A short conversation from a YouTube episode by Ramit Sethi exploring whether a man is comfortable with his partner (Christina) being the higher earner. The speakers discuss expectations when they met and note that, culturally in Russia, men are traditionally expected to be breadwinners; the male speaker says this upbringing influenced his view but that it is not currently an issue for their relationship.
Did you expect to be the higher earner when the two of you met?
Not necessarily, no.
And is it common in Russian culture for women to be the higher earner?
Probably not.
Is that an issue for the two of you or no?
No, I don't think that's an issue for me on the surface. I don't think it's an issue in our culture. Men would be always a breadwinner. You're supposed to provide for your family. This kind of thinking I grew up with.
Seems like you're comfortable, if I'm reading it correctly, that Christina earns more than you. Would that be fair to say?
Well, yes and no. We kind of go up and down in at least in my incomes. Right. I was a high earner, then I dropped down to be not the high earner. I don't even know how I feel. I feel fine. I don't even think about how I feel about that right now.
