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According to Lynn Visson's "Wedded Strangers" :

'Russians have a collective spirit. Americans are individuals. For Americans, individualism has a positive connotation. For Russians, it has a negative connotation.'

'Russians are raised to expect a life with difficulties. Americans are raised to expect the best. Americans think a smile and a sense of humor are the best things you can have. They will carry you farther and they don't cost anything.'

'Russians are collectivists. They see life as a web of personal relationships. Americans are taught to rely on themselves. Americans are optimists. Russians are pessimists.'

'Russians believe the world is a fairly rotten place populated by fairly rotten people who are out to cheat you. Only by having people you can count on can you survive.'

'Russians live with their parents typically. They rely on their parents for help with household chores, childcare, and financial assistance. The situation makes for close family ties, but also leads to parents having a major say in decisions.'

'It creates financial and emotional dependence. Americans value that their children grow up to be independent. Russian parents support their children as long as possible and the children become their mainstay in old age.'