Tim Kirby - known Russian journalist. Judging by his first and last name, not hard to guess, that it is not fundamentally a Russian citizen. Tim moved to Russia from the United States more 12 years ago, at 2006 year.
Shortly before the New 2019 , he gave an interview RuOpen, where he shared his views on the features of Russian and Americans, their similarities and differences, as well as the attitude of both to life. The conversation was interesting, because Kirby knows and those, and other.
Believe in yourself
knowing, many Russians have left for permanent residence in America, many are surprised Tim solution to settle in Russia. And he genuinely loved our country, although it relates to the mission, however, as well as to America.
Most Kirby did not like about the Russian, that they have little faith in themselves and in the, that they can achieve something. If an American says to himself, "I can", the Russian will come up with a bunch of reasons, to prove, that goal is unattainable. Russians say "nothing happens, all to no avail, it is impossible ", etc.. solid pessimism.
This is especially true of bureaucrats, that simply perform some function, to justify their salaries, and do not protrude.
Even some Russian, by Tim opinion, living an illusion, that things are different in the West. there's democracy, well-fed life and full social justice. But the reality is the same everywhere bad. It's just inherent in human nature. When people get power, that their spoils.
Tim says, that we should not live with illusions, and the need to believe in yourself, set goals and strive for them.
He claims, that in the Anglo-Saxon nature inherent in all the troubles to blame themselves. In Russia, usually blame the government or other authorities. Anyone, not me. Tim says, it is an echo of the socialist past, when the initiative was punishable, therefore on the individual little depended.
Kirby says, that we should believe in themselves, because the only way to achieve something in life. This is what Russian is not enough, although there have a lot of smart and talented people. He explained his idea as an example:
Yes, Russian pride, In many areas of Russian people smarter (as a result of exams, Russian engineers in the United States very much praise), but, on the other hand, if you think the Loch, that he can, and a genius thinks, he could not, who will win?
Russian civilization
Our Russian Americans believes, that the political and philosophical sense, Russia is far ahead of the West. He respects the Russian thinkers and their ideas, counting, that the West is now experiencing a decline in the spiritual plane. In order not to lose yourself, it should be a lot to learn from Russia.
As for the political system, Kirby is delighted that, which began to take shape in the Russian Empire, It became the basis for the formation of the USSR, and then the Russian Federation. It was created the nucleus of a great civilization, which later became known as the Russian Mir. The orbit of this civilization includes other peoples, have been taken, as equal, and retained a respect for the Russian.
Such principles would do well to learn from the US. Then the Americans will understand, that can be the center of the created civilization, not attempting to dominate others.
Family and Work
When asked Kirby, what is the main difference between Russian women from the American, He said only the word "family". Of course, then he said, what he meant. For Russian women the most important thing - it's family. This is the basis and the meaning of her life. She lives, to get married, give birth and raise children. Male - breadwinner and support.
Americans - stupidly work. Whether in jest, whether seriously said Tim, he moved to Russia, to work less. Although here it is taken for multiple complex projects, so it's time to rest are left.
Russian habits
Tim told, that during the period of life in Russia, he took over from Russian some of their habits.
for example, American Kirby acquaintances began to notice, that it is much less smiling, than before. On the other hand, when Tim gets into a difficult situation and does not know, what to do, he smiles. In America and say:
You do not know, what's going on - just in case smile.
Besides, Kirby learned Russian straightness. He told the, he thinks. true, as noted by Tim, This feature is inherent in Russian at the household level, among friends and acquaintances. But when he is confronted with the officials and other officials, they do not behave. He "affectionately" called them "men in ties".
Dreams and Destiny
Tim also spoke about the American Dream. He considers, Many migrants, coming to the US, understand it properly. they think, that the American dream is, they will come, and they all provide, and give all. Actually, its meaning is, that you have the opportunity to do something and to achieve something, if you attach to this effort. In other words, it is right to set goals and strive to achieve them.
Russian dream to form a much harder. Russian want quiet, a peaceful life, to be left alone. Over the past hundred years, we have experienced a great revolution, brutal civil war, collectivisation, hunger, Great Patriotic War, restructuring, the collapse of the USSR, "Dashing nineties".
In the US, too, it was a brutal civil war, which killed off 400 thousand to a million people, then it was a significant percentage of the total population. Besides, once flourishing American South was turned into a scorched desert.
And if it happen again in the history of the United States is still three to four times? It is unlikely that in this case the United States today would have such a highly developed economy and a significant influence in the world.
That is why the Russian want peace, wealth. Government in different countries call this stability. But high income population is only possible in conditions of stability.
But should not be confused with the Russian dream Russian fate. If the first is committed to peace, meaning the second is eternal his absence. Russia constantly feels responsible for the fate of others and rises to their defense. So it was during the Napoleonic invasion, and during the Second World, and during the "cold war". Even now, Russia is trying to save the world from globalization.
Generally, rest only in our dreams.
What infuriates Americans
Tim does not say how, his furious in Russian. And what can globally enrage a man in the country, where he volunteered to come and stay longer on 12 years?
But he was so long in Russia, that he was beginning to enrage Americans.
for example, Tim exasperated this American omniscience. They are not interested in anything, that does not touch them personally, they do not care at all, what is happening in the world. But while Americans believe, they have the right to teach others, how to live correctly.
When it comes to America, it lacks the talk "heart to heart". After all, Americans are, at best, take an interest, How are you, Even without listening to the answer. "How are you" – this is the beginning, and the end of the conversation. And yet they are not far from "stupid", as claimed by Zadornov. They just care about you and your problems.
Generally, Russian and Americans have much to learn from each other. And the example of Tim Kirby shows, that the close association of our people capable of bringing mutual benefits.
Author: Sergey Kuzmitsky
