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"Why do the Russians never smile?" This is just a Russian thing. Sometimes if you're lucky you'll get a bit of eye crinkle.

by Uhhrrr 8y ago

Baeocystin 8y ago
I'd say Russians smile plenty- among trusted friends and family. If a stranger walks up to you smiling, it's pretty much universally seen as someone trying to pull a fast one on you at best. Speaking of Russians and smiling, I got to go the McDonald's in Red Square shortly after it opened. The culture clash of the Russian staff being told that they must smile to their customers made for some great people watching.
- idlewords 8y ago
  I've gotten good results explaining this to Americans with an analogy to hugging. Most everybody likes a hug, but you don't normally go around hugging strangers, salespeople, etc., let alone asking them to hug you back.
- YeGoblynQueenne 8y ago
  I get a sort of cultural jetlag when I move between the UK, where I live and work, and then France, Italy and Greece (where I'm from). In the UK, shopspeople will smile at you by default. In Greece, Italy and France, people will only smile if they have a reason to smile, and showing that they appreciate your custom is not a reason to smile, I guess because it's taken for granted that you're welcome to spend your money at their store. So when I go back to the continent, I have to remind myself that, no, the fact that the lady that sold me that magazine or that sandwich etc. didn't beam back at me when I paid it doesn't mean she was being rude, or disapproving. She just didn't feel like smiling. It takes me a couple of times every time, to acclimate myself. The funny thing is that both Greeks and Italians will smile and laugh a lot... in the right circumstances (at the table, when you say a joke, when you actually strike a conversation, etc). They just don't see smiling as a necessary component of a service they are paid to provide.
  - err4nt 8y ago
    I wonder how I would be perceived in a place like that. I am introverted so I don't spark up conversations with people, but I'm always polite, cheerful, and express gratitude to people because the way I think about it, these are all nice and they cost me nothing to give. I wouldn't want to be perceived as insincere though. Is it okay to be a cheerful smiler in places where it's not the custom to smile as often?
    - Baeocystin 8y ago
      Is it ok? Sure, in the sense that most people understand that foreigners are going to have different mannerisms. But that doesn't mean that they'll take your actions in the way you intend. It is still going to be a little stressful for even the most understanding of local people, and as visitors it is our job to do our best. That being said, putting forth even a moderate amount of visible effort into doing things the local way will earn you social capital that you will need when you inevitably make a mistake that is more severe than you'd expect. If you can get to the point where you can laugh at yourself to smooth over any misunderstandings, then carry on, you'll be fine most anywhere.
arkitaip 8y ago
Now you're just being lewd.
odiroot 8y ago
As far as I know this is very common in all post-communist countries. I guess we just smile when we really want to show our genuine feelings of joy / amusement.

"Why do the Russians never smile?" This is just a Russian thing. Sometimes if you're lucky you'll get a bit of eye crinkle.

by Uhhrrr 8y ago

"Why do the Russians never smile?" This is just a Russian thing. Sometimes if you're lucky you'll get a bit of eye crinkle.

Baeocystin 8y ago

I'd say Russians smile plenty- among trusted friends and family. If a stranger walks up to you smiling, it's pretty much universally seen as someone trying to pull a fast one on you at best. Speaking of Russians and smiling, I got to go the McDonald's in Red Square shortly after it opened. The culture clash of the Russian staff being told that they must smile to their customers made for some great people watching.

idlewords 8y ago
I've gotten good results explaining this to Americans with an analogy to hugging. Most everybody likes a hug, but you don't normally go around hugging strangers, salespeople, etc., let alone asking them to hug you back.
YeGoblynQueenne 8y ago
I get a sort of cultural jetlag when I move between the UK, where I live and work, and then France, Italy and Greece (where I'm from). In the UK, shopspeople will smile at you by default. In Greece, Italy and France, people will only smile if they have a reason to smile, and showing that they appreciate your custom is not a reason to smile, I guess because it's taken for granted that you're welcome to spend your money at their store. So when I go back to the continent, I have to remind myself that, no, the fact that the lady that sold me that magazine or that sandwich etc. didn't beam back at me when I paid it doesn't mean she was being rude, or disapproving. She just didn't feel like smiling. It takes me a couple of times every time, to acclimate myself. The funny thing is that both Greeks and Italians will smile and laugh a lot... in the right circumstances (at the table, when you say a joke, when you actually strike a conversation, etc). They just don't see smiling as a necessary component of a service they are paid to provide.
- err4nt 8y ago
  I wonder how I would be perceived in a place like that. I am introverted so I don't spark up conversations with people, but I'm always polite, cheerful, and express gratitude to people because the way I think about it, these are all nice and they cost me nothing to give. I wouldn't want to be perceived as insincere though. Is it okay to be a cheerful smiler in places where it's not the custom to smile as often?
  - Baeocystin 8y ago
    Is it ok? Sure, in the sense that most people understand that foreigners are going to have different mannerisms. But that doesn't mean that they'll take your actions in the way you intend. It is still going to be a little stressful for even the most understanding of local people, and as visitors it is our job to do our best. That being said, putting forth even a moderate amount of visible effort into doing things the local way will earn you social capital that you will need when you inevitably make a mistake that is more severe than you'd expect. If you can get to the point where you can laugh at yourself to smooth over any misunderstandings, then carry on, you'll be fine most anywhere.

arkitaip 8y ago

Now you're just being lewd.

odiroot 8y ago

As far as I know this is very common in all post-communist countries. I guess we just smile when we really want to show our genuine feelings of joy / amusement.