What surprised me about USA 🗽 Russian immigrant 

Here are some of the things that surprised me about the US during my 14 year life here. These are just a few of MANY ♥ If you enjoy this style of video I can more videos comparing the 2 countries. What interests you about Russian culture? :)

I love how articulate and expressive her English is. She chooses her words with care and precision. I especially liked it when she said the word "wonderous."

I’ve been to Europe twice and I enjoyed the fact that people didn’t work themselves to death unlike the USA. Everyone was very relaxed! I wish it was like that here.

The two luckiest people in the world are her husband and child.

Asking "how are you?" Is a greeting more than a question.

US citizen here. I've never treated a cold with popsicles, either. I usually eat chicken noodle soup and take nyquil in the evening so I can sleep.

Im from Sweden and I was also very suprised how friendly americans are and talk to you everywhere.

I know this isn’t a ASMR related video but it’s definitely going on my list of videos to go to sleep to lol. I love to listen to people just talk.

I also got chills when you were talking about how accessible things are for those with disabilities and how it is becoming more common for places to help them and normalize it. I love how we strive to include those with disabilities. 🥰 it’s very important to me because a lot of my friends and family have disabilities both physical and mental.

i love how soft spoken she is... so relaxing to listen to

I'm a cashier part time and those little conversations are genuinely bright spots in my day. Even if it's a stranger, I usually do care.

It's a damned shame that this beautiful soul, coming from another country to live in the US, has to remind me of the good things about where I live. Thank You for that!

Pregnant women (in America at least) generally wait until they are out of their first trimester to tell “everyone”. A lot of women tell both sets of their parents, and maybe their siblings or very very close friends before that. It’s simply because most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, so if you do end up having one, then you only have to tell the select group of people that knew you were pregnant, and can deal with it a bit more privately.

She seems very gentle and sweet. Welcome to the USA.

I live in Australia, so a similar culture to the US. This was really interesting to watch. Growing up in Australia (or the US) sometimes we forget how lucky we are with what we have available. A good reminder.

Boy you have such a lovely soft voice, a charming manner, and a natural kindness that makes it a great pleasure to listen to you tell the stories of your life here. Your family and children are so lucky to have you as a daily presence in their lives. I think it is so important for people who love both Russia and America to speak up right now when thing have grown suddenly tense in the world. And I am not just talking about international affairs, I am also referring to the pandemic and long periods of disruption and fear. Do not underestimate what a gem you are. Yes please tell us more about your experiences. Now let me tell how I think of your husbands ice obsessions. I was born and raised in Florida. It is very hot and humid here. That is why I gravitate to ice and ices when I have a cold or fever. My parents were both born in northern Spain. They gravitate to soups and warm drinks when they get sick. i think we are all trying to balance our body temperatures when we feel sick. In addition I also love feeling "taken care of" when I get sick. So the first thing I do is get a couple of chicken thighs and chorizos and make a brothy vermecelli soup that my mother always made for us when we got sick. We called it "Fideos", but it is nothing like what the Mexicans call Fideos. Ours is a very gentle soup and always makes me feel like I am back in my mothers loving arms. So there are many things that people get great joy and healing from. PS I just noticed your video was from 2020. You may not find this comment now, but I hope you do. We need more people like you in the world today.

I live in Western Europe, so it’s interesting to see that in some ways we’re more like the US and in some ways more like Russia. I really enjoyed the video 😊

I feel like non-USA people don't always understand the "how are you" thing - when I say that I do really want to know and care, even if it's a negative answer! Even a few word answer of "not so well" or "really stressed" and I genuinely care and I can commiserate or wish you a better day!

Your voice is so calming that I get ASMR chills even when you’re not trying!

I find it so interesting that foreigners think when we smile and ask each other how are you doing that it's fake. I've worked in customer service for over 20 years and it's not fake. Yeah we do not have enough sick days vacation days I completely agree with that

Maria, I was adopted from Russia and although my birth mother doesn’t want contact, I still feel a little connection to my roots when I watch your videos. 🤍

I love hearing your perspective. I also appreciate someone recognizing that we are friendly, caring diverse, and hardworking in the US.

I’ve never considered that eating popsicles while sick would be considered weird, but now that I think of it I don’t know why we do that here in America 😂

Europeans freak out and are amazed by how Americans that don't know them just start conversations with them. They say its weird but also nice. I guess we're a unique country and somewhat weird. Have a beautiful day and God bless you 🌹

Popsicles feel good on a sore throat that’s scratchy or burning or swollen tonsils. Numbs it a bit.

Most of the things you said about USA like "smiling all the time, saying sorry, talking to the cashier and sharing our lives with random people" sound to me so normal because here in Brazil we are so used to do this stuff. We become friends with people who are waiting on the line in a bank, with the doorman of the building we live (it's very common to see people making a cake at home and saving a piece for the doorman, for example), with everyone. If one day you have the chance to travel to Brazil, you'll be amazed hahaha.

We Americans often get criticized for being superficially nice, but that's just the way we are. We don't have a lot of formalities so it's a natural replacement.

"The Gift of Gab" that's a person's ability to literally talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time. My mom is really good at it and insists that it's a helpful skill when trying to create business connections. 10 years ago she ended up talking to a lady who rents the cabana next to ours in Hawaii and they spend hours just chatting when we go on vacation.

As an American, America is definitely very strange 😂

Your observation about time off work is so true! Most people I know even feel “guilty” about taking PTO, even though we often have so little to begin with!

living in Guangzhou China I used to come across Russians and Germans in the elevator every morning, I was the only one saying good morning and and everyone looked that they were not morning people. Not one smile.

You're a lovely person. Your perspective is refreshing and humorous. Sometimes we forget about the simple benefits we should be appreciating more.

Old Russian Saying: "They pretend to pay us and we pretend to work"

The only time I "treated" a sickness with a popsicle/ice cream was when I had strep as a kid and I wouldn't eat anything else lol Other than that I eat soups/stews and use steam/humidifier to open up my sinuses.

The smiling, oversharing, chit chat is like on steroids in the south lol 😂 everyone is nosey but they also really care! Very generous and charitable to help out their brother/sister in time of need. It's a wonderful thing to witness. My Mom is super chatty and my Dad can be when he's in his element (for example, he's more likely to talk to a stranger at a fishing store than a clothing store,). I'm a little bit of both of them!

What a sweet, considerate gal you are. It was insightful to hear your experience of the things you like. I like those too. Nothing is as depressing as someone being mean to others. Nothing is more inspiring than seeing someone be kind to someone else. I'm happy you are here.

I felt so bad for her when she was talking about how she only got the 2 weeks to see her family :(

Whatever immigration policy that allowed this sweetheart to immigrate to America needs to be continued.

I just started learning Russian, and the first video you uploaded in Russian I was able to understand!! I felt so so proud!! Thank you Maria ❤️

Wow the things we Americans take for granted here, it’s very refreshing to see us through other eyes. America is truly, even with our imperfections, a very special and eclectic country. Thanks Masha

It sounds like you've found Americans to be quite friendly. That's encouraging :)

i love the honest balance of praise and critique of the U.S in this video

It’s hard to imagine Maria not smiling lol! You are such a bright light to so many of us! 💜💜

Heat helps to break up congestion, and depending on specific infection, may kill some of the viral infection; however, it can temporarily increase inflamation. Cold helps reduce inflammation and pain level, which can be especially useful for sore throats.

A lot of us do genuinely care when we ask "how are you?" It is quite normal in the Southeast.

You are delightful! Thank you for sharing the difference between your homeland and America. How wonderful that you chose to come live here in the states to help others understand what we have taken for granted and your customs and culture to help others see we are all people who learn from each other. You are a friend to all.

I share openly. We went through tragedy when my husband died suddenly when I was 41 and we have 5 kids. I mentioned it on a comment and a new widow spoke up, telling me her husband had died a month before and she was completely alone because her only relative, a sister, lived out of state. I got her involved with a widow group I found so helpful because I know that hell and didn't think I would survive. She made many friends and has a lot of support from others who knew what it's like. 6 months later I found out she had written a suicide note to mail her sister just that morning and was planning on taking her own life to join her husband when she saw my comment. Every struggle we have, others are also living. They may have advice which could give us a hand when we need it most, or we could be the ones sending them a needed life vest.

gets me all teary-eyed hearin her talk about 'Merica with such high regard

This was a great topic! I am very intrigued by Russian culture. Thank you for sharing!

You are an ABSOLUTE SWEETHEART! I’m so glad you came here and enjoy being AN AMERICAN! Thanks for your perspective!

I've traveled all over America, and lived in many places. What remains with me is the interaction I' ve had with people everywhere. Stories of their lives, sharing their sorrow, or having total strangers give you compassion when you need it. This is the best of who we are, I think. Generous in sharing ourselves.

I'm an immigrant here in the USA and I love this country too. Loved this video, thank you!

When I ask, “How are you?,” I really want to know. I actually care how they are doing. I talk to service people because I appreciate them, and I care about them too. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

Not sure how I came across this, but glad I did. I visited Russia (Klein, Yaroslavl, Moscow and St. Petersburg) back in 1992. I was part of a sports program. We lived with families in their homes. I loved it. I was 17yo. We were treated respectfully and they took great interest in us (the majority of us were black). Most people smiled back when I smiled at them, somehow I gained a "boyfriend". The host family girls were trying to tell me to not be friends with him because he was married. They waited until we met up with one of the other girls that spoke English to do so. 😊We ate at the Mcdonald's in Moscow as a favor to our Russian friends (at that time it was very expensive for them but we wanted to pay). I did not like the food but I was hungry. You may not know this but McDonald's food in the US is not the same as back then. It is no longer made fresh. I worked at Mcdonald's as a teen and all food was made straight from the grill. My restaurant was the last one to switch over to a Q'ing (don't know the technical name) system. The food is made then kept in holding. Basically the food is not as fresh and tastes like microwave food now. For treating colds, we actually do both hot and cold treatments. Teaching kids sign language, it is actually easier for a kid (Infant on) to communicate in sign language then speaking verbally. It has to do with their development. We used sign language in the daycare I worked in over 20 years ago. As my experience in Russia was positive and memorable, it breaks my heart to see what is happening today. I hope things get better.

When i have a sore throat, eating something cold soothes it and kinda freezes the pain.

My favorite videos of Maria's...just her talking and sharing life experiences, thoughts, hauls, etc. I guess I just like her, lol.

As a language instructor, I have to comment: Terrific natural English. Inspirational. Thanks so much for making and posting this.

Those small (or big) differences are usually things that we don't even notice about our own country, or things that we take for granted, so thank you for sharing your take on them, it was super interesting!! Plus I love this type of videos, your sassy and bright personality really shines through the screen (and damn does this orangey-red top bring out your eyes) 😍👌🏾

This video is so charming and interesting. I've been following your ASMR videos on RU-vid for years, yet I haven't really thought about about how likable you are until today. You're a delight.

My grandparents immigrated from Russia in the 1920s, Im so sad that many russian canadians in my generation has lost most of the culture and language. Love your videos

What a pleasant woman. The USA is so lucky to have this immigrant. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Give us more.

I think it depends on where you've in the US. I live in Los Angeles now but grew up in New England and lived in CT and Boston, MA. My first time traveling south, I amazed how friendly southerners are.

I really love your positive attitude. You have a kind, heartful innocence without being naive. I hope that you never lose that. Many in America are jaded. Thank you for brightening my day with your happiness and sharing.

You're very right real intimacy can only be achieved by sharing the good and the bad with each other, I needed to hear your video today, Having lived in America my entire life it's easy to focus on a lot of the problems that we have here but it's very positive and humbling to focus on all the good, thank you so much💗🌟

Late to the party so to speak but I love that you’re sharing your experiences of coming from Russia to the US. I think we as Americans while we are a melting pot we can also have a narrow view point. It’s nice to hear how our country differs and how others from around the world see us. Not by stereotypes but actually interacting with us to see how we really live. Honestly you’re a breath of fresh air. I do think that the fact that we are a melting pot makes us more curious and more interactive. We like small talk and getting to know each other. Which I think helps us learn because we are such a large country. We are just as curious about people from different coasts as we are about people from other countries. I’m in the south east so I like asking questions when I meet someone from the west or from up north. It amazes how while we may share land mass and history we are also different in our mannerisms, speech and cultures. I hate your are so far away from your family at the same time I’m happy you’re here with us. I love your videos and I feel like if we met in person we would have very nice conversations.

My Norwegian fiance visited the US for the first time by visiting me, in Charleston SC, a place that is rated the most friendly city in the world many years in a row. He was so confused by everyone talking to him, including cashiers. Now I am in Norway and I miss the cashiers chatting to me, even though I used to find it annoying.

Yeah the smiling thing.. I got so confused interacting with Americans before I realized that just because theyre smiling they are feeling happy!

I like sharing with people, and I also like when they share their lives with me. I rarely meet a person in America that I don’t like.

I really enjoyed your perspective on living in the US. I really enjoy hearing about the experience of people who have imigrated here. It sounds like for the most part that it has been positive for you and I am happy about that . Your story helps me to feel proud of us as Americans. I believe that we actually do care about other people's stories or how their day is going. Anyway, I am glad you like it here and yes we do need more vacation time!

Hi,Maria! I just want to say how sad and worried I am about this war between Russia and Ukraine.I know that many Russians are against it,and I believe you must be very worried and sad for your family and everyone involved in this horrible event!My prayers to you,who does so much to bring peace,calm,and positivity to so many around the world! Just want you to know my prayers go to both countries! 🙏 😔 ❤️

LOVE this video! More unique than the average comments of “all the food is so big etc”

America can be a terrible country, but it can also be a wonderful country. Despite our problems, I'm glad I live here. And I'm glad you're here, Maria!

I would love to learn about any differences in Russian school life and family life! I didn’t know much about Russia growing up in America, but now I’m an ESL teacher and I have students from Russia and they are some of my favorites, so they make me want to learn about Russia :)

Hello Sassy Masha, Welcome to the USA! I see you've been here 14 years...hoping you and your husband are Safe and Well here! My father, his two sisters and his parents, arrived at Ellis Island, from Russia, via a German Steam Ship, in 1902. My father and his family, were of Russian, Jewish and German heritage. Hoping to see more of your videos. I'm impressed, that you're so 'Americanized'! BTW, I'm now 79 y/o, and retired as an EMS 1st Responder. Greetings from Northern Kentucky, USA, Y'All!

At the children's hospital they give you popsicles when you have your tonsils out, or have any throat surgery... Cold actually reduces swelling and thus is a natural pain relief and helps with recovery. 🍧♥️

I live in Ireland and work part time in a shop, I'm not a naturally extroverted person but I generally like it when customers start a conversation or tell me about their day. My favourite customers are older people who get reminded about something in their lives and tell me about what's happening in their lives and the things they've done, it's such a cliche but I learn from them and they give good advice. It's comforting when I've been standing for hours and dealing with less desirable customers - where I work is a hotspot for drug addicts, crazy people etc. - it's really comforting to have a lovely old lady chat and joke with me, kind of like a grandmother. On the other hand there are definitely times I do not want to chat with customers because I have other jobs to do and I'm too tired haha

I’ve been living in the US my whole life, and your life in California is even different from living in Iowa! It’s amazing how different each state is!

As if you couldn’t be any more awesome you go ahead and make an amazing video like this!!! Wow. I’m from England and moved to the states in 2005 and I noticed some of the things that you noticed as well. It took a long time to get used to people asking me to repeat my order when I ordered food like subway etc. I also noticed the size of vehicles was different. The number and size of SUV’s and trucks was hugely different and when I arrived I thought a Chevy Avalanche was massive until I was here a while and saw the number of trucks and the size of them was even bigger. You also mentioned people talking about their problems etc and that is huge for me. I am in the army and I have lost a lot of really good friends to suicide and feel that if they had just talked to someone about it then they would still be here. omg I could go on all day but you summed them up perfectly. More people need to see this video and understand how good they have it here compared to other places.

Your views are interesting, moreover I can see you are an added asset to our country and culture, I sincerely am glad you came and wish you the best.

Maria, what do you think about the word, "Y'all"

Watching this makes you appreciate the things we may have otherwise taken for granted. Alot of these we dont think about very often, its just normal. Thank u for the eye opener sweet Maria💗

Just came across your video, what a pleasure to meet you, your soft voice, your stories , a smile that could light a Christmas tree, delivered by this beautiful lady made my day. I am a Canadian whose country is described by others as being very friendly, kind, generous and of course the never ending smiles. I know I cannot stand in a line-up without starting a conversation with others in the line-up. If I sit on down somewhere , whoever is there as well , I will start a conversation with them. It is truly a great learning experience.

I hate the US working system. 2 months off sounds amazing....

I truly appreciate when people share their struggles and such just because it makes you feel more connected and not so alone.

To me smiling doesn’t feel fake, I do it because I feel happy.. A lot of times when I am not having a great day and someone smile or say something nice to me it really brightens my day, so being nice to others feels like paying it forward.

I’ve been watching your channel since 2012 and I still remember your draw my life video, I’m so happy for you, that you’ve come so far and that you’re in a much better place in your life ❤️

I went to live and work in Poland and some other Eastern European countries in 1991 and when I came back in 2004 I had a family in tow. When I was getting off the plane in Warsaw a Frenchman who did business in the region asked me why I was there. "I'm going to teach English," I said. "Teach them how to smile," he replied.

I was so stressed out before I listened to your calming voice.

I live in South Texas near the border and we’re overwhelmingly Mexican or Mexican American here. Sometimes the cashiers will tell you their personal life stories LOL. There is a lady working at my local grocery store who talks to me about her cats and her struggles with menopause 😂 My mom is a Mexican immigrant and she’ll talk to everybody and usually walks out of her doctor appointments with recommendations for herbal remedies or recipes because she ends up talking to the other elderly ladies there haha. People are frequently chatting in the lobby of my tiny post office. We talk a lot. My dad is Cuban and they are even worse! They’re quite loud and it often sounds like they’re fighting/arguing but it’s just the way they talk.

I used to work at helping immigrants find work. One person was so unpleasant and severe in his communication style I was worried no one would hire him. I explained in a group meeting that in the US a smile and pleasant greeting is a sign that a person is giving the other person a sign of goodwill. He explained that he loved smiling but if he did it in his country it would mean that he was satisfied with himself for having some advantages that other people did not have. It was a great eye opener for both of us and he was so happy to be able to show goodwill in the US . All my immigrant clients loved America so much because so many people were kind and helpful to them.when you live in a diverse culture such as the US has, it works to smile when you encounter others to make them feel as if they feel welcomed. Why would kind people walk around with sour faces. That accomplishes nothing.

I spent 25yrs working for major banks in California, where my job was to meet with the branch's biggest depositors, and what I found was that nobody actually cared about where they invested the money. All they cared about was that I paid attention to them, and it made them feel important. It got to the point where my goal was to get the new potential client talking about anything else besides money and investing it, and then about 55 mins into the hour, I said "OMG! Look at the time! We never even talked about your money.", and they'd inevitably say "I trust you, so just do whatever you think is best.". It also made my day a lot more interesting finding out about people, rather than just treating everybody like I only considered them to be a bunch of numbers in a computer. I also found that if I smiled at people, they'd smile back, even if they weren't aware of it, because smiling automatically triggers a positive response.

I just came upon this. This is really intriguing, thoughtful commentary! Maria's views of this country are something that most Americans, especially younger ones, should listen to. Also, hers is the most pleasant voice I think I've ever heard. She could easily be a radio/TV talent if she wanted, but her life seems pretty busy right now!

"I want people to feel they're not alone", this is beautiful. And i have learnt it on my skin, because I was like this too, i absolutely didn't wanted to share ANYTHING bad or too good with other people, friends too, and this is not so good! Because sharing is caring, and I learnt how much every person can give to you, care of you and cheer you up :) thank you Maria for being so genuine ♥️ lots of love from Italy

You are so sweet! Welcome to USA!!! Thanks for showing us a part of us we hardly get to see!!

You are such a grounded and thoughtful person and I’m glad you’re living here. There is one stereotype that appears true…Russian women are beautiful!

Her hair looks absolutely beautiful. it’s always interesting seeing the contrasting cultures in our world. love you Maria!! ❤️

When she said everyone apologizes a lot .... just wait till you come to Canada😂 just wait

I am so glad that you are living in a culture you can easily smile because you have such glimmering smile and your eyed light up beautifully when you do. It would be sad if the world was not lightened by your smile - we are lucky you are here and can share it with us and not have to hide it elsewhere.

I’m an Aussie living in the USA and I found this to be interesting and accurate.

You’re probably the sweetest person I have ever watched.