I felt like writing at least a page for my blog again. It feels like there's nothing left to write about, but there are always a few thoughts to share.

I wanted to talk about relationships. Everyone and everything. I'm only sharing what I saw in Virginia Beach and I'm not saying it's like this everywhere.

1. Adult educated Americans towards Russian students. In general, they treat us very well. With understanding and sympathy. Some hotel guests were interested in my opinion on US foreign policy, asked about the economic situation in Russia, about the specifics of education, etc. Many have been to Europe and Russia and know about it not just frost and vodka (though not without that). They understand that we came to earn some money, learn the language, and tried to help in every way.

2. Other Americans. I overheard, although I probably shouldn't have, how American guys spoke unflatteringly about Russian girls. Saying they are beautiful and easy. They fall for cars and cheap showing off. Easy to get, but you have to be careful and not forget to use condoms, who knows how many have been there already. It was offensive... but there is a grain of truth in it. After all, no opinion is formed from thin air. Of course, not everyone thinks that... BUT many do. So, please, behave with dignity.

3. Attitude towards you from the employer. I adhere to the theory that you cannot judge an entire nation by one person. But sometimes certain character traits manifest in almost everyone. For example: southern peoples are more explosive and emotional, northern ones are calmer, etc. In America, many shops, hotels, and restaurants are run by Indians and Greeks. Working for Indians, you will literally sweat to earn those $7 an hour. I can't say anything about the Greeks, but they say they are similar. It's easier to work for Americans: if you do your job, then do it. They turn a blind eye to small breaks, and in some restaurants, kitchen staff do things that would have gotten everyone fired back home and the restaurant's license revoked: splashing water all over the kitchen, the 5-second rule (food that fell and stayed on the floor for less than 5 seconds is not considered dirty), too lazy to wash dishes - throw them away, etc. The owner is aware of all these entertainments of his staff and often takes part in the fun himself. By the way, the laziest are always black. Well, kill me and call me a racist or whatever... But it's a fact! It's just a historically established situation! They were brought by force, forced to work - so they worked. And if they had stayed in Africa, they wouldn't have known any trouble, eating bananas and wearing a grass skirt. But here they were just told to work and that's it: no one beats them with a stick, no one deprives them of food. That's why black people slack off (sorry for the pun).

Do not let anyone yell at you, threaten you with deportation, treat you with disdain, etc. You are here on a legal basis, for the duration of your stay in the country you have absolutely all rights, except for voting. You work and get paid for it. Any labor must be paid for and everything must be written in the contract. Read the contract carefully. Even if your English is not very good, at least look through all the numbers written there. How much, when and how you will be paid, how much the uniform costs and whether it is mandatory. On job application forms, do not write your full social security number (this is confidential information). The number can only be known by your employer who has already hired you, not the one who is thinking about it and hasn't even seen you in person.

4. Relationships between people in principle. PRACTICALLY ALL relationships in the States are disposable. Don't build long-term plans for the future, don't count on the help of those you met a couple of hours ago, don't depend on anyone... Yes! You might be helped by strangers and that is undoubtedly pleasant. But you will often be dumped, betrayed, or simply forgotten about your request. It will happen!! And the sooner you understand this, the better.

THE BOTTOM LINE is: go! Drive! Crawl and fly! You won't regret it! You will walk around with a smile for another six months, miss America, miss your new friends, convert money into dollars and evaluate the cost of goods in working hours... It's worth it! And you know what?

Everything will be AL-RIGHT for you!