Alex is an American who found happiness with a Serbian woman, and after much deliberation, he came to her homeland and is building a life here. However, what awaited him in our country was something he could not have even dreamed of.
When Alex decided to move from New York to Belgrade, he did not know what awaited him. He brought his wife and three children with him, and, as it soon turned out, the greatest support in his new life was waiting for him right here in our country – his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
-Being a son-in-law here is completely different from what I imagined. We never argued. Maybe that’s because I don’t speak enough Serbian, and my mother-in-law doesn’t speak English, but I love them very much. My two brothers have complicated stories with their in-laws, I don’t. With me, everything is the opposite – I have experienced only love and support, and for that, I am very grateful to them – says Alex.
For an American accustomed to the pace of New York and Los Angeles, life in Serbia opened his eyes to differences that are not immediately visible.
The first and most visible was how children play. Parks here are always full, while children in America mostly stay in the yards of their houses.
-People there want privacy and their own playground, but children rarely go outside. Here, where the yards are smaller, everyone goes out to the park. There is always someone there – you don’t see that in America – explains Alex.
He was especially delighted by a scene from a Belgrade park – retirees sitting on benches and watching the children.
-Everything here is relaxed and natural, children can be children without fear. I want my children to experience the world like that – to be careful, but not afraid – Alex explained why he likes Serbia.
He also remembers the period of the pandemic, when his wife was pregnant.
-She never waited in line, people always let her go ahead of the line. That doesn’t exist in America – there, a pregnant woman would wait just like everyone else. That really surprised me – he said.
His oldest child then went to kindergarten, where he noticed how much the teachers really love their job.
-Here I get photos and videos from trips, I see how they hug and kiss the children, they show them love. In America, that is unimaginable – there, you are not allowed to hug a child because someone could immediately misinterpret it – he shocked with his explanation.
Although New York is a city with huge opportunities, Alex believes it is not for everyone.
-In the train, on one side sits a homeless person, and on the other, a millionaire. Everyone is there. If you want opportunities – that’s the best place, but if you’re just going to hang out, you won’t be happy. I am an example – I met my wife in my bar, and one of my most important business partners as a customer – he explained.
In Serbia, opportunities do not come by themselves, but the pace of life is slower and more relaxed:
-In America, you always have to work to pay the bills and rent. Here I can slow down, drink coffee on the terrace and breathe the air. That is priceless.
He was especially surprised by the different culture of privacy.
-We Americans love privacy. There is none of that here – relatives come whenever they want, without notice. That’s nice, but it can be difficult for someone from another culture. I told my wife: ‘It’s not that I don’t love your family, they are wonderful and do a lot for the children, but the only person I want to live with is you’ – he brought smiles to many.
The advantages of living together can also be seen in a smaller financial burden.
-If you don’t succeed in something in Serbia, you always know that you have a place to return to. Even if everything falls apart, you can start over. That’s a kind of ‘American dream’ here – he said.
However, Alex admits that he misses bars the most.
-There is something special about an American bar – you sit at the bar, talk to the bartender or strangers. There is none of that here – in a pub you sit at a table and drink beer, but it’s not the same. I’m not saying there are no bars, but there aren’t many in the suburbs. I miss that atmosphere – Alex concluded.
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Source: Telegraf.rs, Photo: Printscreen Youtube