Comment by airhead969

Regardless that I look Russian but not, I guess this is one of many cultural reasons why I get along with them so well. Being socially forced to smile and be positive all of the time (toxic positivity) seems fake and mentally-unhealthy to me. I understand wanting to brighten other people's day but to sustain manic/positive/energetic appearance all of the time and towards everyone sounds exhausting.

The other thing I like about Russian culture is, like a cardiologist or a brain surgeon, finding humor in everything (brain surgeons may find less than they were expecting but they're an optimistic bunch).

A CIA agent is sent on a mission in Moscow.

He goes to a grocery store and writes down in his diary "There is no food".

He then goes to a clothes shop and puts down in the diary "There are no shoes".

He leaves the shop, and a KGB agent waiting for him outside says: "You know, 10 years ago we would have shot you for that."

The CIA agent writes in his diary "There are no bullets".