So, seeing as I am about half way through my stay here in Russia (not officially or anything, just a sort of rough estimate...) I decided to make a sort of big sweeping look back type blog! Because, i was sitting here the other day, and thinking about how many things have changed in the last 5 months. Sometimes I think that a different person will be going back in my place in less than six months....
Here are some of the crazy things that have happened, and that have changed:
1) I speak Russian!
That is one of the coolest, in my opinion. I am now speaking conversational Russian, pretty fluently. By fluent, I mean to say that I still sometimes struggle with foreign words, but I now know so many words by heart that I don't think about what I'm saying as much-- which has the weird affect of making be speak in English sometimes. Strange... So I'll be speaking really fast in Russian, and then all the sudden say something like, "I mean" or "But yeah". Ploy thinks it's hilarious.
Also, I can understand more of what people are saying, Television, and classes!! Not perfectly, but I'm working on it!
2) I am learning the difference between Pushy and Rude
Because there is one. Here in Russia, sometimes you think that people are being really rude (and sometimes they are) but
there is a fine line that I am seeing now. Here, you just can't get away with being quiet or meek about something. If you want lunch, you'd better get to the front (not a line...) and shout your order fast, or you're just not going to get it. But being pushy, does in no way mean being mean to the people. I don't know how to explain it.
Also, saying Please and Thank You are not normal here. Don't get me wrong, that's a habit I will not be broken of, but I'm just pointing it out. Oh, and if you say "excuse me" too much, people get really weirded out, and you're friends might get offended. Excuse me is for when you've done something wrong and usually not so much for friends.
3) I am learning how to stop an argument when I know that I'm wrong... Or that arguing my correct point won't get me anywhere.
Seriously. That's been one of the hardest lessons, and one that I don't even totally like admitting. But it comes with the language territory. Sometimes I can't even properly explain my point, so I end up repeating myself... I know I'm right, but is there really a reason to go around and around in circles about it?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect. But I'm working on it. Walking away (literally) actually does help. Sometimes your pride isn't nearly as important as the person you're fighting with.
4) People can seriously surprise you.
I've mentioned how sometimes Russians seem really rude, and I know everyone knows that they don't really smile at people... But here's the thing, they aren't mean. Like, I never thought they were, but the extent of their kindness can be really surprising sometimes. They might not smile at perfect strangers on the street, but they smile a crazy amount amongst friends. And that sort of angry guy walking down the street, well, he might just be the one that picks up the hair clip that fell out of your hair and run after the bus you just ran to get on--and yes, that completely happened! And the bus driver stopped so that the man could give me my hair clip!
5) Stereotypes are so... lame
I've learned since being here, that people still who heartedly believe in stereotypes, and I really don't understand why. The more people I meet and the more places I've been, the more painfully obvious it becomes just how ridiculous that is. I have had several (okay, more than several) people be completely shocked that No, Americans don't eat at McDonald's everyday, and No, I don't even like McDonald's. No big group of people can really be flung into a category, and I hope that the smaller this world gets, the more other people get that.
So, when I come back, it's more than likely that I'll say random phrases in Russian without even meaning too, make eye contact with strangers, hold it, and not smile, and start eating salads... that aren't salad.
So for now, I'm going to say, thanks Russia for teaching me so many things!!
From Russia with Love,
Bettina
