Info4Migrants

RUSSIA
Country profile
1Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615

Country profile RUSSIA

17,098,242
POPULATION

km2

143,8 mln

GDP per capita

$18,403

CURRENCY
Russian rouble

LanguagesRUSSIAN and 27 other

recognized languages

Country profile RUSSIA

COUNTRY BACKGROUND

Moscow

National Flag

Coat of arms

RussianFederation
Federation
Russian

Russia, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a federal semi-presidential republic. Russia is the largest country in the
world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earths inhabited
land area. Russia is also the worlds ninth most populous nation
with 143 million people as of 2012. The nations history began 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 Russian 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 worlds first human-made satellite,
and the first man in space. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian SFSR reconstituted itself as the
Russian Federation and is recognized as the continuing legal
personality of the Union state. Russias 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.

Country profile RUSSIA

RUSSIA FACTS
Language
Russias official language is Russian and it is most commonly
spoken in business, government, and education. Ethnic Russians 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 nations 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 adopted Russian as their mother tongue. While the Soviet governments 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 temperate 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. Summer 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.

Country profile RUSSIA

RUSSIA FACTS
Negotiations
Russians see negotiations as win-lose. They do not believe 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. Russians are frequently seen on the sidewalks stopping cars
and negotiating lifts. If you know the city well, this practice 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 Russian.

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 prefer 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 defensive ones against aggressive neighbours. They love children; exchange of photographs of children is an excellent
way to build bridges.

Country profile RUSSIA

RUSSIA FACTS
Business lunch and dinner
If your Russian contacts invite you out to a restaurant, expect lavish treatment.
Dinner 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
opposite 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).
Toasting 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
mushrooms, spices and stock.

Drinking
The most important thing to bear in mind is that Russia has a serious drinking culture. Refusing to drink is unacceptable unless you have a plausible excuse health
or religious reasons are usually the least questioned. Smiling and at least pretending to drink for the frequent toasts shows your respect for those around you

Country profile RUSSIA

IMPORTANT TIPS
You Need to Know What
Is
are a pair of slippers. One slipper is [TA-pa-cheyk],
[DVA TA-pach-ka] two slippers,
andslippers are[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
covered with rugs and runner rugs) you
will be expected to take your shoes off
and might be offered a pair of.
Of course, you can bring your own pair
ofwith you. If you are invited for a celebration or a dinner party
at someones home, you might notice
women wearing fancy high heeled
shoes that they brought with them, but
its highly unlikely that you see anyone
wearing their dirty boots inside.

Especially for Women

Women are initially regarded with scepticism and may have to prove themselves. Before you visit, have a mutually
respected colleague send a letter introducing you. Your business cards should
clearly state your title and academic
degree. 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 arent
allowed.
A woman can invite a Russian businessman to lunch and pay the bill, although
it might be interpreted by some men as
an invitation to flirt.

Country profile RUSSIA

IMPORTANT TIPS
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 youre invited for dinner, dont 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
honor. 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 usually 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 allor- nothing affair moderation is not
understood.

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 together. Do not do so if you are drinking
something non-alcoholic.

Dress
A serious businessperson is expected
to look formal and conservative. Wearing 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
pantsuits.

Gifts
A small business gift is always appropriate, 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 visiting a Russian home. A small gift for a
Russian child is always appropriate (and
appreciated).

Toasts, which are sometimes lengthy

and occasionally humorous, are com-

Country profile RUSSIA

PEOPLE IN RUSSIA
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 suppressed by the Czarist and Communist states. With the advent of perestroika (restructuring), 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
individualism and profit maximization. Older Russians are generally quite pessimistic
and dont have much faith in a better life in the future. Younger urban Russians have
adopted a more Western outlook on life.

Meeting and Greeting

Body Language

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. Dont
shake hands over a threshold (Russian
folk belief holds that this action will lead
to an argument).

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
between members of the same sex. Russians stand close when talking.

Country profile RUSSIA

DOS
Bring a Little Gift with You
Whether its a souvenir, a bottle of wine
or a box of chocolates, a little something
is al- ways 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 dont 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 its 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, its a Russian tradition to dress up for a test and bring a gift or
flowers to the teacher. You will notice 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,

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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, dont 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 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. Dont 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 with

Russians that you dont know, especially if they are older then you
are, unless they initiate to use form
with you. By addressing someone by you show that you
respect them. And on the contrary,
addressing strangers by may
come across as very impolite and
offensive, even if you didnt mean it.

Country profile RUSSIA

DONTS
Dont Allow Women to Carry Heavy Items
If you have been shopping with a lady, dont allow 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.

Dont 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 especially true about Russians who have never
travelled abroad, or never talked to a foreigner
before. It is generally believed that foreigners
are wealthier 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
generations). Of course, soap operas and TV
shows are far from reality, so please dont 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.

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Dont Expect for People to

Smile Back at You
Russians love a good laugh,
but dont expect us to smile
at a stranger. If you smile at
a passer-by in the street and
she doesnt smile back at you,
please dont take it personally, and dont think of her
as being rude and cold. The
truth is that its not generally
accepted to smile or talk to
strangers in Russia, especially
in big cities.
Even if Russians dont 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.

Country profile RUSSIA

CORPORATE CULTURE
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 usually not the final word on an
issue. You have to bargain and
be persistent to get what you
want.

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. Dont treat it
lightly.

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 requests or assertions.

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.

Trying to do business in Russia over the telephone is generally ineffective. The Russian
telecommunications system is inadequate,
but improving quickly. The telex is widely
used.

Your company should be represented by a

specialized team of experts. Presentations
should be thoroughly prepared, detailed,
factual and short on salesmanship.

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
Russians usually negotiate technical issues
the long haul. No agreement is final until a
very competently, directly and clearly but,
being newcomers to capitalism, often do not contract has been signed.

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Country profile RUSSIA

TIME MANAGEMENT

Under Communism, it was almost impossible to fire employees for tardiness. Many Russians 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 employees 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
conditions.
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 commodity than time. This carries into their business behaviour as well.

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Country profile RUSSIA

WHEN IN RUSSIA...
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 confusion, here is a list of 10 ways to not offend people in Russia.
1. Take Off Your Shoes
When entering a Russian home, it is absolutely 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, dont 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 someones home in Russia, it is important not to show up empty-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 dont 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 accidentally 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, dont give these either.

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Country profile 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 Youre Not Ready for More Alcohol
This rule isnt so much about politeness but is a good rule to keep in mind when drinking
with Russians. If youre 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 youre reaching your limit, keep your cup half full. Additionally, if you dont drink, the
best way to fend off unwanted drinks is to say that a doctor said you arent allowed to
drink. Works every time.
5. Never Argue withBabushki
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. Theres absolutely 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 dont;
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.

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Country profile RUSSIA

WHEN IN RUSSIA...
7. Never Exchange Money After Nightfall
Lets say that you owe your host mom or friend a little money. Be sure to pay them back,
just dont 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 hosts 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
generally arent that formal and dont 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 cant go wrong with
those!those!

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Country profile RUSSIA