Interview

My channel is not political, so I want to ask you questions about your experience of living in Russia as an american, about differences in culture of the US and Russia and things that surprised you about Russians in the areas of habits, communication, business e t.c.

1) However, I think we can’t skip the reason why you are in Russia. Let’s start from the beginning, could you please tell your story? (about your profession back in the US and volunteering at the Peace Corps)

2014.

I was a lawyer in the United States. I was unhappy. I was living in a 3 story house and I was alone in my personal life and in my beliefs. I longed for the Odessa sunsets. I longed for her. The woman on the rock, the woman I dated twice and who screamed at the top of her lungs at how happy she was. I was reaccepted into the Peace Corps, but it was an insignificant country in an important time in world history. I was accepted to go to teach in China. I sold everything. As I was ready to board the plane, dog in hand, there was a layover and I was stuck in Boston. I got a phone call from English First in the airport, saying that they were not going to accept me, and if I came they would arrest me. I went back to the big empty 3 story house, and wept, with only my dog Knopka to comfort me.

December 1999.

Putin had just came to power, 1 day before. I was in Chicago. The next day, group 17 Ukraine flew to Kiev.

2) Why did you decide to run away from the US? Why did you choose Russia? How did you obtain the temporary asylum?

Run away has negative connotations in America. I moved away, for brighter pastures. For a new start in 2015. I was denied political asylum in 2016.

3) What do you do in Russia? (your occupation) What are your goals here?

I am a lawyer. I am starting a non-governmental organization. NGO. Like most Russians. I have my fingers in a lot of pies.

4) Let’s discuss the cultural aspects and that’s what my channel mainly focuses on.

Did you have a cultural shock? (memorize your first day here and your impressions)

My fremeny picked me and my dog Knopka up at the airport in a BMW and then dropped me off at my apartment. He never went in with me. I didn’t see him again for months. He was too busy for me. I was exhausted but excited.

5) You are writing a book “Why Don’t Russians Smile?” the aim of which is to reveal the mystery of a Russian soul. Let’s start from the title :

So, Why don’t Russians smile after all? What is the answer?

How long do we have? Smile, laugh

Coconuts and peaches.

6) Many americans who have Russian friends say “why does the US have problems with Russians? We’re not that different”. What are the similarities between Russians and Americans?

The Russian soul. Russky dusha exists and one of my goals is to quantify it.

7) What are the main differences according to your book, your research?

Discuss:

- collectivism vs individualism

America is the most individualistic country in the world (89%) wheareas Russia is at approximately 45% on the scale. (Hoffstead)

- Russian pessimism

A pessimist is an informed optimist. Americans expect things to turn good and get annoyed when they don’t . Russians are surprised when things turn out good, and expect failure. History, most recently the 1990s are to blame.

- Differences in education systems : cheating culture, high school and universities in usa vs Russia

Cheating in Russia is rife. In the island of America it is not. America has the highest number of people who believe in angels of any industrialized country.

8) You have a chapter “American are like peaches, Russians are like coconuts?”. Why are Americans peaches and Russians are coconuts?

I wish I would have come up with this idea. In the moronic cross cultural training in the US Peace Corps there were some bright spots. A lot of bright spots. One was the deep relationships I formed, which I all lost in 2014. They used the analogy of an egg and a peach.

(What should you do if you’re a peach amongst coconuts?)

If you are a peach among coconuts, expect to be bruised. There are 13 million coconuts in Moscow. Moscow vies for the country with the most immigrants in the world, second only to America. Germany continues to fall and rise as second place.

9) How do Russians and Americans interpret the question “How are you?” What is the difference?

Russians don’t ask how are you unless you really want to know more about the person.

Americans see how are you as a greeting.

10) You have a chapter “The Russian soul” – what are the traits of the Russian soul according to your research?

Its complicated.

11) Consumption of alcohol : Russia vs the US. Can you compare this feature?

In Russia it is a scourge. In America they pop pills.

12) Patience, punctuality and the perception of time. As an American, do you feel the difference of how Russians perceive the time? Was it difficult for you to adapt to this aspect of life?

Moscovites is the most cutthroat and business like place in Russia, yet people are still late.

Friends come first in Russia. If you get a call from a lifelong friend, your important presentation can wait. Whereas Americans turn off their phones.

13) Let’s talk about differences in communication. What are the main differences? (verbosity, straightforwardness, physical contact) (Americans find Russians rude)

Russians are very straightforward in business, whereas Americans are gentler.

Americans are more straightforward in personal affairs, whereas Russians are more gentler and intimate.

14) Business. What are the main differences in how Russians and Americans act in business?

You will have to ask Luc Jones about that.

15) Do you want to stay in Russia? What are the plans for the future? (Why do you want to live in Russia? (cold weather, lower level of life, people aren’t so friendly) Have you traveled? Where would you prefer to live?

Yes. I will live here for the rest of my life. I want to be the first American buried at the base of the Kremlin in the 21st century. Russia is the Wild East with cell phones. As an American I am a super star and super villain, depending on the hour. The opportunities for Americans are vast and unfathomable. Moscow beckons. I am home in Moscow.

I have traveled to Kazan to look up the Soviet Sex school. Other than that, I have never been outside of Moscow in 5 years. I am always working.

16) What advice would you give to expats living or at least visiting Russia? Don’t fall in love until you read our book, WhyDontRussiansSmile.com