| Russians make fun of Americans because they smile | | | | sedated mental patient. |
| all the time. Americans flash a smile for strangers with | | | | This insider / outsider Russian view of the world first |
| all thirty-two teeth showing. | | | | originated in the 'mir,' or village. People in the village |
| Russians do not overuse smiling as a way to meet the | | | | were insiders and could be trusted. Outsiders could |
| outside world. Daily life in Russia is difficult. Even small | | | | present danger, or trouble, and were not trusted. |
| errands require much more effort than similar chores in | | | | This mentality was further reinforced during the Stalin |
| the west. There is little comfort and happiness. | | | | years, where an indiscrete comment could send you |
| That may be why they don't smile very much in public | | | | to Siberia for a long vacation. |
| there isn't much to smile about. You rarely see a | | | | Many Russians consider the 'thirty-two teeth American |
| smiling face in public in Russia. | | | | smile" as insincere. |
| Russians use an unsmiling face as a barrier between | | | | When they ask an American 'droog' for a favor, the |
| themselves and an outside world. They think that | | | | American who gives his smile away so easily, does |
| smiling at everyone makes them look like a heavily | | | | not offer his help nearly as readily. |