremely patriotic and the flag is everywhere - personal homes, gas stations, restaurants, stores. Everywhere!!

[siberian-cat.livejournal.com]

"The Russian mob" is probably one of the most amazing stereotypes. Where did it ever come from? Certainly there are some Russian criminals and gangs in US/Canada, but they aren't as nearly organized, widespread, and powerful as the Italian Mafia.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't know where it originated? Maybe from films where Russian characters are usually spies or mobsters. :)

Всё совсем не то..

[weary-cynic.livejournal.com]

Sad Putin:

Angry:

Some Russian stereotypes about American men:

- so fat
- love mans (because of the law on sexual harassment)
- stupid war-lovers (all are rednecks)
- hate russians
- drink coca-cola all time
- have fake emotions a lot

Some stereotypes about black men г can read here in comments: http://fritzmorgen.livejournal.com/606913.html


"We live in a police state under a zionist government" - this is not about USA, this is about any government!
see russian punk-songs: "all states - concentration camps", "I love my country And I hate the government"

Sorry for my English, from Russia with love )

Re: Всё совсем не то..

[mybmd.livejournal.com]

On the contrary, it seems that the vast majority of the Russians hate the States with a passion...

[grand-damme.livejournal.com]

whan i was a kid I imagined american people like in Dynasty or a something...))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Dynasty, this show is well-known in Russia? I also watched it as a kid. Joan Collins, the evil black-haired bitch in the show, was a great actress. :))

[yma-sergeevna.livejournal.com]

Americans are sure that their culture is the most important among others. Once I got a confirmation of this stereotypes when an American gay said that English culture didn`t play any role in the American history =)

[alexey-kan.livejournal.com]

That's a common thing for everyone, Russians and Chinese believe in their greatest culture not less than Americans or anybody else

[asharky.livejournal.com]

Here the author of this photo: http://petrosphotos.livejournal.com/401244.html

[alexey-kan.livejournal.com]

Он тут кашляет, вообще-то:)

[atlantis555.livejournal.com]

- Raging alcoholics, drinking vodka at all hours of the day. No, wrong.
- Chauvinistic. More or less.
- More aggressive than American men. Yes.
- Many are part of the Russian mob, driving around in black SUV's. Maybe 10-15 years ago, not now.

- All are beautiful. Yes.
- They are always dressed up, wearing heels and make-up. Yes
- They are very easy and slutty. Maybe if they haven't yet received an American citizenship. After that - I think not ))))
- Desperate to marry a Westerner. Maybe 10 years ago, not now.
- Happy to stay at home, pop out babies and make dinner for husbands. Yes.
- Mail order brides. In Moscow - maybe yes.

- We're ugly. Not ugly, fat. It's a common stereotype, all due to mzadornov
- We take no pride in appearance. More or less.
- We're "manly", having lost all sense of femininity. No.
- We emasculate men. More or less.
- We're all raging feminists :)). The first American girl I met in the Inet and began chatting with called herself a feminist.

- Americans are stupid, and know nothing about other countries or cultures. I think, yes. Americans also don't like learning foreign languages.
- We're fake, with smiles constantly plastered on our faces. Yes, also you bring your own bottles to parties, I know that )
- We're all fat, eating fast food everyday. More or less.
- We live in a police state under a zionist government. Let's better ask Snowden about it, he's now a world famous expert.
- All black people in America are sitting around eating fried chicken and watermelon, living off of welfare and/or are thugs. Yes, Negroes live on welfare.
- Americans are all carrying guns, ready to shoot each other at a moment's notice. No. In films - yes )))
- There are tons of gay people engaged in public displays of affection at every corner. That's, sorry, fucking right, New York's mayor supports me here.


About Negroes.
I once read about a funny incident.
There stood a tenement house whose landlord rented rooms in it to both Negroes and Whites, like, 50/50. And one day an incident happened - the house exploded. It was a gas explosion. In several days some jerk from local authorities came to the landlord and indignantly asked him why only Negroes suffered in the explosion. To what the landlord confusedly answered that all Whites were at work. He-he.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Most people learn foreign languages out of necessity, and it's not necessary for Americans. English is the international language for business and tourism. The only motivation for an American to learn another language is for intellectual pursuit or relocating to another country. I wrote about it here - http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/23512.html.

The women in Russia looked very normal to me, not wearing a lot of make-up or overly fancy clothes. Maybe because it was winter and they were completely covered up. I didn't go to fancy restaurants, clubs or discos where women usually get dolled up. If you visit these places in the States, you'll see plenty of women in short skirts, make-up and heels. But it's not the way most women dress for everyday work life or chores. And gay people are not running around the streets of America fucking each other. Are there gay exhibitionists? Absolutely, in the same way some straight couples find it necessary to grope each other in public. I don't wish to watch either.

[fabulara.livejournal.com]

Something makes me think that Botox is the main reason for Putin's lack of emotions here... Just me thinking, that's all.

About stereotypes - I faced entirely different stereotype regarding Russian women when I associated with Serbian friends:
Russian women are too willful and unreliable, spoiled by years of Soviet rule, they are no good material to be a wife or a mother.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Botox! He does seem very vain, always running around with his shirt off. :))

[alexey-kan.livejournal.com]

You're naive in general. And sometimes, dealing with Americans, I guess that is not a stereotype:) It's quite naive to think that policy makers emotionality can reflect national character's features. Particularly if you've decided to compare the public politician, who had come through a great number of regional primeries and elections, with the former intelligence agent, that has got 70% at once as a result of his 1st election.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm not naive and I never said that politicians reflect the average person in a nation. The post is about stereotypes and the image of Putin and Obama embodies the most common stereotypes about Russians and Americans. In my first post I wrote that Russians have a cold demeanor to outsiders, they are not typically welcoming or friendly to strangers. I stand by this statement. It's not an open culture, and in this way it differs very much from America. I'm not saying one is better than the other. It's just an observation.

And what's up with your avatar? Stop pointing at me. :))

[moebiuscat.livejournal.com]

I think you pretty much nailed it :-) The only thing that a Russian won't even understand is "fried chicken and watermelon" - those aren't even known as stereotypes about black people. The rest of your stereotypes are right on the money!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I thought this was a common caricature of black people all over the world. :)

[whiteeye.livejournal.com]

Thank you that you have raised this topic:)

As was mentioned before due to Mikhail Zadornov, who is a Russian artist, the main stereotypes about Americans are fat and stupid:) And actually I had never been interested in America until our colleagues from the US came to Russia. Imagine how I was surprised when I saw that they weren't fat at all!:) Even more, they were smart!:)))
Then I started to chat with one my colleague from the US office and was really amazed how interesting it was to speak with hem!
All this had influenced me to go to the US for vacation. As a result what I saw:
- the problem of overweight really exists but outside big cities where citizens really care about their health and go for sports
-Junk food also exists but it is not food for everyday for most of the people
- People are growing with patriotism from the childhood, thinking that America is the greatest country in the world
-Still America like another planet because the majority of people don't go abroad and don't know that many things in Europe are another: measurements, culture, languages, etc.

And I think the myth of stupidity was born from the point above. You know we have a joke about Americans: there is always written at instruction for a microoven "Don't put cat into a microoven" :)
For us it's unbelievable: who CAN put cat inside??

As I sent a link to you for an article: Americans have a low-context culture, Russians - a high-context culture. That is a difference between us. It is not good or bad, it just exists.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

I've heard that some woman really put her cat to a microwave to dry after a wash.
And then she sued the microwave manufacturer :))

These instructions everywhere really look shocking for a foreigner but in fact it's just for legal protection.

[tori-latvia.livejournal.com]

hahaha, beautiful photo!!! :))))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's funny. :)

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

Such a great post, wow!
I afraid I’ll disappoint you. I don't have stereotypes that you wrote about. And I don’t have the stereotypes about Americans. Moreover, I think we are the same. We want the same, we hate the same and and we love the same. And these stereotypes were needed our governments in the time of the Cold War.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Denis, we're the same. I never go into a country looking to confirm stereotypes. I judge people based only on their character and if you read my LJ bio you'll see this. A person's ethnicity or religion is completely irrelevant to me. And I agree all humans have the same basic desires for love and acceptance. :)

[yarowind.livejournal.com]

>>Americans are stupid, and know nothing about other countries or cultures

Once we stopped in a motel.
Where are you from? - ask an administrator.
- From Russia.
- A Berlin - he said:)).
But administrator was a Hindu :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"But the administrator was a Hindu." :)) I wonder if he was an illegal or an actual American citizen? :) At least the person was being friendly. It's better than a cold stare in my opinion.

[whiteeye.livejournal.com]

One lady during our trip across the US was amazed that we are from Russia and how the US embassy gave us visa:)))

[llueve.livejournal.com]

Dear Shannon,
I haven't been ever in USA but I met 2 persons. Men from Chicago (he was in Moscow) and you. And you both are wonderful.
I've heard that American food not good not healthy and have no many variants. Is it true?

[popados.livejournal.com]

конечно же, это чушь. Там столько всяких разных кафе и ресторанов, что с ума сойдёшь от выбора.

[popados.livejournal.com]

many of this stereotypes - clearly true))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I see you traveled in the U.S. What's your general impression of Americans?

[iogannsb.livejournal.com]

American consul once said in an interview that he knows how beautiful USA, anyone who has ever been in USA dreaming to stay in it. In this regard, they are denied visas to those people who can not demonstrate close connections with own countries. About it friend of mine told me. She has traveled across America and everyone asking her if she wanted to stay in USA. She replied that she is not. And everyone was surprised. How is it that such a beautiful country, the best in the world, and she does not want to stay.
This year, I wanted to send my daughter to study English in the children camp near Boston. She is only twelve years old. Not me, not my husband arnt the holders of U.S. visa. We have no friends in USA. The U.S. embassy did not give viza to my daughter, on the grounds that they believe that she can stay in the beautiful America. Because she decides that is the best place for her where she can stay and live without her parents. How do you think I should think about this whole story? Which stereotype should work? Perhaps American children, moving to other countries, easy live without their parents and money and care if they suddenly decide that another place better for their life. I think all people are the same. But some people belive they are better than another or can say that some nation differ from other. Why?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's a pity your daughter couldn't get a visa. I don't think Americans believe they are better than everyone else. I certainly don't. But you have to look at things realistically. How many Americans or Europeans visit Russia and choose to immigrate, either legally or illegally, to the country? I doubt very many. Conversely, people from all over the world come to America with dreams of building a better life. The illegal immigration problem in America is out of control, and there's really no easy solution to the problem. As a result, good people like you and your family suffer the consequences.

[amandakysses.livejournal.com]

This is ridiculous. How in this day and age can there be such stereotypes. Such fear of the unfamiliar. I have grown up of course proud and blessed to be born in America but also in awe and appreciative of all different kinds of cultures. Maybe being raised in NYC where there was so much diversity, so many divergent cultures and lifestyles. I think men and women can be totally equal but still love cooking and cleaning and looking good for my husband. This post and these comments make me sad. Where is the acceptance the open minds and open hearts. The curiosity to reach out and learn more about All kinds of different people. Believeing or accepting stereotypes without stepping out and finding truths out for yourself is complete ignorance. Spread knowledge and especially. Love.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Of course it's ridiculous. I'm also proud to be American, but you know I'm always jetting off to other countries because I have an intense desire to explore and experience different people, places and ways of thinking. You're much more domesticated than me, but I also know you were the type of girl that always dreamed of a white wedding and family. So I'm very happy you finally found it. :)) This has never been my dream in life.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Some stereotypes are true some are just wrongly formulated which makes them sound ridiculous.

For example, Americans, of course, are not stupid but sometimes are ignorant.
Indoctrinated from your childhood that your country is the best and your way of doing things is the only decent way makes you look silly sometimes.

Americans thinks much of their life, verbalising much more than Russians usually do, but when I hear or read this sometimes it remains me essays of little schoolchildren.
All these suggestions about what is Rignt and what is Wrong... probably it's legacy of protestant Christianity.
Good people, but can be easily manipulated and indoctrinated by using moral wording.

Russians are different because our indoctrination is based on defensive mentality which is understandable taking into account our history, wars and revolutions.

...

On men and women:

This article more or less supports gender-related steraotypes.

themoscownews. com/local/20130708/191745871/Road-to-relationships-rough-for-expat-women-in-Moscow.html

But on the other hand women got all rights instantly in 1917 and did not fight for them for the whole 20s century as American feminists did.
Nobody was surprised in woman pilots in WWII.
"
Nadezhda Popova, who has died aged 91, was a member of an elite corps of Soviet women — known as the “Night Witches” — who fought as bomber pilots in the air war against Germany, and the only one to win three Orders of the Patriotic War for bravery.
"
www. telegraph. co. uk/news/obituaries/10171897/Nadezhda-Popova.html

(as usual, please remove spaces in links)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that several people have commented that Americans, from childhood, are taught to be patriotic and indoctrinated that America is the best country in the world. I don't feel this way at all. My sense of patriotism comes only as a result of seeing with my own eyes the way people live and operate in other parts of the world. For me, America is the most comfortable place to live for numerous reasons. This doesn't mean that I won't find another country in the future I like better.

Yes, I agree Americans verbalize more often. I still cannot understand or read the emotions of some Russians I know very well in life.They're not as expressive.

"Russians are different because our indoctrination is based on defensive mentality which is understandable taking into account our history, wars and revolutions." And how long will it take this defensive mentality to filter out of Russian society? A hundred years, two hundred, a thousand?

[sergey-usa.livejournal.com]

Most of those stereotypes are actually somewhat true.

I once met a old man in Wyoming and he asked me where I was from. When I replied "Russia" he acted as if he didn't know such a country actually existed. I tried to tell him where it was but he had no clue. I asked him if he remembered the Soviet Union and he interrupted me with the question if it still existed... Needless to say, I was perplexed.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

If I go to Wyoming, I'll have to give these cowboys a history lesson! :) And what do you think about the Russian stereotypes? They also are true, or no?

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

Please do not get the things more complicated than they are.

You know what Al Capone was. Now imagine that Al Capone became the President of the country, That his lieutenants became governors, judges, congressmen, senators, etc. - This is Russia.

You know what a swamp is. Russia is not a single ethnos. Russia is two different people. One people is the swamp. The second people is that thin oily film that is always on the surface of a swamp. This thin layer is Tchaikovsky, Rakhmaninov, Chekhov, Tolstoy - they are not quite Russian, they are Europeans. The Russian from the first people do not even understand what Tolstoy or Chekhov wrote. They are the product of Chenghis Khan domination.

The second people is called Sankt-Peterbourgians, the first one - Moscovites.

The Russians of the second layer were wiped out by Bolsheviks. Then Stalin removed the spine bones from the first people. And this is what you/we have now.

It's a long story, come to Beantown, we may talk about this.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Boston? I thought you were in Iceland! :) Btw, I watched Lost in Translation. Excellent film!

[nar-row.livejournal.com]

"It highlights one of the main stereotypes of Russians - that they're cold and emotionless."

There was half-humorous post by canadian english teacher in Moscowm in which he wrote:

"Russians are also extremely emotional and passionate, and although they don't show emotion in public, they cry and laugh and shout and play more than Italians."

http://atethepaint. blogspot.ru/2011/03/ 50-facts-about-russians.html

I haven't ever seen Italians, but I think he grasped the essence. :)

About the meme - I wouldn't be so sure about Putin and Obama. :)
Politicians are usualy professional pretenders.
As far as I heard, Putin in publiс and Putin in nonpublic are two very different men.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This list of "50 Facts About Russians" is the best I've seen. It's great! Very amusing.

"Smiling for no reason makes Russians angry." Haha!! :)) It's true! But the most accurate fact on that list:

"Russians love to criticize their own country, but will be offended if a foreigner does." Welcome to my life!