What things about USA/Europe makes your RW laugh?

[catzenmouse]

Of course the closer you get to the border of another country there would be more ethnic diversity thus more acceptance of different colour/creed.

Not always. While we were in Omsk this Summer there was a lot of negative attitudes towards Kazakstan (which is quite close) partly due to the influx of workers from there and partly because of the political machine which was making noises about having Omsk become part of Kazakstan.

So, sometimes the closer you get to the border the bigger the tensions are.

Ken

[Manny]

On reflection Ken I see a point in there! 

My lady is from Togliatti, which is not too far from Kazakstan, yet when we are there, say on a local market, which has many Kazak traders, she wont buy from them. However, when she was walking in front of me (seemingly alone) the same traders were tring to hassle her and chat her up. In conversation later with her parents, they said that they wont shop with Kazaks on a market or anywhere as they send the money back home (this exists in UK with Asian traders too) and Russia needs the money! So by not patronizing a Kazak trader they were being patriotic and keeping money in Russia!

[55North]

In my experience they like the black music as much as the next girl. I have had a few moments with my lady in UK, on her first visit she saw a black man with a white girl in a supermarket and went off (loudly) about her opinions on such a union.

Maybe, I, and my (white) family take a different view to you regarding multiculturalism in the UK. (Personal and family members' experience, etc.)  Be that as it may, and keeping to topic, my UW (Kyiv) regularly comments regarding seeing blacks in Kyiv, and possibly a slight apprehension of working life in England.  But, having been forthright about myself and my family's attitude and history, and the fact that, amazingly, one of her best friends has, through the same agency, picked up with a Canadian of colour, she is clearly having to confront, possibly not prejudice, but the apprehension of the unknown.   
 
I take her regular comments on the issue as those of someone who is already working towards accommodating a new social experience.  I have suggested she takes an ethical survey of the contents of my iPod.  I don't have to count to know who the winner is, and it's not Ukrainian music, or English folksong, even thought they are well represented! 

[Manny]

Ukraine is more Europe looking than Russia. Also Ukraine is easier to get into. I have not been to Ukraine but I would imagine that blacks are more evident than in Russia. I first went to Estonia in pre EU 1998, then blacks were unseen there, they were all enthusiatic about joining the EU, I pointed out to my friend there that soon after EU entry the blacks will follow, he laughed about it! - When I was there last month, he reminded me of our conversation and pointed out that they are growing in number seemingly daily.

With immigration of blacks into any community I think you must look at what they contribute to the community, if they contribute to society and generally behave and arrive in moderate numbers, nobody will care (unless its their daughter!  ) -  In the UK you will probably know 55North that the recent influx, especially in the North, has created much tension. But most of our black immigrants are non productive types that only take from the economy and society.

If you look at Sweden or other countries that do not hand free cash out to immigrants like Blair does, the situation is different, only the more productive ones arrive and thus there is no resentment and hostility toward them.

Russia has not experienced a big non white influx so the citizens thereof do not have the negative experience that often people from other countries have. But that said, they mistrust what they dont know and are naturally cautious.

My lady has a friend in Paris, she has had her account of life there. She has been in Manchester many times and been harrassed on the street by blacks, she has seen the districts that it is not safe for a white man to walk in, her limited experience of England only serves to reinforce her opinions. Tending to be a tad right wing myself I dont argue with her, after all we are all but a product of our enviroment and our experiences!

[55North]

Being more than a tad left wing myself, and, as already indicated, drawing upon (deep) personal and family experience, I recognise that we probably have differing views and rhetoric, which is why, on this issue above all others, I think we should try to keep as close to topic as possible, and not pursue this line further.

I will however grant you this, friend.  I do not live in the North West which has acute problems of racial integration and perception not generally experienced in Newcastle and surrounds.  But I should add most emphatically that, as a young man, I hung out in South London, so have 'experience' of my own multiculturalism, along with addition 'experience' of 3 continents here in Newcastle.
 
The only people who have ever harrassed me have been white males, because they thought I 'talked posh', and was with 'a foreigner'.  I put it down to jealousy.  She was stunning.

[Manny]

I will however grant you this, friend.  I do not live in the North West which has acute problems of racial integration and perception not generally experienced in Newcastle and surrounds. 

Having accepted that situation, I agree we shall agree to differ on the race issue in the UK and not go into it further on this board.

[SANDRO43]

Having accepted that situation, I agree we shall agree to differ on the race issue in the UK and not go into it further on this board.

I will however grant you this, friend.

How refreshing that a such a touchy issue should be handled so civilly. to both of you.

[PeeWee]

I'll have to disagree about the bank card. Elena saves just about every cent she earns and usually only buys little things that are often gifts for others. If I was going to trust anyone with the family money it would have to be her.

I've also heard some of those comments about blacks (and some other ethnic groups) from Russians but not in a mean way, more of a "can't believe how obnoxious they are" kind of comment. They do get a laugh out of the clothes they wear. You know, pants hanging off their butts, what looks like a panty on their heads, t-shirts that look like dresses.

Ken

I happened to remember something that Lena told me a few months ago with regard to saving money. She said that to save money is akin to having an extra income. This makes sense to me and it also means that she has the mindset to look for the bargin. Several times while we were in Cairo, shopping for her shoes, she mentioned that she tought something was too expensive to buy. A thrifty Russian is a good Russian, in my mind and good wife material as well.

Peevee

[prince_alfie]

I guess that the gangsta style of dress seems to be parodistic for the RW Of course, I know that Spike Lee attacked the buffoon-like dress of the fellow members of his race too...

Russian humor is very dry I think. But that's just me. They are won more by wit from the Russian-Americans that I know...

[LatinSwede]

We both find the Angeilina JoLee/Brad Pitt movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith a riot. She recently told me he watched it with her nephew and they were both laughing all the way through.  It surprised me, because what's funny to me is just nonsense to her.

[jinx13]

 My girlfriend also thinks the "how are you" "have a nice day" comments are phoney, and she laughs at restaurant servers who constantly check on you "are you still ok?"  It's become a running joke with us. 

 I think the topic of our girls views on blacks is a very interesting topic, and it seems they all have an opinion about it. Natasha like most girls didn't think too much about them while living in Ukraine, she likes some rap music, and black actors and comedians....then she moved here....and things changed a little.

 She has had some bad experiences with black people at work, and while out with her friends. One day at work 4 black girls came in to the clothes store where she works, they were being very loud and obnoxious and throwing clothes around, when Natasha began to clean up after them, they said she was watching them to make sure they weren't stealing, and called her a racist, she told them it wouldn't matter if they were blue or green, it's her job to clean up the clothes! These girls almost became violent with her, and security finally came, rediculous. She is also constantly hit on by black men, while at the gym, or out with friends. She says they don't understand no, and she also says she can't understand anything they say! Once I had to translate for her while she spoke to a black guy about buying a car, can you imagine she speaks perfect english, and she's looking at me saying "I don't underdstand him" while he looks on, pretty awkward

 Anyway, she bought that car too, which turned out to be a total piece of crap, so now she doesn't trust them either. I have tried to tell her that not all black people are this way, and I point out examples, and she understands it, but she is not PC about saying whats on her mind, that's for sure! - Dave

[LatinSwede]

The only thing I thing I'm prejudiced against is ignorant people, and poor behavior.  People of color need to stop using racism as an excuse for their poor behavior.

Some hispanic girls will look at me with contempt, walking with my RW.  Even though wile I was single, they wouldn't give me the time of day.  Why? In their eyes I'm tainted by the Anglo culture.  I'm not Latino enough for them until they see me with a white female.

One of the reason, I want to move out of my apartment area is the low lives.  I don't want some under educated alcoholic making cat calls at her, when she's getting the mail or going to the store.

[BradSTL]

She told me that "Hi. How are you?" and "Have a nice day." wishes makes her laugh. "How insincere can you people be?" was her comment.

Hate to hear that... so self-centered and self-involved.

[LatinSwede]

The big fake smile is one of the most irritating things to me.  Whenever one of America's sweethearts greets me that way, I want to respond with a swift and furious Spanish slap.  The reason why it's taken me so long to hook up, is because I refuse to give myself to one of these artificial bimbos. It's like they don't even have a real culture.

[Turboguy]

With all the things going on in the world that could upset people.  Getting upset over such a small thing makes me think you could use a swift furious spanish slap yourself.  Culture may be a little like the weather.  It is not the same every place you go.  Artificial smiles in Amercia my be fake.  A lot of others think it is odd that people in Russia walk around like Zombies.  I think the truth of it is that neither is bad.  It is just the way things are.  You know what they say about accepting the things you can't change and changing the things you can. 

[BillyB]

 In conversation later with her parents, they said that they wont shop with Kazaks on a market or anywhere as they send the money back home (this exists in UK with Asian traders too) and Russia needs the money! So by not patronizing a Kazak trader they were being patriotic and keeping money in Russia!
 

Your parent in laws may be patriotic for keeping money in Russia, but they lost their daughter to an Englishman!

[55North]

Remittances from abroad are fundimental to the economies of the FSU states generally.  A similar scenario exist in the Americas, and between Europe and Africa.  It is the stuff of the economic co-existence of humanity.  Anything else is protectionist and self-centered, and as such, has never really worked in the long term.  I'll gladly buy from those who will export their profit to the less well off in the world, that my society has been exploiting for 100s of years.
 
And my UW agrees with me.

[PeeWee]

The big fake smile is one of the most irritating things to me.  Whenever one of America's sweethearts greets me that way, I want to respond with a swift and furious Spanish slap.  The reason why it's taken me so long to hook up, is because I refuse to give myself to one of these artificial bimbos. It's like they don't even have a real culture.

This happened to me just recently. While on vacation in Egypt with RW Lena one day she asked me why I was not smiling. "Smile for me, Peevee." So I did. "No! Not one of those phoney American smiles...the real you!"  Phoney American smile. I am beginning to think that the rest of the world views we Americans as a lot of phoney folks what with our "have a nice day" and "Nice to meet you." and whatnots.

Peevee

[Manny]

Your parent in laws may be patriotic for keeping money in Russia, but they lost their daughter to an Englishman!

They didnt 'lose' her! - She merely relocated! We are only 7 hours away by plane door to door (by comparison if she moved to Moscow and took a train it takes 18 hours from her old town) Plus she calls them more now than she did when she lived across town! 

[55North]

This happened to me just recently. While on vacation in Egypt with RW Lena one day she asked me why I was not smiling. "Smile for me, Peevee." So I did. "No! Not one of those phoney American smiles...the real you!"  Phoney American smile. I am beginning to think that the rest of the world views we Americans as a lot of phoney folks what with our "have a nice day" and "Nice to meet you." and whatnots.

Peevee

Afraid to say Peevee, that we do (though not on a personal level  ).  Here, in the UK, I guess we know, however, that it's part of your customer service culture, which was developed for business and profit.  And we have indeed learnt from you and also now take customer service seriously, though without quite so much of your greetings or big teeth smiles.  (2 peoples separated by a common language, 2 peoples separated by bad dentistry  ).

[Manny]

Afraid to say Peevee, that we do (though not on a personal level  ).  Here, in the UK, I guess we know, however, that it's part of your customer service culture, which was developed for business and profit.  And we have indeed learnt from you and also now take customer service seriously, though without quite so much of your greetings or big teeth smiles.  (2 peoples separated by a common language, 2 peoples separated by bad dentistry  ).

Yes we take customer service so seriously in the UK that all our call centres are in India or some other godforsaken place staffed by people with limited English and no power to resolve an issue.

Retail insincerity we accept as a given in the US - some people find it irritating, some dont.

2 Peoples separated by bad dentistry I agee with! 

[PeeWee]

Afraid to say Peevee, that we do (though not on a personal level  ).  Here, in the UK, I guess we know, however, that it's part of your customer service culture, which was developed for business and profit.  And we have indeed learnt from you and also now take customer service seriously, though without quite so much of your greetings or big teeth smiles.  (2 peoples separated by a common language, 2 peoples separated by bad dentistry  ).

We are a joke and we don't even realize it. We are so numb to the "have a nice day," "nice to meet you," "How can I help," and other insincere cliches and buzz phrases that we don't stop to consider what the meaning of those wishes really are.

Peevee

[PeeWee]

Yes we take customer service so seriously in the UK that all our call centres are in India or some other godforsaken place staffed by people with limited English and no power to resolve an issue.

Retail insincerity we accept as a given in the US - some people find it irritating, some dont.

2 Peoples separated by bad dentistry I agee with! 

I will say this, in my opinion, the best airline inflight service in the world is that given by British Airways. I have flown on most airlines and BA and Air Canada, for that matter, rank high. Aeroflot, suprisingly enough, is good. For an American owned and operated it has to be Alaska Air. I only fly business or first so my impressions might be a bit scewed, but I did fly BA coach class from London to Cairo and the service there was excellent too.

Peevee

[catzenmouse]

I agree on British Airways service. We found the International Aeroflot sucked big time both ways this last trip but the internal Russian flights were quite good.

Ken

[Manny]

Funny how experiences differ...........

BA I consider always so expensive that I rarely use them.

Aeroflot I have only had good experience with.

My most enjoyable flights was with a US airline, chrome looking planes, American Airways I think?

I once flew PIA (Pakistan International) now that was a rude awakening!