Riding the train in Kazakhstan

Riding the train for hours in Kazakhstan can tell you a lot about the culture. Usually to get anywhere it will take you about 12 hours or more…that’s just the way it is. So its a lot of time to observe people….and for them to observe you!

In America when you meet someone new, you tell a lil about yourself, and then you ask a question so the other person can tell you about themselves. And it’s a back and forth convesation. Not so much here. Usually people just pepper you with questions not leaving a lot of time for you to reciprocated the questions. I guess its bc they are really excited to meet an American. The questions usually are: Where are you from? Why are you here? What do you do? Do you like Kazakhstan? Have you seen the movie Borat? What do you think about it? Are you married? Why not? How old are you? So how much money did you make in the states? What’s a usually salary? How much do you make here, is it less? Do you like our food? You need a boyfriend here....(that ones not a question) Usually in that order.

One thing I will say about the people here is, if you’re able to get through that barrage of questions so they think that they have gotten to know you, they open up so much more and treat you like family…especially on the train. They will feed you, make sure your comfortable, and watch your back. At first people have up a real Soviet style wall when they interact with you…but you don’t have to do much to break it down. And I kinda like that about this culture.

Even with each other. I once saw a man tell a woman very rudely that she was sitting in his seat. She said rudely back that her seat was the bunk above his. He said oh ok. They next thing you know they start talking and she is spreading his bed, and cutting up his food. The train was so hot and she didn’t feel like going in the bunk above him, so he let her lay on his bunk for a while. It was like they were father and daughter…and they just met. That happens so often here…and it doesn’t happen that often in America….definitely not New York!! Once your rude to someone, you better hope you don’t get slaped or shot. Lol.

I'm learning to appreciate the differences in our cultures.

Be Blessed