Russia and Estonia, Business Etiquette

The Russian Federation has over 150 million people, and the country has gone through many changes in recent years, as communism ended in 1991. This separation ended the communism reign that had lasted from 1917 to 1991.

Culture: Russia

Ð'* Egalitarianism is a social philosophy that advocates the removal of inequities among persons and a more equal distribution of benefits. Russians are still required to carry their internal passports with them at all times. Respect for authority is high. Many still view entrepreneurial actives as illegitimate.

Ð'* Caution and Conservatism: Russians are more likely to be cautious and conservative defenders of the status quo. Their cruel climate, harsh history, and skeptical outlook on life have caused Russians to value stability, security, social order, and predictability, avoiding risk. The tried and tested is preferred over the new and unknown. Americans, as a nation of risk-takers, can have their patience tested by Russian caution, and anticipation of the negative.

Ð'* Pessimism: Russians expect things to go poorly and have learned to live with misfortune. The American habit of smiling all the time can get on the nerves of some Russians.

Ð'* Big is Beautiful: Russians are impressed with size and number, and much that they do is on a grand scale: military size, buildings, sculpture, etc.

Ð'* "Demon vodka" as the Russians call it, is the national vice, a major cause of many social and relational ills.

Ð'* Vranyo, the Russian Fib: Russians can fudge the facts, a national characteristic called vranyo. In its most common form, it is an inability to face the facts, particularly when the facts do not reflect favourably on Russia.

Ð'* Bad Manners: Nyekulturny is the wrong way, uncultured, bad-mannered way of behavior. Some examples are: wearing coats in public buildings that have a cloakroom, standing with your hands in your pockets, sprawling in chairs, placing feet on tables, crossing legs while seated so as to show the sole of a shoe, sitting with legs spread wide, crossing arms behind the head, draping an arm over the back of a chair, eating lunch on park lawns, whistling at home or on the street, whistling during applause, public displays of affection, telling a Russian that you have to go to the restroom (you should just excuse yourself), and merely lounging or sitting on the steps of a public building. Nearly all of these things seem rather "normal" to Americans. Drinks are always served with something to eat, even if only a cookie.

Ð'* Rsepect to Time: Communism reinforced a native disrespect for time because workers could not be fired and there was no incentive to do things on time. Russians are notoriously not on time, but do not necessarily consider themselves late. When they do arrive, there are a number of rituals before a meeting: First the small talk, then tea or drink, then talk of family and personal problems, then finally the business of the day.

Ð'* Russian is the official language. It takes about 10% longer to say something in Russian than in English. Russian is a Slavic language and easier to learn than Chinese or Arabic. In recent years there have been national discussions on the concern of the Americanization of the Russian language. Many Russians speak English, as it is often taught beginning in the third grade.

Ð'* When attending any formal engagements such as the theatre, it is appropriate to check your coat and other belongings at the front door of the establishment.

Ð'* Do not show the soles of your shoes, as this is considered impolite. They are considered dirty, and should never come in contact with any type of seat (like on a subway or bus).

Ð'* Speaking or laughing loudly in public is considered rude, as Russians are generally reserved and somber.

Ð'* Russians are highly literate, and have almost a 100% literacy rate.

Ð'* Russians are smart. They have so many difficulties and problems in life, that they can easily find a roundabout way for anything. They don't have a deep respect towards any law, including traffic rules. Russians are of some the most reckless, but at the same time skillful, drivers, and the most careless pedestrians in the world.

Ð'* There was no such term as "private property", that's why Russians don't care about intellectual property either. No other country in the world has such abuse of pirate software, video and audio records, CDs etc exposed for sale on every corner. They used to publish books of Western authors, and the authors found it out only when started to receive letters of thanks from Russia. The pirate production is very cheap, for example a CD with the newest version of Microsoft Office or Windows will cost you $4 or less, the same is applicable for any other software product.

Ð'* Medical aid and education in Russia are free, though Russians joke that education becomes less and less free with every year. One can still get a university education for free by passing the entrance tests (exams), but the universities have to decrease the number of students studying on a free basis because of poor state financing.

Ð'* Since both education and culture facilities used to be widely available, Russians can be considered a highly cultured nation. Their general knowledge is very good: they know a little bit about virtually everything. At secondary schools, they study not only the history of Russia but also the world history, including American and European history. In the same secondary school course (11 years school qualification is mandatory in Russia) they study world literature, world music, and world geography. Many books of western authors are mandatory reading in the course of literature. The standard secondary school program includes studying of a foreign language for 6 years (grades 5-11), usually it is English but also can be French, German or Spanish.

Social, Family Life

Ð'* The keyword to Russian family life is dependence. The family life is built on dependence, and Russians are attached to their family members.

Ð'* Russians live in small apartments in large blocks, with 2-3 generations living together. It's normal when grown single children live with parents, and even when married children with spouses stay with one of the parents.

Ð'* Russians get married early, at the age 18-22. Because they don't really care much about making a career, they don't wait until they are independent. Young couples usually stay with wife's or husband's