RUSSIA

CULTURE & CUSTOMS

 Russia.
• Area total: 17,075,200 sq km, 1.8 times the
size of US
• Population: More than 141,702,094
• Ethnic Groups: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%,
Ukrainian 2%, others 12.7%.
• Government type: federation
• Currency : Ruble (1.00 RUB = 1.44123 INR)
• GDP growth rate: 8.1%.
• Concentrated in Energy Super Power.
 Short History.
Before 1991 Russia was a communist centrally
planned economy
In December 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist,
and the Russian Federation was born, communism
“abolished”
1992- 1999: radical market reform under Boris
Yeltsin, state assets privatized, foreign trade opened
up, economy tanked
2000-2008: oil boom and ruble devaluation of 1998
fuel economic recovery; President Vladimir Putin, 55,
leads “stabilization” effort, renationalizes some
companies, takes away some freedoms.
 Russian Culture
• Dusha ( Soul) – Mutual Sharing.
• Free nation – *Freedom to do everything*.
• Russian Name Consist of three Names.
• Don’t call by full name because it will not end.
• Don’t call by first name because it indicates lack
of respect.
• Eg. When meeting Tatiana Ivanovna Titova, you should
address her as Tatiana Ivanovna (meaning Tatiana, a
daughter of Ivan).
 Conti……
•Generousity.
•Indifferent by nature ( eg. breaking the rules, risk taking without
particular reason, drinking too much, not even care about dirty streets,
no idea of saving money )
•Proud People.
•Emotional.
•Beware of the babushkas (old women).
•Gifts ( always).
•Russian Meal.
•Vegetarians will suffer.
 Conti……..
• Russians are not racists ( only friendship).
• don’t speak English.
• express their feelings, but are not extroverts.
• Not ready to speak with strangers.
 Russian Business Culture.
• Russian company structure . ( Christmas tree).
• Relationship with top will decide his position.
• Bribery is the only way to finalize contract.
• Respect for superiors.
• Time- on time ( 5 minutes is normal but not
more than 15 min.)
• Shake hands.
• Business cards.
 Conti……
• Bringing gift.
• The meeting will begin by the head.
• Friendship first then business.
• Don’t praise or reward in public.
• Mail and fax.
• Call continuously if you want.
• Guest will be attached with a special person.
• Don’t ask question during meeting. Russian do the
same in return.
 Conti…..
• Beware of connotation.
• Eg. ‘no problem’= not interested in the
subject.
• ‘It will be difficult’= it will be a promise.
• If you are friend with the company your
agreement won, otherwise lose.
• Eg. Compromise=yield=lose=lost your whole
authority.
DO”S AND DON’TS
 DO’S

DO shake hands firmly when greeting and leaving your partners
and make direct eye contact.
DO partake in small talk that involves talk of family and personal
matters, before dealing with business.
DO make a gift that symbolizes the stature of your company,
preferably an item characteristic of your local area or one that
displays the company logo.
Knock before entering an office
Close the door behind you, when leaving an office
Supply beverages and snacks during business meetings
Go out and have a drink with your counterparts, it is a good way
to break the ice.
Bring small gifts for the children of a home you visit
 DON’TS

• DON'T be afraid to show some emotion, the

Russians won't!
• DON'T as the Russian proverb states 'hurry to
reply', but 'hurry to listen'.
• DON'T praise or reward anyone in public as it
may be viewed with suspicion or cause envy and
jealousy. Remember the collective rules over the
individual.
• Wear lavish clothing or jewelry.
• Use a restaurant as a place for doing business--
it's for celebration
 Glavstoy Group of companies.

Moscow no. 1 construction company.

currently underway for around 15
projects worth a total of 100 million
euros ($157 million).
Follows the culture and customs
mentioned above.
By;
Mr. Anu Devassy