Strange Russian traditions: what surprised an American in Russia

It's not a secret for anyone that the inhabitants of each country adhere to certain national traditions that are brought up since childhood. This also applies to habits, including in the conduct of life. Naturally, we Russians, too, have our own characteristics that are completely incomprehensible to the population of other states.

For example, when a resident of the United States moved to Russia, he started a personal blog, where he told his opinion about Russian culture. By the way, some everyday habits are also described there. Moreover, he could not only understand them, but also accept them.

Amazing for an American, familiar for a Russian

The first thing that a US resident drew attention to was wooden windows, which we seal with cotton wool or foam rubber and paper tape (sometimes adhesive tape) for the winter. We put a practical sense into this process, because this is what helps us to keep warm in the house in the winter. But the American was a little surprised. According to him, even in the north of his country, such events are never carried out. But in Russia this is common, especially in those apartments where there are still wooden frames instead of metal-plastic ones.

Another thing incomprehensible to an American (which is more than familiar and commonplace for us) is a duvet cover. In general, it is this detail of bedding that distinguishes our bedrooms. In America, the set does not include a duvet cover, but there are several sheets. One sheet is covered on the mattress, then pillows, then again a sheet, now it's the turn of blankets, and on top... another sheet. The system seems too complicated, but for any resident of the United States it is as familiar and simple as it is for us to put a blanket into a duvet cover.

But the manner of the Russians, which caused a separate surprise among the American, lies in the storage of things. He says that in the United States they are not used to leaving something if the subject has already worked out. He simply goes to a landfill or to a recycling center (even broken equipment). It is believed that a non-working refrigerator is rubbish, and it is easier to get rid of it than to put it in the garage and wait until hands reach it for repairs.

Such simple things for us can cause bewilderment among residents of other countries. And what is it to us? We just buy a duvet cover, seal the windows for the winter, send the old radio to the garage (so that later disassemble for parts) and feel quite happy, because these habits are part of our mentality and character.