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

[ex-rudm853.livejournal.com]

I guess the only xenophobe here is you, who consider people wrong just because they don't smile.
I guess you live in Moscow.

[evermore-spb.livejournal.com]

You are wrong - maybe you could look at my nick first and not judge people by their place of living? As to not smiles, I never said I consider them wrong. However, don't see the point in arguing with you.

[ex-rudm853.livejournal.com]

Of course you don't. Simply because you can't.

[bs-chvstvnn.livejournal.com]

Noone can argue Putin.
Because arguing Putin is a serious crime.

[ex-rudm853.livejournal.com]

Putin is the Priest Warrior of Mother Russia! *crying with proudness*

[bs-chvstvnn.livejournal.com]

*laughing through tears*

Capitalists, now you can see our the world brightest and glafulest smiles!

[ex-rudm853.livejournal.com]

no smiles for cursed capitalists!

[bs-chvstvnn.livejournal.com]

of course - these are for Putin
capitalists can only watch them as onlookers