Culture Shock in Russia
Expats moving to Russia will almost certainly experience some degree of culture shock.
The weather is often harsh and sometimes extreme, the language seemingly impenetrable, and the people themselves can often appear distant and uncaring. That said, expats living in Russia will also find themselves in a land of surprises and adventure; of sublime theatre, dance, art and music, of architectural wonder, rare beauty and historical depth.
Russian people speak with pride about the nature of their “Russian soul”, and are often eager to share their traditions, their passion for life and their rich culture. With patience, good friends and an open mind you will indeed survive the culture shock of living in the fascinating Russian Federation.
For foreigners, living in Russia’s big cities, like Moscow or St Petersburg, is a curious and contradictory interplay of invisibility and exposure. At times you may feel like you have disappeared altogether as people in the streets seem to look through you (yet still manage to walk into you, failing to respect your beloved ‘personal space’).
It’s important to realise that this kind of unsmiling action is a result of the fact that Russian people have a public mask that is different from their private selves. One of the most difficult things for a foreigner to understand is the ingrained attitude in most Russians that life is suffering, and that one must simply bear one’s hardships.
Do not, however, be fooled into thinking that everybody in the nation is rude and unfriendly, even though that may seem to be the case. Once you have come to know one another, your Russian friends will be among the most generous, warm and helpful people you know.
On the other hand, there will be times when you stick out like a sore thumb, your foreignness an open invitation to be noticed and addressed.
Gentlemen, be prepared to keep your wits about you as groups of Russian men welcome you to their country by attempting to drink you under the table. You will be a special challenge as a foreigner, and many have found themselves drunk under hospital beds, rather than tables. Never underestimate the power of vodka in the company of Russians.
Ladies, be prepared to enter a new world of invisibility (or exhibitionism, if you prefer), as you find yourself held to an ideal of womanhood, beauty and sexuality that may be very different from what you are used to. If you want to blend in, make sure you bring several pairs of extremely high-heeled designer shoes. Although women have long been an accepted and largely respected feature of the workplace in Russian culture, attitudes towards equality do vary.
In general, the work ethic is strong and most Russians work long hours, although anyone who has tried to get documents processed in Moscow might well wonder what actually takes place during office hours.
Doing business in Russia will provide you with new challenges of communication, and expats may find their expectations of behaviour towards customers, colleagues and staff upturned. Customer service is nearly non-existent, and expats should not expect to find much joy in lodging a complaint. If you relocate to Russia from a culture where courtesy is valued, you may be surprised at the way you are treated from time to time.
Don’t judge a Russian colleague by their telephone manner, and be prepared to develop a new capacity for endless patience when dealing with officials and bureaucracy. Take a deep breath and try again: there is usually a way forward, eventually.
Corruption and bribery remain a big problem in Russia today. Most Russians will tell you they abhor the practice of paying bribes. However, since it is something so deeply embedded within Russian culture, there are few who have never engaged in some form of gift-giving in order to get something done. At the lightest end of the spectrum, it may be helpful to think of gift-giving in the same way that it is usual to tip a waiter in a restaurant in most cultures (by the way - around 10 percent is the standard tip expected in Russia).
The stereotypical image of the ‘envelope under the table’ is a bit extreme, but it is normal practice in most businesses to buy vodka, whisky or brandy for men and a good wine or liqueur, or chocolates and flowers for women.
If you do engage in this practice, you may find it easier to make and keep appointments, get to see key people, or have documents ready on time. If someone has done something for you, it is usual to thank them in this way.
Hospitality is a vital part of Russian culture, and here the gift-giving theme continues. It is usual to take a present to your hosts, and tasteful souvenirs from your own country may be well received. Flowers are also traditionally given if you visit a family in their home, or attend a celebration at a restaurant. If you choose to buy flowers for Russians, you should know that an even number of the same flowers is only ever used at funerals, or for sympathy in bereavement. If you give a bunch of roses, make sure there are five or seven blooms, rather than six, to avoid offending your possibly superstitious hosts by reminding them of their own mortality.
The weather is often harsh and sometimes extreme, the language seemingly impenetrable, and the people themselves can often appear distant and uncaring. That said, expats living in Russia will also find themselves in a land of surprises and adventure; of sublime theatre, dance, art and music, of architectural wonder, rare beauty and historical depth.
Russian people speak with pride about the nature of their “Russian soul”, and are often eager to share their traditions, their passion for life and their rich culture. With patience, good friends and an open mind you will indeed survive the culture shock of living in the fascinating Russian Federation.
Feeling invisible in Russia
For foreigners, living in Russia’s big cities, like Moscow or St Petersburg, is a curious and contradictory interplay of invisibility and exposure. At times you may feel like you have disappeared altogether as people in the streets seem to look through you (yet still manage to walk into you, failing to respect your beloved ‘personal space’).
It’s important to realise that this kind of unsmiling action is a result of the fact that Russian people have a public mask that is different from their private selves. One of the most difficult things for a foreigner to understand is the ingrained attitude in most Russians that life is suffering, and that one must simply bear one’s hardships.
Do not, however, be fooled into thinking that everybody in the nation is rude and unfriendly, even though that may seem to be the case. Once you have come to know one another, your Russian friends will be among the most generous, warm and helpful people you know.
On the other hand, there will be times when you stick out like a sore thumb, your foreignness an open invitation to be noticed and addressed.
Drinking in Russia
Gentlemen, be prepared to keep your wits about you as groups of Russian men welcome you to their country by attempting to drink you under the table. You will be a special challenge as a foreigner, and many have found themselves drunk under hospital beds, rather than tables. Never underestimate the power of vodka in the company of Russians.
Women in Russia
Ladies, be prepared to enter a new world of invisibility (or exhibitionism, if you prefer), as you find yourself held to an ideal of womanhood, beauty and sexuality that may be very different from what you are used to. If you want to blend in, make sure you bring several pairs of extremely high-heeled designer shoes. Although women have long been an accepted and largely respected feature of the workplace in Russian culture, attitudes towards equality do vary.
Working culture in Russia
In general, the work ethic is strong and most Russians work long hours, although anyone who has tried to get documents processed in Moscow might well wonder what actually takes place during office hours.
Doing business in Russia will provide you with new challenges of communication, and expats may find their expectations of behaviour towards customers, colleagues and staff upturned. Customer service is nearly non-existent, and expats should not expect to find much joy in lodging a complaint. If you relocate to Russia from a culture where courtesy is valued, you may be surprised at the way you are treated from time to time.
Don’t judge a Russian colleague by their telephone manner, and be prepared to develop a new capacity for endless patience when dealing with officials and bureaucracy. Take a deep breath and try again: there is usually a way forward, eventually.
Corruption and bribery
Corruption and bribery remain a big problem in Russia today. Most Russians will tell you they abhor the practice of paying bribes. However, since it is something so deeply embedded within Russian culture, there are few who have never engaged in some form of gift-giving in order to get something done. At the lightest end of the spectrum, it may be helpful to think of gift-giving in the same way that it is usual to tip a waiter in a restaurant in most cultures (by the way - around 10 percent is the standard tip expected in Russia).
The stereotypical image of the ‘envelope under the table’ is a bit extreme, but it is normal practice in most businesses to buy vodka, whisky or brandy for men and a good wine or liqueur, or chocolates and flowers for women.
If you do engage in this practice, you may find it easier to make and keep appointments, get to see key people, or have documents ready on time. If someone has done something for you, it is usual to thank them in this way.
Gift-giving in Russia
Hospitality is a vital part of Russian culture, and here the gift-giving theme continues. It is usual to take a present to your hosts, and tasteful souvenirs from your own country may be well received. Flowers are also traditionally given if you visit a family in their home, or attend a celebration at a restaurant. If you choose to buy flowers for Russians, you should know that an even number of the same flowers is only ever used at funerals, or for sympathy in bereavement. If you give a bunch of roses, make sure there are five or seven blooms, rather than six, to avoid offending your possibly superstitious hosts by reminding them of their own mortality.
Language barrier in Russia
English is not widely spoken in Russia, although it is increasingly understood, and sometimes spoken among young professionals. If you can do one thing before you travel, it is worth attempting to master the Cyrillic alphabet, in which some letters - which look exactly like letters from the Roman alphabet - in fact denote completely different sounds. Issues arising from different methods of transliteration to and from Cyrillic script (especially with names on passport and visa documentation) can cause problems that reach far down the bureaucratic line. Wherever possible, it's worth the time and energy to correct any such mistakes and inconsistencies immediately.
Waiting in line in Russia
For a nation which, historically, has done so much queueing up, Russians are surprisingly bad at waiting in line. Do not leave even a tiny gap between yourself and whatever you are waiting for, and be prepared for someone to barge in anyway. Official systems of organising those having to wait rarely exist. This may become immediately apparent as soon as you arrive at the airport. Take another deep breath, step forward, and stand your ground.
