“It’s a nightmare: Russians are freezing and washing in basins!”: the American came to St. Petersburg with accusations, but what she saw in the palace silenced her

The host, who accompanied the guest, did not enter into a dispute. Instead, he offered her a ride around the city and see how the Russians live. This story is told by the Zen channel “Talking about education”.

During the walk, the woman continued to talk about the cold and assumed that people had to save on literally everything. However, her companion explained that the heating season in Russia does not begin immediately after the onset of autumn. The timing of heat supply depends on weather conditions and decisions of local authorities, so the cool weather in October does not indicate a low standard of living.

Later they went to a cafe where they could warm up and talk. Gradually, the conversation turned to architecture, city streets and everyday life of St. Petersburgers.

The strongest impression on the American made a trip to Tsarskoye Selo. When she saw the Catherine Palace, its state halls, gilding and luxurious interiors, she could not hide her surprise. The rich decoration of the historical residence clearly did not fit into her previous ideas about Russia.

The guest examined the palace premises, strolled through the parks, admired the fountains and well-groomed alleys. She had another side of her life that she had never thought about before. St. Petersburg was not just a northern city with a cool climate, but also a major cultural center with a centuries-old history.

Her companion reminded that to draw conclusions about the whole country on the weather or individual household observations is not worth it. Representations of persistent cold and poverty have long been part of some foreign stereotypes about Russia, although the reality is much more diverse.

By the end of the day, the American did not return to the previous charges. Instead of talking about cold and poverty, she discussed the sights of St. Petersburg and shared her impressions of what she saw. The long walk bore her, but the trip was clearly memorable.

The man did not try to convince the guest with loud statements. He just showed her the city, its architecture and the way people live. This turned out to be enough for the conversation about stereotypes to be replaced by a discussion of real experiences.

This story is a reminder of how easy it is to form an opinion about an unfamiliar country, relying on other people’s stories and their own guesses. But real life rarely fits into preconceived notions. Sometimes it is enough to come to a new place, walk through the streets, get acquainted with the local culture and see everything with your own eyes to look at the usual beliefs in a different way.