'Personal space? No, we haven't heard': why immigrants from the former USSR have a hard time with the idea of ​​privacy in America

When immigrants arrive home after some time, they begin to experience discomfort. About why they are uncomfortable, said the author of the publication The russian america.

Right at the airport, the violation of personal space begins. Endless hustle and bustle when there is so much free space around. But the immigrant is used to personal space, which no one in America violates. By the way, each country has its own “standards”. So, in France and Italy, personal space is less than in America or England. The general standard is communication at arm's length. But in India there is no personal space at all. As there is none in the countries of the former USSR.

Almost always in line at the checkout supermarket you can feel the person coming very close to you. At best, his cart will hit your ass. They will also be loudly indignant that you put the product on the tape, taking it out from the wrong side of the cart. But this will definitely not happen in the US.

On the subject: Things in America that first fascinate immigrants, and then annoy so much that you want to run

At the counter in a store in the post-Soviet countries, almost always another visitor will block your view of the goods, squeezing between you and the shelves. You must have experienced this discomfort.

It is not always pleasant when the interlocutor during the conversation comes closer and closer to you, despite the fact that you are almost “running away” from him. But the violation of personal space does not end there. Violation of personal boundaries is the norm in many “our” countries. They will “prompt” you and tell you when to rejoice and when to cry, when to start a family and children, how to raise them. An example is also series full of drama, tragedy and unsolicited advice “I want the best”, which shape the mental state of people in post-Soviet countries. In American cinema, uninvited advisers are usually quickly sent to hell and condemned, and even parents are not allowed to interfere in their personal lives.

How the Kazakhs shocked the Americans

Returning to personal space, I would like to note the case in Shymkent, Kkazakhstanthat happened to American tourists.

As the OpenShymkent, tourists from the USA shared their opinion about the people of Kazakhstan. The journalists of the publication talked with two American women who came to Shymkent for traditional holidays.

Korisu or Amal is a holiday that symbolizes the onset of not only spring, but also the new year. On this day, it is also customary to hug.

Shymkent residents, like all Kazakhs, treat friendly hugs in a special way, and therefore representatives of different ethnic groups took to the streets of the city. They hugged everyone who came across on the way, and two American women did not stand aside. Shymkent residents showed their hospitality and cordiality to Western guests.

“At first I didn’t understand when people in national costumes came up and started hugging. They all smile, invite you somewhere, treat you with sweets and something salty (kurt is salty dried cheese). It was a pleasure! I have heard a lot about Kazakhstan and its inhabitants, but I am shocked by the people of Shymkent. I realized one thing, you can’t lose weight, ”said Marie Paterson from the USA.