bakalovas

[bakalovas]

💌 / 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛 🦘

maria: hiiiii it's been a while

maria: i hope you're doing well

maria: are you in america right now? or back home?

[bakalovas]

cityofbrina​:

i don’t understand much either, and i’ve lived in america my whole life. yeah, if you don’t say good, or okay, everyone will like kinda pass it off? unless you’re talking with friends, then you can spill anything. i’ve been in coffee shops where the person infront of me spills their whole life story on them, it’s a little crazy, but hey sometimes you just gotta vent to a person. i’m sabrina, i’m good!

that seems to be the general response i’m getting from americans, which is comforting at least! i’ve learned my lesson now, i’m ready to be so chill to the next person who asks me. that’s why i was so embarrassed honestly, i never want to be that person who’s dumping a bunch of stuff on a person who’s just trying to get through their work day. they haven’t started fucking up my coffee yet though, so maybe that means they still like me, even if i overshare sometimes. i do agree though, sometimes you just have to let some stuff out. i’m glad to hear it! it’s nice to meet you sabrina. 

[bakalovas]

mariabakalovaofficial added a new post:

Ahhh @louisvuitton 🥰❤️ What can I say… so fascinating and beautiful as always❣️

[bakalovas]

mackayhq​:

I’m right there with you on a lot of the American sports, at the least, because some of them still don’t and likely will never make much sense to me? I just like the part of having good snacks and drinks while watching them in person. But sometimes adjusting to another country’s culture is a struggle, though you don’t have to be embarrassed. The bright side in this is you likely gave those employees and baristas a memorable moment in their day, yeah? Especially if most others don’t say much! If it makes you feel better, I’ll share a story that was sort of embarrassing. I didn’t know they added taxes to their store items and ducked in to buy a drink, and was all proud of myself at the register for being able to hand over exact change. Until of course I found out the price was higher. And then after expressing confusion, got the added tax explained to me by the cashier like I was two years old. I couldn’t have left the store more quickly. I’m George, and it’s technically added knowledge for us both, right?

it’s a relief to hear i’m not the only one, honestly. american football will always be a mystery to me, that’s something i just have to accept so i can start to move forward with my life. i agree that the refreshments make it worth it though. plus i do genuinely find it endearing how many people are very excited about the sports, even if i don’t understand them, haha. oh my gosh, you poor thing! i understand that embarrassment very well. to be fair, it’s kind of nuts that the sales tax isn’t just added into the shelf price, it would be so much easier if they just told you upfront, so i’m gonna side with you on that one. nice to meet you george! you’re right, i’m just grateful that i know now. plus, i always try to remember that my culture is probably just as weird to them. 

[bakalovas]

just doing a little call to see who might be interested in texts ! like this & let me know in the replies if you have a preference for maria or tessa. 💖

[bakalovas]

kmvante​:

I mean, I’m in the same boat as you there since I like in South Korea. I guess it depends on the American honestly because the ones I have had the pleasure of meeting actually care about how I am which is something I see a lot in Korea. In Asian countries we are very respectful and generally care to show that same hospitality to others. I’m sure the baristas and employees don’t mind at all. They listen which is nice in my eyes. You really do, swear I learn something different with friends or with work every day. Hello Maria, I’m Taehyung. I’ve been good, filming with friends for a show we’re doing and working on music.

it seems to be pretty much every non-native english speaker knows exactly what type of confusion i’m talking about. it definitely does depend on the american, i’ve definitely met plenty of genuinely kind and caring people who seem to want to know how i’m doing, so that’s wonderful. i just wasn’t aware it had a different kind of meaning as an every day greeting. that’s very sweet, we’re the same way in bulgaria. we may not always be overly chatty, but we greet each other warmly and genuinely. that’s true, they could have definitely rolled their eyes at me or just told me to leave, so i’ll take that as a victory. it’s nice to meet you! i’m glad to hear you’re doing well, sounds like you’re staying busy. 

[bakalovas]

chbangie​:

No, please don’t ruin that magical moment where I walk into any kind of store in America and they ask me how my day is going. It makes me feel so cared about, you can’t take that away from me. It’s nice to meet you, maria. I’m Chan and currently going through that same betrayal. All thanks to you, mind you!

i’m so sorry to ruin your illusion, but you had to know the truth! to be fair, i’m sure that at least some of them have genuinely been asking, there’s no way they were all faking it. if it helps, i can personally promise to ask you how you are every day and genuinely mean it. it’s nice to meet you, and i’m sorry but now you know, eh? 

[bakalovas]

yourstrulychrissy​:

I would love to! This will be such a great day, we’re going to have so much fun! Thank you. Actually, there was one show that we did in Texas where there wasn’t any air conditioning or a fan. We were going to cancel, but we performed the show anyway. We did have a great time though - even if we didn’t have any air conditioning or a fan.

good, because i’m dying to know where all the best restaurants and such are, you know i’m such a fiend for good takeout. oh my gosh, and you survived? in texas? i remember when we were filming in texas, i genuinely thought i was going to pass out on one day when it was particularly hot - my poor european blood just isn’t built for it, i guess. i’m sure it was an amazing show though, so worth it. 

[bakalovas]

hollandofdreams​:

It’s like in England when we greet each other by going “alright?” but we aren’t asking you if you’re alright, we’re saying hello. I didn’t realise it was such an English thing til I started working in America, and people were like “huh?” 

Hey, Maria! It’s great to meet you. Welcome to the Marvel family! I’m Tom. I’m doing pretty good, and how are you? 

see, that makes more sense to me though, especially if you’re doing it while just moving on about your day. it’s the stopping someone to ask “how are you?” that confuses me, if you don’t really wanna know the answer. but i guess i’m just used to bulgaria, where we say hi in passing but don’t chat unless we really feel like it. it’s much less confusing, in my opinion! 

thank you very much! it’s nice to meet you. do i get extra brownie points if i say you’re my favorite spiderman? i’m glad to hear you’re doing well, and i’m doing lovely, especially since everyone was so kind in welcoming me at comic con, so i’m over the moon. 

[bakalovas]

zacharydaefron​:

We’re a confusing little piece of culture aren’t we? We don’t even have a lot to brag about if you think about it. Love it here, but also, some other places are really nice – like Paris. Yes, acting nicer than we really are is more common than we’d like to admit. Most people keep to themselves anymore and it’s bittersweet. I’m sure those people don’t mind you telling about their day. How sorry to hear about your downfall here. Nice to meet you, Maria, I’m doing pretty good, how about yourself?

i imagine it’s because of the huge mix of all the different cultures, but yeah, i can definitely say american culture is unlike anywhere else i’ve ever been. which is not a bad thing necessarily! paris is also very nice, especially if you’re someone like me who absolutely adores bread. i’m floored that i didn’t catch on, but you learn something new every day, right? and i’m doing well despite my embarrassment, thank you for asking! 

[bakalovas]

yourtrulyariana​:

i’d like to take a moment and apologize for all of us americans being little shits and making us all look terrible. some of us actually care but usually you’ll encounter the ones that don’t first. something we also do is offer smiles with a head nod as another weird greeting even though we’re probably really not interested in anyone. american culture can be so weird sometimes, please forgive us.

i’m so sorry to hear you feel this way and i really do hope things change for you soon, but it’ll take time til you get used to things. also i don’t feel they minded too bad, some might have cared but we also suck at showing it sometimes. hey, i’m ariana, again forgive us and i’m doing alright, can’t complain too much. how are you?

awww, that’s alright. despite some really notable exceptions, most americans that i’ve met have been perfectly nice and plenty have even seemed to genuinely care when they ask. i love that little smile and silent head nod, it’s a fun way of still saying hello when you don’t feel like chatting. it can definitely be weird, but i find it charming in a lot of ways! 

you’re totally right, i’m sure i’m being overdramatic about it. mostly i just feel bad that i talked their ear off when they were stuck at work, so maybe i’ll just tip them extra well next time for listening to all my struggles to patiently. hi ariana, it’s wonderful to meet you! i’m glad to hear you’re doing well. and i’m actually doing excellent, thank you. are you up to anything fun this summer? 

[bakalovas]

ycojimin​:

Being from Korea, there are also a million things about America that confuse me to. Never thought they were polite though. When I’ve been there, unless it was someone I knew prior no one every asked me how I was and now I know they do this often, I’m kind of insulted. Regardless of if they wanted to know about my day or not, I feel all levels of betrayal. Do I give off a bad vibe that they wouldn’t want to greet me that one? Genuinely covered about what kind of image I’m throwing out into the universe.

Hi, Maria. I’m Jimin but everyone calls me Karina. Nice to meet you and please don’t be embarrassed. You weren’t raided there so how were you to know they didn’t actually want an answer? If someone asked me, I’d have done the exact same thing so you did nothing wrong there. For future reference, now you know. Hopefully you didn’t spill anything too embarrassing.

i think every non american (or at least non-native english speaker) i’ve spoken to about it has really understood where i’m coming from, so that’s reassuring. i personally think you give off excellent vibes, so i can’t imagine why they wouldn’t want to chat you up about your day. though i do think i just have one of those faces that apparently just says “please talk to me!” sometimes, so maybe that’s why i always end up getting stuck in conversations. 

it’s nice to meet you! right, it’s just the opposite of what we would do in bulgaria — like, we’re polite and greet each other, but if we don’t really want to have a chat we just move on with our day instead of bothering. i’m just glad to know i’m not alone. nothing too embarrassing, but i do feel like maybe i need to lend them an ear for some of their feelings just to even things out a little bit. 

[bakalovas]

namjoooooning​:

@bakalovas​

Hi!! How are you? It’s been forever since we’ve talked and I miss you! You going to be coming to Korea for Yoon and I’s engagement party at the end of next month? I could also fly out to see you! But I hope your doing well my dear friend. Hope your doing well.

hi, my love! i miss you too, it really has been forever. but i’m definitely coming, and i’m very excited for you both. though if you find yourself in LA sometime in between now and then, we must get takeout and binge watch something on my couch. i’m doing very well, still settling in to living full time in the city but i’m getting used to it. how have you been? 

[bakalovas]

hwnghyvnjin​:

yes! i know what you mean there. i had a hard time adjusting to the american culture when my groups toured there for the first time. i’m from south korea and on the streets, we don’t usually acknowledge each other? but every time i’m in the states, people are waving, smiling or saying hello to me. i’m not complaining by any means but it was something i had to get used to. i’m sure the baristas didn’t mind! nice to meet you, maria, i’m hyunjin! i’m very good, thanks for asking.

oh really? that’s so interesting, in bulgaria it’s very typical to either wave or say hi on your way past, though you wouldn’t really stop and chat unless you know the person already. people are definitely over friendly in some places in america, and then in other cities they don’t talk to you at all unless they’re trying to sell you something. i’m thinking maybe next time i go to the coffee shop, i can let them unload some of their problems and feelings onto me, that way it’s a balanced relationship. it’s nice to meet you! i’m glad you’re doing well. are you doing anything exciting this summer? 

[bakalovas]

ccmilamendes​:

I mean, surely there’s a British equivalent?! No? I do have high hopes that some of us actually care, but it is a very common expression using more as a greeting then what it literally means I’m afraid. Hello Maria, I’m Camila, it’s nice meeting you. And are you actually asking me or that’s just your way of greeting me?

now that you mention it, british people kinda do the same thing, so maybe it’s an english speaking thing in general? i don’t know, i just know that in bulgaria it’s a little bit different. i’m just glad i know now, you know? it’s nice to meet you camila. rest assured, i am actually asking! i would love to hear about your day. 

[bakalovas]

dylanro​:

i’ve been here all my life – and there are plenty of things i still don’t grasp about the american culture either. i got sports down pretty well, but i don’t know fuck all about anything else, really. though you’ve got me wondering where you’re at that all these people are asking you how you are – because you sure as hell can’t be in new york. i made eye contact with someone earlier, didn’t even say anything and the guy mouthed ‘fuck off’ at me. maybe he thought i was someone else? or maybe he hated one of my movies, i don’t know – but i want to know where you’re at that they’re asking how you are because i want to go there, because i need that fake niceness. though you shouldn’t feel sorry to those baristas – half the time they’re little assholes anyway. it’s a pleasure meeting you though, maria, i’m dylan and i’m doing pretty decent. had a grown-up night out for the first time in a while since the birth of my child – so that feels good.

that’s honestly so comforting to know, because it was making me feel a little insane for a moment. but it seems like americans are just as confused as i am! if that’s the case, i would love to take some sort of crash course in american sports at some point, because i can’t just keep cheering any time something happens on the screen, people are starting to catch on. maybe he knows someone who looks just like you...? choosing to believe you didn’t actually do anything to wrong this man, maybe he was just having a bad day. i’m out in LA, where it seems like every single person wants to talk to you, but mostly just to try and sell me something — my first few months here i was collecting samples of skincare and makeup stuff left and right, because i was blissfully unaware that there was an expectation for me to buy the whole thing eventually. oh well! you live, you learn. hi dylan, it’s nice to meet you. and i’m glad to hear you’re doing well. wow, how are you liking being a dad so far? 

[bakalovas]

littlebitafm​:

I thought about it… but then I thought of all the glass shards and I wasnt looking forward to a snack that crunchy, you know? Hey! Look at us! Two strong independent women figuring out how to do the most simple everyday tasks! We’re killing it! Where did you move to? From where? I’m nosy, dont mind me.

okay...you might have a point there. i might have to rethink my methods. i, personally, am so proud of us! tomorrow i might even figure out how to change a tire or something. i just moved to los angeles. i’ve been here on and off for a few years, but this is my first time having a place on my own. and i’m from bulgaria, so there are still quite a few things i’m getting used to as you might imagine.