National character. Manners, customs, life

The older generation has not yet forgotten that in the Soviet Union, to put it mildly, trips of ordinary citizens abroad were not welcomed. Few people visited us from that side either. These difficulties have led to the emergence of biased and one-sided ideas about Russia, summed up in three words - vodka,
bears, matryoshka. Hollywood, which was very popular among all segments of the population, also played an important role in strengthening the impartial opinion of our country. By the way, in those years, few people singled out Ukraine, Kazakhstan or another republic separately. We were all Russian to foreigners. Now there is no longer an Iron Curtain. Russians travel freely around the world, demonstrating there, “over the hill,” what our nation is. Millions of tourists also come to us, see with their own eyes how we live, and get acquainted with our culture.

What do foreigners think about Russia now? How much has their opinion changed? Some public organizations and ubiquitous journalists conduct surveys from time to time, but the answers of citizens from friendly and unfriendly countries vary greatly. This depends primarily on the purpose of their visit. One thing is said about Russia by tourists who come here for a couple of days with an excursion group and visit only the attractions noted in the program in an organized manner. They only see what the tourist guides want them to see. Foreigners working in Russia, studying here, and everyone who has lived with us for a long time can tell a completely different story, and the impressions of those living in the capital and in the outback are radically different. And the foreigners themselves are also different. The opinions of Americans or Germans about our country, for example, differ in many ways from the opinions of Nigerians, Chinese or Mexicans. But all foreign guests are united in one thing: Russia is huge; it takes years to get to know and understand it.

Russians and alcohol

There is an opinion in the Western world that our nation is an incredible drinker. Almost all Europeans, Americans, and Asians talk about this in one interpretation or another. But if you look at WHO statistics, Russia is not in first, not second, or even third place in alcohol consumption per capita. Even the reserved Balts have overtaken us on this issue. And yet, foreigners say about life in Russia that they drink a lot here. They are especially surprised why we can drink anywhere - in a restaurant, at a banquet, in a park on a bench, or just on the street. Law enforcement officers do not stop this, passers-by remain indifferent. Perhaps that's why we all seem like such drinkers to them? And foreigners cannot understand why you can even buy low-quality alcohol in our store, because it is dangerous to health. They are also surprised that in Russia the reason for drinking can be the most trivial, and the process that began with “a hundred for health” often develops into a large-scale drinking binge and drags on until late at night, and almost always Russians who have taken it well begin to have intellectual conversations about politics and the meaning of life, although, being sober, they try to avoid these topics. Over there, “over the hill,” only sober people talk about such topics, and when they drink, they just have fun or talk about their real or fictitious victories.

Many foreigners, looking at our drinkers, cannot understand: are Russians really so rich that they can find the means to buy so much alcohol? And most importantly, how do they calmly go to work the next day after drinking heavily?

Russians and order

For our people, as they say, laws are not written. We are used to this and no longer notice how we are constantly violating something somewhere. But they notice. Foreigners say about life in Russia that here it is the norm or even an obligation not to follow the rules if there is no punishment for it. For them, on the contrary, it is considered the norm to follow the established rules, even when there is no control nearby. Russian people, without the slightest doubt, cross the road at a red light if, according to their calculations, it is still far from a moving car, on subway platforms they constantly go beyond the limit line, although this is life-threatening, they leave their cars in inconvenient places just to avoid paying for parking. Foreigners are surprised why there are dozens of cash registers in supermarkets if only one or two are open, despite the queues forming in them. They don’t understand why our roads are patched when it rains, and heating systems begin to be repaired when it’s cold. And how the traffic cops serving in the roadside bushes amaze motorists from abroad!

Regarding safety, foreigners have different opinions about life in Russia. People from crime-prone Latin America, Tanzania, South Africa, and Sudan believe that there is heavenly calm on our evening and night streets. Europeans, on the contrary, are sure that Russian cities are quite restless. Even if nothing and no one threatens life, you can easily lose property or be drawn into a scandal. At the same time, the streets are always full of patrolling policemen, so, logically, order should be ideal.

Russians and wealth

Previously, in the USSR everyone was approximately equal. Now in our society there has been a division between the poor and the rich. Everything is like they have in their distant America and Europe, only with a Russian flavor. What surprises foreigners about our rich people? The fact that most of them are proud of their new status, build houses with several floors not in order to live there, but simply for prestige, shop only in the most expensive stores, buy expensive cars in order to seem even more significant and significant. Moreover, if there are traffic jams on the roads (and in large cities they constantly exist), our rich people will wait for hours, get nervous, be late, but will never go down to the subway, because this is below their newly-minted status. There is no such thing abroad. There, even company directors, without the slightest damage to their image, can come to work today in an expensive car, tomorrow on a city bus, and the day after tomorrow on a bicycle. The rich there see nothing wrong with visiting regular supermarkets, and they willingly buy promotional items.

Russians and feminism

It is no secret that foreign grooms willingly choose our young ladies as wives. Foreign men say about Russia that the issue of equality is not as pressing here as, for example, in America. There, most women try to prove their independence, which is why their femininity suffers. They pay for themselves in restaurants and react painfully if they are helped to open the door or given a hand when getting off a vehicle. There, women, when creating a family, are primarily guided by material considerations and rush to draw up a marriage contract. Most Russian women are not like that yet.

Although their willpower and spirit are no weaker than those of the same American women, they like to appear weak. he feels more like a man than in his homeland, because our women do not in the least prevent him from asserting himself. They are grateful for any help from men, even if they can cope with the problem perfectly well without them. When agreeing to become a wife, our beauties are first of all interested in whether the chosen one loves them, and only then in second place they put the question of where and with whom he works, what prospects he has in the service. Some foreigners are surprised by the abundance of flower shops on the streets of Russian cities. They wonder why it is so important for our women that their lover shows up on a date with flowers, and why there must be an odd number of flowers in a bouquet.

Russians and culture

Russia, through the eyes of foreign tourists, is simply beautiful in this regard. Mostly excursion groups visit St. Petersburg and Moscow, and there are the most famous sights. It is not surprising that all the interviewed excursionists spoke with delight about the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Intercession Cathedral, and Red Square. Many foreign citizens, even the culturally advanced French, are surprised by the fact that people of all ages love to visit museums and galleries, and you can often meet couples in love there. It is difficult for Italians, Spaniards, and Americans to imagine their date with a girl not in a restaurant or even in a movie, but, for example, in an art gallery.

Almost all foreigners talk about Russia, always mentioning our Bolshoi Theater and wonderful ballet. Many girls from friendly countries dream of studying at a Russian ballet school.

Foreign guests are very surprised by the love of Russians for reading. In our subway and trains, in the park on benches and in public transport, ordinary printed books and newspapers are still read, although young people can more often be seen with tablets and iPhones.

Abroad, among those who have never been to Russia, there is still an opinion that here men play balalaikas, and women lead round dances. Some foreigners who visited our country were surprised that they were not able to see Russian folklore at all, which they were told so much about.

Russians and food

Foreigners very often talk about life in Russia, remembering our dumplings (or huge ravioli), our borscht (or red soup), pancakes with meat, the most delicious black caviar in the world. Foreign gourmets don't like jellied meat. Many people do not understand how such a dish can be eaten. Even more unflattering words about okroshka. As foreigners think, this is everything that is on the table, collected and mixed in one pan.

Our compatriots who had the opportunity to visit abroad recall that there was not an abundance of food on the table, although there was enough for everyone. Russia, through the eyes of foreigners, looks, of course, somewhat differently than Russians see it. The former sometimes consider it a fairly rich power, because all our feasts are held on a grand scale, regardless of the occasion and the material wealth of the people organizing them. For some reason, it is very important for a Russian person to set the table with dishes with all kinds of salads, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese and sausage slices, fried chicken legs and other food. Half of it is not eaten and is thrown away, to the amazement of foreign guests.

Those foreigners who traveled around Russia by train cannot understand why our people, as soon as the train starts moving, begin to take out a bunch of food from their bags, as if they want to eat on the road for the rest of their lives.

Russians and friendliness

Almost all foreign guests remember with kind words our sincere Russian hospitality. Some of the foreigners interviewed hitchhiked around Russia, asking to stay with ordinary residents rather than staying in hotels. They all tell us what a wonderful welcome they received, how they put a lot of food on the table, put them to bed in a clean bed, and even specially heated the bathhouse. The next morning, these random people became the best friends of the foreign guest.

However, in general, foreigners call all Russians gloomy and believe that our harsh climate is to blame for this. They say that in our subway, in a store, or just on the street, you very rarely see smiling men, women, young people, and old people. The situation changes dramatically when you turn to Russian people, for example, with a question of how to find their way. The sullenness immediately disappears, replaced by a sincere desire to help.

Russians and business

It is approximately clear how tourists see our country. What do foreigners who live and work here think about Russia? The Chinese believe that we have very strict rules, decent salaries, high prices and a strong-willed president. They call Putin a wonderful ruler, almost like their Xi Jinping.

Europeans and Americans who work as managers or leading specialists in our country believe that in Russia wages are below average and prices are prohibitively high, even for goods that should be cheap, such as gasoline (after all, we have many oil wells).

What do foreigners think about Russia? How has their opinion of us changed? Which stereotypes remain stable, and which, after years, have long since disappeared, like dust from “white apples”?

I. “The law is not written for Russians”

We got used to this quite a long time ago. However, foreigners still say something like the following about life in our country:

“Surprisingly, for these Russians, not following the rules seems to be the absolute norm.”

And indeed it is. For them, on the contrary, compliance with any rules is considered the norm, even if there is no control nearby.

It is inconceivable in their opinion that Russians, without the slightest doubt, cross the road at a red light, only because, according to their calculations, it is still quite far away from the entrance of a moving car.

II. “Russians drink completely”

In the Western world, there is a persistent stereotype that our nation is an incredibly heavy drinker. Literally everyone talks about this to one degree or another. But meanwhile, if we look at the official WHO statistics, Russia will not take first, not second, or even third place in alcohol consumption per capita. Even the reserved Balts have overtaken us on this issue.

At the same time, foreigners are sincerely surprised that in our country there can be absolutely any reason for drinking, and the process that began with the idea of sitting “little by little” almost always develops into a full-scale table.

The most striking difference between Russians and residents of foreign countries is that Russians, when tipsy, “get smarter” and begin to have active, highly intellectual conversations. Talking about politics, the meaning of life, and simply philosophizing, while all the other nations in the world, on the contrary, are recklessly drunk and stupid, boasting, lying and telling a series of fictitious stories.

III. “There is no feminism in Russia”

With this stereotype, unlike the previous ones, everything is exactly the opposite. Foreigners like him extremely.

Men from abroad openly dream of choosing a Russian woman as a wife, since most American women, European women and other representatives of the fairer sex are trying to prove their mythical “independence”. They scare men with their lack of basic femininity, pay for themselves in restaurants, react painfully if they are helped to open the door, do not understand why they offer a hand, or simply sit them down in their chair. Such representatives, when creating a family, are guided primarily by material considerations, rush to draw up a marriage contract, and even choose the first question on a date:

"What do you do for a living?".

Of course, foreigners run away from them as quickly as they can.

Our women, on the contrary, like to appear weak, although in fact they are the strongest. Thanks to this, even an American in our country feels like a man much more than in his own homeland.

This is where the above stereotype came from, in general.

IV. “Russians have an incredible culture”

This is a true template that has more than a monolithic rationale behind it.

Mostly foreign excursion groups from abroad visit St. Petersburg and Moscow, and this is where the most famous Russian attractions are located. In this regard, it is not surprising that everyone speaks with delight about the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Intercession Cathedral and Red Square. Another thing is surprising: for some reason many guests are extremely amazed that people of absolutely all ages go to museums and galleries in Russia. Often you can find young couples in love, and for Americans, with their culture of popcorn and Mickey Mouse, this is simply an inexplicable problem...

The love of Russians and their craving for reading amazes everyone who comes to us, because neither a tablet nor a modern smartphone could fight it off.

V. “Russians have a strange attitude towards food”

Foreigners very often talk about life in Russia, remembering dumplings, borscht, pancakes with meat and caviar. In this regard, Russia seems to them to be a rich power. This conclusion stems from the fact that all feasts in our country are held on a huge scale, and are always kept that way, regardless of the occasion and financial situation.

An American does not understand why it is so important for a Russian to set the table with dishes with all kinds of salads, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese and sausage slices, fried chicken legs and other food. But those who know Russia better already realize that a Russian will invest and give everything he has for the convenience of the guest. And what is most surprising is that he will do this not in order to impress, but first of all for himself, and from the heart for those whom he receives.

Of course, in this situation, it also seems strange to a foreigner that after such a feast the organizer may well remain in his last shirt, but even so, he will not be afraid and will go for it anyway.

VI. "Russians never smile"

Almost all foreign guests remember our sincere Russian hospitality with kind words, but at the same time they consider us serious and gloomy. They think that our harsh climate is to blame for this. And therefore, they say, on the street you can rarely see men, women, young people, or old people smiling.

But the strange thing for them is that the situation changes dramatically, all they have to do is turn to the Russians for advice. If you ask a question, enter their social circle, or meet the person the next day, then, for inexplicable reasons, the moodiness disappears.

“Why can’t you smile from the very beginning?” they ask with incomprehension. And the “tolerant” ones do not realize that in Russia such an approach is called insincere, and an empty smile without real feelings is not worth a damn.

VII. “This mysterious Russian mentality”

Any European or American in Russia has to adapt. For example, to the fact that for some reason Russians constantly keep all sorts of unnecessary things. “They say that this is in case something can be fixed,” and this fact raises even more questions among Americans.

They don’t understand why Russians (unlike modern Westerners) learn to “be able” to do everything at once? But we really can be professionals in completely different fields. Every man, regardless of his type of activity, is able to hold a power tool in his hands, work with the construction of a house, be his own cook, or make and repair everything. For a foreigner, this state of affairs seems the height of absurdity.

“Why be prepared for anything when you can always call the service or rescue service?!”

And the “comrades” do not understand that in real life, such an opportunity may not always present itself.

But the main feature of a Russian person, which extremely amazes guests who come to our country, is the broad and mysterious soul of Russia.

To be always ready to help, to provide this help free of charge, not to evaluate the offered leverage in monetary terms, all this for the Western man in the street is still inexplicable and completely incomprehensible from beginning to end...

The national character of each country is formed under the influence of many different conditions: history, territory, climate. Foreigners note the characteristic features of Russian people: patriotism, collectivism, religiosity and others. All of them can be explained: patriotism arose due to the constant danger of war, collectivism due to an unfavorable climate that forced people to work together. Now the situation has changed, but the Russian character remains. And if we ourselves do not notice any pronounced features in ourselves, then foreigners immediately highlight this.

Russian mentality

Date: June 17, 2013

Russian holidays through the eyes of a foreigner

Any foreigner who comes to Russia for at least a few days immediately notices that Russians really love holidays. A thousand years ago, the Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir said “Rus' cannot live without joy in drinking.” Six hundred years later, the British ambassador wrote in his book: “It is common for a Russian to drink on any day of the week, finding a suitable occasion.” And British journalist and translator Edmund Harris, who lived in Moscow for six years, says that it was Russian holidays that brightened up his life in the cold Russian capital.

Russian mentality

Date: June 03, 2013

Moscow through the eyes of foreigners

As a rule, all foreign tourists first go to Moscow. Those foreigners who decide to settle in our country also prefer to live in Moscow. We are accustomed to our capital, we do not notice its shortcomings or advantages, but visitors can clearly see all the capital’s life from the outside. Some things are surprising to them, some are puzzling, some they really like. Here are collected different opinions of foreigners about Moscow, its good and bad sides.

Russian mentality

Date: May 20, 2013

Stereotypes about Russians

Swedish family, goodbye in English, roller coaster, French kiss - all these expressions one way or another show our stereotypes about other nationalities. And in other countries, well-established phrases about Russians are no less often used, which can lead us to bewilderment. However, they are quite popular, and, moreover, many people believe in the truth of these stereotypes.

Russian mentality

Date: May 08, 2013

How to behave in Russia if you are a foreign tourist

Typically, tourists traveling abroad are given advice related to the characteristics and culture of different countries. These are not only recommendations on where you can change money, how to find your way, how much to tip in restaurants - but also tips on communicating with local residents, on behavior in public places and when visiting. The cultures of different nations can vary significantly, so every little thing matters. What advice do they give to those foreigners who go on holiday to Russia?

The Ininsky rock garden is located in the Barguzin Valley. It was as if someone had deliberately scattered the huge stones or placed them deliberately. And in places where megaliths are located, something mysterious always happens.

One of the attractions of Buryatia is the Ininsky rock garden in the Barguzin Valley. It makes an amazing impression - huge stones scattered in disorder on a completely flat surface. It was as if someone had either scattered them on purpose, or had placed them with intent. And in places where megaliths are located, something mysterious always happens.

Power of nature

In general, “rock garden” is the Japanese name for an artificial landscape in which stones arranged according to strict rules play a key role. “Karesansui” (dry landscape) has been cultivated in Japan since the 14th century, and it appeared for a reason. It was believed that gods lived in places with a large accumulation of stones, and as a result, the stones themselves began to be given divine significance. Of course, now the Japanese use rock gardens as a place for meditation, where it is convenient to indulge in philosophical reflection.

And this is what philosophy has to do with it. The seemingly chaotic arrangement of stones is, in fact, strictly subject to certain laws. Firstly, the asymmetry and difference in the sizes of the stones must be observed. There are certain observation points in the garden, depending on the time when you are going to contemplate the structure of your microcosm. And the main trick is that from any observation point there should always be one stone that... is not visible.

The most famous rock garden in Japan is located in Kyoto, the ancient capital of the country of samurai, in the Ryoanji Temple. This is the refuge of Buddhist monks. And here in Buryatia, the “rock garden” appeared without human effort - its author is Nature itself.

In the southwestern part of the Barguzin Valley, 15 kilometers from the village of Suvo, where the Ina River emerges from the Ikat Range, this place is located with an area of more than 10 square kilometers. Significantly more than any Japanese rock garden - in the same proportion as a Japanese bonsai is smaller than a Buryat cedar. Here, large blocks of stone reaching 4-5 meters in diameter protrude from the flat ground, and these boulders go up to 10 meters deep!

The distance of these megaliths from the mountain range reaches 5 kilometers or more. What kind of force could scatter these huge stones over such distances? The fact that this was not done by a person became clear from recent history: a 3-kilometer canal was dug here for irrigation purposes. And here and there in the channel bed there are huge boulders that go down to a depth of 10 meters. They fought with them, of course, but to no avail. As a result, all work on the canal was stopped.

Scientists have put forward different versions of the origin of the Ininsky rock garden. Many people consider these blocks to be moraine boulders, that is, glacial deposits. Scientists call their ages different (E.I. Muravsky believes that they are 40-50 thousand years old, and V.V. Lamakin - more than 100 thousand years!), depending on which glaciation they are counting.

According to geologists, in ancient times the Barguzin depression was a freshwater shallow lake, which was separated from Lake Baikal by a narrow and low mountain bridge connecting the Barguzin and Ikat ridges. As the water level rose, a runoff formed, turning into a river bed that cut deeper and deeper into the hard crystalline rocks. It is known how storm water flows in the spring or after heavy rain erode steep slopes, leaving deep furrows in gullies and ravines. Over time, the water level dropped, and the area of the lake decreased due to the abundance of suspended material brought into it by rivers. As a result, the lake disappeared, and in its place there remained a wide valley with boulders, which were later classified as natural monuments.

But recently, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences G.F. Ufimtsev proposed a very original idea, which had nothing to do with glaciations. In his opinion, the Ininsky rock garden was formed as a result of a relatively recent, catastrophic, gigantic ejection of large blocky material.

According to his observations, glacial activity on the Ikat ridge manifested itself only in a small area in the upper reaches of the Turokchi and Bogunda rivers, while in the middle part of these rivers there are no traces of glaciation. Thus, according to the scientist, the dam of the dammed lake along the Ina River and its tributaries broke. As a result of a breakthrough from the upper reaches of the Ina, a large volume of blocky material was thrown into the Barguzin Valley by a mudflow or a ground avalanche. This version is supported by the fact of severe destruction of the bedrock sides of the Ina River valley at the confluence with Turokcha, which may indicate the removal of a large volume of rock by the mudflow.

In the same section of the Ina River, Ufimtsev noted two large “amphitheatres” (resembling a huge funnel) measuring 2.0 by 1.3 kilometers and 1.2 by 0.8 kilometers, which could probably be the bed of large dammed lakes. The dam’s breakthrough and the release of water, according to Ufimtsev, could have occurred as a result of seismic processes, since both slope “amphitheaters” are confined to the zone of a young fault with thermal water outlets.

The gods were naughty here

This amazing place has long been of interest to local residents. And for the “rock garden” people came up with a legend that goes back to ancient times. The beginning is simple. Once two rivers, Ina and Barguzin, argued which of them would be the first to reach Lake Baikal. Barguzin cheated and set off on the road that evening, and in the morning the angry Ina rushed after him, angrily throwing huge boulders out of her way. So they still lie on both banks of the river. Isn't it true that this is just a poetic description of the powerful mudflow proposed to be explained by Dr. Ufimtsev?

The stones still keep the secret of their formation. They are not only different sizes and colors, they are generally from different breeds. That is, they were broken out from more than one place. And the depth of occurrence speaks of many thousands of years, during which meters of soil have grown around the boulders.

For those who have seen the movie Avatar, on a foggy morning the Ina stones will resemble hanging mountains with winged dragons flying around them. The peaks of the mountains protrude from the clouds of fog, like individual fortresses or the heads of giants in helmets. The impressions from contemplating a rock garden are amazing, and it is no coincidence that people endowed the stones with magical powers: it is believed that if you touch the boulders with your hands, they will take away negative energy, giving positive energy in return.

In these amazing places there is another place where the gods played pranks. This place was nicknamed “Suva Saxon Castle”. This natural formation is located near the group of salty Alga lakes near the village of Suvo, on the steppe slopes of the hill at the foot of the Ikat ridge. The picturesque rocks are very reminiscent of the ruins of an ancient castle. These places served as a particularly revered and sacred place for Evenki shamans. In the Evenki language, “suvoya” or “suvo” means “whirlwind”.

It was believed that this is where spirits live - the masters of local winds. The main and most famous of which was the legendary wind of Baikal “Barguzin”. According to legend, an evil ruler lived in these places. He was distinguished by a ferocious disposition, he took pleasure in bringing misfortune to the poor and disadvantaged people.

He had his only and beloved son, who was bewitched by spirits as punishment for his cruel father. After realizing his cruel and unfair attitude towards people, the ruler fell to his knees, began to beg and tearfully ask to restore his son’s health and make him happy. And he distributed all his wealth to people.

And the spirits freed the ruler’s son from the power of illness! It is believed that for this reason the rocks are divided into several parts. Among the Buryats there is a belief that the owners of Suvo, Tumurzhi-Noyon and his wife Tutuzhig-Khatan, live in the rocks. Burkhans were erected in honor of the Suva rulers. On special days, entire rituals are performed in these places.

Stereotypes of Russian behavior, of course, depend on which generation someone belongs to. The younger generation and managers who received better education in Western Europe behave differently than their fathers' generation. However, some stereotypes are transferred from generation to generation and can be considered “Russian archetypes”.

How I became Russian (series trailer)

The most important factor that still determines the behavior of a Russian person (and his attitude to housing, clothing, food, cleanliness, order, property) is long-term residence in a totalitarian state.
In particular, the psyche of the population was greatly influenced by both the post-perestroika crisis and the “shock therapy” of transformations in society in the 90s.
The rules of everyday life change often and quickly, and no one knows by what laws and no one explains anything to anyone. In Russia there is a lack of confidence, there is nothing to rely on.

An anecdote from the times after the collapse of the USSR
The state comes to the people and says: “I have two news for you: good and bad. Which one should I start with?” – “With the good one.” – “You are free!” – “And now the bad one.” – “You are free...”

National character

Basic stereotypes about the traits of Russian national character

“the mystery of the Russian soul” - the mentality of the Russian people is a mysterious mystery that cannot be solved
“nationality” - patriotism, service to the fatherland, love for the homeland, loyalty to traditions
“hope for a bright future” - the search for truth, justice, freedom, hope for an ideal state, expectation of a “just ruler”
“Messianicism” - Russia, as an example to other nations, is ready to sacrifice itself for the sake of others (“They save others, they destroy themselves.”)
“Fatalism” is resignation to the fact that much will happen regardless of a person’s will and desire, the belief that nothing happens by chance in life. This character trait of Russians sometimes leads to passive behavior, the habit of relying not on oneself, but on God’s will, “good uncle” (sayings: “We’ll wait and see,” “We’re used to...”; “nothing” is the most common reaction to fail)
“sentimentality”, “openness of emotions”, “pathos” (phraseologisms: “pour out your soul” “open your soul” “have a heart-to-heart talk”)
“polarization” – dividing the entire diversity of the world into good and evil, truth and falsehood, “us” and “strangers”
“maximalism”, “fanaticism”, “extremism”
attitude towards observance of rituals, traditions, customs

Opposites of the Russian national character

Russians themselves believe that Russian character consists of extremes and opposites. The guiding slogan of the Russian people is: “Either everything, or nothing.” According to Russian and foreign observers, Russia is “a country of systematic paradoxes.”

They contradict each other:

gullibility, hope for a true ruler - and dreams of freedom
generosity, hospitality, openness in private life - and formalism, severity, unsmiling in official communication
great culture (literature, music, theater), the development of science, the ability to achieve better results (perfection) in many areas, the presence of modern technologies - and incompleteness, the inability to see the consequences of one’s actions in advance and plan for them, half-heartedness, inability and unwillingness to complete what was started the matter is that everything is decided on the fly, most institutions operate at the limit of their capabilities (post office, city transport) (from this the resulting positive character traits are “resourcefulness”, “adaptability”, “the ability to create something out of nothing”).
fear of superiors - and persistent non-compliance with prescribed and established rules

Foreigners' opinions about Russians

Russians are a very proud, self-confident people. But on the other hand, Russians deceive, pretend, hide in the face of problems (When German troops entered Kiev, Stalin claimed that not a single German soldier crossed Russian borders.). When exposed as a lie, they will only shrug their shoulders.
The problem with bureaucracy is that any business takes a very long time and is complicated to process, the rules often change, and people are endlessly sent from one window to another.

Social behavior

Russian collectivism

Russians do not tolerate loneliness well; they are sociable people.
They can even start talking to strangers (communication on the train), they like to communicate frequently on the phone (in cities, the time-based principle of paying for telephone calls has not yet been introduced, and people “hang on the phone”).
Relationships with neighbors are still important in the lives of Russians - neighborly ties play an almost familial role.
Russians are characterized by such character traits as compassion, warmth, and pity (deafness, unfortunately for another person, is unusual for Russians).
On the other hand, many of them have adopted this way of life: to live like everyone else, to keep a low profile.
Collectivism includes love for mass holidays, company, and the tradition of hospitality. In the village there is a habit of meeting with neighbors in the same hut - “get-togethers”. Russians value the principle of “conciliarity” – the internal unity of people based on a community of spirit.

„Ruský kolektivismus se v Rusku projevuje sklony k masovosti, Občané se tlačí, vytvářejí fronty a z těch front se vyčleňují přirození vůdci, kteří buď organizují dav nebo sepisují po řadníky. To bývá na úřadech. Kdyby tam nebyla fronta, určitě by lidé odešli, že mají zavřeno. Fronta bývá jedna ústřední, pořadníků více.”
Elizabeth Roberts: Xenofobův národnostní průvodce: Rusové

However, recently, Russians have also been characterized by a desire for individualization (with the fall of the USSR, every Russian was finally left to his own devices).

Public role

Russians take on their social role more expressively, observe the rules of formal behavior, always try to preserve their “good name,” and are characterized by constant consideration of “what other people will say or think about us.”
There is a huge difference in human behavior in the public (professional) sphere and in private life.
“Servile psychology” in relation to superiors is characteristic (one and the same person can show disdain for a person dependent on him and in a minute become slavish, obsequious in the face of the boss), a popular proverb: “You are the boss - I am a fool.” I’m the boss – you’re a fool.” Democratic principles do not always work in society in relation to the terms of holding certain positions (university rector, for example). If a person has already taken a high position, then, as a rule, he “sits” firmly in it.

Essential Values

Russians highly value: courage, strength, good social position, “good name,” reputation in the eyes of friends and neighbors, sentimental and emotional actions.
Especially Russians highly respect smart people. Cleverness, in the eyes of Russians, is not rational ability, but rather spirituality, delicacy, social responsibility, and high moral qualities.
It has long been customary to measure the level of culture by the number of books read.
Oddly enough, a smile is sometimes considered an indicator of stupidity (popular proverb: “Laughter for no reason is a sign of a fool.”).

Money is not considered a particularly great value; Russian people are convinced that wealth cannot be acquired by honest work.

Russian attitude towards...

...foreigners

Back in the 19th century, in all likelihood, there was no xenophobia in Russia. The Russians were ready to quickly come to terms with the presence of foreigners. They treated those who came without malicious intent with friendship, but they treated those who came with malicious intent with cruelty.
In the Soviet era, other (better) restaurants and hotels were reserved for visiting foreigners; they were given first places in queues, but were not allowed into restricted areas.
Currently, everything depends on the nationality of the foreigner. Russians love Chekhov, and Serbs are also close to them. But their relations with the Poles, Ukrainians, and Germans are already a little more complicated.
Some museums have introduced double prices for foreigners (in the Hermitage, a ticket for them is 3 times more expensive than for a Russian).

...beggars

They take pity on the poor in Russia and give them money.

...children

Russians, of course, love children very much and are ready to spend their last funds on their education and improving their future.

Parents

Russians greatly respect their ancestors and old parents and surround them with care. In families, as a rule, more often than ours, several generations live together. Placing the elderly in a nursing home is considered a sin.

...authorities

The Russian archetype is characterized by fear of the state.
The state almost constantly interfered in the lives of its subjects (with violence, ideology) - Russian people could rarely concentrate on their private life.
The embodiment of evil power, which puts pressure on the people and cynically robs them, for a Russian person is bureaucracy, a terrible and irresistible force.
An “Orthodox type of person” has emerged who is patient, passive, conservative, sometimes even indifferent, capable of surviving in the most incredible conditions, immersed in the past and absorbed in the eternal search for ideals, refraining from arbitrary interference in anything.
Related to this is the Russians’ inability to accept personal responsibility (“My house is on the edge, I don’t know anything.”)
The paradox of the attitude towards power: on the one hand, Russian people are genetically trained not to expect goodness, help, support from the authorities; at the same time, he hopes for a miracle, for a “good king,” a reformer-savior (illusions, euphoria are constantly replaced by disappointment, condemnation of the authorities).
In the history of Russia, the deification of power and charismatic leaders is repeated - an indicator of the sacredness of Russian consciousness.

Attitudes between men and women

Men

Men (already boys) should not show their weakness (sometimes rudeness helps them in this). They don't compliment women as often as they would like. When they like a woman, they will tell her about it directly, they show their love with gifts and attentiveness. (This means that it is not so difficult for women to find out whether she loves or does not love?)

„Mladý muž univerzál - nosí černé džíny, černou koženou bundu, černou koženou čepici s nápletem. Tváří se nepřístupně (žvýkačka narozdíl od cigarety není podmínkou), mluví úsečně záměrně hlubokým hlasem. Mladíci se shlukují kolem stánků u výstupu z metra, usrkávají z lahve pivo domácí výroby, kouří, pojídají buráky, plivou (i slupky slunečnicových semínek) a dokáží kolem sebe udělat slušný svinčík.”

Russian woman

A Russian woman loves to feel like the weaker sex. She is able to spend her last money on clothes and cosmetics. Previously, women had to work in male professions, they were used to taking care of everything, and immediately became adults.

„Ruská žena je často buď puťka, která se bojí překročit stín svého muže, nechá se bít manželem, tyranizovat synem a vydírat tchýní, nebo je to emancipovaná energetická bytost s v ěčně doutnající cigaretou na rtech a stejně razantním stylem za volantem i bez něj.
D.Šťáhlavský: Rusko mezi řádky

It is considered a sign of bad taste in society...

blow your nose
use a toothpick
have dirty shoes
come visit without a gift
show your bad mood
speak in “intricate turns of phrase” (Russians are also irritated by “empty chatter”; spatial reasoning about something that can be expressed in a nutshell)
“throw around words” (Russians take what is said too seriously and literally; you can’t just joke).
Russians do not understand the European manner of “not noticing” something unpleasant that does not correspond to the norms of behavior. They will actively intervene, comment, and correct the situation. (If, for example, someone is in no hurry in line and delays others, his behavior can cause noisy indignation and even a scandal.)
When sorting out relations with Russians, it is recommended to be more careful in words and intonation - a Russian often intuitively thinks out the situation and prefers to act (sometimes it even comes to rude bodily reactions and fights).
Talking about money is uncomfortable for Russians; it is also not customary to talk about intimate relationships, or to ridicule the national traits and virtues of Russians.
It is better not to ask your interlocutor questions about his place of birth. Due to the complex history of Russia (including forced migration of the population), very complex things may be touched upon.
Russians value heart-to-heart conversations – this is a long, leisurely, frank conversation with a good acquaintance, with a close friend. “High topics” are preferred - for example, about the meaning of life, the future of Russia, politics, literature, theater, cinema. You can also talk about family matters.

Gestures

flicking the throat with the index or middle finger: means “drink vodka” or “he’s drunk”
tap your temple with your index finger: “not a very smart person”
put your hands on your heart: emphasize your sincerity in a conversation
insert the thumb between the middle and index fingers with a clenched fist: fig (fig with butter), a vulgar gesture expressing a categorical denial
Russians count in such a way that they bend their fingers, gradually collecting them into a fist, starting with the little finger

Life

Life is a way of life, everyday life, material and cultural development of society.

In Russia there is a strong spiritual orientation to the East, that is, a focus on spiritual life (serving a higher goal). Russians have always reproached the West for being extremely consumer-oriented (money, things, personal success).
Therefore, Russians are often observed to be indifferent to money and, in general, to the material side of life, and lack of concern for the comfort of life; on the contrary, they attach importance to values such as education, literature and culture, and respect in society.
The unpredictability and severity of Russian nature and climate and many historical cataclysms made it difficult to develop European pragmatism, the ability to organize time and save space.

„Bolševismus naučil lidi skromnosti, nenáročnosti, ale také rozmařilosti a plýtvání. Naučil je žít s pocitem, že to dnes může být naposledy.”
D. Šťáhlavský: Rusko mezi řádky

Housing

Recently, in many large cities of Russia, a huge amount of improved housing and comfortable apartments have appeared, but, all the same, only very wealthy people can afford new housing. For Russians, the “housing issue” is still a huge problem. There are still families where several generations live together in one apartment.
Most residential buildings in Russia are huge, multi-story, with multiple entrances. Typical for them are windows protected by bars, heavy armored doors in entrances and apartments, dirt in entrances, on stairs and in elevators.
People have not learned to take care of the house and its surroundings as if they were their own.
Unlike other nationalities, it is not customary for Russians to show guests their home or apartment.

The fashion of wealthy people is to build comfortable country houses, mansions, the so-called. "cottages".

In Soviet times (especially Stalin's), many people had to live in communal apartments, that is, in apartments that are state property, in which several families live (people not related by family relations, belonging to different social strata). Life in communal apartments has actually crippled the mental health and interpersonal relationships of one generation of Russians.

Cleanliness is a mess

Everywhere in Russia there are many uncleaned places, abandoned wastelands. The strange smell of Russia consists of gasoline, buckwheat and vodka. However, Russians carefully wash their hands, clean their shoes, and wear perfume.
In the toilets you can see the inscription “Big request!” Don't throw paper in the toilet!“.
Some toilets are missing the door or the top of the walls. In restaurants they often do not differentiate between men's and women's.

Drunkenness

Russians have a very frivolous attitude towards their health, including an addiction to alcohol.
Russians usually tolerate alcohol well, they can drink a lot of vodka and remain “sane,” but they quickly become dependent on alcohol.
The causes of alcoholism are harsh climate, difficult living conditions (for centuries Russians have been looking for oblivion of problems in a glass).

The Russian authorities continue to fight alcoholism. Since 2014, drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited. You can drink at home, in a cafe or in a restaurant.

Rituals

Bath

The bathhouse has been known in Rus' since the 10th century. In the village, this is a separate log hut next to the house. It consists of a dressing room and a steam room. There is a stove in the steam room. When it is drowned, the stones become hot. In order for the bathhouse to be filled with hot steam, the stones are watered with hot water. In the bathhouse they pat themselves with a birch or oak broom.

The role of the bathhouse in the life of a Russian person, its functions: cleansing the body, strengthening physical health, treating runny noses, colds, aches, losing excess weight, prevention, pleasure, relaxation. (The bathhouse “clears the mind and dries the tears.”)
The social function of the bathhouse is making acquaintances, making friendships, a place for negotiations and establishing trade connections.

Bath day: Saturday
to those leaving the bathhouse they say: Enjoy your steam!

Family rituals

Wedding

A traditional Russian wedding lasted several days and was preceded by matchmaking and wedding. The wedding was like a theatrical play (theft and ransom of the bride) with sad and funny moments. Most often, a wedding was held between Christmas and Lent to have fun and survive the long winter; there was less work during this period.
In a modern wedding, everything depends on money. The groom must “break through” to the bride by performing various tasks (for example, he must write out the bride’s name in banknotes).
There is also a custom of covering apples with paper money of the same color - the apple turns out to be green, red... A big and rich wedding is a matter of honor.

Funeral

Funerals are traditionally held on the third day after the person's death. The believers are buried in the church. Throughout the year, a wake is held, a ceremony in memory of a deceased relative, conducted by members of his family - 3, 9 and 40 days after death.
The funeral ritual includes home prayers, a visit to the temple and grave of the deceased, and lunch at which vodka, pancakes, kutya (sweet porridge made from millet or rice with raisins) and a funeral dish - white jelly - are served.
Russians come to the graves of their relatives on Easter; In this case, a glass of vodka, covered with a slice of bread, or other treats are usually left on the grave.
Previously, the ritual of mourning was widespread in Russia. Good professional mourners who sobbed at the grave were highly valued.
Expression of condolences: Please accept my deepest condolences. We share your deep grief.

Housewarming

Moving to a new apartment or a new house is an important event for a family; it has long been accompanied by rituals (in modern times, a feast is obligatory).