1. RUSSIA
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2. ABOUT RUSSIA ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE High context culture
Polychronic culture
Population in Russia about 144 million
The largest religion in Russia is Orthodox
Capital: Moscow
Russia is home at least to 190 ethnic groups
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3. COMMUNICATION ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE High context and polychromic culture
Patience is essential
Most Russians don’t trust people who are “all business”
Sincerity and trust is important for building relationship
It is best to act formal when you first make an eye contact
If you are asked for a favor you have successfully built a relationship
Typical greeting is a formal with handshake and direct eye contact
In formal situations full name should be used; First name, middle name and last name. Middle name is version of father’s name
Small talk is not that popular in Russia than in USA, but it does exist there
But most Russians do not see value of small talk
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4. COMMUNICATION ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE
Women and old women are very respected
English language level vary enormously in Russia
People listen silently and with only little body language. This does not mean that the listener is disinterested or does not understand.
Russians need time and space to take part fully in conversation
Russians believe more in spoken things than written things
Safe topics to talk with Russians when you are meeting first time are for example: sports, literature and weather
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5. HIGH CONTEXT AND POLYCHRONIC CULTURE
Reading between the lines
Information is taken from the situation, unspoken communication
POLYCHRONIC
Doing several things at the same time
Interruptions and changes are allowed
Flexible timing
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6. MASCULINITY AND POWER DISTANCE
Russia is not very masculine country
But very power distance country
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7. UNCERTANITY AVOIDANCE
Russians feel very much threatened by difficult situations
With strangers Russians appear very formal and distant
Formality is sign for respect
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8. ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE

9. DINNER ETIQUETTE ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE
Russian people are usually in time or not more than 15 minutes late
Not in business situations dress code is more flexible; you should wear clothes that you might wear in office. You should show respect for guests by wearing decent clothes.
Russians often offer a help for hostess so you should accept help.
Accept also gifts
The oldest or most honored should be served first.
Elbows should not be resting in the table, hands should be visible all the time
Bred should be served with gravies and sauces.
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10. SOURCES ©HANNA.O & FLORENCE
IMPROVE YOUR GLOBAL COMPETENCE, BARTLETT AND DAVIDSON , 2003
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11. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
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