When in Russia...

Back to categories

Back to articles

• Russia may in some respects look "Western", but don't been deceived, it's often only surface deep. The foreign visitor can find that familiar things receive quite different treatment in the East, and he will seldom be allowed to forget that "this is Russia - this is how we do things here"!

• National pride, although dented by the collapse of the soviet regime, is still highly sensitive. Try to avoid criticizing any aspect of the country, its government or society in Russian company, it will give great offense, and usually lead to counter accusation. Win friends by extolling the positive aspects of the country.

• Russians warm to visitors who demonstrate cultural awareness and knowledge of the country's creative achievements (e.g. artists, writers, musicians, etc.). This is invariably safer ground on which to express opinions than "the mafia, bribery and corruption".

• Russians have a strong mistrust of government and officialdom, which is invariably corrupt, unsympathetic and binds their lives in red-tape. At the same time, they are unused to the new insecurity that democracy and the free market has brought them.

• In the past, before free speech became the norm, the one safe place to set the world to rights was the kitchen, usually over a bottle or two of vodka with trusted friends. To be invited to visit someone's home is to be accepted as more than an "outsider", and to be invited to join in the "kitchen" discussion means to be trusted as an "insider".

• Present giving is symbolic and deeply important to Russians, and expected from both visitors and hosts alike. Similarly, lavish entertaining is common, with a lengthy meal involving many dishes and much alcohol to be expected.

• The "vodka culture" is still firmly entrenched, but amongst the younger generation, many are now turning to beer drinking, which is now widely available and heavily promoted, to the extent that it is also now also becoming seen as a social problem.

• In Russia one either drinks heavily or not at all - it is hard to find an acceptable compromise, because one is seen as being unfriendly for declining to join in toasts. This can lead the unwilling drinker to invent medical excuses to explain his abstinence, but these are usually accepted.

• Although western culture and products are highly rated, consumers are turning back towards Russian made goods and foodstuffs as standards rise, and rediscovering the virtue of buying domestic products over imported ones.

• The older generation, which tends to be conservative and critical of change, has suffered badly in the country's transition, becoming victims of eroded living standards. Some have turned to entrepreneurial activity to supplement their incomes, selling produce from their gardens, wild mushrooms, cigarettes, etc., on street corners.

• Religion has enjoyed a renaissance, as the suppression of the past has been replaced with official sponsorship. Orthodox priests now appear everywhere, and it is fashionable to be seen as churchgoing.

• Russians love to relax in the company of friends, and will rely on friends to help resolve problems. If you intend to spend any length of time in Russia, make friends, it will enliven and enrich your experience of the country.

This information has been supplied by James Kimberley on behalf of Farnham Castle International Briefing & Conference Centre. His entire career has been dedicated to the development of trade and investment links between Britain and the former Soviet Union. He has held a number of senior positions within blue chip companies, such as Andersen Consulting and Tate and Lyle plc and served as General Manager, Russia for Securicor plc. He is a speaker at Farnham Castle, the world's leading provider of intercultural briefing and training. Full details of the complete range of programmes offered are available at www.farnhamcastle.com