The American said that they should adopt from the Russians
Tim Kerby is a famous Russian journalist. Judging by his name and surname, it is easy to guess that he is not a native Russian. Tim moved to Russia from the United States 12 years ago, in 2006.
Shortly before the New Year of 2019, he gave an interview to the publication Ruopen, where he shared his views on the features of Russians and Americans, their similarities and differences, as well as the attitude of those and others to life. The conversation turned out to be interesting, because Kerby knows both of them well.
Believe in yourself
Knowing how many Russians went to America for permanent residence, many are surprised at Tim’s decision to settle in Russia. And he sincerely fell in love with our country, although he was critical of it, however, as well as of America.
Most of all, Kerby does not like the Russians that they have little faith in themselves and that they are able to achieve something. If an American says to himself “I can”, then the Russian will come up with a bunch of reasons to prove that the goal is unattainable. The Russians say "nothing will work, everything is useless, it is impossible", etc. Continuous pessimism.
This is especially true for bureaucrats who simply perform some functions to justify their salaries, and do not stick out.
In some Russians, according to Tim, there is an illusion that everything is different in the West. There is democracy, a well-fed life and complete social justice. But in reality, everything is equally bad everywhere. It is simply inherent in human nature. When people get power, it spoils them.
Tim believes that you do not need to live in illusions, but you need to believe in yourself, set goals and strive for them.
He argues that in the nature of the Anglo-Saxons it is inherent in all their troubles to blame themselves. In Russia, the government or other government officials are usually to blame. Anyone, not me. Tim believes that this is an echo of the socialist past, when the initiative was punishable, so little depended on a particular person.
Kerby believes that we should believe in ourselves more, because only in this way can something be achieved in life. This is exactly what the Russians lack, although there are a lot of smart and talented people among us. He explained his point with an example:
Russian civilization
Our Russian American believes that in the political and philosophical sense, Russia is much ahead of the West. He respects Russian thinkers and their ideas, believing that the West is now experiencing spiritual decline. In order not to lose himself, he should adopt a lot from Russia.
Concerning political system, Kerby admires the one that began to take shape in the Russian Empire, became the basis for the formation of the USSR, and then the Russian Federation. Here the core of the great civilization was created, which later became known as the Russian World. Other nations entered the orbit of this civilization, which were accepted as equals and retained respect for the Russians.
Such principles would be nice to adopt and the United States. Then the Americans will understand that you can be the center of a created civilization without trying to suppress others.
Family and work
When asked about what was the main difference between Russian women and American women, Kerby only spoke the word "family." Of course, then he explained what he had in mind. For a Russian woman, the most important thing is the family. This is the basis and meaning of her life. She lives to get married, give birth and raise children. A man is a breadwinner and a support.
Americans work stupidly. Either in jest, or in earnest Tim said that he moved to Russia to work less. Although here he immediately takes on several complex projects, so there is practically no time for rest.
Russian habits
Tim said that during his life in Russia he took over some of their habits from the Russians.
For example, Kerby's American acquaintances began to notice that he smiles much less than before. On the other hand, when Tim gets into a difficult situation and does not know what to do, he smiles. In America they say so:
In addition, Kerby learned Russian straightforwardness. He began to say what he was thinking. True, as Tim noted, this Russian trait is inherent at the household level, among friends and acquaintances. But when he comes across officials and other officials, they don’t behave like that. He “lovingly” calls them “people in ties.”
Dreams and Fate
Tim also touched on the theme of the American dream. He believes that many migrants coming to the States misunderstand her. It seems to them that the American dream is that they will come, and they will be provided with everything and everyone will give. In fact, its meaning is that you have the opportunity to do something and achieve something, if you make an effort to this. In other words, it is the right to set goals and strive to achieve them.
It is much more difficult to formulate the Russian dream. The Russians want a calm, peaceful life to be left alone. Over the past hundred years, we have experienced a great revolution, a brutal Civil War, collectivization, famine, the Great Patriotic War, perestroika, the collapse of the USSR, the "dashing nineties."
In the USA there was also a brutal Civil War, in which from 400 thousand to a million people died, then it was a significant percentage of the total population. In addition, the once-blooming American South was turned into a scorched desert.
And if this would be repeated in the history of the United States three or four more times? It is unlikely that in this case the United States today would have such a highly developed the economy and significant influence in the world.
That is why the Russians want peace, prosperity. Governments in different countries call this stability. But a high prosperity of the population is possible only in conditions of stability.
But do not confuse the Russian dream with Russian fate. If the first strives for peace, then the meaning of the second lies in its eternal absence. Russia constantly feels responsible for the fate of others and stands up for their defense. So it was during the invasion of Napoleon, and during the Second World War, and during the Cold War. Even now, Russia is trying to save the world from globalization.
In general, we only dream of peace.
What infuriates Americans
Tim does not talk about what infuriates him in Russian. And what can globally enrage a person in a country where he came voluntarily and stayed for 12 years?
But he has been in Russia for so long that the Americans begin to enrage him.
For example, Tima infuriates this American omniscience. They are not interested in anything that does not concern them personally, they do not care about everything that happens in the world. But at the same time, Americans believe that they have the right to teach others how to live correctly.
When he arrives in America, he lacks heart-to-heart talk. After all, the Americans will at best take an interest in how you are doing without even hearing the answer. “How are you” is both the beginning and the end of the conversation. And at the same time, they are far from being “dumb”, as Zadornov claimed. They just do not care about you and your problems.
In general, Russians and Americans have something to learn from each other. And the example of Tim Kerby shows that close communication between our peoples can be mutually beneficial.
Shortly before the New Year of 2019, he gave an interview to the publication Ruopen, where he shared his views on the features of Russians and Americans, their similarities and differences, as well as the attitude of those and others to life. The conversation turned out to be interesting, because Kerby knows both of them well.
Believe in yourself
Knowing how many Russians went to America for permanent residence, many are surprised at Tim’s decision to settle in Russia. And he sincerely fell in love with our country, although he was critical of it, however, as well as of America.
Most of all, Kerby does not like the Russians that they have little faith in themselves and that they are able to achieve something. If an American says to himself “I can”, then the Russian will come up with a bunch of reasons to prove that the goal is unattainable. The Russians say "nothing will work, everything is useless, it is impossible", etc. Continuous pessimism.
This is especially true for bureaucrats who simply perform some functions to justify their salaries, and do not stick out.
In some Russians, according to Tim, there is an illusion that everything is different in the West. There is democracy, a well-fed life and complete social justice. But in reality, everything is equally bad everywhere. It is simply inherent in human nature. When people get power, it spoils them.
Tim believes that you do not need to live in illusions, but you need to believe in yourself, set goals and strive for them.
He argues that in the nature of the Anglo-Saxons it is inherent in all their troubles to blame themselves. In Russia, the government or other government officials are usually to blame. Anyone, not me. Tim believes that this is an echo of the socialist past, when the initiative was punishable, so little depended on a particular person.
Kerby believes that we should believe in ourselves more, because only in this way can something be achieved in life. This is exactly what the Russians lack, although there are a lot of smart and talented people among us. He explained his point with an example:
Yes, Russians are proud that in many areas the Russian people are smarter (according to the results of exams, Russian engineers in the USA are very much praised), but, on the other hand, if a sucker thinks he can, and a genius thinks he cannot, who will win?
Russian civilization
Our Russian American believes that in the political and philosophical sense, Russia is much ahead of the West. He respects Russian thinkers and their ideas, believing that the West is now experiencing spiritual decline. In order not to lose himself, he should adopt a lot from Russia.
Concerning political system, Kerby admires the one that began to take shape in the Russian Empire, became the basis for the formation of the USSR, and then the Russian Federation. Here the core of the great civilization was created, which later became known as the Russian World. Other nations entered the orbit of this civilization, which were accepted as equals and retained respect for the Russians.
Such principles would be nice to adopt and the United States. Then the Americans will understand that you can be the center of a created civilization without trying to suppress others.
Family and work
When asked about what was the main difference between Russian women and American women, Kerby only spoke the word "family." Of course, then he explained what he had in mind. For a Russian woman, the most important thing is the family. This is the basis and meaning of her life. She lives to get married, give birth and raise children. A man is a breadwinner and a support.
Americans work stupidly. Either in jest, or in earnest Tim said that he moved to Russia to work less. Although here he immediately takes on several complex projects, so there is practically no time for rest.
Russian habits
Tim said that during his life in Russia he took over some of their habits from the Russians.
For example, Kerby's American acquaintances began to notice that he smiles much less than before. On the other hand, when Tim gets into a difficult situation and does not know what to do, he smiles. In America they say so:
If you don’t know what’s going on, just smile just in case.
In addition, Kerby learned Russian straightforwardness. He began to say what he was thinking. True, as Tim noted, this Russian trait is inherent at the household level, among friends and acquaintances. But when he comes across officials and other officials, they don’t behave like that. He “lovingly” calls them “people in ties.”
Dreams and Fate
Tim also touched on the theme of the American dream. He believes that many migrants coming to the States misunderstand her. It seems to them that the American dream is that they will come, and they will be provided with everything and everyone will give. In fact, its meaning is that you have the opportunity to do something and achieve something, if you make an effort to this. In other words, it is the right to set goals and strive to achieve them.
It is much more difficult to formulate the Russian dream. The Russians want a calm, peaceful life to be left alone. Over the past hundred years, we have experienced a great revolution, a brutal Civil War, collectivization, famine, the Great Patriotic War, perestroika, the collapse of the USSR, the "dashing nineties."
In the USA there was also a brutal Civil War, in which from 400 thousand to a million people died, then it was a significant percentage of the total population. In addition, the once-blooming American South was turned into a scorched desert.
And if this would be repeated in the history of the United States three or four more times? It is unlikely that in this case the United States today would have such a highly developed the economy and significant influence in the world.
That is why the Russians want peace, prosperity. Governments in different countries call this stability. But a high prosperity of the population is possible only in conditions of stability.
But do not confuse the Russian dream with Russian fate. If the first strives for peace, then the meaning of the second lies in its eternal absence. Russia constantly feels responsible for the fate of others and stands up for their defense. So it was during the invasion of Napoleon, and during the Second World War, and during the Cold War. Even now, Russia is trying to save the world from globalization.
In general, we only dream of peace.
What infuriates Americans
Tim does not talk about what infuriates him in Russian. And what can globally enrage a person in a country where he came voluntarily and stayed for 12 years?
But he has been in Russia for so long that the Americans begin to enrage him.
For example, Tima infuriates this American omniscience. They are not interested in anything that does not concern them personally, they do not care about everything that happens in the world. But at the same time, Americans believe that they have the right to teach others how to live correctly.
When he arrives in America, he lacks heart-to-heart talk. After all, the Americans will at best take an interest in how you are doing without even hearing the answer. “How are you” is both the beginning and the end of the conversation. And at the same time, they are far from being “dumb”, as Zadornov claimed. They just do not care about you and your problems.
In general, Russians and Americans have something to learn from each other. And the example of Tim Kerby shows that close communication between our peoples can be mutually beneficial.
Information