Renee+Abramson's+answers


 * [[image:abramson_96.jpg]]Renee's answers to the Russian students' questions:**
 * 1/ Why don't Americans eat soups?** I think some people do- certainly not kids or even teens. I think that one acquires a taste for soups. Also what adults do not like they will not give to their kids. For example Americans do NOT eat organ meat like liver or heart- ever. Those who do eat soups eat it from cans and let's be honest- They are disgusting. Personally I love Borscht and gave some to my son's now ex-girlfriend and when she broke up with him said she hated it. Ha ha. If I knew that I would have given it to her a year a go for her to leave him :)

2/ Do you have any racial discrimination & how do you cope with it in the US?

Interesting question.I live up north where we were never the slave states. Sure there is prejudice but a whole lot less when I was growing up. My daughter is dating a bi-racial guy (he is in college-- Forensic Chemistry major <-- see I am even making excuses) so it exists. But in so many odd forms. My son's ex girlfriend's family are Catholics. The Catholics really do not like their kids dating Jews. It's so odd as it is 2011. Many people actually do like their kids dating Jews because they are known for being generous to their wives- oh well. Do I want my son marrying in a Church? Well do you want your children marrying in a Jewish temple? Same thing. We look for compromise. There is so much equal opportunity for people with color. I think the greatest problem we have greater than prejudice is our illegal alien problem.

3/ How many of you (they are interested in percentage) take higher education courses ? Again this comes with regions in the USA. Massachusetts has great Universities such as MIT and Harvard so education is treasured. I think in the school my kids go to 80-85% go onto some sort of higher education. I, on the other hand growing up in Brookline MA it was more like 98%.

4/ What are the living conditions in the US dorms? Ha ha My kids do not live in dorms. Many of them are party places and a lot of kids get so attracted to the social life many fail. Also they are expensive- a dorm costs from $10,000 to $18,000 a year NOT including college costs (another $30,000 a year). So my kids stay at home and go to schools near by.

5/ What do Americans think about B.Obama? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA (does that answer the question?)

6/What is the average percentage of the US students having their own cars? Well students who are IN college not many. Those who go to college locally nearly all do. My kids all have their own cards they got in high school. First, I am not talking new. I got my daughter a car with 50 thousand miles on it for $3000 and it was 6 years old- perfect condition. Last week my husband bought a 1998 (old) Cutless Supreme Oldsmobile with only $40,000 miles all leather great condition for only $1200 Cars are not expensive here. If they can afford the car insurance it is not a lot.