Title: What Russians Think of Americans | Foreign Affairs
Headings: What Russians Think of Americans
What Russians Think of Americans
By Frederick C. Barghoorn
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Content: But they tend to judge foreigners much more by their attitudes, abilities and personality than by class or rank. It might appear from some of the above observations that only the lighter side of the American character appeals to Russians. While it is true that the relatively carefree Americans probably had a tonic effect on the Russians they encountered during the terrible wartime years, it is also true that the Russians not only enjoy but also respect Americans. Perhaps the most obvious source of this respect is the Americans' reputation as hard, efficient workers. Official Soviet propaganda for years held up this aspect of American character as a model for Soviet emulation. The businesslike quality ( delovitost) of Amer