That being said, my (mostly new) Eastern European friends do something that really gets on my nerves: they stubbornly command instead of respectfully asking.
Now, these are smart people, but I don't think I'm too stupid myself, and I have traveled around the world and I have lived abroad myself (in Eastern Europe and in 3rd world countries). I've visited Serbia and Moldova. I've always been flexible and adaptable to the cultures and styles in the places I was visiting. I respect other peoples and their ways when I go to their countries.
Yet, these Eastern European friends of mine have a habit of *commanding* rather than *asking*.
For example, instead of asking me "Sam, do you have change for a $10?" (they all speak English well and know such phrases), they'll say, "Sam, give me change for a $10." Once or twice, I let it roll off me. However, this is a habit I've observed in almost all of these Eastern European friends.
Is this a cultural attribute? Even if it's cultural for their homelands, I do believe "When in Rome,..." Any insight? Or, is this really reflective of an attitude they have toward U.S. citizens like me?
I'm Serbian, and trust me, that's our lifestyle. If we're friends with someone, we'll just say what we want.
Not so long time ago, my sister's friend from USA camed to visit, and he's photographer and he took some gold in paper or something, used for orthdox iconas, to take a picture (he wanted it for a background). It was ripped but he didn't say a thing, he tooked it like that. My sister gave a new one for him, with explaining that that's just the way they, well, you, are - very polite. And, she said to my aunt, 'If I were him, I would say, yo, don't you have something normal?' and that's true.
We're very loud and not afraid to say what's on our mind and ask for things - deal with it, it's Balkan. :)
Hmmm, Let's see, they are boorish, rude and intractable - maybe they have spent too much time in Israel?
You say they speak good English, but could it be that they are asking that while they think in their own language?
Another possibility is that they may think of you as a very close friend and therefore they dispose of formalities in an effort to be friendlier.
I suggest that you somehow discuss your problem with them and see what they have to say. Surely is annoying but certainly there must be a reason they do that. Ask them.
This friends of yours are Serbian and Moldovian. Stop generalizing the whole "Eastern Europe". They are all different countries. Even countries with common borders have different cultures and mentality. Would you dare to say people from UK and Portugal are the same?
