Russian families are generally hospitable and open-minded. They really like to spend time together, so it's not common to spend evenings sitting alone in one's room. Families in towns and cities tend to live in apartment; single family homes are more common in rural areas.
Broadly speaking, generosity, resilience and strength tend to be common features of the Russian character across the country.
Russian culture is non-individualistic. The power of an individual in Russia is much less than in the west and most deals are pushed through family, friends and acquaintances. A famous Russian saying is, "One is not a soldier in the battlefield." In Russia, it is necessary to know people in power to make things work.
Russian culture has a long and rich cultural history, steeped in literature, ballet, painting and classical music. While outsiders may see the country as drab, Russia has a very visual cultural past, from its colorful folk costumes to its ornate religious symbols.
One's family holds the highest importance to individuals in Russia. Relatives usually have very close relationships and are interdependent, helping each other in times of need. Extended family members are also very involved with people's lives and the support of the household.
Generally, all the teams agreed that the most essential values in Russian culture are unity, tradition, and respect. Though they admitted that over the years the values have been changing - from traditional values to a more 'modern' value system.
A Guide to Russia's Healthcare System
The 2021 Health Care Index lists Russia's system as 58th best out of 89 countries, with a very low score for quality of infrastructure. A Bloomberg report ranks Russian healthcare last out of 55 developed countries based on the efficiency of state healthcare systems.
Life in Russia
Generally, Russia is a fairly safe country to live in, although it is important to take basic safety precautions and remain aware of your surroundings.
Basic Etiquette
It's common to adopt a more formal demeanour. Offer your seat to an elderly person, pregnant woman or woman with a small child if they do not have one. Men are expected to open doors for women, pay for their food, help them carry items, etc. People do not always wait in line.
Russian moms do most of the things around the house and take care of the kids, while dads are the ones who provide for the family. These gender roles are really set there and moms rarely ask their significant other to help them with something.
Russians are stereotyped have a reputation for being stern and unsmiling people, but actually, Russians do smile often, and their smiles mean different things in 10 different situations.
Traditionally, Russian beauty standards favor women who are tall — about 5 feet 8 inches — with long blonde hair and a thin figure. Women are expected to have dresses and skirts in their wardrobes.
Religion in Russia is diverse, with Christianity, especially Russian Orthodoxy, being the most widely professed faith, but with significant minorities of non-religious people and adherents of other faiths.
In addition, in terms of safe living conditions, Russia lags behind the US significantly. According to 2022 estimates, there are 580,466 homeless people in the US, compared to 64,000 in the case of Russia.
Home Ownership Rate in Russia averaged 83.94 percent from 2000 until 2021, reaching an all time high of 92.50 percent in 2020 and a record low of 58.20 percent in 2000.
It is the world's leading natural gas exporter, the second-largest natural gas producer, and the second-largest oil exporter, and producer. Russia's foreign exchange reserves are the world's fifth-largest. It has a labour force of roughly 70 million people, which is the world's sixth-largest.
As of 2021, 2,500 USD (about 190,000 Rubles) is more than enough to live comfortably everywhere in Russia, although in Moscow you will spend much more renting an apartment.
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.
The Russian avos' (Russian: авось) describes a philosophy of behavior, or attitude, of a person who ignores possible problems or hassles and, at the same time, expects or hopes for no negative results or consequences.
Teenagers in Russia enjoy going to the movies, watching TV, going to theaters and museums, and hanging out in cafes. Soccer, hockey, and track and field are very popular in Russia, as well as volleyball, skiing, and skating. Chess is also very popular both competitively and just for fun.