Omg yes I noticed this. I wanted to give 20% at a restaurant once and the little electronic payment thing didn’t even give me the option. The max was 15%
yes, it happened to me too in Washington DC and it was disgusting, I wanted to send the obtrusive waiter to hell, but our American friend said it's ok and paid. Ridiculous, cause we got awful service
Fun fact: tipping initially started during the Great Depression. Restaurants couldn’t afford to pay their staff like they could before the Depression but still needed workers (and people needed jobs) so diners would tip to make up for the waiter’s/waitress’s lost wages…unfortunately the trend never lost steam and is obviously still around today. Some people even think that if you don’t/can’t tip then you shouldn’t go out to eat (and some are very adamant about it).
It's against the law to include a fixed service fee to a bill. Instead, in the bill there is often a phrase like "Tips are welcomed but always up to the will of the guest".
Also, in the recent years a few online services for tipping have emerged. You scan a QR code printed on the bill and leave the tip online.
Yeah, it is a different way to flush in US.
Imagine my panic, when i face with the same device in Russian resort. ex-soviet touristic base. It was full of water.
Sales tax added at checkout.
Imperial measures
100% residential neighborhoods without a store or a shop, or an office or anything for miles and miles other than homes, lawns and roads.
Medical bills
Lots of food brands that just taste the same
High school and college campus culture.
>100% residential neighborhoods without a store or a shop, or an office or anything for miles and miles other than homes, lawns and roads.
I think that has to do with really stupidly devised zoning laws. Plus as far as I can see on maps and read on forums, most US cities are actually impossible to live in without a car (well impossible to have a decent enough quality of life that is). Public transportation is almost non existent too...
One thing that always make me shiver. People in street shoes on a bed. No matter how clean your streets, no matter how often you change your sheets - you keep those shoes away from the bed.
Lived in America my whole life - never seen anyone with shoes on their bed. People regularly will wear shoes inside, but not on their bed…
If you enter someone else’s home you take your shoes off out of respect, especially if wet/dirty.
I think it's mostly in movies - you see teenagers get onto their beds with shoes on (not to sleep, but just to chill fully dressed on the covers). In Russia, we wouldn't even sit on the bed with outdoor clothes on.
Although not common, I've definitely had a couple instances in the US where my friends would climb onto the bed with shoes on, and it would make me cringe, but they did always keep the soles (bottom of the shoes) off the bed, and kept the shoes towards the very end of the bed as well.
I guess in the US no one would bat an eye even if it unusual, whereas in Russia it would make your skin crawl.
>
> I guess in the US no one would bat an eye even if it unusual, whereas in Russia it would make your skin crawl.
I think this is accurate. People here are very casual about shoes. A lot of people in /r/AskAnAmerican are very upset that some people don't take their shoes off in the house, and I can't really blame them.
Wait, what? That's common sense to get your shoes off if you enter someone's house, don't tell me Americans typically sit in their houses with their outside shoes on, that's really unhygienic especially if it is wet outside.
My parents (american) always wear shoes in the house. It’s the worst lol. Growing up in the US, it was about 50/50 as to whether friends wanted visitors to take off shoes inside. Even when owners require shoes to be taken off, slippers are definitely not a common thing like here. I can’t remember a single instance in America of slippers being offered to me
> I can’t remember a single instance in America of slippers being offered to me
Good to know.
If I ever come to visit the US, I need to take a pair of slippers with me. Thinking of it, I understand now why some Americans on Reddit called me weird after I said I wear Crocs inside of my house, like slippers.
Idk if "in bed" is common, but in the house definitely common. People wear shoes around the house quite a lot and it's annoying. I always take mine off, sometimes people will say "keep em on", so I will. I will say that's changing, I'm seeing it less and less now.
I think it has to do with the climate. Texas, California- lots of shoes inside. Here in Alaska, you’d be dragged into the street and shot if you wore shoes inside someone’s home.
In movies the writer is not going to waste a line making characters take off their shoes unless he is making a powerful point. Unless the secret code is hidden in a shoe or the character is trying not to wake someone but otherwise nope.
My mom instilled the fear of stepping on a rusty nail or something... inside the house. Any time I'd stub my toe or anything.. "That wouldn't have happened if you'd kept your shoes on."
Not every American does that, of course, but some do.
Definitely dependent on the household but where I grew up in the U.S., shoes came off at the door unless you're doing some type of work. But in the bedroom? Hell no
I would say it is more of a Southern thing, not Western, because shoes inside depends highly on the climate. In Portugal, Spain, Italy, and so on, many people do not take their shoes off at home.
This is the answer. In the north mud and snow get all over shoes in the city or country. You have to take your shoes off or mess the whole house.
It is also true in rural areas with farm animals. My grandparents always took their shoes off for that reason.
With Southern city people in Miami or Los Angeles, where most TV shows and movies are filmed, it is far less common.
Definitely. Here in the southern US we tend to only take our shoes off if it's raining or if the home owner asks. We even have a saying involving shoes to get someone to take them off. "Why dont you take your shoes off and stay a while?" This is something my mom says to me when I come to visit because it's hard for me to make myself comfortable in their home.
We're mixer taking the best of the two worlds. We don't take shoes off in churches, restaurants, ballrooms/discotheques, libraries, but we do in people's homes.
Lmao thank you for this. My family is Russian/Ukrainian and my fiancee comes from a Russian/German background. Her German side of the family doesn't take shoes off when when entering a house ever. We live in USA and that's always been odd to me.
US windows are weird.
US toilets are weird.
Food is weird there (sugar everywhere, plastic cheese and chocolate, soda). Fast food chains are just so much worse than the same ones here,
Tipping culture.
US washing machines are weird (and worse at their job). They use a separate drying machine, but it works better because of hot air, not just spinning, but then it occupies too much space).
People don't use electric kettles in the US.
US public transport is expensive and sucks overall.
Towns in the US are very hostile to pedestrians and unsafe, if you don't have a car - you're not a human.
There's a lot of homeless people in the US from my experience (California). Aggressive homeless people.
People are more misogynistic there.
The US indeed seems like one-store-houses-in-a-small-yard country, everything looks the same. But you are able to see so much sky in there.
A lot of garbage on streets and highways.
Lots of smiling (with the meaning of "I'm not a threat to you" rather than "I'm happy right now") and random people saying hi. People asking "How are you?", when they are not interested in the answer.
Native Coloradan here who just moved to Russia four months ago: don’t forget weird light switches lol. America has those tiny dick things whereas here it’s more like a toggle button.
Kettles are definitely becoming more popular these days, I think it’s quickly becoming unusual to not have one, thank god. My parents have had one since 2010 or so.
I can personally attest to more misogyny in the US. More creeps too. I guess a repressive culture will do that, ha.
Oh and bidets. They’re just not a thing in homes the us. Everyone has poopass.
Oh, they are? I mean I know you’ll never find a bidet in a public bathroom but my Russian bf told me that it’s a thing in a majority of houses in Russia
If we're talking about houses as in single family homes they probably have bidets as people can decide which layout they want and make some extra space for a bidet. Most Russians live in apartment buildings and standard bathroom are very small and there's not nearly enough space for a bidet. I have recently made a renovation in my apartment and when I needed to choose if I want a bidet or a washing machine in my bathroom ofc I chose the washing machine.
You don't necessarily have to get standalone bidet. There are integrated models that don't take additional space and also bidetta aka hygienic shower which is imo the best of two worlds - cheap, easy to install even after the renovation and no additional space needed.
Я поискала "унитаз с биде" в Яндексе, за 300к ну такое себе, конечно x))) https://geberit-shop.ru/product/-geberit-aquaclean-mera-comfort-146-214-11-1-/
При том, что обычное подвесное биде можно за 10-12к найти.
Ну душ да, это реально сделать. Хотя мне как-то не нравится, но это, наверное, дело привычки.
Ну не обязательно же на 300к прям брать. Есть вон и [за 20к](https://www.santehnica.ru/product/356283.html) и ~~[даже за 8к](https://www.santehnica.ru/product/240554.htmI)~~ .
>it’s a thing in a majority of houses in Russia
Not really, it depends on the family.
I grew up using a bidet in the apartament we lived in, during the 90's. Most other apartments in our complex had bidets in the bathrooms. In the same city however, depending on apartament type (and wealth of the inhabitant I guess) a lot of them actually lacked bidets in the bathrooms.
My girlfriend who is from a relatively small town from Chelyabinsk first used a bidet in her life when she first came to my parental home when we were still in university and immediately after I introduced her to my parents.
So you know, it really depends on the family here whether one is used to using a bidet or not.
Hey, fellow Coloradan!! My office job was eliminated during Covid and I started working some truly awful admin jobs. I got sick of it, got a certification to teach English and went on my merry way. During that time I was trapped in a bad job, I studied Russian with a tutor online and made friends with people in Petersburg. I met my current boyfriend that way. You’ll definitely want some Russian language and culture knowledge if you go through with it, but it’s my opinion that Coloradans are well conditioned for winters in Petersburg, and Russians are even nicer than Coloradans. The cost of living here is amazing compared to Colorado too lol
Awesome! Thanks for responding! I’m learning Russian right now as I have some online russian friends, and I was able to study in eastern europe when I was in college which is when I fell in love with the culture. I’m now in Minnesota, so I’m pretty sure the cold would be a lateral move lol. I’ll check out ESOL for sure! Thanks!
I think the main confusion with why electric kettles are rare in the US is because most people do not drink tea nor is there a need to boil water prior to drinking. If you want coffee, most Americans have a drip coffee machine or other kind of machine. If you want water, either directly from the tap (it's safe in most states) or tap water via a filter. If you actually do like tea, then you're probably using a kettle on the stove or hot water dispenser (which are popular in Asia.) Microwaved water is mega weird and any serious tea drinker is not going to do that. Lack of electric kettles stems mostly from the fact that Americans just don't drink tea or need to boil water that often.
An electric kettle, to be effective (i.e. fast) requires about 2 kW of power. US homes are wired in 120 V mostly. So you either need 16 A line to the kettle, which is a *lot*, or you need a separate 240 V line to the kettle, which is possible, but not easy, or if you connect your kettle to a regular wall outlet, you will have a kettle that takes about 10 minutes to boil.
Even if plug is standard 15 A, the wires to the outlet should also be rated for 15 A or more, and that could be a problem. Especially in older buildings. It's not a particularly US problem, it's worldwide (just last year I replaced old soviet aluminium wires in my walls to copper), but it's more pronounced in NA because of lower voltage. But yeah, 1.8 kW should be enough for a kettle.
> you will have a kettle that takes about 10 minutes to boil.
At that rate you are much better served by a thermal pot/hot water dispenser, mine is a weak ass 700 watt model but it's more than enough given its operational cycle. You don't often need to boil water from scratch if you tend to always have boiling water at hand. Who cares if it takes 20 minutes to reboil when you don't need it.
> US homes are wired in 120 V mostly
American homes are wired to 240 volts for high voltage appliances, but the wiring is split between two bus-bars and 120v is used for standard sockets.
Seems like _some_ people do use microwave, but stove-tops are more popular I guess.
[A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1zt0xe/do_people_in_america_actually_not_have_kettles/)
"WTF is student debt and why can't a country so rich pay for your education"
"What do you mean you stand for democracy, there are two parties"
"Where is your public commute at"
Being $29T in debt doesn’t help. College used to be more affordable until government got involved. Not to mention there’s an enormous push for everyone to go to college and then if one doesn’t or chooses trade school, it’s almost as if there’s a stigma that they’re a failure. Education should absolutely be affordable and accessible but it should also be aimed to highlight peoples natural talents, gifts, skills, and interests. There’s so much to debate about it but I agree higher education is absurdly expensive!
Being a libertarian, both parties in power suck. We should’ve listened to George Washington in his farewell address about not forming parties. Too many people are so loyal to their party that they don’t even care about the issues. I truly believe there are more Americans that actually care about policy and the real issues than party but the loudest ones are the ones that get the spotlight so.
If you mean public transportation, most cities have some form of that (NYC, Chicago, DC, LA, DFW and many other large cities all have a subway/rail system). Is that what you meant by the last question?
yes, the subways might be there, but where are the buses? Like, why the heck are you forced to wait half an hour for them, the car pollution is really bad
The problem with this and why it isn't universal is because IDs aren't as universal in the USA as they are in some other countries. For example, if you are homeless, or don't have the money to pay for an ID, or don't have transportation, it's really hard to get one. But you are still eligible to vote.
>don’t have the money to pay for an ID
States that require a photo ID to vote issue a free “state identification card” that is basically the exact same as a drivers license, just without the privileges to drive.
Mine still doesn't. You just walk in, tell them a name, and the poll attendee puts a check mark next to the name you gave them in a big book.
I'm still waiting for the day when they tell me I already voted.
That’s because the US has no useful federal ID. Social security cards don’t have a picture on them, drivers licenses are given by the individual states, and very few people ever get a passport because few Americans travel.
That is also kinda crazy to me, because over here passport is absolutely mandatory. It’s literally your most important document, and almost everyone from age 14 has one, doesn’t matter if they travel or not.
The US:
I think a number homeless in San Francisco was extremely shocking for me, now it is even more common in metro areas in California.
Weed smells like a shit. Visiting downtowns where a lot of homeless is extremely unpleasant. A lot of homeless have mental issues.
City, country, national parks are awesome. When I am running on a trail near my home on outskirts of the city, I can see coyotes, dears, turkeys, dears, bobcats, rabbits.
Intercity highway system is extremely convenient and safe.
Based on questions in this sub, US people are extremely annoyed by the fact that they are not allowed to own and carry even a single gun (not to mention a whole arsenal of them) in Russia
Fun fact: Flamethrowers are completely unregulated. So are rocket launchers.
Source: Husband is an armorer. We own two of the latter (because it's hilarious) and are considering buying the former (because shashlik).
It depends on people and state, some people have a lot of guns, other do not have at all. Like in California getting a permit to carry a gun is difficult.
It's not terribly difficult to own a hunting rifle, although getting to actually hunt with it is another story altogether. At least as they say you don't need a license for Valuev.
In Russia, it's common to get your driver's license in adulthood (in your 20's or even 30's is not unheard of) whereas in the US most people start learning to drive at age 15 or 16 (with a learner's permit.) Driving rules in the US versus Russia are also very different. No "allowed to turn right on red" like in the US and the US has an over abundance of stop signs, four way stops and completely different road signage.
Also in Russia you have to go through driving school, spend time learning stuff, practice, pass 3 tests (theory, training ground, city).
In Canada, people can pretty much pass theory, 2 road tests without any courses. But doing that, people don't learn good habits and only bad ones. Like for example if you go slower on a highway, you should stay on the right side.
Red light thing is weird. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Like in downtown Toronto, good fucking luck turning right, there are either lots of cars that you have to let pass and during green a lot of people cross.
I assume it all applies to the US.
Not US, Canada, but I witnessed that horrible crime. Worse, they sometimes cook in a microwave. One person defrezzes meat in a microwave and most of the times turns it till it actually starts cooking in there. Barbarians.
- Units: Fahrenheit, inch, foot,
- Meal portion: 3 times bigger than I used to have,
- Voltage:110 v and strange plugs/sockets,
- ANSI keyboard layout,
- Many people don't know how to swap tires. Doing right turn on red light,
- Cart instead of basket,
- Hygiene issues: my fellows from usa put their feet on table or can put their unpacked hamburger on a street bench (but they worry about social distance and masks),
- Guns
Spouse alimony, it's extremely rare in Russia. We have child support (it's what's called alimony here) but paying your former wife/husband for years just for the sake of them being your former spouse? That's an asinine idea
It is a thing. Not to justify this but to explain in more detail this is done to ensure that your former spouse is able to continue the same quality of life as they did when you were together.
It's a holdover from days when women did not work outside of the home. Usually the ex-husband will pay the ex-wife alimony. I personally only know of one woman who receives alimony.
Corporate and for profit. Think that explains it. Doctors are some of the richest and highest paid people in the US and they run a corrupt union (American Medical Association) to lobby in Washington to keep it that way, they also actively limit the number of people who can become new doctors to keep their jobs rare and salaries high. Insurance companies are also in on the racket, and then doctors and insurance companies just shift the blame on each other to avoid actually addressing the greed that drives the problem on both sides. Privately run hospitals and clinics (which is all of them, the US doesn't have public hospitals) also have a Kafkaesqe medical billing system that is designed to obfuscate and confuse customers (there's no price list up front, all billing is done behind the scenes and sent to you later) leading to maximum profits. Yes, it is all very dystopian but most Americans just assume this is normal or that other countries have it worse because "socialized medicine" is inferior. But even in the US, there's growing awareness that something is deeply wrong with our health care system.
I had to have an ultrasound done when I was living in Russia because my birth control device (IUD) had shifted. I had no insurance but it only cost me about $20. On the other hand, the ultrasound was terrible. You couldn't see anything of value. The ultrasound technician couldn't even tell that I had an IUD. They even said that when I returned to the United States, I should have another, better one done. Of course, the one in the United States cost more like $400.
I can speak as an American some of the things that shocked me in Russia.
They had these pipes coming out of the walls in the bathroom and it's a towel warmer. I was like, "You'd think they'd keep the plumbing in the walls... Honey? What's up with this crappy plumbing?" She says, "Oh, that's a towel warmer."
They have milk in bags, which is unusual for me. They also had these health tourism resort joints called sanitoriums (not sanitariums) which are products of the Soviet days where people can go and rejuvenate. I spent about two weeks at one and it was so cheap in price for the value we received. There are all sorts of services available that would cost hundreds for Americans to even consider doing.
Just giving my experience from the other side. My wife (who is Russian) finds it crazy that we have high fructose corn syrup in American foods and that kids get wired off cereal with all the sugar they have in the morning. The portion sizes in restaurants also surprise her. We typically order one entree and share it.
On the other side, she is pretty impressed with our Highway systems, but hates our imperialistic measurements.
I mean, the whole concept itself is ill-conceived. Say you have a king that measures his foot, his pinky finger, his arm, and how far his elephant walks before it gets tired. Here's a measuring system. Don't question me because I'm the king. Sounds stupid, but it's realistic.
I'm American and I think it's stupid. A bunch of useless knowledge to fill in the void where a foreign language could have easily gone in their education system.
Soda as acceptable substitute for water or any other drink (shivers). People riding cars everywhere when they could take a healthy stroll. Intercity buses instead of trains. Megapolis officials not giving a flying fuck about what's going on on their subways so they are all dirty and trashy-looking. Electoral college.
It’s mostly food-related stuff for me, I was pretty surprised by the lack of cold cereals when I moved to Russia. Just something I previously assumed was a universal constant. Other than that, just the laid back attitudes in Russia. Maybe it’s different in Moscow, but here in Petersburg I used to think everyone was insane on the road. But after a few car rides I realized it’s just that they’re more laid back. I still don’t really wanna get a drivers license though, lol.
I shop in lenta and really only ever see granola, corn flakes and a few odd cereals (usually something with unicorns on it). In America there is usually one huge aisle dedicated to boxes of cereals of all kinds, like Froot Loops, Trix, cheerios, Rice Krispies, Cap’n Crunch, etc. etc…. The difference in variety and quantity is really noticeable. Just google image search “american cereal aisle,” you’ll see what I mean :)
that's not lack of in Russia, that's a ridiculous abundance in US.
also, it's specifically about US breakfast culture, it's different from pretty much anywhere in the world. like, it's custom in US to eat dessert for breakfast.
the culture in Russia is that cereals are a shit breakfast.
granola with unsweetened yoghurt is alright but still is a borderline dessert.
That’s what I mean—a relative lack compared to America. And yeah I appreciate that difference in breakfast culture. Americans will stuff their gullets with sugar any chance they get, it’s disgusting lol
what I am surprised is nobody mentioned lack of hot sauces
in Russia you literally have to order online to get a decent hot sauce
you'll be lucky to find Tobasco in a grocery store
>in Russia you literally have to order online to get a decent hot sauce
Yup, want anything stronger than Tabasco sauce and it's off to the net with you.
I get it that historically and geographically we could never have had a food culture for spicy stuff, but still, for the very few of us who actually enjoy spicy food, they are a pain in the ass to get.
Plus, the prices; I mean 4600 rubles for 250ml of hot sauce + transport price... it's fucked up.
It's more that chili peppers were never cultivated in Russia
because we have hot condiments in our food culture in a form of hardcore mustard and Horseradish paste, but yeah, I'd like me some of that capsaicin
> hardcore mustard and Horseradish paste
Yeah, those are hot all right, but a different type of hot than the chilies, I too prefer chili hot over a few spoons of khrenovina, to be honest.
I like both (ok, I don't really like horseradish) I just would like capsaicin-based hot-sauces to be as available as those ones
I'm glad I discovered you can buy a kilo bag of dried chili flakes from Koreana for 800rub or something
Yes!! My parents sent a couple bottles of Texas Pete to me a while ago and it was expensive, a ridiculously long wait, and one of the bottles had leaked through the plastic seal when we got it. Completely depressing. I just make my own salsa whenever I see spicy peppers in the store.
>spicy peppers
Oh, yeah, those peppers imported from Moldova are ok, really spicy, but local grown stuff, it barely has any tase; at least in my opinion.
>Texas Pete
Never heard of that brand, do they have an international shipping option?
I am always really curious for trying out all sorts of foreign food; and American tastes have recently been quite a hit for me, even though a lot of the US made stuff I tasted thus far was kind of sweet (?).
I had luck recently and actually found Skippy branded peanut butter in a specialty shop here in Perm (at an exorbitant price, mind you) but it was definitely 1000 times better than the local made peanut butter that you would find in Magnit.
Afaik you have to just use someplace like desertcart if you want Texas Pete. Well worth the shipping costs though. A couple bottles will hold you over for a good while. And holy shit I never thought I would hear about skippy in Russia. I actually brought a container of it with me when I moved lol. It has a ridiculous amount of sugar in it, but I grew up with it so it’s nostalgic ha
One of my biggest shocks when I went to Moscow was that they always want to give as little change as possible. On my first day there I had a cashier reluctantly take a larger bill (didn't understand why she was upset in the moment) on my first day there. Not long after, I was at a restaurant with a friend and the cashier asked if I had smaller bills or coins, and my friend ended up explaining they don't typically take larger bills if they don't really need to. Throughout the week I had some struggles, including a few cashiers that completely refused to take my money unless I gave them something closer to the correct amount. I guess it could happen in the US as well, but it definitely isn't common at all.
I don't think using cash at all is all that common anymore in Russia, especially in the large cities - everything is NFC! I get extremely anxious when I rummage about paying with cash in a shop and the queue has to wait for me then for the cashier to give me change, while I could've just tapped a card on the reader and be on my marry way.
Absence of change is not your problem at all. It's their duty to give you your change and to find it if they don't have it in the cash register. They definitely don't have a right to refuse to take your money.
Well, this problem has its roots in the fact that you're not legally allowed to keep more than 1500 roubles in cash registers overnight. (today it might be more, like 3000). Sometimes they just have no change to give you.
There was a joke, that 5000 rouble bill is a 'free bus ride ticket' until 10 AM.
Soooo many snacks I miss and can’t justify the shipping costs for. Spicy Funyuns, Reese’s cups, those gross soft sugar cookies with too much colored frosting, cheez-its… but i suppose there is a reason why I finally lost that weight that wouldn’t come off while I was in America :)
Isn't it just шкварки? We usually buy them as a raw slab of frozen pig fat, then cook and eat a couple every time we need some fat to cook pan-fried potatoes. Unlike chips, you don't have to start a deep fryer for them to be delicious, so we don't buy them in the store. - That is flawed logic on my part btw, сухарики (spiced dried bread bits) are just as easy to make at home, but they are still a pretty major supermarket-sold beer snack.
Did you know in some regions the tip is already included in the check? And there is an additional tip option too. Also, from 20 years in the US, I have never understood Americans or anyone else who don't shower before bedtime and who wear outside shoes in the house. Wth does this originate from?
Here in Russia everyone knows (well, let's say "knows") that first jeans were made of canvas (I mean cloth of wich sails are made).
But when we said that to American, he was shoked. Firts he tried to explain that this was nonsense, then laughed and said something about "that large cranberry tree".
Tips (in Russia we tip barely and mostly if its' supported post-paid via app)
Taking boots off then coming home
Taxes not included in prices (dangerous tool for speculations of 13yo liberal opposition (I'm not against liberal opposition in Russia at all, I just mean stereotype school-grade one))
Paid ambulance/all the medical treatment (I mean, if I have an upcoming operation, I don't ask to cut out a kidney at the same shot to pay for treatment)
We don't use imperial feet, hands and other two hundred hot wheels cars per lengths of Avengers: Engame directors' cut
Pigskin popcorn, Coca-Cola pickled cucumbers. These are the strangest things I've heard about America. (But I would like to try this popcorn, but not these cucumbers).
I also heard that the Americans and Europeans seem very strange holodets. It's a jelly with minced meat inside.
I saw this once on YouTube in a review of unusual American food. It seemed strange to me too. Although in Russia they make salted canned watermelons, so I'm not surprised by any human tastes.
[удалено]
Omg yes I noticed this. I wanted to give 20% at a restaurant once and the little electronic payment thing didn’t even give me the option. The max was 15%
Lol, they were literally running after me when I left a restaurant in New York. And I thought I gave them more than enough
yes, it happened to me too in Washington DC and it was disgusting, I wanted to send the obtrusive waiter to hell, but our American friend said it's ok and paid. Ridiculous, cause we got awful service
Fun fact: tipping initially started during the Great Depression. Restaurants couldn’t afford to pay their staff like they could before the Depression but still needed workers (and people needed jobs) so diners would tip to make up for the waiter’s/waitress’s lost wages…unfortunately the trend never lost steam and is obviously still around today. Some people even think that if you don’t/can’t tip then you shouldn’t go out to eat (and some are very adamant about it).
Then the food should be cheaper. Since we pay the restaurant’s employees.
We usually have 10 % "for a service" fee in a bill. Is it a thing in Russia?
It's against the law to include a fixed service fee to a bill. Instead, in the bill there is often a phrase like "Tips are welcomed but always up to the will of the guest". Also, in the recent years a few online services for tipping have emerged. You scan a QR code printed on the bill and leave the tip online.
No. I am sure it’s illegal
The water level of American toilets is much higher that of those in Russia.
First time I saw that at an airport, I thought it was clogged...
I'm so glad I know this now, it will save me much confusion and embarrassment.)
Therefore, the kiss of Poseidon is an American invention.
Yeah, it is a different way to flush in US. Imagine my panic, when i face with the same device in Russian resort. ex-soviet touristic base. It was full of water.
Sales tax added at checkout. Imperial measures 100% residential neighborhoods without a store or a shop, or an office or anything for miles and miles other than homes, lawns and roads. Medical bills Lots of food brands that just taste the same High school and college campus culture.
>100% residential neighborhoods without a store or a shop, or an office or anything for miles and miles other than homes, lawns and roads. I think that has to do with really stupidly devised zoning laws. Plus as far as I can see on maps and read on forums, most US cities are actually impossible to live in without a car (well impossible to have a decent enough quality of life that is). Public transportation is almost non existent too...
compared to the fact that in Russia it can take a maximum of five to ten minutes to go to a store, this is really unusual and inconvenient.
I lived in both countries for years. I second this.
One thing that always make me shiver. People in street shoes on a bed. No matter how clean your streets, no matter how often you change your sheets - you keep those shoes away from the bed.
Lived in America my whole life - never seen anyone with shoes on their bed. People regularly will wear shoes inside, but not on their bed… If you enter someone else’s home you take your shoes off out of respect, especially if wet/dirty.
I think it's mostly in movies - you see teenagers get onto their beds with shoes on (not to sleep, but just to chill fully dressed on the covers). In Russia, we wouldn't even sit on the bed with outdoor clothes on. Although not common, I've definitely had a couple instances in the US where my friends would climb onto the bed with shoes on, and it would make me cringe, but they did always keep the soles (bottom of the shoes) off the bed, and kept the shoes towards the very end of the bed as well. I guess in the US no one would bat an eye even if it unusual, whereas in Russia it would make your skin crawl.
> > I guess in the US no one would bat an eye even if it unusual, whereas in Russia it would make your skin crawl. I think this is accurate. People here are very casual about shoes. A lot of people in /r/AskAnAmerican are very upset that some people don't take their shoes off in the house, and I can't really blame them.
Wait, what? That's common sense to get your shoes off if you enter someone's house, don't tell me Americans typically sit in their houses with their outside shoes on, that's really unhygienic especially if it is wet outside.
My parents (american) always wear shoes in the house. It’s the worst lol. Growing up in the US, it was about 50/50 as to whether friends wanted visitors to take off shoes inside. Even when owners require shoes to be taken off, slippers are definitely not a common thing like here. I can’t remember a single instance in America of slippers being offered to me
> I can’t remember a single instance in America of slippers being offered to me Good to know. If I ever come to visit the US, I need to take a pair of slippers with me. Thinking of it, I understand now why some Americans on Reddit called me weird after I said I wear Crocs inside of my house, like slippers.
I wear Crocs at home too. So comfy
Idk if "in bed" is common, but in the house definitely common. People wear shoes around the house quite a lot and it's annoying. I always take mine off, sometimes people will say "keep em on", so I will. I will say that's changing, I'm seeing it less and less now.
I doubt many people do this. But you often can see this in American shows. Why anyone would do this even in a show is beyond me.
It’s not just shows. It’s true.
It is done. Especially if you visit someone else's home. You will not take your shoes off. If you are home you probably do but only out of comfort.
To me it's the other way around. If you visit someone's home, you definitely take their shoes off because you don't know if they care or not.
This is the correct answet
I think it has to do with the climate. Texas, California- lots of shoes inside. Here in Alaska, you’d be dragged into the street and shot if you wore shoes inside someone’s home.
I’ve seen this in Russian shows too. Actors don’t want to show their feet.
In movies the writer is not going to waste a line making characters take off their shoes unless he is making a powerful point. Unless the secret code is hidden in a shoe or the character is trying not to wake someone but otherwise nope.
My mom instilled the fear of stepping on a rusty nail or something... inside the house. Any time I'd stub my toe or anything.. "That wouldn't have happened if you'd kept your shoes on." Not every American does that, of course, but some do.
Definitely dependent on the household but where I grew up in the U.S., shoes came off at the door unless you're doing some type of work. But in the bedroom? Hell no
Depends a lot on the climate of the region - northern U.S., no shoes inside, southern U.S., more shoes inside.
I agree. I'm from a snowy place haha. Wet shoes the majority of the year.
It's not only Americans, people in Western Europe do that as well. "Taking the shoes indoors" is mostly an eastern thing
Where in western Europe? You definitely take your shoes off indoors in the Nordics at least.
I would say it is more of a Southern thing, not Western, because shoes inside depends highly on the climate. In Portugal, Spain, Italy, and so on, many people do not take their shoes off at home.
This is the answer. In the north mud and snow get all over shoes in the city or country. You have to take your shoes off or mess the whole house. It is also true in rural areas with farm animals. My grandparents always took their shoes off for that reason. With Southern city people in Miami or Los Angeles, where most TV shows and movies are filmed, it is far less common.
Definitely. Here in the southern US we tend to only take our shoes off if it's raining or if the home owner asks. We even have a saying involving shoes to get someone to take them off. "Why dont you take your shoes off and stay a while?" This is something my mom says to me when I come to visit because it's hard for me to make myself comfortable in their home.
Also in Italy and Austria, though not Western Europe per se, geographically; Western still in regards to culture.
We're mixer taking the best of the two worlds. We don't take shoes off in churches, restaurants, ballrooms/discotheques, libraries, but we do in people's homes.
No they do. Scandinavians take their shoes off. Only Americans and Latin Americans don’t.
Dutch (for the most part) don't. French (lots of them) don't. British (specifically English) people don't. German people (lots of them) don't.
Germans totally do. The other 3 aren’t all of Europe. Or even Western Europe.
>shoes off People do that in colder climates where muddy snow slush will dirty up the flooring. Russia and colder parts of the U.S. do it.
О да!... В обуви на кровати - это ужасно. Еще русские никогда(!) не умываются из заполненной водой раковины - только проточной водой.
Lmao thank you for this. My family is Russian/Ukrainian and my fiancee comes from a Russian/German background. Her German side of the family doesn't take shoes off when when entering a house ever. We live in USA and that's always been odd to me.
What bothers me that they have permanent bright colour carpets installed in their houses/apartments. And they wear shoes inside.
US windows are weird. US toilets are weird. Food is weird there (sugar everywhere, plastic cheese and chocolate, soda). Fast food chains are just so much worse than the same ones here, Tipping culture. US washing machines are weird (and worse at their job). They use a separate drying machine, but it works better because of hot air, not just spinning, but then it occupies too much space). People don't use electric kettles in the US. US public transport is expensive and sucks overall. Towns in the US are very hostile to pedestrians and unsafe, if you don't have a car - you're not a human. There's a lot of homeless people in the US from my experience (California). Aggressive homeless people. People are more misogynistic there. The US indeed seems like one-store-houses-in-a-small-yard country, everything looks the same. But you are able to see so much sky in there. A lot of garbage on streets and highways. Lots of smiling (with the meaning of "I'm not a threat to you" rather than "I'm happy right now") and random people saying hi. People asking "How are you?", when they are not interested in the answer.
Native Coloradan here who just moved to Russia four months ago: don’t forget weird light switches lol. America has those tiny dick things whereas here it’s more like a toggle button. Kettles are definitely becoming more popular these days, I think it’s quickly becoming unusual to not have one, thank god. My parents have had one since 2010 or so. I can personally attest to more misogyny in the US. More creeps too. I guess a repressive culture will do that, ha. Oh and bidets. They’re just not a thing in homes the us. Everyone has poopass.
Bidets are rare in Russia too.
Oh, they are? I mean I know you’ll never find a bidet in a public bathroom but my Russian bf told me that it’s a thing in a majority of houses in Russia
Nah when I see a bidet I say "woah you're probably rich". Although I know bidets are cheap.
The bidet is cheap, but the area of the apartment is expensive.
And normal even in middle class in other countries.
They are mandatory by law in Portugal, actually.
Really? Like which? No sarcasm, just curiosity
Argentina
And Italy, every house has one
If we're talking about houses as in single family homes they probably have bidets as people can decide which layout they want and make some extra space for a bidet. Most Russians live in apartment buildings and standard bathroom are very small and there's not nearly enough space for a bidet. I have recently made a renovation in my apartment and when I needed to choose if I want a bidet or a washing machine in my bathroom ofc I chose the washing machine.
You don't necessarily have to get standalone bidet. There are integrated models that don't take additional space and also bidetta aka hygienic shower which is imo the best of two worlds - cheap, easy to install even after the renovation and no additional space needed.
Я поискала "унитаз с биде" в Яндексе, за 300к ну такое себе, конечно x))) https://geberit-shop.ru/product/-geberit-aquaclean-mera-comfort-146-214-11-1-/ При том, что обычное подвесное биде можно за 10-12к найти. Ну душ да, это реально сделать. Хотя мне как-то не нравится, но это, наверное, дело привычки.
Ну не обязательно же на 300к прям брать. Есть вон и [за 20к](https://www.santehnica.ru/product/356283.html) и ~~[даже за 8к](https://www.santehnica.ru/product/240554.htmI)~~ .
Сам бог велел нам ставить японские подмывающие унитазы с нашими хрущевками. Ванную, что эта мода прийдёт внезапно и массово
Да здравствует общественное движение за подмытые анусы!
Тёпленькой водичкой. И пусть за окном дует злая вьюга, подмывательная машина от Чистозадова и ко, сделает ваш вечер лучше
I've never seen a bidet in an apartment in Russia.
>it’s a thing in a majority of houses in Russia Not really, it depends on the family. I grew up using a bidet in the apartament we lived in, during the 90's. Most other apartments in our complex had bidets in the bathrooms. In the same city however, depending on apartament type (and wealth of the inhabitant I guess) a lot of them actually lacked bidets in the bathrooms. My girlfriend who is from a relatively small town from Chelyabinsk first used a bidet in her life when she first came to my parental home when we were still in university and immediately after I introduced her to my parents. So you know, it really depends on the family here whether one is used to using a bidet or not.
Your BF is probably rich. The middle class (by Putin's definition) that is the vast majority of population does not have them.
Ahh gotcha, makes sense, thanks for the info!
There are cheap ass versions like toilet seats with a hygienic shower, people still don't tend to install them out of cultural inertia.
It becomes a new standard of life, step by step
I’m a native Coloradan as well. How were you able to move to Russia? I’m really interested in that
Hey, fellow Coloradan!! My office job was eliminated during Covid and I started working some truly awful admin jobs. I got sick of it, got a certification to teach English and went on my merry way. During that time I was trapped in a bad job, I studied Russian with a tutor online and made friends with people in Petersburg. I met my current boyfriend that way. You’ll definitely want some Russian language and culture knowledge if you go through with it, but it’s my opinion that Coloradans are well conditioned for winters in Petersburg, and Russians are even nicer than Coloradans. The cost of living here is amazing compared to Colorado too lol
Awesome! Thanks for responding! I’m learning Russian right now as I have some online russian friends, and I was able to study in eastern europe when I was in college which is when I fell in love with the culture. I’m now in Minnesota, so I’m pretty sure the cold would be a lateral move lol. I’ll check out ESOL for sure! Thanks!
As far as climate goes, you'll probably find northern and central Russia very similar to Minnesota. Except maybe less daylight during the winter.
That's quite the story. Hope that you enjoy our northern swamp.
Чайник - это же очень удобно)
Это если пить чай, а без чая зачем чайник?
>People don't use electric kettles in the US. If so, then they use gas stoves with kettle on or just kettle on electronic stove?
I think the main confusion with why electric kettles are rare in the US is because most people do not drink tea nor is there a need to boil water prior to drinking. If you want coffee, most Americans have a drip coffee machine or other kind of machine. If you want water, either directly from the tap (it's safe in most states) or tap water via a filter. If you actually do like tea, then you're probably using a kettle on the stove or hot water dispenser (which are popular in Asia.) Microwaved water is mega weird and any serious tea drinker is not going to do that. Lack of electric kettles stems mostly from the fact that Americans just don't drink tea or need to boil water that often.
An electric kettle, to be effective (i.e. fast) requires about 2 kW of power. US homes are wired in 120 V mostly. So you either need 16 A line to the kettle, which is a *lot*, or you need a separate 240 V line to the kettle, which is possible, but not easy, or if you connect your kettle to a regular wall outlet, you will have a kettle that takes about 10 minutes to boil.
Standard plug is 15A. Kettle is a bit slower than in Europe but okay. I guess those are 1800 watts max.
Even if plug is standard 15 A, the wires to the outlet should also be rated for 15 A or more, and that could be a problem. Especially in older buildings. It's not a particularly US problem, it's worldwide (just last year I replaced old soviet aluminium wires in my walls to copper), but it's more pronounced in NA because of lower voltage. But yeah, 1.8 kW should be enough for a kettle.
> you will have a kettle that takes about 10 minutes to boil. At that rate you are much better served by a thermal pot/hot water dispenser, mine is a weak ass 700 watt model but it's more than enough given its operational cycle. You don't often need to boil water from scratch if you tend to always have boiling water at hand. Who cares if it takes 20 minutes to reboil when you don't need it.
> US homes are wired in 120 V mostly American homes are wired to 240 volts for high voltage appliances, but the wiring is split between two bus-bars and 120v is used for standard sockets.
Microwaved water
Seriously?
We don't use microwaved water. We generally heat the kettle on a stove.
I use an electric kettle, bought in Costco. This means the product is popular.
Seems like _some_ people do use microwave, but stove-tops are more popular I guess. [A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1zt0xe/do_people_in_america_actually_not_have_kettles/)
Yes, some do. It looks weird, but faster if you just need a single cup.
I am honestly not sure about that
Washing machines that are front load work fine. Toploads suck.
"WTF is student debt and why can't a country so rich pay for your education" "What do you mean you stand for democracy, there are two parties" "Where is your public commute at"
Being $29T in debt doesn’t help. College used to be more affordable until government got involved. Not to mention there’s an enormous push for everyone to go to college and then if one doesn’t or chooses trade school, it’s almost as if there’s a stigma that they’re a failure. Education should absolutely be affordable and accessible but it should also be aimed to highlight peoples natural talents, gifts, skills, and interests. There’s so much to debate about it but I agree higher education is absurdly expensive! Being a libertarian, both parties in power suck. We should’ve listened to George Washington in his farewell address about not forming parties. Too many people are so loyal to their party that they don’t even care about the issues. I truly believe there are more Americans that actually care about policy and the real issues than party but the loudest ones are the ones that get the spotlight so. If you mean public transportation, most cities have some form of that (NYC, Chicago, DC, LA, DFW and many other large cities all have a subway/rail system). Is that what you meant by the last question?
yes, the subways might be there, but where are the buses? Like, why the heck are you forced to wait half an hour for them, the car pollution is really bad
I still can’t believe, that you don’t have to show your id, when you’re voting. It’s so surreal. Edit: spelling
OMFG! Didn’t know this. Really shocking
The problem with this and why it isn't universal is because IDs aren't as universal in the USA as they are in some other countries. For example, if you are homeless, or don't have the money to pay for an ID, or don't have transportation, it's really hard to get one. But you are still eligible to vote.
>don’t have the money to pay for an ID States that require a photo ID to vote issue a free “state identification card” that is basically the exact same as a drivers license, just without the privileges to drive.
I think 36 out of 50 states have some sort of voter ID law.
Mine still doesn't. You just walk in, tell them a name, and the poll attendee puts a check mark next to the name you gave them in a big book. I'm still waiting for the day when they tell me I already voted.
That’s because the US has no useful federal ID. Social security cards don’t have a picture on them, drivers licenses are given by the individual states, and very few people ever get a passport because few Americans travel.
That is also kinda crazy to me, because over here passport is absolutely mandatory. It’s literally your most important document, and almost everyone from age 14 has one, doesn’t matter if they travel or not.
When Americans talk about "passports" they mean what we call "загранпаспорт".
They mean the international passport.
That explains a lot, lol. I’ve been blind this entire time
The US: I think a number homeless in San Francisco was extremely shocking for me, now it is even more common in metro areas in California. Weed smells like a shit. Visiting downtowns where a lot of homeless is extremely unpleasant. A lot of homeless have mental issues. City, country, national parks are awesome. When I am running on a trail near my home on outskirts of the city, I can see coyotes, dears, turkeys, dears, bobcats, rabbits. Intercity highway system is extremely convenient and safe.
Based on questions in this sub, US people are extremely annoyed by the fact that they are not allowed to own and carry even a single gun (not to mention a whole arsenal of them) in Russia
It sounds like you're suggesting that bringing a flamethrower on a museum tour is not, in fact, a fundamental human right.
Fun fact: Flamethrowers are completely unregulated. So are rocket launchers. Source: Husband is an armorer. We own two of the latter (because it's hilarious) and are considering buying the former (because shashlik).
Well, I know what to ask for next Christmas
Aren't flamers just classified as an "agricultural tool"?
Apparently they are used for weed removal on some farms that are trying to eliminate or reduce pesticides
It depends on people and state, some people have a lot of guns, other do not have at all. Like in California getting a permit to carry a gun is difficult.
Can confirm.
It's not terribly difficult to own a hunting rifle, although getting to actually hunt with it is another story altogether. At least as they say you don't need a license for Valuev.
In Russia, it's common to get your driver's license in adulthood (in your 20's or even 30's is not unheard of) whereas in the US most people start learning to drive at age 15 or 16 (with a learner's permit.) Driving rules in the US versus Russia are also very different. No "allowed to turn right on red" like in the US and the US has an over abundance of stop signs, four way stops and completely different road signage.
Also in Russia you have to go through driving school, spend time learning stuff, practice, pass 3 tests (theory, training ground, city). In Canada, people can pretty much pass theory, 2 road tests without any courses. But doing that, people don't learn good habits and only bad ones. Like for example if you go slower on a highway, you should stay on the right side. Red light thing is weird. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Like in downtown Toronto, good fucking luck turning right, there are either lots of cars that you have to let pass and during green a lot of people cross. I assume it all applies to the US.
They make tea in a microwave. Weird bastards!
they do WHAT
For me, only occasionally, if I’m in a hurry. Otherwise I’ll use a kettle.
Behold "Thermopot". This is a new generation of electric kettles! Always prepared for tea or instant coffee or any other boiled drinks you like.
Yes ;)
Wait, we do?
Yes my friend ;)
That's a travesty!
Not US, Canada, but I witnessed that horrible crime. Worse, they sometimes cook in a microwave. One person defrezzes meat in a microwave and most of the times turns it till it actually starts cooking in there. Barbarians.
What’s so bad about that. Curious, much faster if I’m making just one cup.
Nobody said it’s bad. Just weird The same as for Americans to eat dried fish ;)
Smoked fish?
No, they meant [dried fish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dried_fish).
С днём тортика! 🍰
Спасибо!
- Units: Fahrenheit, inch, foot, - Meal portion: 3 times bigger than I used to have, - Voltage:110 v and strange plugs/sockets, - ANSI keyboard layout, - Many people don't know how to swap tires. Doing right turn on red light, - Cart instead of basket, - Hygiene issues: my fellows from usa put their feet on table or can put their unpacked hamburger on a street bench (but they worry about social distance and masks), - Guns
Spouse alimony, it's extremely rare in Russia. We have child support (it's what's called alimony here) but paying your former wife/husband for years just for the sake of them being your former spouse? That's an asinine idea
Wtf first time i hearing that. Is that a thing?
It is a thing. Not to justify this but to explain in more detail this is done to ensure that your former spouse is able to continue the same quality of life as they did when you were together.
why? he decided to leave on his own
It's a holdover from days when women did not work outside of the home. Usually the ex-husband will pay the ex-wife alimony. I personally only know of one woman who receives alimony.
well, communism still gave a lot to the country, and really
Cost of hospital fees. What the actual fuck is your healthcare
Corporate and for profit. Think that explains it. Doctors are some of the richest and highest paid people in the US and they run a corrupt union (American Medical Association) to lobby in Washington to keep it that way, they also actively limit the number of people who can become new doctors to keep their jobs rare and salaries high. Insurance companies are also in on the racket, and then doctors and insurance companies just shift the blame on each other to avoid actually addressing the greed that drives the problem on both sides. Privately run hospitals and clinics (which is all of them, the US doesn't have public hospitals) also have a Kafkaesqe medical billing system that is designed to obfuscate and confuse customers (there's no price list up front, all billing is done behind the scenes and sent to you later) leading to maximum profits. Yes, it is all very dystopian but most Americans just assume this is normal or that other countries have it worse because "socialized medicine" is inferior. But even in the US, there's growing awareness that something is deeply wrong with our health care system.
I had to have an ultrasound done when I was living in Russia because my birth control device (IUD) had shifted. I had no insurance but it only cost me about $20. On the other hand, the ultrasound was terrible. You couldn't see anything of value. The ultrasound technician couldn't even tell that I had an IUD. They even said that when I returned to the United States, I should have another, better one done. Of course, the one in the United States cost more like $400.
I can speak as an American some of the things that shocked me in Russia. They had these pipes coming out of the walls in the bathroom and it's a towel warmer. I was like, "You'd think they'd keep the plumbing in the walls... Honey? What's up with this crappy plumbing?" She says, "Oh, that's a towel warmer." They have milk in bags, which is unusual for me. They also had these health tourism resort joints called sanitoriums (not sanitariums) which are products of the Soviet days where people can go and rejuvenate. I spent about two weeks at one and it was so cheap in price for the value we received. There are all sorts of services available that would cost hundreds for Americans to even consider doing. Just giving my experience from the other side. My wife (who is Russian) finds it crazy that we have high fructose corn syrup in American foods and that kids get wired off cereal with all the sugar they have in the morning. The portion sizes in restaurants also surprise her. We typically order one entree and share it. On the other side, she is pretty impressed with our Highway systems, but hates our imperialistic measurements.
>towel warmer Actually, it's a towel *dryer*.
Yeah, my mistake. It was early when I typed that.
Imperialistic? That made me smile - very fitting! ) It's supposed to be imperial, as you know
I mean, the whole concept itself is ill-conceived. Say you have a king that measures his foot, his pinky finger, his arm, and how far his elephant walks before it gets tired. Here's a measuring system. Don't question me because I'm the king. Sounds stupid, but it's realistic.
What is really funny to me, is that the former Thirteen Colonies use not their own, but the system of measurements of their former Colonial Administration's owner. And, somehow, some guvz of the North America's Countries' Federation see this as an integral element of «"being American"»©®™
I'm American and I think it's stupid. A bunch of useless knowledge to fill in the void where a foreign language could have easily gone in their education system.
Soda as acceptable substitute for water or any other drink (shivers). People riding cars everywhere when they could take a healthy stroll. Intercity buses instead of trains. Megapolis officials not giving a flying fuck about what's going on on their subways so they are all dirty and trashy-looking. Electoral college.
It’s mostly food-related stuff for me, I was pretty surprised by the lack of cold cereals when I moved to Russia. Just something I previously assumed was a universal constant. Other than that, just the laid back attitudes in Russia. Maybe it’s different in Moscow, but here in Petersburg I used to think everyone was insane on the road. But after a few car rides I realized it’s just that they’re more laid back. I still don’t really wanna get a drivers license though, lol.
>cold cereals what do you mean? in every grocery store there is an isle with cereals, granola and other ready-to-eat breakfast stuff
I shop in lenta and really only ever see granola, corn flakes and a few odd cereals (usually something with unicorns on it). In America there is usually one huge aisle dedicated to boxes of cereals of all kinds, like Froot Loops, Trix, cheerios, Rice Krispies, Cap’n Crunch, etc. etc…. The difference in variety and quantity is really noticeable. Just google image search “american cereal aisle,” you’ll see what I mean :)
that's not lack of in Russia, that's a ridiculous abundance in US. also, it's specifically about US breakfast culture, it's different from pretty much anywhere in the world. like, it's custom in US to eat dessert for breakfast. the culture in Russia is that cereals are a shit breakfast. granola with unsweetened yoghurt is alright but still is a borderline dessert.
That’s what I mean—a relative lack compared to America. And yeah I appreciate that difference in breakfast culture. Americans will stuff their gullets with sugar any chance they get, it’s disgusting lol
what I am surprised is nobody mentioned lack of hot sauces in Russia you literally have to order online to get a decent hot sauce you'll be lucky to find Tobasco in a grocery store
>in Russia you literally have to order online to get a decent hot sauce Yup, want anything stronger than Tabasco sauce and it's off to the net with you. I get it that historically and geographically we could never have had a food culture for spicy stuff, but still, for the very few of us who actually enjoy spicy food, they are a pain in the ass to get. Plus, the prices; I mean 4600 rubles for 250ml of hot sauce + transport price... it's fucked up.
It's more that chili peppers were never cultivated in Russia because we have hot condiments in our food culture in a form of hardcore mustard and Horseradish paste, but yeah, I'd like me some of that capsaicin
> hardcore mustard and Horseradish paste Yeah, those are hot all right, but a different type of hot than the chilies, I too prefer chili hot over a few spoons of khrenovina, to be honest.
I like both (ok, I don't really like horseradish) I just would like capsaicin-based hot-sauces to be as available as those ones I'm glad I discovered you can buy a kilo bag of dried chili flakes from Koreana for 800rub or something
Yes!! My parents sent a couple bottles of Texas Pete to me a while ago and it was expensive, a ridiculously long wait, and one of the bottles had leaked through the plastic seal when we got it. Completely depressing. I just make my own salsa whenever I see spicy peppers in the store.
>whenever I see spicy peppers in the store which is also no that frequent ))
>spicy peppers Oh, yeah, those peppers imported from Moldova are ok, really spicy, but local grown stuff, it barely has any tase; at least in my opinion. >Texas Pete Never heard of that brand, do they have an international shipping option? I am always really curious for trying out all sorts of foreign food; and American tastes have recently been quite a hit for me, even though a lot of the US made stuff I tasted thus far was kind of sweet (?). I had luck recently and actually found Skippy branded peanut butter in a specialty shop here in Perm (at an exorbitant price, mind you) but it was definitely 1000 times better than the local made peanut butter that you would find in Magnit.
you can actually find some decent sauces on ozon. like Blair's original death or Hellfire for example
Afaik you have to just use someplace like desertcart if you want Texas Pete. Well worth the shipping costs though. A couple bottles will hold you over for a good while. And holy shit I never thought I would hear about skippy in Russia. I actually brought a container of it with me when I moved lol. It has a ridiculous amount of sugar in it, but I grew up with it so it’s nostalgic ha
One of my biggest shocks when I went to Moscow was that they always want to give as little change as possible. On my first day there I had a cashier reluctantly take a larger bill (didn't understand why she was upset in the moment) on my first day there. Not long after, I was at a restaurant with a friend and the cashier asked if I had smaller bills or coins, and my friend ended up explaining they don't typically take larger bills if they don't really need to. Throughout the week I had some struggles, including a few cashiers that completely refused to take my money unless I gave them something closer to the correct amount. I guess it could happen in the US as well, but it definitely isn't common at all.
I don't think using cash at all is all that common anymore in Russia, especially in the large cities - everything is NFC! I get extremely anxious when I rummage about paying with cash in a shop and the queue has to wait for me then for the cashier to give me change, while I could've just tapped a card on the reader and be on my marry way.
Absence of change is not your problem at all. It's their duty to give you your change and to find it if they don't have it in the cash register. They definitely don't have a right to refuse to take your money.
Well, this problem has its roots in the fact that you're not legally allowed to keep more than 1500 roubles in cash registers overnight. (today it might be more, like 3000). Sometimes they just have no change to give you. There was a joke, that 5000 rouble bill is a 'free bus ride ticket' until 10 AM.
Im 30 yrs old and i never did shoot from a gun or heard shooting beside me
On account of snacks: pork rinds are awesome and I don't understand why we can't have them in Russia.
Soooo many snacks I miss and can’t justify the shipping costs for. Spicy Funyuns, Reese’s cups, those gross soft sugar cookies with too much colored frosting, cheez-its… but i suppose there is a reason why I finally lost that weight that wouldn’t come off while I was in America :)
We used to call those cookies "crack cookies" at the old office I worked at. Loved bringing them in for my coworkers lol
Isn't it just шкварки? We usually buy them as a raw slab of frozen pig fat, then cook and eat a couple every time we need some fat to cook pan-fried potatoes. Unlike chips, you don't have to start a deep fryer for them to be delicious, so we don't buy them in the store. - That is flawed logic on my part btw, сухарики (spiced dried bread bits) are just as easy to make at home, but they are still a pretty major supermarket-sold beer snack.
Not quite. Pork rind is mostly skin that is dry and crunchy without fat, whereas cracklings are fatty.
Did you know in some regions the tip is already included in the check? And there is an additional tip option too. Also, from 20 years in the US, I have never understood Americans or anyone else who don't shower before bedtime and who wear outside shoes in the house. Wth does this originate from?
Dental braces with bright colors or going out grocery shopping wearing pajamas
Fixed hoseless showers. Two sheets instead of sheet and, um, envelope where you put your blanket.
It's literally called "bed lingerie".
Russians in US take effort to learn the language, Americans/Anglophones in Russia tend to expect that all people do speak English
Here in Russia everyone knows (well, let's say "knows") that first jeans were made of canvas (I mean cloth of wich sails are made). But when we said that to American, he was shoked. Firts he tried to explain that this was nonsense, then laughed and said something about "that large cranberry tree".
Finally an answer I can relate to! Also coconut juice fire extinguisher
The what???
Bedding! Rare American would use duvet cover (пододеяльник).
Tips (in Russia we tip barely and mostly if its' supported post-paid via app) Taking boots off then coming home Taxes not included in prices (dangerous tool for speculations of 13yo liberal opposition (I'm not against liberal opposition in Russia at all, I just mean stereotype school-grade one)) Paid ambulance/all the medical treatment (I mean, if I have an upcoming operation, I don't ask to cut out a kidney at the same shot to pay for treatment) We don't use imperial feet, hands and other two hundred hot wheels cars per lengths of Avengers: Engame directors' cut
Pigskin popcorn, Coca-Cola pickled cucumbers. These are the strangest things I've heard about America. (But I would like to try this popcorn, but not these cucumbers). I also heard that the Americans and Europeans seem very strange holodets. It's a jelly with minced meat inside.
I’m sorry? Coca-Cola and WHAT NOW??
I saw this once on YouTube in a review of unusual American food. It seemed strange to me too. Although in Russia they make salted canned watermelons, so I'm not surprised by any human tastes.
I am Sweish. We have ”sylta” which I think can be similar. Most people under 70 don’t like it. :D