15 Years In Russia… What Have I Become?

An old acquaintance asked me on my facebook just the other day, “What are some of the things you’ve learned about yourself, and about culture (American and Russian) in your new home? What do you appreciate about Russian culture? What do you appreciate about your mother culture?”

So, I responded:  Great questions. The most important thing that I’ve learned from my multi-cultural life is that the Baha’i model is the only thing that’s kept me really afloat here. First off I’ve avoided the trap of extreme chauvinism that ails many ex-pats here and makes it so they can’t stick around for more than a few years. When one lives long term in another cultural setting and has to learn the language, learn the ropes and navigate for short & long term there is a fatigue that sets in (about 5 years max.). Then people just drop out. The 1-3 years group is large the 5 year group is half. The more than five year group is 1 in God knows how many (very, very small) This is fatigue. Not willing to really learn the language, not willing to accept or tolerate certain ways of doing things or thinking. Insisting your way is right. Just plain not able to metamorphosis into another creature. Early on I was following instructions from the Beloved Guardian that the Baha’i pioneers should be ready to bury their bones in the pioneering field. So, that was long term. So, after the first year and after my marriage to Sveta, when people asked me what nationality I was I would say, “Sibirikanits” (A word I made up that combines the word Sibirak, person from Siberia with the word Amerikanits, American). This is a funny attention grabber but at the same time the underlying underlying reality is that’s what I’ve become. No longer that and not quite this. I think this is the first step to world citizenship… With that being said on to your questions: What I’ve learned about myself? I’ve learned that I am both patient and impatient and decisive and indecisive all at once. Being in the two culture family and being the head of a business with over 500 people I have to be patient and consultative. But sometimes I have to make the decision that’s not right and the perspective is under a false premise. The Ruhi institute materials and the parent organization FUNDAEC has really helped me. There is a thorough investigation of truth by separating un-useful concepts in our paradigms from birth and what the new paradigm should look like and what should that paradigm be based on. So, what I’ve learned is that I should always be learning and not insisting until I’ve distilled what is TRUTH based on what is right from that which is an indoctrinated idea that may very well be a myth (on either the American or Russia side of my cultural fence). A great example of this TRUTH is a recent conversation I had with a business partner of mine. He told me of a conversation he had just had with a very well educated Russian professor of economics. The conversation went something like this… the professor asked, “Why do we need transparency?” My partner began to give a bunch of arguments, like in the long run it will pay off, but from the Russian point of view it seems the opposite, transparency is the formula for closing your business because it will not be profitable. One argument after another the professor batted down with examples of why one should not be transparent. Finally my business partner remembered the argument that Baha’u'llah used about why one should be honest and truthful, “Because it’s right!” As he relayed the story to me he said that the professor’s face totally changed and said something like, “Now that’s the real reason why…” This example shows that there are things that are universal and we should build on them, this is what will be the foundation of our new endeavors, our truly joint-ventures, our new civilization… What do I appreciate about Russian culture? Russians. A Russian friend is a friend that will do anything for you, I mean really. I always use the example that if my tire goes flat somewhere here my Russian friend will do a back flip to come and help me literally come and help me. My American friend will complain why don’t you have triple A… I appreciate Russian’s hospitality in their homes, their overly concerned attitude toward my well-being. I appreciate their honesty – blunt, hard, no holds barred and sometime way too psychoanalytical, honesty. I appreciate Russians for who they are in their heart. I love the “Russian soul” as they call it. That’s what attracted me and that’s why I stayed. What do you appreciate about my mother culture? Getting “shtuff” done, damn it! Results! The bottom line… This ornery, cantankerous, burning desire to do things. That’s what I love about my mother culture…