July 2, 2009

Part two, based on your questions (+ a couple more that many are interested in).

Is it true that Americans imagine Russia as a country where bears walk the streets and people wear ushanka hats? (asked by LEX)

No. At least, I've talked to quite a lot of Americans, and so far I haven't encountered anything like that.

Is it true that all American girls are ugly? (asked by Tyler and YuroY)

No. That's a pretty strange question in general) In any country, there are both ugly and pretty people. And it's exactly the same here.

Is it true that the streets in the USA are so clean that you can walk barefoot? Or that when you drive a long distance, the car doesn't get very dirty? (asked by Stasik)

Yes. Of course, no one will go out for the whole day, but walking a couple of blocks from home to the store or the beach barefoot is a fairly common occurrence. The cars here are so clean that they shine. But that's just because they wash them much more often here.

What do they listen to there (music)? I'm especially interested in the question, considering the predominance of the black population. (asked by Natashka)

Yes, roughly the same as we do. There is a popular radio station here: http://www.hot1005.com/. Listen to it for a couple of hours, and you'll understand what's in fashion here.

From passing cars with black people inside, you can quite often hear DMX, Jay Z, Eminem, and the like.

Drugs. Are there any, how much do they cost, and is it true that drugs in America are like cigarettes in Russia? (asked by Natashka)

I can't say for sure. The only time I saw some white guys come to a basketball court and smoke a joint with African Americans. I don't know anything else. I'm not into drugs)

Is it true that international driver's licenses don't work in America?

No. An International driving license is valid in any state in America. I checked with the police. However, an American license is the main identity document here. Without it, they don't hire you in many places (even if you don't need to drive a car for that job).

Is it true that when you buy something in a store, they charge you more money than what is written on the price tag?

Yes. Tax is not included in the price here. In the state of Virginia, for example, if I buy a bottle of water for $0.99 at a supermarket, I pay $1.01.

Traditionally, ask your questions in the comments.