Nowadays many people all over the world say that people from RF and USA are rather similar in their characters and attitude to life. I can't agree with it. In my opinion, they have a lot of differences which formed historically.
Histocally people from US didn't have their native territory that was why they couldn't connect them with some territory or society. It is their big advantage because if person isn't closed on one territory, then they are free to live and work where they want, especially where your wage will be maximum. Unlike americans russian people were alwats living in small communities where all property were common. This is a reason why russians are not so mobile as americans. These difference can also be explained by religions. Orthodox Church glorifies the tradition of equality and humility, while many people in the USA, as I know, are adherents of Protestantism which spread the ideas of individual development and permanent hard work.
There is a very bad habit to do all their bussiness near the deadline which is called scientifically "procrastination". This habit can be also explained historically. As I know, american people don't have such a habit, (but I can mistake). This kind of habit is reflected in many russian proverbs. But in the same time russian have a brilliant ability to strain all their power in difficult times. This fact also can be explain historically. Because of climate conditions, russian had only 2-3 months of summer to prepare food for a whole year that was why they had to work hard during these months and then they could relax in long winter evenings. That nation's feature helped them to win the World War II. Unfortunately or fortunatety, amecans didn't have such an experience.
Americans and russian are two of the most powerful nations in the world. In spite of existing contradictions, they should help each other and all world contries especially in difficult period, like last several years of the financial crisis.
Histocally people from US didn't have their native territory that was why they couldn't connect them with some territory or society. It is their big advantage because if person isn't closed on one territory, then they are free to live and work where they want, especially where your wage will be maximum. Unlike americans russian people were alwats living in small communities where all property were common. This is a reason why russians are not so mobile as americans. These difference can also be explained by religions. Orthodox Church glorifies the tradition of equality and humility, while many people in the USA, as I know, are adherents of Protestantism which spread the ideas of individual development and permanent hard work.
There is a very bad habit to do all their bussiness near the deadline which is called scientifically "procrastination". This habit can be also explained historically. As I know, american people don't have such a habit, (but I can mistake). This kind of habit is reflected in many russian proverbs. But in the same time russian have a brilliant ability to strain all their power in difficult times. This fact also can be explain historically. Because of climate conditions, russian had only 2-3 months of summer to prepare food for a whole year that was why they had to work hard during these months and then they could relax in long winter evenings. That nation's feature helped them to win the World War II. Unfortunately or fortunatety, amecans didn't have such an experience.
Americans and russian are two of the most powerful nations in the world. In spite of existing contradictions, they should help each other and all world contries especially in difficult period, like last several years of the financial crisis.
Your comparisons were interesting to read. I think you make some insightful observations. The only points I would disagree with are the ones about procrastination and World War II.
ОтветитьУдалитьAmericans definitely procrastinate sometimes. I think that the work ethic in the U.S. is very strong because of Protestantism and capitalism, but lots of people still procrastinate. I think it's a human inclination to put things off that you don't want to do until tomorrow.
In your blog, it sounded like you were saying that America didn't have the experience of winning World War II, but of course the U.S. also fought to defeat Germany on the Western Front and Japan in the Pacific.
Actually, your comment points out a similarity between the two countries that I've noticed here -- Russians and Americans both seem to think that they were primarily responsible for victory in WWII. However, this similarity is also a difference in that the two countries' people imagine different parts of the war when they think of it. Americans tend to think of the invasion of France on D-Day or the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, whereas Russians seem to think mostly of the Siege of Leningrad and the battles on the Eastern Front.