I4M Country profile russia (in english)

1 Country profile RUSSIALearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com
Info4Migrants
RUSSIACountry profile
Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615

17,098,242km2
143,8mln
POPULATION
GDPper capita
CURRENCY
$18,403
Languages RUSSIAN and 27 other
recognized languages
Russian rouble
Country profile RUSSIALearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com2 Country profile RUSSIALearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com

COUNTRY BACKGROUND
Russia, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a feder-
al semi-presidential republic. Russia is the largest country in the
world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited
land area. Russia is also the world’s ninth most populous nation
with 143 million people as of 2012. The nation’s history be-
gan with that of the East Slavs, who emerged as a recognizable
group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD. In 988,
the country adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine
Empire, beginning the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures
that defined Russian culture for the next millennium. The Rus-
sian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic became the largest and
leading constituent of the Soviet Union, which played a decisive
role in the Allied victory in World War II. The Soviet era saw
some of the most significant technological achievements of the
20th century, including the world’s first human-made satellite,
and the first man in space. Following the dissolution of the So-
viet Union in 1991, the Russian SFSR reconstituted itself as the
Russian Federation and is recognized as the continuing legal
personality of the Union state. Russia’s extensive mineral and
energy resources, the largest reserves in the world, have made it
one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas globally.
National Flag
Coat of arms
Russian FederationMoscow Russian Federation

RUSSIA FACTS
Language
Russia’s official language is Russian and it is most commonly
spoken in business, government, and education. Ethnic Rus-
sians speak their native tongue almost exclusively. There are
27 other ‘co-official’ languages in various oblasts or regions.
At the time of the 1989 census only 4.1% of ethnic Russians
in the Soviet Union could speak one of the nation’s other
languages, while people belonging to most other ethnic
groups were bilingual.More than 100 languages are spoken
in Russia. Some of the ethnic republics have declared official
regional languages, but millions of non-Russians have adopt-
ed Russian as their mother tongue. While the Soviet govern-
ment’s educational policies ensured widespread use of the
Russian language, it also assisted many smaller ethnic groups
in developing their own alphabets and vocabularies.
Climate and weather
Russia is a huge country and the climate ranges from tem-
perate to Arctic continental. The weather has a significant
influence on the national psyche. Russians manage their
lives in response to the extremes of summer, which can be
oppressively hot, and long cold winters, which encourage
long periods of enforced idleness and deep self-reflection.
The latitude influences the weather in winter, which varies
from short, cold spells along the Black Sea to months of
snow and ice on the ground in Siberia. Much of the far north
is tundra, with sub-arctic temperatures year-round. Sum-
mer conditions vary from warm and humid on the steppes
to cool along the Arctic coast. Much of Russia is covered
by snow six months of the year, and the weather is usually
harsh and unpredictable. The average winter temperature in
Yakutsk, Siberia is a chilling-43C. These bitter winters affect
every aspect of life, from transport to healthcare. There is no
year-round growing season anywhere in Russia, which is why
so much pickled and smoked food is eaten.

RUSSIA FACTS
Negotiations
Russians see negotiations as win-lose. They do not be-
lieve in win-win scenarios. They negotiate as they play
chess, planning several moves ahead. You should think of
the consequences of each move before making it. They
maintain discipline in the meeting and speak with one
voice. If your team has several ‘voices’, the Russians will
become confused about who has real authority. They
will usually ask the other side to speak first, so they may
reflect on the position given.
Traffic
Traffic jams are frequent and prolonged, particularly in
winter. In Russia it is said that ‘every car is a taxi’. Rus-
sians are frequently seen on the sidewalks stopping cars
and negotiating lifts. If you know the city well, this prac-
tice is a very-cost effective way of travelling, however, as
a foreign visitor you should not attempt this if you do not
speak basic Russian, or are not accompanied by a Rus-
sian.
At the table
Russians love conversation around a table, and are fond
of soul-searching. Within minutes, a conversation can
turn to the meaning of life and philosophy. They like
praising especially Russian advances of technology, but
also their considerable artistic achievements. They pre-
fer to drink sitting down and take their time, to make
frequent toasts and short speeches. They are sensitive
about war talk, considering most Russian wars as defen-
sive ones against aggressive neighbours. They love chil-
dren; exchange of photographs of children is an excellent
way to build bridges.
Country profile RUSSIA5 Country profile RUSSIALearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com

1-5 January:
New Year’s Holidays
In addition to New Year’s Day
on 1 January, 2–5 January are
public holidays as well.
7 January: Christmas Day
Christmas in Russia is a pub-
lic holiday according to the
Julian calendar used by the
Russian Orthodox Church.
The public holiday was re-es-
tablished in 1991, following
the decades of suppression of
religion and state atheism of
the Soviet Union. Christmas
on 25 December is celebrated
in Russia by the Roman Cath-
olic and various Protestant
churches, but it is not a public
holiday.
23 February: Defender of the
Fatherland Day
It is a day of the Armed Forc-
es of the Russian Federation.
8 March:
International Women’s Day
On the eve of World War I
campaigning for peace, Rus-
sian women observed their
first International Women’s
Day on the last Sunday in
February 1913. In 1913 Inter-
national Women’s Day was
transferred to 8 March and
this day has remained the
global date for International
Women’s Day ever since.
1 May:
Spring and Labour Day
In the former Soviet Union, 1
May was International Work-
ers’ Day, celebrated with
huge parades in big cities.
Though the celebrations are
low-key nowadays, several
groups march on that day to
protest grievances the work-
ers have.
9 May: Victory Day
Commemorates the day
Russia celebrates the victory
over Nazi Germany, while re-
membering those who died in
order to achieve it and paying
tribute to survivors and vet-
erans. A big military parade,
hosted by the President of
the Russian Federation, is an-
nually organized in Moscow
on the Red Square. Similar
parades are organized in all
major Russian cities.
June 12: Russia Day
On this day, in 1990, Russian
parliament formally declared
Russian sovereignty from the
USSR.
4 November: Unity Day
First celebrated on 4 No-
vember, 2005, this day
commemorates the popular
uprising led by Kuzma Minin
and Dmitry Pozharsky, eject-
ing the Polish invaders from
Moscow in November 1612,
and more generally the end
of the Time of Troubles and
foreign intervention in Russia.
Most observers view this as
an attempted replacement to
counter Communist demon-
strations on the holiday of 7
November, which marked the
anniversary of the October
Revolution.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RUSSIA FACTS
Business lunch and dinner
If your Russian contacts invite you out to a restaurant, expect lavish treatment. Din-
ner is more likely than lunch. Spouses are generally not included on these occasions,
although they are often invited to gatherings in homes. The centre seats at a table
tend to be re- served for the most senior officials, while you should be seated oppo-
site your Russian counterparts. When it comes to the meal itself, begin eating only
after somebody gives a toast, even if there is no alcohol on the table (unlikely). Toast-
ing is a very important part of dining. There are international restaurants all over
Moscow and St Petersburg, although your hosts may choose a Russian restaurant in
which to entertain. Cured herring, caviar and smoked salmon on blinis will help soak
up the vodka at the beginning of the meal.
Otherwise, Russian cuisine relies heavily on cabbage, potato and beetroot; borscht
(beetroot soup) is probably the best-known dish. Milk, cream and cheese are also
big, as are rye flour, dried peas and beans. Fish and sausages are often dried or
smoked. Main courses are generally hearty and heavy, with potato dumplings often
accompanying meat dishes. Pelmeni are Siberian dumplings, made with potato and
stuffed with spiced pork. Golubtsy are cabbage leaves stuffed with chopped pork and
vegetables. Perepeulka are quail, and are often pan-fried and then baked with mush-
rooms, spices and stock.
Drinking
The most important thing to bear in mind is that Russia has a serious drinking cul-
ture. Refusing to drink is unacceptable unless you have a plausible excuse – health
or religious reasons are usually the least questioned. Smiling and at least pretend-
ing to drink for the frequent toasts shows your respect for those around you.

IMPORTANT TIPS
You Need to Know What
«Тапочки» Is
Тапочки are a pair of slippers. One slip-
per is один тапочек [TA-pa-cheyk], два
тапочка [DVA TA-pach-ka] two slippers,
and slippers are тапочки [TA-pach-kee].
Why do you need to know this? Because
when you are invited to a Russian home
(which is usually a tiny apartment with
freshly swept and cleaned floors cov-
ered with rugs and runner rugs) you will
be expected to take your shoes off and
might be offered a pair of тапочки.
Of course, you can bring your own pair
of тапочки with you. If you are invit-
ed for a celebration or a dinner party
at someone’s home, you might notice
women wearing fancy high heeled
shoes that they brought with them, but
it’s highly unlikely that you see anyone
wearing their dirty boots inside.
Especially for Women
Women are initially regarded with scep-
ticism and may have to prove them-
selves. Before you visit, have a mutually
respected colleague send a letter intro-
ducing you. Your business cards should
clearly state your title and academic de-
gree. If you establish your position and
ability immediately, you will encounter
far fewer problems.
Be feminine. Allow men to open doors,
light cigarettes, etc. Even if you think
such customs are old-fashioned or silly,
respect the cultural background of your
Russian colleagues.
Foreign businesswomen can use their
femininity to their advantage. For fear
of not appearing a gentleman, many
Russian businessmen may allow foreign
businesswomen to get away with some
things (requests for meetings, favors,
etc.) that foreign businessmen aren’t
allowed.
A woman can invite a Russian business-
man to lunch and pay the bill, although
it might be interpreted by some men as
an invitation to flirt.

Dining and Entertainment
When dining in a restaurant, arrive on
time. Russians are great hosts and love
entertaining guests in their homes. They
will often put more food on the table
than can be eaten to indicate there is
an abundance of food (whether there is
or not). Guests who leave food on their
plates honor their host. It means they
have eaten well.
If you’re invited for dinner, don’t make
other plans for later in the evening. You
are expected to spend time socializing
after the meal. An invitation to a Russian
dacha (country home) is a great hon-
or. Do not turn down offers of food or
drink. Given Russian hospitality, this can
be difficult, but to decline such offers is
considered rude.
At formal functions, guests do not usual-
ly start eating until the host has begun.
At such functions, no one should leave
until the guest of honor has left. If you
are the guest of honor, do not stay too
late.
Know your limits when drinking alcohol
in Russia. Drinking is often an all-or-
nothing affair – moderation is not un-
derstood.
Toasts, which are sometimes lengthy
and occasionally humorous, are com-
mon. The host starts and the guests
reply. Do not drink until the first toast
has been offered.After a toast, most
Russians like to clink their glasses to-
gether. Do not do so if you are drinking
something non-alcoholic.
Dress
A “serious” businessperson is expected
to look formal and conservative. Wear-
ing very light or bright colors might
make you appear lazy or unreliable to a
Russian.
Men should wear suits and ties. Women
should wear suits and dresses or pant-
suits.
Gifts
A small business gift is always appropri-
ate, but its value should correspond to
the rank of the Russian businessperson
with whom you are meeting.
As a general rule, do not give items that
are now easily obtainable in Russia.
Bring a gift for the hostess when visit-
ing a Russian home. A small gift for a
Russian child is always appropriate (and
appreciated).
IMPORTANT TIPS

Russia has had a long history of totalitarianism, which has resulted in a rather fatalistic
approach to living. The desire to work individually under personal initiative was sup-
pressed by the Czarist and Communist states. With the advent of perestroika (restructur-
ing), the Soviet/Communist value system has been scrapped, but the pace of reform has
been slow and many are finding it very difficult to adapt to the Western values of individ-
ualism and profit maximization. Older Russians are generally quite pessimistic and don’t
have much faith in a better life in the future. Younger urban Russians have adopted a
more Western outlook on life.
PEOPLE IN RUSSIA
Meeting and Greeting
Initial greetings may come across as cool.
Do not expect friendly smiles.
A handshake is always appropriate (but
not obligatory) when greeting or leaving,
regardless of the relationship. Remove
your gloves before shaking hands. Don’t
shake hands over a threshold (Russian folk
belief holds that this action will lead to an
argument).
Body Language
Russians are a very tactile people, and
public physical contact is common. Hugs,
backslapping, kisses on the cheeks and
other expansive gestures are common
among friends or acquaintances and be-
tween members of the same sex. Russians
stand close when talking.

DO’S
Bring a Little Gift with You
Whether it’s a souvenir, a bottle of wine
or a box of chocolates, a little something
is always better than nothing. Russians
are very hospitable and thoughtful. Your
Russian friends will most likely spend quite
a few doubloons on preparing a meal and
trying to make their guests happy. Often we
buy expensive yummy things for our guests
that we don’t usually buy for ourselves. If
you are visiting a lady, flowers and a box
of chocolates would work wonders! A little
tip: always give an odd number of flowers,
an even number of flowers is only given at
funerals.
Outfit Is Important
Russians like dressing up, whether it’s for
school, work or just a walk in a park. Often
at University you will see guys and girls
wearing casual business attire: shirts and
slacks or even suits. Also, it’s a Russian
tradition to dress up for a test and bring a
gift or flowers to the teacher. You will no-
tice that Russian women dress up for any
occasion, we like looking pretty, this is why
it takes us as long as it does to get ready. A
tip: if you are going out with your Russian
friends, make sure to check the dress code
with them, just in case if you are going to a
fancy restaurant.
Be Prepared to Be Fed Big Time!
Love food? Very good! Russians love to
feed. We love cooking and baking for our
guests. If celebrated at home, birthday
celebration preparation may take all day,
which is very exhausting on one hand, but
also very satisfying. We love making our
guests happy, and we want for them to be
well-fed and have a great time. So, don’t be
surprised if you are offered food left-overs
when you are leaving. A good example
would be cake leftovers after a birthday
party. Just say “спасибо большое” and
enjoy!
Be Hospitable
Russians are usually very friendly and
hospitable, they enjoy having guests over
and they enjoy being guests. This means
that you always need to be prepared to
have guests over, just in case your Russian
friends decide to pop by unexpectedly.
Some of Russian favourite treats would
be sweets, biscuits, or maybe something
baked, like a pie or a cake and tea. Don’t
worry about baking cakes every day (unless
you really enjoy it, of course!), just make
sure to have some chocolates, biscuits or
Russian gingerbread that you can get at a
local supermarket.
Always use polite form “Вы” with
Russians that you don’t know, es-
pecially if they are older then you
are, unless they initiate to use form
“ты” with you. By addressing some-
one by “Вы” you show that you
respect them. And on the contrary,
addressing strangers by “ты” may
come across as very impolite and
offensive, even if you didn’t mean it.

DON’TS
Don’t Allow Women to Carry Heavy Items
If you have been shopping with a lady, don’t al-
low her to carry a heavy shopping bag, do offer
to help, especially if she has to go up the stairs
all the way to the 9th floor because the lift is
broken (which, you will notice, happens rather
often…). Allowing a woman to carry heavy items
without offering to help is considered rude and
impolite. Yes, we believe that men are stronger
and they should be taking care of women.
Don’t Be Surprised if Your Friends Think You
are Rich
If you are visiting Russia, your Russian friends
may think of you as a rich person, just because
you come from another country. This is especial-
ly true about Russians who have never travelled
abroad, or never talked to a foreigner before. It
is generally believed that foreigners are wealth-
ier than Russians and it is very easy for them to
afford to buy expensive things such as cars and
houses.
Some Russians still believe what they see on the
TV shows and movies (especially older genera-
tions). Of course, soap operas and TV shows are
far from reality, so please don’t be surprised if
your friends will think you are rich. Often your
Russian friends will not know that you have a car
loan, a mortgage and are juggling several credit
cards to pay your bills.
Don’t Expect for People to
Smile Back at You
Russians love a good laugh,
but don’t expect us to smile
at a stranger. If you smile at
a passer-by in the street and
she doesn’t smile back at you,
please don’t take it person-
ally, and don’t think of her
as being rude and cold. The
truth is that it’s not generally
accepted to smile or talk to
strangers in Russia, especially
in big cities.
Even if Russians don’t smile
that much, even on photos,
they do form very strong
bonds and close friendships.
Once they get to know you a
little better, they will certainly
smile more in your company.

CORPORATE CULTURE
Corporate Culture
Russians appreciate punctuality. Business
meetings generally begin on time. Business
cards are handed out liberally in Russia and
are always exchanged at business meetings.
The ceremony of presenting and receiving
business cards is important. Don’t treat it
lightly.
Representatives of the Russian company or
government body are usually seated on one
side of a table at meetings with guests on
the other side.
Your company should be represented by a
specialized team of experts. Presentations
should be thoroughly prepared, detailed,
factual and short on “salesmanship.”
Russians usually negotiate technical issues
very competently, directly and clearly but,
being newcomers to capitalism, often do not
fully understand Western business practices
and objectives. You may have to explain the
reasoning behind some of your demands.
Russians find it difficult to admit mistakes,
especially publicly. They also find it difficult
to risk offending someone by making re-
quests or assertions.
Trying to do business in Russia over the tele-
phone is generally ineffective. The Russian
telecommunications system is inadequate,
but improving quickly. The telex is widely
used.
Personal relationships play a crucial role in
Russian business.
Business negotiations in Russia are lengthy
and may test your patience. Plan to be in for
the long haul. No agreement is final until a
contract has been signed.
Under Communism there were
no incentives for bureaucrats
to perform well or to even be
pleasant toward clients; this
meant that the usual answer
to any question was “No.” This
practice is still found in Russian
society today, but “No” is usu-
ally not the final word on an
issue. You have to bargain and
be persistent to get what you
want.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Under Communism, it was almost impossible to fire employees for tardiness. Many Rus-
sians arrived to work late, left early, or took overlong lunch breaks (during which they
stood in line). After 70 years of this, it will take a while to change attitudes. Now, Western
attitudes toward punctuality and prompt customer service are taught to Russian employ-
ees of foreign-owned companies. Most managers find younger Russians to be receptive. To
the older generation, though, time is not linear and there is not much regard for keeping to
schedules. The association between time and money is loose. Time is wisdom, not money.
Patience is a virtue, punctuality less so.
There is often an attitude that one should work to live and not vice versa. Apart from the
new business-orientated class, Russians tend to take a laid-back attitude to getting things
done. Business appointments may begin one or even two hours late.
Foreigners often have a hard time understanding Russians when they say “We will try to
finish the work on time” or “Perhaps it will work”. Actually, Russians are merely suggesting
possible outcomes that may or may not turn out to be positive. Essentially, they mean a
Russian (and a businessperson as well) is ready to operate in continually changing condi-
tions.
When time can be saved, but it costs more money, the Russian will opt for the lower cost
- even though it may take considerably more time. Money is a much more precious com-
modity than time. This carries into their business behaviour as well.

WHEN IN RUSSIA...
1. Take Off Your Shoes
When entering a Russian home, it is abso-
lutely imperative to immediately remove
your shoes. The host will probably provide
some tapochki or slippers to wear. Streets
in Russia, especially in the big cities, tend
to be very dirty. For instance, if you walk
around Moscow in flip flops, don’t be
surprised if your feet turn black by the end
of the day. Therefore, always remove your
shoes. It stops the spread of dirt, snow,
ice, and sand in the winter time.
2. Bring a Gift
When visiting someone’s home in Rus-
sia, it is important not to show up emp-
ty-handed. The host has likely prepared
a sumptuous meal and spent money to keep you comfortable at their home. As such, it is
polite to bring the host a gift. You don’t have to bring a gift for everyone, just the hosts. If
the host is a woman, flowers, chocolate, or wine is much appreciated. If the host is a man,
bring some beer if he drinks or ask beforehand what he would like you to add to the party.
But if you are absolutely clueless about what to bring, fancy chocolate will please everyone.
3. Do Not Give Flowers in Even Numbers
This rule cannot be underestimated. When buying flowers in Russia, DO NOT buy them in
even numbers. Usually, the florist will say something if an even number of flowers is acci-
dentally chosen but it is up to you to avoid this faux pas. Giving flowers in even numbers is
very rude because they are only used at funerals. Additionally, some see yellow flowers as
funeral flowers so to be safe, don’t give these either.
Russia is a country that is very new and innovative in many ways. However,
it is also a country that is steeped in tradition and superstition. Even the most
dedicated former communist can still be ruled by these old traditions that
dictate how one should behave in a Russian home or in public. Because so
many of these rules may be unknown to foreigners or might cause some con-
fusion, here is a list of 10 ways to not offend people in Russia.

WHEN IN RUSSIA...
Russia is a very new and innovative country in many ways. However, it is also a country that
is steeped in tradition and superstition. Even the most dedicated former communist can
still be ruled by these old traditions that dictate how one should behave in a Russian home
or in public. Because so many of these rules may be unknown to foreigners or might cause
some confusion, here is a list of 10 ways to not offend people in Russia.
4. Keep Your Cup Half-Full if You’re Not Ready for More Alcohol
This rule isn’t so much about politeness but is a good rule to keep in mind when drinking
with Russians. If you’re not a big drinker, be careful with how much they offer to drink. If
they see an empty cup, they will automatically refill it to be polite. However, if you feel that
you’re reaching your limit, keep your cup half full. Additionally, if you don’t drink, the best
way to fend off unwanted drinks is to say that a doctor said you aren’t allowed to drink.
Works every time.
5. Never Argue with Babushki
The Russian babushki, or grandmothers, are not to be meddled with. Though they are
among the weakest members of society financially, they command a lot of respect and
power. No matter what they tell you to do, just smile, nod, and do it their way. There’s ab-
solutely no point in arguing with them. You will not win. Additionally, be sure to give them
a seat on the metro, tram, or marshrutka bus.
They might start yelling at you if you don’t;
this applies to young men in particular.
6. If Staying the Night, Bring Some
Home Clothes
Usually when people get home, they
immediately change into their “home
clothes,” usually a t-shirt and pyjama
pants. This is to reduce the amount
of dirt and germs that enter their
apartments. Most people in Russia do
not own their own cars and must rely
on public transportation, which is not
always the cleanest. Therefore, when living
as a foreign exchange student with a Russian
host family or just staying as an overnight house
guest, bring some old sweats or something comfortable
to change into.

WHEN IN RUSSIA...
7. Never Exchange Money After Nightfall
Let’s say that you owe your host mom or friend a little money. Be sure to pay them back,
just don’t do it at night time. Many believe that any money dealings after nightfall is a bad
sign, so it is better to wait until morning to do this.
8. Do Not Shake Hands Over a Threshold
When meeting someone at the front door, never shake hands over a threshold. Wait until
inside to do so.
9. Forget Something? Look in the Mirror
If you have left something behind and need to return to the host’s apartment, be sure to
look in a mirror before you leave again. This is another time-honored superstition and it
is best not to argue about it. Most homes have a place to hang coats by the door which is
accompanied by a mirror, so it is not difficult to adhere to this belief.
10. Be Sure to Toast
While at a party, especially at a wedding or birthday party, there will be toasts. These gen-
erally aren’t that formal and don’t require elaborate Russian language skills to give. Just
remember that the third toast is always “to love” or “za lyubov” and that everything else is
just “za” and then the word in accusative case. Just be sure not to make any funny toasts
that refer to political figures or Soviet times. It might be seen as rude. Stick to classics like
“to friendship” “za druzhbu” or “to us” which is “za nas.” You can’t go wrong with those!-
those!
Country profile RUSSIALearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com

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Research
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I4M Country profile russia (in english)

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