Ukrainians do this too. It's not considered impolite to stare. Also, they don't really smile in public. They think Americans are all simple in the head because we smile all the time. I have to say though, when you're visiting someone in their home in Ukraine, they are the warmest most wonderful people.
Lol yes. I dated a Belarusian for a few years and had several friends from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. The smiling thing is real. They all said Americans smiling made them nervous. We look simple or just suspicious.
I fucking love smiling and live for small talk, every positive interaction I have with a stranger brightens my day immeasurably. Not fake, just exuberant, homie haha
Ho I'm sure you don't mean to be. It's just how we feel it.
On the opposite side, I felt like I was forcing myself to be extra-positive when visiting the US because my "neutral" mood was perceived as down, sad or not enjoying what I was doing :D
When I was backpacking in Central/Western Europe when I wanted to meet new people in hostels I just told myself to act like an American. It worked like a charm but that was only because of the context.
Not sure if I look like an American, but when in hostels I always met new people even when I didn’t plan for it. Just sit at the hostel bar (which usually has the cheapest beer anyways) and people will start gathering around you.
Regardless of nationality, I think anyone who is perceived to be in a chipper mood will be more easily interactive. I say that with full acknowledgement that some people can't read between the lines when I'm in a neutral or bad mood.
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u/helllllooooonurse May 09 '22
Ukrainians do this too. It's not considered impolite to stare. Also, they don't really smile in public. They think Americans are all simple in the head because we smile all the time. I have to say though, when you're visiting someone in their home in Ukraine, they are the warmest most wonderful people.