All Smiles

I entered the Russian Federation and soon realized my California charm was no match for the stone cold expression of the locals. Was this their natural facial characteristics, their contempt for Americans, or socially customary?

My guide (as legally required by the Russian government for all foreign visitors) asked me why I was always smiling...I was confused as I am usually accosted for having the opposite! As she later informed me, in Russian culture a smile is a sign of stupidity. I must be all smiles.... ;-)

The grounds of the Summer Palace of Peterhof