What do you think about Americans? A quick survey.

Peace Corps volunteers have three main responsibilities during, and after, our service: teach the skills necessary so that those we work with can succeed long after we leave; build cultural bridges between America and our host country; and introduce our host country’s traditions and beliefs to Americans back home. 

Before I tackle my second responsibility, I thought I’d take an unofficial survey from the Ukrainians I’ve met and ask them what they assume when meeting an American. Granted, haven’t met that many Ukrainians so far, but the idea came when talking to my host mom about what she assumed I wanted for breakfast. 

“Milk, eggs, bacon and cereal, right?”

She wasn’t wrong about that, I told her. But remembering my third mission here, I said I’d prefer a Ukrainian breakfast. So she served me borscht. 

But that got me thinking about what the average Ukrainian in Cherkasy assumes about Americans. I just couldn’t wait to meet enough natives to get an accurate sampling, so I asked the few I’ve met in my 10 days here: Natalia, the barista at the coffee shop I go to every morning;  Inga, who works with me; Julia, who has helped me look for a decent yoga studio (the search continues); several students I met at a school where a fellow Peace Corps volunteer works in; and not to mention my host family. 

Before I reveal what I found out, let me just preface this by saying that each time, it took a bit of coaxing to get answers. I think it's a testament to how respectful Ukrainians try to be to their guests. "Be honest," I said. "It's ok."

Here are the results, in no particular order and as relayed to me. Some times they would admit that they were wrong about their assumption:

1. "Americans are...eh...larger in size." 
2. "Americans only eat McDonald's. This is one is wrong." 
3. "They have nice smiles. This one is true." 
4. "They are independent." 
5. "They are funny. No, cheerful. No, joyful!" (special thanks to Google translate).
6. “Children are more violent in America.”
   This sparked a conversation. Turns out that for this particular person, the school shootings that happen all too often in America make it back to Ukraine, and the perception is that children are more "cruel" in the United States. In Ukraine, this person explained, children can tease, but that kind of school violence is foreign here. In fact, owning a gun is against the law in Ukraine.  
7. "Americans are so loud. They don't need a microphone when talking to a lot of people."
8. "They smile a lot. And they hug so much."
9. "I thought you were easy-going and healthy food eaters. That turned out to be true."
10. "You are very patriotic."

The only thing I can surmise from this hasty poll is that American stereotypes are as diverse and contradictory as America itself. By the way, there are two McDonald's in Cherkasy, and I haven't been to either of them.