Russia and Estonia, Business Etiquette
The Russian Federation has over 150 million people, and the country has gone through many changes in recent years, as communism ended in 1991. This separation ended the communism reign that had lasted from 1917 to 1991.
Culture: Russia
· Egalitarianism is a social philosophy that advocates the removal of inequities among persons and a more equal distribution of benefits. Russians are still required to carry their internal passports with them at all times. Respect for authority is high. Many still view entrepreneurial actives as illegitimate.
· Caution and Conservatism: Russians are more likely to be cautious and conservative defenders of the status quo. Their cruel climate, harsh history, and skeptical outlook on life have caused Russians to value stability, security, social order, and predictability, avoiding risk. The tried and tested is preferred over the new and unknown. Americans, as a nation of risk-takers, can have their patience tested by Russian caution, and anticipation of the negative.
· Pessimism: Russians expect things to go poorly and have learned to live with misfortune. The American habit of smiling all the time can get on the nerves of some Russians.
· Big is Beautiful: Russians are impressed with size and number, and much that they do is on a grand scale: military size, buildings, sculpture, etc.
· "Demon vodka" as the Russians call it, is the national vice, a major cause of many social and relational ills.
· Vranyo, the Russian Fib: Russians can fudge the facts, a national characteristic called vranyo. In its most common form, it is an inability to face the facts, particularly when the facts do not reflect favourably on Russia.
· Bad Manners: Nyekulturny is the wrong way, uncultured, bad-mannered way of behavior. Some examples are: wearing coats in public buildings that have a cloakroom, standing with your hands in your pockets, sprawling in chairs, placing feet on tables, crossing legs while seated so as to show the sole of
Culture: Russia
· Egalitarianism is a social philosophy that advocates the removal of inequities among persons and a more equal distribution of benefits. Russians are still required to carry their internal passports with them at all times. Respect for authority is high. Many still view entrepreneurial actives as illegitimate.
· Caution and Conservatism: Russians are more likely to be cautious and conservative defenders of the status quo. Their cruel climate, harsh history, and skeptical outlook on life have caused Russians to value stability, security, social order, and predictability, avoiding risk. The tried and tested is preferred over the new and unknown. Americans, as a nation of risk-takers, can have their patience tested by Russian caution, and anticipation of the negative.
· Pessimism: Russians expect things to go poorly and have learned to live with misfortune. The American habit of smiling all the time can get on the nerves of some Russians.
· Big is Beautiful: Russians are impressed with size and number, and much that they do is on a grand scale: military size, buildings, sculpture, etc.
· "Demon vodka" as the Russians call it, is the national vice, a major cause of many social and relational ills.
· Vranyo, the Russian Fib: Russians can fudge the facts, a national characteristic called vranyo. In its most common form, it is an inability to face the facts, particularly when the facts do not reflect favourably on Russia.
· Bad Manners: Nyekulturny is the wrong way, uncultured, bad-mannered way of behavior. Some examples are: wearing coats in public buildings that have a cloakroom, standing with your hands in your pockets, sprawling in chairs, placing feet on tables, crossing legs while seated so as to show the sole of
Bibliography: http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/russia.htm http://www.goehner.com/russinfo.htm http://www.womenrussia.com/russians.htm http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-estonia.html http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/estonia.html http://www.worldwide-tax.com/estonia/estpractice.asp http://www.photius.com/countries/estonia/society/estonia_society_religion.html