This is determined by the length of stay in the country and the life experience and knowledge that people have acquired there. It is clear that there is no superiority, and all are equal. Well, you arrived recently. Well, you'll figure it out over time. No big deal. The main thing is that a person has a head on their shoulders and their hands are attached where they should be.
But no. There will definitely be numerous people who will point out your immigrant place to you. And if you arrived recently, it will usually be on the very fringe. Others, without saying anything, will simply cynically try to use you financially. In any case, you will clearly feel like a second-class person who still has to earn the right to success, as well as the honor and respect of those who have lived here longer.
A couple of days ago I met an acquaintance who, by chance, told me: he, a newcomer, but already having the audacity to be interested in real estate, was literally advised to 'eat some crap first, like everyone else, and then think about buying a house.' And when he became so brazen as to master conversational English in 10 months and got a job at a large state company, then the indignation of good friends and relatives knew no bounds. How is that possible? He didn't even work as a loader or a handyman! And we went through all that in our time: we washed floors, ate whatever we could, where's the justice?
Unfortunately, to one degree or another, this phenomenon affects most people who came from the vast expanses of the former USSR. And the more years they live here, the higher they hold their noses towards the newly arrived. This is typical for Russian-speaking residents of New York in general, and Brooklyn in particular. Outside big cities, the tension subsides, and people become somewhat calmer. Although there are exceptions there too. Interestingly, unlike Russians, Americans treat 'newcomers' quite friendly – they support, encourage, and even praise broken English, like: 'Wow, you've only been in the country for a year? I don't believe it! You speak well!' Although it is clear that this often hides ordinary politeness.
Surprisingly, when you talk to many former compatriots, you realize that essentially, as strange as it may seem, they only wish you ill. The motivation is simple: I suffered when I arrived, now you suffer too. The wording can be completely different: from a polite but persistent 'young man, you don't know anything and listen to what I tell you,' to a rude and straightforward 'everyone goes through crap here, and what, you think you're the smartest?' You will definitely be told, in a manner that leaves no room for objection, how you should live, what to do, and where to go. They will assess your situation, your way of thinking, and your future prospects.
Any deviation from their ideas will be seen as an attempt at rebellion. Any lack of knowledge or mistake will be a reason to rub your nose in it like a stupid kitten. After all, they have been in America for 25 years, and you only arrived a year ago. You will definitely learn about all their achievements (especially financial), awards, and accolades, while yours will mean absolutely nothing. 'Forget everything that came before,' they will say. 'In America, everything is different. Listen while you're being taught for free.'
In the worst case, their rhetoric will be outright rude; in the best case, arrogantly condescending. About 'for free,' by the way, it's not a joke. When asking a compatriot for advice, you might hear: 'What, buddy, I don't work for zero. I busted my hump here for so long, and you want everything at once. Pay me, and then we'll talk.' Just like that. Point-blank. Without even trying to maintain the appearance of decency.
Very rarely will someone say: don't do that, because I got into it myself but wouldn't wish it on another. Don't repeat my mistakes. Even rarer is someone who will just stay silent and not start teaching you about life. You're not doing it right, you're writing the wrong thing, you're choosing the wrong words, you're looking in the wrong direction, etc. The comments of many local old-timers on the internet can even be reduced to one phrase: 'you are all fools and incurable, while I stand here all in white, beautiful.'
The same situation will be when searching for and getting a job. As a recent arrival, Russian-speaking 'businessmen' will always offer you only the worst positions and minimum pay, perfectly aware that you don't have much choice. It doesn't matter that you had experience back there. In America, it doesn't count. Here, everything starts from scratch, even if you are an expert in your field. Work for free for a week or two, and we'll call it training. When you gain knowledge and realize that you were being fooled, and that other places pay more for the same work, don't deceive you, and don't make you do things you shouldn't, then you will naturally quit, and the next newcomer will take your place, and the gears of the system will keep turning.
Creating a friendly, cohesive team is not in fashion among locals. The engine of their progress and source of income is the exploitation of their own kind, but still green and inexperienced. Promising and not delivering, firing and not paying – these are all routine days for local business. You don't like something? No one is holding you; tomorrow a new seeker of American happiness will take your place.
As you understand, in such an environment, nothing like support and mutual aid can grow. Some gain experience and become exploiters themselves. Some run away from it and blend in with Americans, trying to cross paths with Russian speakers as little as possible. The faster you understand the local realities and rules of the game, the faster you come to realize that you need to stay away from all this. And the faster you will integrate into American society or find your own independent niche.
I consider it necessary to add that all this has affected me to a minimal extent. In part because I am my own director. Also, fortunately, I mostly come across cultured, decent, and well-mannered people with whom it is easy to walk through life. My wife, however, has been less fortunate.
Perhaps in my text I have overly generalized and exaggerated something, but the essence of the relationship between the 'old-timers' and the 'newcomers' will not change much because of this.
Epilogue
Interestingly, it turns out: people come to a highly civilized (from their point of view) country, live for many years in a seemingly normal society, admire the clean streets, freedoms and opportunities, but at the same time remain the same as they left their apartments and communal flats 25 years ago. With the same complexes and quirks towards those they consider to be below their level.
Read the original post by blogger samsebeskazal with comments from his blog readers here http://www.rosbalt.ru/blogs/2013/09/09/1173811.html
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