Topics for Composition and Discussion

• Is it better to marry someone of the same cultural background?

• How do the cultures described in the text differ from the culture of your own country?

• One could easily think that America is a very good example of a multicultural society. But is this really true?

Text b. Oh Those Russians…

The study of how people from different cultural backgrounds try to integrate and communicate with each other is called cross-cultural communication. Here is a case of cross-cultural communication described by an American having a Russian wife.

From the view of an American, trying to understand your Russian love can be difficult. American men often find the first years of marriage with their Russian love very confusing. Russian women are beautiful, but their cultural background is different to what American men are used to. These differences can cause problems in a relationship.

Many American-Russian culture clashes occur (трапляються) because of differences in the way Russians and Americans are handling money. When you marry a Russian woman you often marry her family as well (також) – her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. So if they have financial difficulties, you have to support them, too. It is all a part of Russian relationships and caring about a Russian woman. It is natural for Russians to help each other with money.

The same goes for friends. It is natural to lend and borrow money and no one will even think about charging you interest (відсотки). A Russian friend of mine was shocked when her husband’s wealthy cousin gave them 2,000 dollars and charged interest. The money was borrowed to cover some medical bill (рахунок) not to go to Las Vegas. “How can a relative be so cruel”, my friend said. “Is money more important than family and friendship?”

Even if you just met a Russian you should not be surprised if he starts to ask you about how much money you make or how much you paid for a very large purchase (покупка). It is something that is accepted in Russia. Most Russians do not understand why their American friends change the subject when it comes to finances.

Russians don’t understand why many Americans don’t travel and don’t enjoy life until they retire. “When you are old you are supposed to watch your grandkids, not travel”, they often say. Most of them go on vacation every year. They work hard, but they know how to slow down, relax and enjoy life. Even if they are struggling financially they will find a place to go and get away. As a rule, Russians are not terribly worried about retirement. In Russian culture children are expected to help their parent when they get old, and nursing homes (будинки для престарілих) are not very popular.

Russians have a fear of falling into debt (борг) and they can’t understand why Americans are putting money away for their retirement account which they cannot touch for 20-30 years.

It is not only money issues that make cross-cultural communication difficult. In the course of time you will start understanding Russian mentality even if you may not agree with it, but in the beginning you are going to have some problems because of these cultural differences.

Exercise 14.

• Read Text B and answer the following questions:

What can confuse an American in his conversation with a Russian?

Why don’t Russians understand why many Americans don’t travel and don’t enjoy life until they retire?

Explain the difference in the attitude of Americans and Russians to retirement.

Whom does an American marry if he marries a Russian woman?