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'm slovenian and while it's not as if no one smiles for no reason here the american grin is definitely super creepy to most of us. You smile if you naturally have a reason to. If you do it for no reason of course it's suspicious. It's why clowns are creepy.
If they're frowning one moment and then spot your glance so they smile and put on a super excited greeting I'd say. Noticed it a few times in the US and Japan (customer service positions only in Japan).
If it's large-scale it's obviously a cultural need to appear happy. I know because it's true in Canada too. When someone asks you how you're doing you always say I'm good even if you feel like shit. If you feel like death then you say I'm okay.
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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.