12. Read the dialogue and say what new fact you have learnt about Russians and Americans. Dialogue 2.

Two friends Nikita and Denis are talking about Nikita’s visit to the USA.

Denis: When you first arrived in the USA, what stood out (бросилось в глаза)?

Nikita: First, the traffic system is well-organized. Drivers are polite and stop for

pedestrians. Second, how Americans are relaxed (свободны не церемонны). They have relaxed postures, free behaviour, a relaxed way of

dressing, usually sport clothes. And third, they use computers a lot in everyday life.

Denis: How has your experience changed your original view of Americans?

Nikita: I know now that not all Americans are rich. Statistics shows that 13 percent

of Americans – one of every eight – live below the poverty line. That means they do not have enough money to pay for the basic necessities of life.

Denis: Can you describe any situation in which your expectations (ожидания)

caused a misunderstanding?

Nikita: When you are invited to someone’s home in Russia, you are asked to have

tea or some food. In the USA it does not happen in every house.

Denis: What other things did you notice?

Nikita: Americans are so impatient (нетерпеливы). They don’t like to stand in line

and wait, and they originated “fast food”. Another thing that stands out is

their social equality – treating (обращение) everyone the same.

Denis: I see. But I wonder if you liked any features that are common to many

Americans?

Nikita: Their optimism. Many Americans tend (склонны) to believe that the only

obstacle (препятствие) to things getting better is “not trying enough”.

Another thing I like in them is they don’t complain (жаловаться) and

don’t look to others to solve their problems. And I like their “sorry” which

you hear everywhere.

Denis: And what things did you most notice about Russian people when you returned home?

Nikita: People are less polite. And the weight of swear words! (ругательства)

Denis: I’m with you in this point. I hate obscenities too.

Nikita: Being in the USA I always felt Russian and I told people I was from Russia

with a sense of pride.

Denis: Great. I believe it’s important to be able to see the faults (недостатки) of your country and love it at the same time.

13. Suggest the English for:

бросилось в глаза, вежливый, пешеходы, свободная манера одеваться, опыт, изменить сложившиеся взгляды на, за чертой бедности, оплачивать насущные расходы, ожидания, вызывать недопонимание, приглашать в дом, нетерпелив, общие черты, склонны верить, единственное препятствие, приложить старания, брань, бранные слова, чувство гордости, видеть недостатки, в тоже самое время.

14. Here is a list of values common to many Americans.

Read about the reasons some cultural anthropologists have offered to explain why Americans can appear the way they do to people from other cultures.

Make a dialogue between an American professor and a Russian

reporter.

1. Americans are always in such a hurry to get things done.

- They do it because it’s only then that they feel they have proven their worth (ценность) to other people.

2. Americans insist on treating everyone the same.

• Americans have a deep cultural instinct toward social equality and not having a class system. This is a reaction to the European class system. American insistence on egalitarianism (эгалитаризм), or social equality, may be annoying (раздражать).

3. Americans always have to say what they are thinking.

• Americans believe that being direct is the most efficient way to communicate (общаться). Being direct is often valued over “beating around the bush” (вокруг да около). In some cultures, the normal way to disagree or to say “no” is to say nothing or be very indirect.

4. Americans don’t show very much respect for their elders.

• They believe people must earn by their actions whatever respect they are given. Merely attaining (достижение) a certain age or holding a certain position does not in itself signify achievement (достижение).

5. An American can become acquainted with a complete stranger and in the next breath will describe that person as a friend.

• American friendships center around collegues, neighbours or participants in recreational activities. This reflects the American reluctance (нерасположение) to get too deeply involved (вникать) with the personal problems of others.

6. In the US everything is about money.

• Asking how much money you make is a taboo question in the States.

7. Americans are ethnocentric.

• “Ethno” means cultural group. Ethnocentrism means that human beings often see themselves – their country, their culture, their people - as being the center of the World. They are concerned (озабочены) only with the events at home.

15. What appeals to you in Americans? Point out positive things about others.

16. Have you changed your mind after reading those texts? What new information have you got?

17. We are better able to understand the cultures of other peoples when we compare them with our own culture. Make out a dialogue between two students – American and Russian and speak about your similarities and differences.

18. Write an essay on the topic Russia and America through cultural lenses.

19. Here are the answers for task number six.

1. Why do most Russians not smile in public, for example, at strangers in the street?

In general, Russians have a “public face” and a “private face”. In public, most Russians are formal and reserved. They do not openly express emotions or reveal thoughts in front of people they don’t know well and trust. At home and among friends they are warm, expressive, willing to reveal (открыть) much about their life histories, their deepest thoughts and inmost (сокровенные) feelings.

Most Americans smile often. They smile in public to “break the ice” – to create a feeling of community, equality. Americans may also smile out of a sense of optimism, a belief that one’s happiness lies in one’s hands.

2. Why do many Russians drink tea so often? Why is soup a very common element of Russian cuisine?

Tea drinking among adults is traditional. Tea is comforting and warming. When the weather is cold, it is far more pleasant to drink a cup of hot tea than a glass of cold or lukewarm (тепловатый) water. Tea is also a physical and mental stimulant welcome (желанный) during the long winter. Drinking tea is a social event. You can have a nice, long conversation over a cup of tea but not over a glass of water. Soup is also a traditional part of Russian cuisine, no doubt (несомненно) due to material and historical factors. Many families have soup every day. It is highly nutritious (питательный) – full of vitamins and minerals – and economical. Like tea, it warms the body. As both tea and soup contain a lot of water, one doesn’t need to drink so much.

Most Americans eat soup rarely. Americans generally favour coffee over tea though they do not drink it often. They consider drinking lots of water good for health, especially when they exercise.

3. Why are many Russians thin?

Many Russians walk a great deal. They walk or take public transportation to and from work. Russians walk to do daily tasks like shopping for groceries and paying bills (счета).

Many Americans are more dependent upon their cars. Besides they eat more.

For some young American women share (разделяют) this belief, it is not a universal belief about beauty. There are different ideas about female beauty – in the USA, in Russia, and throughout the world.