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

[robomarkov.livejournal.com]

You make an interesting point in your post. In the part where you describe the greeting "Hello, how are you?", the confusion is not left to just Russians. People from the U.K. have also misunderstood this typical American greeting.

I don't know why we American's ask it. Most times it is totally insincere. We just don't really want to know if you are having problems. We expect the answer to be "Fine. And you?" However, if things are not fine, it is appropriate to answer with a very short statement, for example "I have been better", or "Terrible. I have the ebola virus," or "I am very frustrated. Traffic was awful."

Note that the replies are always very short and lacking any detail. If the person you are speaking with wishes to know more, they will ask.

I believe the Danish also have a similar greeting "Hvordan har du det?", or "How goes it?", but I am unsure of its proper cultural use.

I sometimes like to "punish" my fellow Americans by giving them lengthy answers. When I see them grimace or try to change the subject, I say to them "If you didn't want to know, why did you ask?" (that was a rhetorical question - a question where an answer is not expected but is intended to provoke thought).

[crimeanelf.livejournal.com]

BTW, Russian have something similar to Danish one, "как дела?", something like "how are things going". But I'd say, there are very few situations when it's appropriate. For example, if a doctor asks you this, it would mean "does the treatment helps you?", or if a teacher would ask this, it would mean "did you make your homework?". You'd also be asked same question by your friend who haven't seen you in a while. In all cases this question expects a long answer.

Hey, aren't you're being too harsh on your friends? ;) They just use idiomatic expressions of your language.