A US resident named the habits of Russians that he could not understand

It's no secret that the inhabitants of each country adhere to certain national traditions, which are brought up since childhood. This also applies to habits, including in everyday life. Naturally, we Russians also have our own characteristics that are completely incomprehensible to the population of other states.

For example, when a US resident moved to Russia, he started a personal blog where he expressed his opinion about Russian culture. By the way, some everyday habits are also described there. Moreover, he was never able to not only understand them, but also accept them.

Surprising for an American, familiar for a Russian

The first thing a resident of the United States noticed was wooden windows, which we seal for the winter with cotton wool or foam rubber and paper tape (sometimes tape). We put a practical meaning into this process, because this is what helps us keep the house warm 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 happens often, especially in those apartments where there are still wooden frames instead of metal-plastic ones.

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

But the manner of the Russians, which caused particular surprise among the Americans, lies in the storage of things. He says that in the USA they are not used to leaving something if the item has already served its purpose. It is simply sent to a landfill or recycling center (even broken equipment). It is believed that a non-working refrigerator is junk, and it is easier to get rid of it than to put it in the garage and wait until someone “gets around to it” to repair it.

These are simple things for us that can cause bewilderment among residents of other countries. What do we care? We simply buy a duvet cover, seal the windows for the winter, send the old radio to the garage (to be disassembled for parts later) and feel quite happy, because these habits are part of our mentality and character.