I always wished to understand what\u2019s there about this country that causes many people to dislike it. I like everything in America, however there is one downside. For me personally, there is no such thing as \u201cclass\u201d in this country. I know, I\u2019m such a snob. Class is a crucial concept for me. I really appreciate class, and as soon as I search for the latter, I immediately reach for it. I am asking you not to compare countries, not to lament that there is no class in Russia either, or something like that. Now, we are talking about America and about my perception of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
America is simple, and many people may have an excellent education, but class is something that money cannot buy. This is an innate quality. Almost the same as sexuality. You can’t train for it. If you dig a lot, you can still \u201cdig\u201d the class, but in very few places in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, in New York on Park Avenue or at the Hamptons. At lunch, in the Bilboquet restaurant on Madison and 60th street, you can witness adult couples, who have clearly inherited a lot, enjoying themselves. In general, the category distinguished as \u201cheirs\u201d is an incomprehensible kind of people, especially for Russians. After all, there is no \u201cold money\u201d in Russia, and so far it is not expected. Nevertheless, in America there are lots of \u201cold money\u201d \ufb01gures. Such people are not dressed upright or according to the latest collections, on the contrary, they tend to wear various vintage accessories, shabby tweed, and they have the faces of once very beautiful people. The tone of their conversation is low, they speak smoothly, they are gallant and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
well-mannered. By the way, I always say that the higher the class of a person, the quieter he speaks. You would be surprised how quiet \u201cthe best houses in London and Paris\u201d are. In the lexicon of \u201ccool\u201d Americans, the most popular words are gratitude and appreciation. In fact, the most compelling thing is that they are always happy with everything. Even while whispering with their wives, they discuss that the English pea soup is not as good today as always, they tend to now complain and leave the usual 25 percent tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, it is customary to leave a tip in America. This is an unspoken rule that is not always clear to foreigners. The amount of tips is a fundamental point, because it re\ufb02ects the quality of service. If someone didn’t tip, it means that the client absolutely didn’t like the service, or that this client is just an asshole. If you didn\u2019t tip, don\u2019t be surprised, the waiter may even run after you into the street to \ufb01nd out the reason why you did this. I think that a Russian can always get off this topic by saying “nicht ferstein”, but that is not the point. Just be aware that tipping is sacred in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undoubtedly, there are extra-class people in America, but they may seem too simple. Or rather, humble. American culture teaches people to strive for modesty, or rather for humility. This word is most dif\ufb01cult for the African American stratum. Some rappers even call their songs with this word. They certainly strive for this. Most likely, the slave past makes itself felt. I am very respectful of African American culture, despite all its entourage. Although baby mamas and side bitches don’t always add class to their culture. Indeed, blacks tend to have a bad reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bang bang, crack, unemployment bene\ufb01ts and similar aspects de\ufb01nitely don’t add up to their class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonetheless, how wonderful black athletes, musicians, dancers and their sense of humor are! It was not by chance that I started a conversation about blacks, because for many years I communicated closely with them. I have many black friends and I adore them. What I’m saying is, it’s hard to be white in an environment where blacks are good. I know some white basketball players who, in a locker room, got dominated by black athletes and thus suffered. Indeed, whites were mocked, teased, or simply ignored. Everyone talks about prejudice against blacks, but I witnessed the opposite situation. This also tends to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n