Appointment Alert! Making appointments
Once your appointment is scheduled, do everything you can to avoid cancellation. sure to schedule them far in advance. It will also be in your best interests to confirm any appointment several times, as the scheduled date approaches. because this is the time of year many people take their vacations.
end. Schedules are constantly subject to change, often at the last minute. Moreover, business meetings and social events both seem to be open-ended affairs. Any visitor should strive to be punctual, but at the same time flexible. or a Russian to be one or two hours late for an appointment. Generally, the more important the meeting is for your Russian counterparts, the more punctual they will be. In case you are kept waiting, it's a good idea to bring work or another diversion to fill the time. In other circles, however, being five minutes late is frowned upon. In any case, it will be in your best interests to arrive on time.
than originally planned.
times to find employees working are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In the provinces, work finishes earlier. Business Dress Guidelines for business dress --"they meet you depending on how you're dressed and they say good bye depending on how wise you seem."
general probably spend more money from their family budget on clothing then any other nation in the world. y top fashion brand clothing (such as Versace, Armani, Gucci, Calvin Klein or Hugo Boss) prefer to be dressed in cheaper but still well made suits rather than wear the fake products widely available in numerous markets across the country. an, your best bet will be to wear a suit and tie (make sure not to wear the same ones every day) for all your meetings, whether it's in an office or restaurant. Dark colours and white shirts are only for special ocasions. Otherwise, choose tones in light blue, gray, or brown.
a well-insulated pair of boots with good treads.
long-sleeved blouse, a long skirt below the knees, and a head covering such as a scarf or hat, when visiting a Russian Orthodox church.
Conversation
Welcome topics of conversation General Guidelines , tone of voice at all times.
of their language. Nevertheless, if your Russian party speaks your languge, your decision to speak Russian may cause confusion (e.g.--they might think that their English is not good enough).
symbolically, and perhaps even cryptically. Consequently, there is a great deal of reliance on nonverbal communication. At other times, however, they can be extremely frank; it all depends on the situation.
ussians to be enthusiastic about discussing politics and the challenges of living in Russia. Participating in this kind of discussion and expressing your views (even if they are opposite) is more welcome than just being an active listener. the subject of Russian culture and history can be an appreciated gesture. Russians are extremely educated--so don't be surprised if they start to talk about the history (more likely than culture) of your own country. Be prepared. best avoided, although you may be subject to these inquiries. Make the effort to answer these questions as best as you are willing to allow, since your Russian companions may press you for details. e Russians to feel a sense of misplaced obligation. For example, if you are visiting a home and begin enthusiastically admiring a decorative object, your hosts may insist that you take it. you are a parent, showing photographs of your children can be an effective way of building good will.
Russian companions will be far more interested in the personal side of your character than your business agenda.
famous Russians such as Tchaikovski, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Chekov, Pushkin, Malevich, Barishnikov or Plesetskaya. If you become involved in such a conversation, don't be surprised how easily the discussion on Chekov's novels can be changed to Picasso's paintings, Mozart's music or the impact of Yalta Conference in 1943 on the world's history. Russians like to make parallels, find clues and make leads. --you can save yourself by asking your Russian friend to fill any gaps in your knowledge on various topics (e.g. the Russian-Japanese issue on Kuril islands,the after effects of Tatar invasion to Russia in the 13th century etc). Welcome Topics of Conversation
up this subject first]
Topics to Avoid
nd Saint Petersburg First Name or Title? Addressing others with respect
ame without any additional greeting.
important in this culture. t name is the father's family name. The middle name is a version of the father's first name, known as a patronymic; for a man, it ends with the suffixes “vich” or “ovich” meaning “son of.” For a woman, the patronymic is also the father's first name but with suffixes “a” or “ova” added, which means “daughter of.” When you become well acquainted with a person, you may be invited to refer to him or her by the first name and patronymic.
similar to “Mr.”] or “gaspazhah” [similar to “Mrs.” or “Miss”] plus his or her surname. When using a person's full name and patronymic, an honorific is unnecessary.
official circles, Russians use a person's birth date to differentiate between identically named individuals. Moreover, Russians often use prefixes “senior” and “junior” after a name to differentiate between two persons [especially men] that are identically named.
it is a vowel [which it almost always is] into an “a.”
official circles, Russians use a person's birth date to differentiate between identically named individuals. The term “tovarisch”, meaning “comrade”, is now out of date. It was popular in Communist days, but should no longer be used.
Gift Giving Selecting and presenting an appropriate business gift General Guidelines ure in giving and receiving gifts. Be sure to bring an assortment of gifts, so that you will always have something appropriate to give.
ed in private, while gifts for adults are generally opened in the presence of others. If your gift was a hit, you will hear many 'thank-yous.'
expensive ones), cheap wine or vodka, notebooks, etc.
to select something other than vodka, which is widely available]. lowers (not too expensive though) for women you are visiting (doesn't really matter how many of them are in the family you're visiting) is a good idea. Make sure you have an odd number of flowers. Even numbers usually are for funerals. ed for social events, especially as “thank-yous” for private dinner parties or overnight stays in someone's home. Thank-you notes and holiday cards are not considered appropriate because they have no practical use. t is thoughtful acknowledge them with a small gift, such as a toy or candy.
Selecting Flowers men. The only few exceptions would be male teachers, doctors and visiting celebrities.
or mother. These female relatives are likely to be present at the time of your visit. -coloured, orange, and blue flowers are rarely awarded any special meaning and, thus, are quite acceptable selections. Some white flowers should also be approached with caution.
dark shades, will be perceived as a display of love or strong affection.
Appreciated Gifts
-you for an overnight stay] thank-you for an overnight stay] Let's Make a Deal! - Part 1 What you should know before negotiating
distributed in certain areas. Consequently, be sure to bring a plentiful supply of cards.
addition to your full name and title, ensure that you include any university degrees you have earned. When handing out your translated card, present it so that the side printed in Russian is facing the recipient.
policy is to write down the phone numbers, business addresses, and other relevant information you will need.
and read with greater promptness. his or her mail, rather than administrative personnel; understandably, this may cause delays. It's advisable to get straight to the point in business letters and related correspondence. ls over Russia's phone system, are probably inevitable.
and photocopiers, if available at all, may function inadequately. In Moscow, however, you are not likely to run into these problems.
business as much as it used to. Superiors have authority over their subordinates, and are ultimately responsible for the final decision.
are likely to face considerable challenges conducting business in this country. -makers are present, meetings can be a time for all participants to exchange information and ideas. -makers, rather than 'gate-keepers' or other go-betweens who are often sent to meet with new visitors. Moreover, plan ahead and make the right contacts well in advance of your trip.
constantly subject to change in both interpretation and application.
conducting business here. It will also help if you make the effort to appear down to earth, sincere, and reliable.
Danishes, cookies, and similar snacks. Moreover, do not serve beverages in plastic cups. Let's Make a Deal! - Part 2 What you should know before negotiating
that the door is closed behind you. --a time for the Russians to assess the credibility of you and your company. The best strategy is to appear very firm and dignified, while maintaining an air of warmth and approachability; refrain from any displays of aggression or overbearing behaviour. ans can sometimes place a great deal of confidence in your professional competence and experience. Consequently, you may be confronted with very high expectations--and demands--from the Russian side. ve the necessary credentials and experience to succeed in their field. Further investigation may be needed to verify these claims, which sometimes turn out to be questionable. is is not actually the case. Moreover, they sometimes have a tendency to say things they think you want to hear.
free-market economy and democracy.
business culture. It may be necessary for you to explain, and persuade your Russian counterparts to accept, ideas such as motivation, fair play, individual accountability and reward, profit and loss, turnover, proprietary rights, good will, public relations, and so on. Whatever you do, these terms should be used only with caution and tact. sometimes, out of frustration, they will fall back into the same old closed-minded patterns.
special visuals or other frills.
other documentation be printed in Russian. Moreover, it may be in your best interests to bring your own translator, rather than depending on one provided by the Russian delegation.
overall impression should also be an important priority. Let's Make a Deal! - Part 3 What you should know before negotiating
start is by ensuring that all members of your team understand and agree on precisely what they want to achieve from the deal. Then, put all of these points in writing and bring this document to the meeting.
negotiations by refusing to back down until the other side agrees to make sufficient concessions or shows exceptional firmness. Moreover, the Russians will expect loss of temper, walkouts, threats to end the deal, and similar incidents to occur. esisted. Instead, do everything you can to insist that negotiations emphasize mutual benefits and needs.
s will sometimes insist on having a “protokol” similar to minutes, detailing what has been discussed in the course of a meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the “protokol” is read, everyone agrees to it, and it is signed. ndency for Russian businessmen to give “yes” answers and make promises in order to maintain foreign contacts. Be aware, however, that they may not have the authority or ability to follow through. th suspicion. -hours on weekends or during vacation periods.
Russians to attempt to make modifications.
ive and status conscious, you should never treat them in a patronizing manner.
d will. Prosperous Entertaining - Part 1 Entertaining for business success
acquainted. It's also important to book an appropriate restaurant, that is, it shouldn't be loud with music or overcrowded.
--around 6:00 p.m. ian companions decide to invite you out, expect to be treated to lavish entertaining in a restaurant. Spouses are rarely included on these occasions, although they are often invited to gatherings in homes. ior officials. You should be seated on the opposite side of the table from your Russian counterparts.
ch is almost impossible]. Toasting is a very important part of dining.
down, and the knife in the right hand at all times. of which utensil to use, start from the outside to work your way in, course by course.
top of the table. o drink is unacceptable unless you give a plausible excuse, such as explaining that health or religious reasons prevent you from imbibing. Also you may smile and pretend that you are drinking, to show that you accept the toast and respect those around you.
when it's time to stop, since every time you drain your glass, you may be urged to have a “refill.” Prosperous Entertaining - Part 2 Entertaining for business success
has not been purified.
persist, you may find it necessary to leave a small portion of food on your plate to convince them that you have had enough. In other circumstances, however, make the effort to finish everything on your plate since wastefulness is frowned upon. uring a meal is an accepted practice. Moreover, 'non-smoking' sections may be difficult to find.
make a token offer to pick up the tab. If you are hosting a meal, the best policy is to make the payment arrangements ahead of time. If you are a woman, however, your male guests will be insulted if you even attempt this maneuver. names is considered rude, presumptuous.
always welcome, even if you were overcharged. Most Russians will look at the bill just to see the final figure. It's considered rude to study the bill as this will make a server uncomfortable.
establishment that that does not look reasonably clean. If you are invited to a Russian home, consider it a tremendous honour. --often into the early hours of the morning if not overnight. If you wish to go home at around 11:00 p.m., however, this will usually be accepted.
slippers offered to you by your hosts.
y to select something other than vodka.]
candy. or a wife, sister or mother. These female relatives are likely to be present at the time of your visit. -coloured, orange, and blue flowers are rarely awarded any special meaning and, thus, are quite acceptable selections. gift of yellow flowers [unless you picked them up yourself on a trip to the countryside]. Some white flowers should also be approached with caution. -yous' for private dinner parties or overnight stays in someone's home. Thank-you notes are not considered appropriate because they have no practical use. Public Behaviour - Part 1 Acceptable public conduct tween two men. This is a daily procedure and saying 'hello' isn't enough, even if you know somebody really well. Between men and women or two women, however, the handshake is much softer. Men should wait until a woman extends her hand before reaching for it. Between women, the older woman extends her hand first.
addressing you. ives and good friends will engage in an animated embrace and kiss each other on the cheeks. -party introductions. Consequently, wait a moment before introducing yourself to a new group. If, after a few minutes, no introduction is made, you may then take the initiative. -up” sign can be an acceptable gesture of approval.
urrency in Russia is a 'ruble', however, it is still common for businesses to make their calculations in US$. This doesn't mean that you actually have to pay in $--most of the stores, restaurants, and hotels will accept only Russian rubles. Unlike 5-10 years ago, a one dollar tip is not welcome any more since sometimes it's hard to exchange it to rubles. If you want to leave a gratuity to a waitress or a taxi driver, make sure you give rubles. A tip can be anywhere from 10 to 30% s is still a common occurrence, although the Russians are slowly becoming aware of the need to impose some restrictions on this activity.
cases with the items that you might think are not available there. Actually, you'll be surprised on the variety of goods in local stores. Public Behaviour - Part 2 Acceptable public conduct
Behaviour Considered “Nyekulturny” [Uncultured] turny” is popularly used to refer to anything considered uncultured, bad mannered, or otherwise socially unacceptable. The following points are examples of behaviours regarded as “nyekulturny.” uildings or similar public spaces is considered unacceptable. Cloakrooms are usually available and should be used. And sitting on your coat during a concert or while at a restaurant is also frowned upon. aged.
that it will cause a grave financial loss. Moreover, when attending a concert or other performance, refrain from including whistling in your applause.
down and motion inward with all four fingers at once. on hand gestures popularly used in the West, such as the “O.K.” sign or shaking the fist, are considered very rude. Russia's Unique Business Environment - Part 1 Dealing with Business Problems Generally speaking, Westerners deal with business problems differently than Russians do. For example, Westerners tend to bring up problems with their colleagues only when they have a number of possible solutions. The method of Russian managers contrasts sharply with the above approach. Many times, Russian managers will discuss problems without concrete solutions in hand. This suggests that the Russian state of mind is based more on the idea that the formulation of a problem is considered at least half the battle, whereas in the West the focus is generally on the solution. As a result, meetings and debates of Russian managers often exceed allotted time limits and tend to move away from their initial agendas. In the West, such an approach would be considered a serious imperfection. However, a positive characteristic of this so-called imperfection is its readiness to accept different outcomes. Ability to Operate in Changing Conditions and to Withstand Failure Often foreigners have a hard time understanding Russian businessmen when they say “We will try to finish the work on time” or “Perhaps, it will work”. Actually, Russians are merely suggesting possible outcomes that may or may not turn out to be positive. Essentially, they mean a Russian [and a businessperson as well] is ready to operate in continually changing conditions. It is important during break-point times, and for life in modern Russia especially. Western managers usually have a plan in case of an emergency, but they do not develop it widely because it could possibly damage morale. Hardened by centuries of war with her neighbors and having endured generally tougher economic conditions than in the West, the Russian people believe that one should hope for the best, but should always prepare for the worst. This belief reflects a mentality that is somewhat different than the Western ethos of positive thinking, which maintains that if one keeps trying and thinks positively, good things will happen. Reactions to failure also differ. Confronted by defeat, Westerners tend to respond actively, e.g., holding meetings, organizing plans, etc. But Russians, on the other hand, are ready for the worst-case scenario, so if/when it does happen, they are able to accept the worst more readily than Westerners.
Business Teams and Self-Expression Western people shoot for success. An internal office environment and a common team spirit are instruments for them, not aims in themselves. Work for most is just a way of making a living. Russians are different, much different. Work itself may be an aim, but rest is simply a way of mustering one's strength for the next wave of work. When Western people come to Russia, they are usually surprised with the Russian attitude in terms of working in teams. Even for well-paid Russians, after they've reached a sufficient level of income, working in a comfortable environment can be as or more important than a higher salary. Russia's Unique Business Environment - Part 2
Also, many believe that ?you should live in a way that makes you feel comfortable, even if you don't do as well materially?. This widely held belief tends to make it harder to determine who the ?winners? and ?losers? are in Russian society. In fact, Russians are not even sure why they should feel dissatisfied at not having achieved a high level of material success.
Team Spirit Western companies place a great deal of emphasis on “Team building.” The same is true in Russia. Because of the emphasis on the group during the Soviet-era, being part of teams with a high morale is a commonly held goal among Russians.
Company Mission Mission statements are rather complicated here. A lot of Western companies have their own rules and principles. But companies that do business in Russia, which formulate their mission statements solely in terms of their own private interests, will likely suffer poorer productivity rates, lost man-hours due to sickness, etc. Russians want and need to feel a part of a greater good. Companies that fail to satisfy that need will suffer as a result.