Russians highly value stability and security. As Geert Hofstede has said, “[they] feel very much threatened by ambiguous situations”, an attitude reaffirmed by their recent history.
Generally, all the teams agreed that the most essential values in Russian culture are unity, tradition, and respect.
Russian culture is shaped by an authoritarian way of thinking, so the relationship between generations is also shaped by respect and appreciation. Russian parents are mostly very protective of their kids. They usually make important decisions regarding their children themselves without discussion.
Я тебя люблю (I love you)
This is the clearest and most direct way to express it. You can choose to change the word order and say “Я люблю тебя,” but there's no significant difference in the meaning. Some Russians prefer to emphasize the last word in a sentence, thus “Я тебя люблю” may be preferred.
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. Putting your thumb through your index and middle fingers or making the "OK" sign are considered very rude gestures in Russia.
In Russia, the middle finger is used to simply point (usually at the speaker themselves) and to communicate emphasis.
What Is Russia Famous For? Russia is known for its Vodka production, cold climate, and Matryoshka Doll. The country also has a rich historical past consisting of The Russian Empire and The Soviet Union.
In cultural stereotypes, Russian people are also seen as being individualistic, hard-working, honest, and generous.
Here is another myth that is generally false! In fact, most people are actually very open-minded! And although on some occasions Russians may seem a bit harsh, their honesty should not be mistaken for maliciousness. Indeed, they are usually very curious about and eager to talk with people from other countries.
The Russians still celebrate pagan holidays, many people believe in numerous omens and legends. Christianity gave Russians such great holidays as Easter and Christmas, and Paganism – Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) and Ivan Kupala. Old traditions are passed on from generation to generation.
The service sector accounts for over half of all jobs in Russia, with retail, tourism, health, and education among the most important service segments. Mining, manufacturing, and construction are the biggest industrial sectors.
The majority of Russians also adhere to a multi-focus mentality of time – that is they'd rather work on a multitude of projects and relationships at any one time. That's why you'll often find your colleagues trying to complete several tasks simultaneously.
"Reading" and "Cooking / baking" are the top two answers among Russian consumers in our survey on the subject of "Most popular hobbies & activities". The survey was conducted online among 3,041 respondents in Russia, in 2023.
Flash someone a well-meaning "thumbs up" sign in Russia, and they'll interpret it as a vulgar insult. Rude Hand Gestures of the World: A Guide to Offending without Words, a new title from Chronicle Books, delves into the varied interpretations of hand signals around the planet.
Friends may hug or kiss on the cheek to greet, but Russians are generally limited in their physical contact. Strong physical affection is generally only seen between couples of opposite genders.
Raise your upper lip a little bit and pretend that you're pulling out one of your front teeth. What it means. This gesture is a way of swearing.
If your left hand itches, you're going to give someone money. If you have the hiccups, someone is remembering you at this moment. If an eyelash falls out you'll receive a gift. If someone finds an eyelash on someone they will sometimes let the person blow it away and make a wish.
Despite the public ban, mat is used by Russians of all ages and nearly all social groups, with particular fervor in the male-dominated military and the structurally similar social strata.
Chivalry and paying the check
Russian men are highly courteous towards women. They will always turn up on time, often hold doors open for their date, help them with their coats, and so on. It is also common for men to bring flowers for their date, but always an odd number.
By contrast, in Russia, no smile is a sign of a neutral politeness, and a smile is always informative. A Russian smile is always personal. When a Russian smiles at you, he or she wants to say that he or she likes you sincerely.