Russian culture question

[tricours.livejournal.com]

One thing that I've remarked several times when reading the blogs of Scandinavians or other westeners who've spent some time in Russia, is that they comment on how Russians don't smile. I've read lots of "I went home for the holidays and once again I was met with a smile when I went to the store to shop" etc. etc. Also one girl commented that some railroad personnel at a station where trains come in from Finland greeted her with a smile because "that's what they know westerners expect as good service". Do clerks and shop personnel in Russia not smile? As a clerk in Sweden or Norway it's practically written in your contract that "YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SMILE AT CUSTOMERS" ;)

At the same time, I met this Russian travel agent who's lived in the Caribbeans for the last 10 years and who thought service in Norway was completely awful. But perhaps he was comparing it to that of the Caribbeans, and not to the Russian one?

Comments

[colonelrabin.livejournal.com]

This is an ever lasting general topic.

It's normal in the Russian culture to smile or laugh when something funny happens or if you really want to show your pleasure etc.
A smile is considered a true expression of a feeling or mood, not a standard courtesy sign.
The usual American "smile-of-32-teeth" can be referred to as "insincere" or "artificial" by Russians.

If a Russian doesn't smile, it doesn't meen that he or she is angry or hates you etc.

[ex-rudm853.livejournal.com]

+1 :-)

[tricours.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to see how different cultures are focused on different things when it comes to social interactions. ;)

[colonelrabin.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's so. One has just to know the differences. And, to be honest - in this case these differences are not so dramatic.

[chudoyudo.livejournal.com]

Totally agree.