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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Natalya on June 25, 2001 at 02:54:45:
In Reply to: Re: The same with me! posted by Dmitri on June 24, 2001 at 07:07:49:
Dmitri. Sorry, I never meant to critisize your messages - I think you have the soundest opinion of all here. I am afraid I wasn't being very accurate, but I was really talking about Kateryna's message. I just happened to comment on it in the followup to yours. And this message is not directed at you either.
Interesting thing is that both Teresa and Kateryna express their standpoints as outsiders and Kateryna is right that usually the natives behave differently towards foreigners as opposed to their own folk. But this fact played to her advantage just as well or maybe even more. It's just in human nature to kind of show off the best side of your nation, wouldn't you agree? I am VERY SURE Teresa would have wonderful experience if everything works out well, because she seems like a very nice person and people are always attracted to them. And on the other side I am sure Kateryna was treated much nicer because of the very fact that she was a foreigner, because Americans are very compassionate to the hardships of the "people from the poor and suffering countries". My experience: my neighbours are very kind people, they help me so much, though at the same time they have a niece who is a struggling single mother, but they believe that she called it upon herself and should make it work herself.
Of course, Kateryna is right that when you don't have food for your children, you don't feel like smiling to a stranger on the street. And poverty and the subsequent anger does not bring out the best qualities in people. But, you know, I would much rather care about the smiles of my family and friends than the fake smiles of the strangers... And, hey, after all, considering that Ukrainians is a walking nation, just imagine how painful that would be for your jaw to smile to hundreds of people you see during the day. Hmm, when I was in New York I didn't see many smiling faces in the metro either...
I was also very much puzzled about Kateryna. I know that America fascinates and to some degree blinds newcomers with its glamour. But after living here for a while I think people are able to objectively evaluate the general character of the both nations. And along with the negative you also notice the beauty of your country. I know that Ukraine is not a piece of cake - that's why we all are here - but why does she feel so bitter towards the Ukrainians? And does she have enough ground to make such broad statements as to the "unfriendliness of all the former Soviet countries"? I can't help it, but it does make me a little angry: knowing how much the Ukrainians struggle just to live from day to day it's a wonder they do have time and desire to be nice to anybody! Who knows how those friendly Americans would have behaved if they had to live in such terrible conditions... Does she think she can judge the "poor" only because she was lucky enough to get out of Ukraine and get better off?
I may seem too idealistic, but I think that they, back at home, practically make miracles out of nothing. We should be proud of them, because even though they might not help others as much as those who have the means to do it, I believe that in the long run it makes them better people. Because whenever they are given even a tiniest blessing, they don't take it for granted as the rest of the "civilized (-and pampered-) world" does, but truly appreciate it. A useful lesson to be learned...
I am afraid I didn’t deliver my thoughts clear enough. It’s not that Americans are mean. They are not. Or let me put it this way, in no way they are meaner then Ukrainians (or any other USSR people). Neither they are friendlier. They are just different. And of course you find kind people in any nation as well as people who only love themselves.
: I agree with Natalya.
: Gotta go now. I’ll be back on Monday. Hope to hear from you again.
: Dmitri