Another look at differing mentalities

[chivo]

Just to post something away from those "always" riveting political discussions I came across what I thought was an interesting example of cultural nuance and mentality. Not just the difference in an actor's persona comedically because it's quintessentially American, but why certain American traits aren't funny in any way, shape or form to foreigners, especially in this case, Russians (i.e. Raymond being easily pushed around by women as not funny, but weak or how his wife dresses).

Equally interesting (to me anyway) is that even in this day and age Americans still view Russia as some kind of "bad" land where bears run across Red Square and KGB agents lurk around every corner, like when the producer talks about his driver up and leaving the car as he was being chauffeured from the airport and him thinking he was going to be kidnapped .

At the risk of sounding like this guy's agent "Exporting Raymond" might be a documentary worth the time and money to see merely for its entertainment value, much less its cultural nuance.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2011/04/everybody-loves-raymonds-bumpy-trip-to-russia-why-funny-isnt-always-money.html

[Jack]

Equally interesting (to me anyway) is that even in this day and age Americans still view Russia as some kind of "bad" land where bears run across Red Square and KGB agents lurk around every corner,

Yea, as well those silly American's who think they have to be leary of Moscow police.

One has to feel a little sorry for the Moscow teenagers who have not figured out yet how to navigate around the police with their personal business.



A Moscow teenager was hospitalized with concussion and a broken leg after what parents said was an unmotivated beating by cops — though police said Thursday that he was not manhandled and likely inflicted the injuries himself.
 
 http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/newsletter/435546.html?

[Gator]

Chivo,

Thanks for sharing this.  The trailer was funny ("you can hear the cancer"), yet the documentary seems to be receiving mediocre reviews.  Perhaps one has to know Russian mentality to appreciate it, like "Everything is Illuminated."  Oddly, Phil Rosenthal's SOH reminds me of Russian SOH (sarcasm, etc.)

[chivo]

Yea, as well those silly American's who think they have to be leary of Moscow police.

One has to feel a little sorry for the Moscow teenagers who have not figured out yet how to navigate around the police with their personal business.

A Moscow teenager was hospitalized with concussion and a broken leg after what parents said was an unmotivated beating by cops — though police said Thursday that he was not manhandled and likely inflicted the injuries himself.
 
 http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/newsletter/435546.html?

Jack, come on let's not take one situation and blow it out of proportion a la ecocks. How about the inner city black/hispanic kids in America who get shot (mistakenly) by the local police? And die, you want me to post the hundreds of times this has happened? They have more of my sympathy than some idiot kid who should know better than to stick his nose where it doesn't belong. There is absolutely no connection with this and Americans in Russia

Try sticking to my topic BTW

Chivo,

Thanks for sharing this.  The trailer was funny ("you can hear the cancer"), yet the documentary seems to be receiving mediocre reviews.  Perhaps one has to know Russian mentality to appreciate it, like "Everything is Illuminated."  Oddly, Phil Rosenthal's SOH reminds me of Russian SOH (sarcasm, etc.)

You're welcome and I think you're right about the SOH. Not surprised at all that it's getting flat reviews as well. I do think it's worth a look for anyone who's interested in understanding some subtleties in the thinking, generally speaking, of Russians/FSU people.

I doubt I'll be able to see the documentary here in any theater, looks like I'll have to pirate it .

[Jack]

Yea, I'm with you on this chivo.  It's the kid's parents who are blowing this out of proportion.