Typical features of Russians. Main features of the Russian national character

IN THE MASS MEDIA (OK, IN THE FOREIGN HOSTILES TO US, BUT IN THE RUSSIANS!) THERE ARE INCREASING FICTIONS ABOUT THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE - SAYING THAT THEY ARE LAZY, UNTIDY AT EVERYDAY, PRODICED TO DRUNKENNESS, THEFT, AND MORE TO MANY BAD, AND EVEN HARMFUL FOR OTHER PEOPLES. AND THE MAIN THING OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THAT THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE DOESN’T “FIT” INTO WESTERN CULTURE, AND TODAY IS JUST LIKE IN THE OLD TIMES, WILD...

BUT IN CHINA THEY WRITE ABSTRACTS ABOUT... THE POSITIVE FEATURES OF RUSSIAN PEOPLE, ABOUT THEIR UNIQUENESS. HERE IS ONE OF SUCH ABSTRACTS:

TYPICAL FEATURES OF THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL CHARACTER AND THEIR REFLECTION IN RUSSIAN PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

Song Yanwei, Dalian Polytechnic University (China)

National character is a set of the most significant defining features of an ethnic group and a nation, by which it is possible to distinguish representatives of one nation from another. A Chinese proverb says: “As the land and river are, so is the character of man.” Each nation has its own special character. Much has been said and written about the secrets of the Russian soul, about the Russian national character. And this is not accidental, because Russia, having a long history, experiencing a lot of suffering and changes, occupying a special geographical position, having absorbed the features of both Western and Eastern civilizations, has the right to be the object of close attention and targeted study. Especially today, at the turn of the third millennium, when, in connection with the profound changes that have occurred in Russia, interest in it is increasingly increasing. The character of the people and the fate of the country are closely interconnected and influence each other throughout the entire historical path, so there is a noticeable increased interest in the national character of the Russian people. As the Russian proverb says: “When you sow character, you reap destiny.”

National character is reflected both in fiction, philosophy, journalism, art, and in language. For language is a mirror of culture, it reflects not only the real world surrounding a person, not only the real conditions of his life, but also the social consciousness of the people, their mentality, national character, way of life, traditions, customs, morality, value system, attitude, vision of the world. Therefore, a language must be studied in inextricable unity with the world and culture of the people speaking the given language. Proverbs and sayings are a reflection of folk wisdom; they contain the people’s idea of ​​themselves, and therefore the secrets of the Russian national character can be tried to be comprehended through Russian proverbs and sayings.

HARDWORK, GIFTEDNESS

Russian people are gifted and hardworking. He has many talents and abilities in almost all areas of public life. He is characterized by observation, theoretical and practical intelligence, natural ingenuity, ingenuity, and creativity. The Russian people are great workers, creators and creators, and have enriched the world with great cultural achievements. It is difficult to list even a small part of what has become the property of Russia itself. This trait is reflected in Russian proverbs and sayings: “Happiness and work live side by side”, “Without work you cannot pull a fish out of the pond”, “Patience and work will grind everything down”, “God loves work”. The Russian people value work very much: “Gold is learned in fire, and man in work,” “Talent without work is not worth a penny.” Russian folklore also speaks about the existence of workaholics: “The day is boring until the evening, if there is nothing to do,” “Living without work is just smoking the sky,” “It’s not the concern that there is a lot of work, but the concern that there is none.” Working people are not envious: “Don’t blame your neighbor when you sleep until lunchtime.”

Proverbs condemn the lazy: “It’s a long time to sleep, but it’s a long time to get up,” “He who gets up late doesn’t have enough bread.” And at the same time they praise the hardworking: “He who gets up early, God gives him.”

Only honest earnings were valued by the people: “Easy to get, easy to live,” “A free ruble is cheap, an acquired ruble is expensive.” And in raising young people, preference was given to work: “Teach not by idleness, but teach by handicraft.”

LOVING FREEDOM

Love of freedom is one of the main, deep-seated properties of the Russian people. The history of Russia is the history of the struggle of the Russian people for their freedom and independence. For the Russian people, freedom is above all.
The word “will” is closer to the Russian heart, understood as independence, freedom in the manifestation of feelings and in performing actions, and not freedom as a conscious necessity, that is, as the possibility of a person expressing his will on the basis of awareness of the law. For example, the proverbs: “Even though the lot is hard, everyone has their own will”, “One’s own will is dearer than anything else”, “Freedom is dearer than everything else”, “The will of a bird is dearer than a golden cage” - speak of the desire for love of freedom.

WILLPOWER, COURAGE AND COURAGE

Possessing a freedom-loving character, the Russian people repeatedly defeated invaders and achieved great success in peaceful construction. Proverbs reflect the traits of Russian soldiers: “Better death in battle than shame in the ranks,” “Either a colonel or a dead man.” These same traits also manifest themselves in the lives of peaceful people. “He who does not take risks does not drink champagne” - that the Russian people love to take risks. “Either it’s hit or miss” - about the determination to do something, to take risks, despite possible failure, death. The proverbs are similar in meaning: “Either your chest is in the crosses, or your head is in the bushes,” “Either your foot is in the stirrup, or your head is in the stump,” “Either you eat a fish or run aground.”

The proverb “If you are afraid of wolves, do not go into the forest” says that there is no point in getting down to business if you are afraid of the difficulties ahead. And luck always accompanies the brave: “Luck is the companion of the brave”, “He who dares eats.”

The characteristic features of Russian people are kindness, humanity, a penchant for repentance, cordiality and spiritual gentleness. Many proverbs and sayings illustrate these traits: “God helps the good,” “It’s good to live with the good,” “Hasten to do good,” “A good deed does not melt in water,” “Life is given for good deeds,” “A good age will not be forgotten.” “, “It’s hard for those who remember evil.” Fate treats a good person fairly: “For the wicked there is death, and for the good there is resurrection.” However, proverbs condemn someone who is too meek: “Only a lazy person doesn’t beat him,” “He even beats a meek dog.”

PATIENCE AND RESISTANCE

This is perhaps one of the most characteristic features of the Russian people, which has become literally legendary. Russians seem to have limitless patience, an amazing ability to endure difficulties, hardships and suffering. In Russian culture, patience and the ability to endure suffering are the ability to exist, the ability to respond to external circumstances, this is the basis of personality.

It is not difficult to find a reflection of this trait in Russian proverbs and sayings: “Patience is better than salvation,” “Patience will give skill,” “There is patience for what you want,” “Live forever, hope forever.”

The Russian people are patient and enduring, stubborn and persistent, not discouraged by failures and believing in their own strength. Proverbs speak about this: “Endure grief, drink honey,” “Endure an hour, but live a century,” “By enduring, they become people,” “Live as slaves, maybe you will become a master,” “God will give the day, He will give and food."

HOSPITALITY,
GENEROSITY AND BREADNESS OF NATURE

Russian hospitality is well known: “Even though you are not rich, you are happy to see your guests.” The best treat is always ready for the guest: “If there is something in the oven, it’s all swords on the table!”, “Don’t feel sorry for the guest, but pour it thicker.”

Russian people greet a guest on the threshold of their home. The custom of presenting guests with bread and salt comes from time immemorial and is still preserved in Russia. Bread and salt is at the same time a greeting, an expression of cordiality, and a wish for good and prosperity to the guest: “Eat bread and salt, and listen to good people.” Without bread there is no life, there is no true Russian table. Russian proverbs speak about this: “Bread is the head of everything”, “Bread is on the table, so the table is the throne”, “It’s a bad lunch if there is no bread”, “Bread is a gift from God, father, breadwinner”, “Not a piece of bread, so and in the mansion there is melancholy, and there is no bread, so there is paradise under the fir tree.” And salt, as you know, plays an important role in human life: “Without salt, without bread, bad conversation,” “Without bread, death, without salt, laughter.”

RESPONSIBILITY

A distinctive feature of the Russian people is their responsiveness, the ability to understand another person, a sensitive attitude to someone else’s state of mind, the ability to integrate with the culture of other peoples and respect it. Amazing ethnic tolerance, as well as an exceptional ability to empathize, the ability to understand and accept other peoples allowed the Russian nation to create an empire unprecedented in history. And this trait is reflected in popular proverbs and sayings: “Whoever remembers us, we will remember him,” “They pay for good with good.” According to Vl. Solovyov, “the true unity of peoples is not homogeneity, but nationality, i.e. interaction and solidarity of all of them for an independent and full life for everyone.” Such properties of the Russian person as humanism, goodwill towards other peoples, hospitality, self-sacrifice, altruism give rise to socially deeper properties, such as internationalism, mutual respect for people, their national customs, and culture.

Russians pay special attention to their attitude towards their neighbors: “It’s a bad thing to offend a neighbor”, “To live among neighbors is to be in conversations”, “A close neighbor is better than distant relatives”, “Between the borders and the borders there are quarrels and abuse.”

Analyzing Russian folklore, we came to the conclusion that a proverb is not just a saying. It expresses the opinion of the people. It contains the people's assessment of life, observations of the people's mind. Not every saying became a proverb, but only one that was consistent with the lifestyle and thoughts of many people. Such sayings have existed for millennia, passing from century to century. Proverbs are rightly considered bundles of folk wisdom, i.e. the same folk experience that is stored in the language and passed on from generation to generation. Analysis of Russian national character based on proverbs is a new approach to the study of this issue.

Literature:
1. Vyunov Yu.A. “A Word about Russians.” M., 2002.
2. Vorobiev V.V. “Linguocultural paradigm of personality.” M.1996.
3. Dal V.I. “Proverbs of the Russian people.” M., 2000.
4. Soloviev V.M. “Secrets of the Russian soul.” M., 2001
5. Vereshchagin E.M. Kostomarov V.G. “Language and Culture”. M, 1990.
6. Ter-Minasova S.G. “Language and intercultural communication.” M., 2000.

Dear Comrades. Let me present scientific interpretations of the Theme of the Mystery of Dogma - the "Holy Trinity" ...... or in the interpretations of the Ethno-Russian people this is the culture of the work of three triune sets of processes - this is Rule, Reality, Nav ....... or in the more ancient culture are three triune sets of processes - these are Yasun, Mirdgard, Dasun......... in interpretations based on the technology of Russian Philosophical culture - the Trinity from an idealistic beginning? The most commonly used chronology is from the “Creation of the World in the Star Temple” - a peace treaty between Asur, the prince of the Slavic-Aryans, and Arim, the prince of the Great Dragon Empire (China) in 5527 BC. e. (as of 2019 according to modern calendar) after the victory over China. One of the monuments of that era is considered to be the Great Wall of China and the symbolic image of a horseman slaying a dragon. I am sending materials for one purpose - to familiarize myself and find out when and how this technology will be revived in Russia and what actions on my part need to be taken in your opinion??? The theory of organization, work and CHANGE of generations of spirituality of the Ethno-Russian People. (based on the technology of the Trinity from an idealistic beginning) Why do you call the technology of materialistic dialectics, which was brought into Holy Rus' by the Jewish-Christian-Communist religion, the PHILOSOPHY of Spirituality of Orthodoxy? Preamble. Your Christianity contradicts the technology of the culture of life of the Ethno-Russian People. Because modern Civilization is the dominance of the technology of materialist dialectics. And the Technology of work of the culture of people's life in general is the work of Harmony of diversity or is it the technology of trinity from an idealistic beginning. The name "Orthodoxy" comes from the technology of the Rule or the life experience of the Ancestors. And the Spirituality of the Ethno-Russian People is the work of three triune processes - Rule, Reveal, Navi. NU or the technology of work of three triune sets of generations - these are ancestors, contemporaries, descendants. Let me introduce SCIENCE from a simple Russian Scientist - this is a technology of the trinity from an idealistic beginning, this is a technology that has developed from time immemorial as the culture of life of the Ethno-Russian people and is interpreted as the technology of the work of three triune sets of processes - these are Rule, Reality, Nav...... .. Well, or the technology of work of the culture of life of three triune sets of generations - these are ancestors, contemporaries, descendants....... 1. Technology of the trinity from an idealistic beginning. Philosophy is three triune sets of TECHNOLOGIES - these are three monistic (or metaphysics); three dialectical ones are materialistic dialectics, existential. idealistic; three triune technologies are a trinity from the materialistic beginning (this is the technology of Buddhism), this is a trinity from the existential beginning (this is the technology of Islam), this is a trinity from the idealistic beginning (or this is the technology of Christianity). You will generously excuse me, BUT after reading your materials, this is just CHILDREN’S pampering, because you live, understand, and reflect through KNOWLEDGE only the material world. And ONLY in interpretations using materialist dialectics. If you want to have SCIENCE from the Ethno-Russian PEOPLE? 2. Scientific interpretations of the Spirituality of ancient Rus'. (based on the technology of Russian philosophical culture - the trinity from the idealistic beginning). The spirituality of the Ethno-Russian people or in the interpretations of the Jewish-Christian-Communist religion is Paganism. The priestly-church lads reshaped the clothes of Ethno-Russian Orthodoxy onto their Jewish shoulders, and the result was Christian Orthodoxy. This religious CLOTHING was brought by Christianity to Rus' and simply put on the BODY of the cultural work of the spirituality of the Ethno-Russian people. Nowadays, like many years ago, the historical memory of the People, traditions, customs, morals, legends, etc., is being revived, returning both in the spirituality of the common people and in empirics, or is it the experience of ancestors, which is passed on in historical memory, and into science. The Spirituality of the Ethno-Russian People is awakening as the historical Memory of three triune processes - both material HERITAGE and social (this is economics, politics, law), and spiritual (or this is everyday consciousness and KNOWLEDGE, empirical, scientific). Symbols of spirituality are being revived at holy places. Images of gods carved from wood are placed on the temples, and a sacred fire burns in front of them. The words of ancient legends are heard again, new generations of Priests and Magi are being initiated. The renewed pagan movement is gradually gaining strength. Christianity, which originated far from the Slavic tribes, as the spirituality of the humiliated and their masters, perceived Slavic paganism as an alien religion. Because the technology of Christianity is materialistic dialectics. But the technology of work of Ethno-Russian spirituality is a trinity from the idealistic beginning, or from the spiritual, intellectual, SCIENTIFIC. But the objective necessity of the entry of the Ethno-Russian people into the world economic process brought its divine, religious, dogmatic, Christian technologies, terminology, rituals and veneration into Russian SPIRITUALITY. Well, or Christianity is just CLOTHING put on the BODY of Ethno-Russian spirituality. Moreover, in its historical path of development, Christianity also went through three triune sets of stages of complication itself - Protestantism, Catholicism, Orthodoxy. The essence of the stages of development is that there was a change in three triune sets of processes - this is a change in the subject of religion, the technology of its work, the tendency of quantitative-qualitative relationships (the relationships are three triune sets of processes - interactions, relationships, mutual reflections). But the process of development of the spirituality of any people works in the technology of THREE triune processes - this is evolution, revolution, and leaps. So the change in the NAME of the Russian FAITH became Orthodoxy in Christian interpretations and names. But in the interpretations of Russian philosophical culture, the technological principles of trinity, unity, harmony of diversity of the totality of generations remain. Due to the objectivity of the spirituality of every people, Christianity simply changed its names in the Russian FAITH. Moreover, each of the three triune sets of World religions works in the technology of trinity. 3. What is the trinity? This is the simultaneous joint work of THREE triune sets of processes - material, social, spiritual. And the essence of the trinity is that in each specific process of life, of any person of property, all three work simultaneously, BUT one of the processes dominates, the second is a contradiction to it, and the third harmonizes the work of the process as a whole. And the spirituality of people is simply people’s interpretation of the RULES, the work of these processes through the abilities available to each people in the work of three triune sets of principles - matter, space, time. But the basis of the spirituality of each people simply becomes more complicated, but does NOT change about the original one, which is laid in these triune sets of processes. Orthodoxy in Rus' was implanted in contradiction with the original Russian interpretations, because in place of the trinity of FAITH, dialectics or contradiction between the people and the authorities was implanted. And therefore Russian spirituality was brutally destroyed from above. The people resisted this for several centuries and introduced paganism into Christianity in different ways (through allegory, coding, allusion, renaming according to consonance or internal similar essence, etc.), in the end, the folk (original pagan) worldview, ethics, dissolved in Christianity, creating a unique alloy. Russian Orthodoxy, as a spirituality by the way and a pagan name, comes from three triune spiritual processes: Prav, Yav, Nav, well, or three triune processes in the life of generations - ancestors, contemporaries, descendants. Therefore, the name comes from the name of the Experience of the Ancestors - from the Rule. And in a more ancient interpretation of this trinity, the totality of persons of property is given in the following names - these are Yasun, Mirdgard, Dasun. The very concept of culture developed historically in the Russian language as processes built on the basis of people’s WORK, although it has historically different interpretations, which become more complicated depending on the complexity of the rules of the very practice of people’s lives. One of the interpretations of culture comes from the word “cult” - the faith, customs and traditions of ancestors, created by the LABOR of people in the course of socio-historical development. Moreover, labor itself is three triune types - physical, managerial, mental. And therefore there are three triune commodity processes - this is material production, this is social production (or these are constitutions, laws, tariffs, MONEY, etc.), this is spiritual production. And as the practice of people’s lives becomes more complex, people’s abilities to cultivate the process of life change and the interpretations of these rules of life change. Thus, spirituality, as a commodity production of the spiritual sphere of economic processes, is also changing. Here, such a concept as the Master Spirit (and similar ones: ruler; or the spirit of the locus, the spirit of the place, the genius of the place) fits perfectly - a commonly used term in primitive religions, as well as modern folklore, which has passed as a synonym for deity into all higher religions. Thus, the Master Spirit is the work of idealistic processes (spiritual, intellectual, scientific, etc.). And they work in three triune sets of processes - material, social (economics, politics, law), intellectual. 4. Master Spirit. The Master Spirit, as a set of RULES for the operation of any specific process, works in three triune sets of processes: - the first set is three triune sets of objects - matter, space, time. Matter is three triune sets of objects - these are physical, chemical, biological processes. Space is the medium for the distribution of these objects, which work in three triune sets of participation in the organization of the process - dominant, contradictory, harmonizing (this applies to all three triune sets of processes). Time is simply the process of the work of periodicities in each of the components. - the second set of processes is the RULES of the technology - these are monistic, dialectical, triune. Monistic technologies are a process in which the main principle is the dominance of one of the components over the others and the organization of processes based on its operating rules. Dialectical technologies are the organization of a process as a basis, where the principle of contradiction of two or more opposites works. The trinity of process work is when all three components work in each component, BUT one of them occupies a dominant position, the second forms a contradiction to it, and the third harmonizes the work of the process as a whole. - the third set of processes is the RULES of work, the tendency of quantitative-qualitative relationships during the work of processes – these are evolutionary processes, revolutionary, JUMP or transition to a new quality of being. 5. Subjectivity of the information work. What symbols, images, customs, etc. NU or visual, verbal, virtual reflections of the RULES of work of Ethno-Russian culture work in the practice of people's lives. Mention should be made here of the work of the trinity from an idealistic beginning. According to this technology, there are three triune levels of complexity of PERSONS OF PROPERTY in the process of people's lives - these are individual processes of existence of persons of property, these are individual, these are common. Well, or so, in the practice of people’s lives, three triune generations work simultaneously - this is the family, the nation, the INTER-national person of property. Moreover, the trinity of family spirituality is three triune sets of persons of property - this is male spirituality, female, children's. Likewise, national persons have three triune sets of components - past, present, future or continuity of generations, or these are three triune sets of generations - ancestors, contemporaries, descendants. And the INTERNATIONAL person forms three triune world religions - this is Buddhism or the dominance of material spirituality; Islam or the contradiction of the material and spiritual, Christianity is the harmony of the diversity of three triune sets of processes - material, social, spiritual. Moreover, Christianity is three triune STAGES of complication of religious technologies or is it Protestantism, Catholicism, Orthodoxy. Thus, in the practice of people’s lives, according to the existence of the spirituality of the Ethno-Russian people, there are three triune levels of complexity of spirituality processes: - is it the general subjectivity of the process or is it Universal Spirituality. - this is the Mediator between universal and earthly spirituality or a separate one - this is the Spirit-Simargl. - And only then the work of Earthly spirituality is the Spirit-Kin, this is the work of spirituality in the Souls of people or a single or three triune sets of processes or spirituality in the communication of people - these are the Spirits of Mother Earth, which people understand; these are Spirits-Children-People; These are the Spirit-Fathers of the Mind. Sincerely, Simple Russian Scientist Chefonov V.M.

The mysterious Russian soul (national character of Russians and peculiarities of communication)

The Russian people “can be fascinated and disappointed, you can always expect surprises from them, they are extremely capable of inspiring strong love and strong hatred.”

N. Berdyaev

National Character Traits

If they say about England “Good Old England”, meaning the preservation and observance of traditions, about France - “Beautiful France!”, meaning the beauty and splendor of the country for which it has always been famous in all its manifestations, then about Russia they say: “Holy Russia,” suggesting that Russia is a country historically oriented towards spiritual life, a country adhering to a traditional way of life, a country based on Orthodox values.

Historical and political transformations do not have a very positive impact on the character and mentality of the Russian people.

Vague, non-standard, non-traditional values ​​introduced into Russian society - the philosophy of consumption, individualism, acquisitiveness - are one of the main reasons for the formation of a modern national character.

First you need to decide what is considered Russian nationality. For a long time, a Russian was considered to be one who adopted the Russian system of values, traditions, aesthetics, etc. Historically, a Russian was considered to be one who accepted Orthodoxy. Thus, a third of the Russian nobility before the October Revolution was represented by Tatars. A.S. Pushkin, his ancestors were generally dark-skinned! And this despite the fact that the poet is considered the most important Russian (!) poet, who absorbed and described Russian life, customs, and traditions of that period in the life of Russia!

And those white-haired and blue-eyed Russians, who can still be seen in Vologda and Uglich, constitute the original Slavic branch of all Russians.

National traits of Russians

In order to understand the “mysterious Russian soul,” you need to get a little acquainted with the origins of the formation of the Russian national character.

The character of Russians was formed on the basis of historical conditions, the geographical location of the country, space, climate and religion.

Among the national traits is the famous breadth of the Russian soul. In this regard, despite all sorts of rules and regulations that dictate moderation in giving, partners, colleagues of the opposite sex, and “vertical” employees are given gifts that are disproportionate in value. Truly on a Russian scale. It is not without reason that the gift industry is replete with expensive and pretentious gifts that are sold out for every holiday.

The main distinctive features of the Russian people are also the following:

Compassion, mercy. Today, mercy and charity are in trend (this is very Russian - to help not even for the sake of image, but simply because someone is in need and suffering...): many people and companies actively help those who are in difficulty, transferring funds to the needs of the elderly, children and even animals. They travel at their own expense to disaster sites and actively help the victims.

A German Wehrmacht soldier wrote about this feature of the Russian character when he found himself in a Russian village during the Second World War: “When I woke up, I saw a Russian girl kneeling in front of me, who was feeding me hot milk with honey from a teaspoon. I told her: “I could have killed your husband, and you are worried about me.” As we passed through other Russian villages, it became even more clear to me that it would be right to conclude peace with the Russians as quickly as possible. ...The Russians did not pay attention to my military uniform and treated me rather in a friendly manner!”

Among the best qualities of the Russian people are the interests of their family, respect for parents, and the happiness and well-being of their children.

But this is also associated with the so-called nepotism, when a manager hires his relative, who is forgiven a lot, unlike an ordinary employee, which does not have a very good effect on the performance of professional duties

Russians are characterized by an amazing quality of self-abasement and self-denial, belittling their merits. Maybe this is related to all the words that foreigners hear when they are in Russia, that they are gurus, stars, etc., but Russians seem to have nothing to do with it. Foreigners cannot understand how a people with such a rich culture and literature, a colossal territory full of riches manages to deny itself in this way. But this is due to the Orthodox rule: humiliation is more important than pride.” Pride is considered the main mortal sin that kills the immortal soul, according to Christian beliefs.

National traits also include:

Religiosity and piety exist in the soul of even a Russian atheist.

The ability to live in moderation. Not the pursuit of wealth (that is why Russian society is confused - people do not know how to live only by wealth). At the same time, many, “hungry” for “imports” during the Soviet period, tend to show off and throw money at them, which has already become a byword and is well known in Courchevel. This part of Russian nature is usually associated with “Asianism” and money obtained easily or unjustly.

Kindness and hospitality, responsiveness, sensitivity, compassion, forgivingness, pity, willingness to help.
openness, straightforwardness;
natural ease, simplicity in behavior (and even a fair amount of simplicity);
carelessness; humor, generosity; the inability to hate for a long time and the associated agreeableness; ease of human relationships; responsiveness, breadth of character, scope of decisions.

Wonderful creative potential (that’s why the Olympics were designed so beautifully, with the help of innovative technologies). It’s not for nothing that in Russian culture there is a character called Lefty, who hooks a flea. It is known that Lefty is a right-brain person, that is, a person with creative thinking.

Russians are incredibly patient and tolerant. (see above example with a Wehrmacht soldier).

They endure until the last minute, and then they can explode. Repeating the phrase of A.S. Pushkin: “God forbid that we see a Russian revolt - senseless and merciless!”, and sometimes misinterpreting it (so in the Internet dictionary of aphorisms you can read “The Russian revolt is SCARY - senseless and merciless”), tearing it out from the context, some forget that this remark has a very informative continuation: “Those who are plotting impossible coups among us are either young and do not know our people, or they are hard-hearted people, for whom someone else’s head is half a piece, and their own neck is a penny.” “.

Negative qualities, of course, can also be noted. This is carelessness, laziness and Oblomov’s daydreaming. And, alas, drunkenness. To a certain extent this is due to climate. When there is no sun for six months, you want to warm up and don’t want to do anything. Under certain conditions, Russians know how to gather themselves, concentrate and ignore the climate in the name of an idea. Many feats of arms are confirmation. Carelessness is associated with serfdom, which almost every Russian will have to overcome. The Russian relies on “perhaps” for two reasons: hope for the master, the Tsar-Father and the “zone of risky farming,” that is, the uncertainty and unevenness of climatic conditions.

Russians are characterized by a certain gloominess. And you rarely see people with cheerful faces on the streets. This is due to the legacy of the socialist past, which had its difficulties, with the current state of affairs and, one must assume, with the harsh climate, where there is no sun for almost half the year. But in the office the situation is changing: Russians willingly communicate with people they know.

Insufficient ability to unite and self-organize suggests that a leader, ruler, etc. is definitely needed. At the same time, a man is often appointed as a leader, based on patriarchal stereotypes - a man is the best leader. However, the situation is changing, and today we can see many women in top positions.

Perhaps due to the fact that in recent decades values ​​​​uncharacteristic of Russian peoples have been introduced - acquisitiveness, worship of the Golden Calf, Russian people, despite all the existing benefits, modern technologies, the absence of an "Iron Curtain" and opportunities, often remain (and representatives of the middle -class) in a state of increased anxiety and pessimism. Wherever Russians gather, at a festively and sumptuously laid table, there will certainly be a couple of people who will argue that “everything is bad” and “we are all going to die.”

Evidence of this is the active discussion on the forums about the Opening of the Olympics, which was wonderful. At the same time, many did not see this beauty because they were discussing corruption and how much money was spent on preparing the Olympic Games.

Russians cannot live without ideas and faith. So, in 1917, faith in God was taken away, faith in the CPSU appeared, in the 90s faith in the CPSU and the communist future was taken away, bandits, outcasts, Ivans-of-kinship-not-remembering appeared, because It became unclear what and who to believe in.

Now the situation is slowly but leveling out. Despite the eternal criticism of everyone and everything (and of the Orthodox Church and its ministers), people turn to God and practice mercy.

Two faces of modern business society

Today the business community is divided roughly into two parts. These parts are presented like this. Directors are middle-aged and elderly, more often representatives of regions, former Komsomol members and party leaders. And young managers, with an MBA education, sometimes obtained abroad. The former are more closed in communication, the latter are more open. The former are more often endowed with instrumental intelligence and tend to view their subordinates as cogs in a single mechanism. The latter are more characterized by emotional intelligence, and they still try to delve into the problems of their employees, of course, not always.

The first category was not taught how to negotiate. At the same time, in the process of communication, some of them acquired good communication skills and were able to come to an agreement “with whoever needed” and had great connections in their environment. Some representatives of this group, on the contrary, communicated “from top to bottom,” in the usual authoritarian style, often with elements of verbal aggression.

Modern top managers have been trained in negotiation skills and continue their training after completing the basic course. But at the same time, “...It’s rare that foreigners who get into top positions in Russian companies last more than a year” (SmartMoney Weekly No. 30 (120) August 18, 2008).

What is the reason? The fact is that, despite their European education, young top managers are carriers of the domestic mentality.

The authoritarian management style is “imbibed with mother’s milk”; profanity may be heard at meetings and on the sidelines. This type was demonstrated by Nikita Kozlovsky in the film “DUKHLESS”. His hero has all the characteristics.

By the way, both the first and second are introverted. The latter may be completely immersed in the world of gadgets and prefer communication through communication devices.

Knowing these features, you can draw conclusions on how to adapt to communicating with Russians.

So, you have to understand that ambitious “red directors” need to be treated with great respect, like a gentleman during the times of serfdom, and young top managers - too, but at the same time understand that they are more democratic in communication. And yet they will prefer communications via the Internet.

Russian etiquette - sometimes meaningless and merciless

Despite all the kindness, generosity, and tolerance, the manners of Russians leave much to be desired, because... Russians are the successors of the Soviet people, who have long been taught that “bourgeois” is bad. It's ingrained into my subconscious. Therefore, sometimes you can observe the manifestation of not very correct behavior.

For example, at the Closing Ceremony of the 22nd Olympic Games, when the champion was awarded a medal on a ribbon and had to be hung around his neck, the athlete did not think to take off his hat, although during the anthem he put his right hand to his heart. On special occasions, men need to remove their hats.

Once the author observed a situation also related to hats in another city. After a seminar on business etiquette and a conversation about what to do and what not to do, two participants stood up without warning, put on large caps right in the training room and left the room.

According to the rules of European and Russian etiquette, indoors and, especially, at the table, he takes off his headdress. Exceptions: artists who claim a certain image, and representatives of faiths where it is customary to always wear a turban or turban.

If a foreigner leans back in his chair, this may mean that he expects to relax and/or end the conversation. For Russians, the way of sitting, leaning back on a chair is the basic state. Only athletic and/or well-mannered people in Russia sit without leaning against the back of a chair (if the chair is traditional and not ergonomic), while the rest sit as they please, demonstrating many of their complexes and basic attitudes.

Russians are not used to standing elegantly; they may try to take a closed pose and/or shuffle in place.

The view of a Russian person depends on the situation. If this is a leader, then he can look, literally without blinking, with a prickly gaze into the face of his interlocutor, especially a subordinate, or quite benevolently if in front of him is his acquaintance or relative. Of course, intelligent and well-mannered people “wear” a friendly facial expression.

Anxiety and tension are indicated by a transverse vertical fold between the eyebrows, which gives a stern, unattainable appearance, which can somewhat interfere with contact. It’s interesting that in our country such a fold can be seen even in very young girls.

When a lady approaches a colleague sitting on a chair, he does not always think to sit up, but at the same time he can, with an elegant gesture, invite her to enter the elevator, which is wrong, because Either the man or the one standing closest enters the elevator first.

Features of communication in Russia

Communication in our country has its own specifics:

- ungraciousness, poor manners, projective thinking (projection - the tendency to consider others similar to oneself); stiffness or looseness instead of free communication; gloomy facial expression; inability/unwillingness to give an answer and feedback, conflict, inability to have a “small conversation” and listen.

In informal (and sometimes formal) communication, the wrong thematic choice of conversation is often preferred (about politics, problems, illnesses, private affairs, etc.). At the same time, we have to admit that women more often talk about “everyday life” and their personal lives (relationships with parents, husbands, children, while men talk about politics and the future, and more often in gloomy tones.

In Russia, there is a wide range in the nature of communication - from a gloomy style to a feigned positive style, which came back in the 90s and was “copied” from communication models in the United States.

Along with other factors, inability to communicate in general lowers the personal image of many compatriots, the level of corporate culture and the image of the company as a whole.

Errors and main misconceptions in communication in Russia

The main mistakes and misconceptions in Russia include the opinion of the average employee, which still exists in some cases, that the guest owes him something and is obliged to do something: leave a lot of money, purchase an expensive tourist product, order luxurious dishes to the room, etc.

This is based on an irrational psychological attitude called “obligation” (a person believes that everyone owes him something, and when this does not happen, he is very offended) and affects communication in the most direct way. If hopes that a colleague, partner, or customer are not justified, and the interlocutor behaves as he does, then the Russian clerk may experience disappointment and even express his irritation.

A common misconception is also an unkind attitude and, accordingly, communication with a guest who is untenable, from the point of view of an employee.

What influences communication style. Past and modern.

Modern communication style is influenced by:

- a huge flow of information that modern people encounter;

— multiple contacts, open borders of countries and the associated willingness to travel, tourism of all types;

— new technologies, primarily online communication, which sets a certain communication style, fragmented perception of the world, “clip” thinking”;

— enormous speeds and rhythms of life;

- globalization, and the associated processes of interpenetration of languages, speech and communication styles.

Reasons for developing communication skills in Russia.

Historical past, serfdom, political regime, climate and distances, mental duality (duality) - “black” and “white” in one person, geographical borders of Russia, paternalistic (that is, when the ruler is like a father) management culture.

As a result, the formed national character encourages communication that is not associated with courtesy, openness, etc.

This manifests itself, for example, in an internal reluctance to say one’s name on the phone. Although after training they learn this.

Why is it so difficult in Russia to say your name on the phone?

An example of insufficient communicative competence is the low willingness of compatriots to give their name on the phone. This is due to the historical mentality and habits of Russians. And this may happen because

— previously the staff were not trained in business communication, courtesy, etc.

- it has been proven that the lower a person’s social status, the more difficult it is to introduce himself.

- it is more difficult for a person from more distant from the centers to introduce himself by name to a stranger.

— For many decades, Soviet people were accustomed not to demonstrate themselves, to be secretive. This is due to the political regime that existed in the USSR for a long time.

— The archetypal memory, the collective unconscious, “works.”

- Some mystical ideas (for example, in pre-Christian Rus' there were ideas that one could jinx one by name and therefore amulets were hung around the neck - a bear's claw, etc.)

Centers and regions

Speaking about modern Russian society, one cannot help but mention the constant confrontation between central cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg...) and regions, which is due to the fact that Moscow was always replenished in Soviet times with products that were not available in all regions of the Russian Federation. During the period of stagnation, there were so-called “sausage trains”. People came from other cities of Russia and from the Moscow region to buy scarce products, including sausage

The first consider the inhabitants of the provinces to be not very well-mannered, sometimes cheeky, and that “they walk over corpses,” without taking anything into account.

There is even such a thing as “life outside the Moscow Ring Road,” that is, outside of Moscow. Starting from the nearest regional cities and places, life really seems to freeze and remains unchanged for a long time. Innovations come here with some delay.

At the same time, the regionals consider Muscovites, on the one hand, arrogant and rich, despite the fact that the true native residents of the capital in this generation are quite calm and friendly people, on the other hand, as “suckers” and “blunderers” who can easily be outpaced in in many directions.

And if Muscovites can look condescendingly but tolerantly at newcomers, then regional residents, even having settled in the capital, cannot always accept the lifestyle and mentality of a Muscovite, and, sometimes, they may even experience residual complexes, saying in a conversation with a native resident something like : “Is it okay that I’m not a Muscovite?” or: “Here you are, Muscovites!” The latter have to prove the “presumption of innocence” in the inadequate distribution system that took place during the years of the USSR.

Now the appearance, the face of the city is changing, and the style and morals of the inhabitants of the metropolis are also changing.

Bulat Okudzhava

Ch. Amirejibi

I was evicted from Arbat, an Arbat emigrant.

In Bezbozhny Lane my talent is withering away.

There are strange faces and hostile places all around.

Although the sauna is opposite, the fauna is not the same.

I was evicted from Arbat and deprived of my past,

and my face is not scary to strangers, but funny.

I am expelled, lost among other people's destinies,

and my sweet, my emigrant bread is bitter to me.

Without a passport or visa, just with a rose in hand

I wander along the invisible border on the castle,

and to those lands I once inhabited,

I keep looking, looking, looking.

There are the same sidewalks, trees and courtyards,

but the speeches are unhearted and the feasts are cold.

The thick colors of winter also blaze there,

but the invaders come to my pet store.

A master's gait, arrogant lips...

Ah, the flora there is still the same, but the fauna is not the same...

I am an emigrant from Arbat. I live, bearing my cross...

The rose froze and flew all over.

And, despite some confrontation - open or secret - at a difficult historical moment, Russians unite and become a united people.

Men and women

Russian men who serve in companies and do not work on construction sites are distinguished by gallant behavior: they will open the door for a lady, let them go ahead, and pay the bill in a restaurant. Sometimes even regardless of official chain of command. Should you hold the door for a lady? Should I give her a coat?

Until now, expert opinions are contradictory, and in each case it helps to understand the moment and intuition. According to the rules of American business etiquette: under no circumstances should you hold the door and hand a coat to a lady colleague. But we live in Russia.

Women in Russia have a combination of femininity and homeliness, they are well-groomed, businesslike and very active. In Moscow, every second or third lady drives. Modesty in its traditional meaning seems to be a thing of the past.

At the same time, women continue to love it when office men look after them: hand them coats, etc. So foreigners who advocate emancipation, having arrived in Russia, will have to wait with their advice.

On the one hand, gallantry is pleasant, on the other, in Russia, as in many countries, there is a glass ceiling for women. And they prefer to hire men for leadership positions. Both men and women.

Traditional stereotypes are that a woman cannot think logically, is a weak leader, and will be disturbed by her family.

Moreover, if a woman occupies a leadership position, then she is a “real bitch”, “a man in a skirt” and walks over corpses...

In a mixed team, where both men and women work, office romances happen. Traditionally, the public takes the man’s side, so in some cases it is better not to take risks and not start an unnecessary relationship.

Women's groups have their own specifics. While some employee is doing well, others may sometimes feel envy. Therefore, it is better to try not to excite her by dressing, say, too brightly or stylishly. Moreover, if a misfortune befalls an employee, everyone unites and begins to provide her with all possible assistance: financial, organizational, etc.

According to the rules of etiquette, it is not pleasant to talk about illnesses and family matters at work. However, this rule is violated, especially in the women's team. And woe to the secretary who, in response to her boss’s confidential stories, began to share her problems. It can come back to haunt you harshly.

Men and women in Russia look different.

Clothing, dress code

In order to climb the career ladder, some men try to dress elegantly, and even purchase suits from famous brands. These are mostly top managers and ambitious yuppies.

Another part of men is socially lower and has a lower educational level. This probably has something to do with the way I wear a black top and jeans on any day. The subway can be dark because of such clothes. Black jackets, black pullovers, sometimes black shirts (for negotiations, for which it is customary to wear light shirts) in combination with a black tie.

It is interesting that, as soon as the slightest opportunity is given not to wear a good, stylish suit, like the Italians or the French, Russian men immediately put on the “black style”. This is usually explained by the fact that it is “non-marking”. In fact, the desire to “hide” behind the color black would say a lot to social psychologists...

There is a special demographic situation in Russia: there are significantly more women than men. And, if earlier you had to be wary of harassment directed at a woman, now in Russia, due to natural competition, there is a “hunt” for accomplished men. Therefore, women resort to various tricks just to get a successful husband: neckline, mini, false nails, which does not meet corporate standards, but at the same time “promotes” the lady on the local “marriage market”. This comes as no surprise.

Both of them violate the dress code, which at the same time today has become softer and more democratic. And employers do not require ladies to wear a strict “sheath” suit, which was previously necessary.

Negotiations and reception of delegations

Much has been written about the rules of business negotiations on the pages of our magazine.

Russian negotiators: perceive the interlocutor as an adversary, treat him with suspicion and some hostility, consider it necessary to hide certain data (opacity allows many things to be done).

Local “princelings” have ambitions. Russian negotiators think that their city or region is the best. And, what’s worse, they try to “knock out” all sorts of preferences for themselves during negotiations, which most often go not for the development of territories, but into their own pockets. At the same time, local federal authorities often pose the most serious obstacle to the innovative development of the territory.

At the same time, there are very positive examples of territorial development. Thus, Alexander Vasilyevich Filipenko, the former head of the Administration of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, is considered the pride of Siberia, who glorified the region with innovations and amazing projects aimed at the improvement and development of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. The International Biathlon Center is named in his honor.
Specifics of negotiations

Speaking loudly without taking into account the other party's mannerisms can also derail negotiations.

Rigidity, i.e. hardness, inactivity, inadaptability in negotiations. No concessions.

Overt manipulation, when they try to “drive the interlocutor into a corner”

Inappropriate appearance (either jeans with a black pullover, or a very smart suit.

Reluctance to take responsibility, attempts to avoid a serious conversation.

Ignorance and not a strong desire to learn the national characteristics of representatives of the other side and the rules of good manners (they may take off their jacket at the wrong time, at the beginning of negotiations, or slap them on the shoulder)

Unfulfilled promises and careless paperwork complete the list.

Unpleasant hints of bribes (in the case of compatriots), so-called kickbacks.

Pleasing trends. Some Russian local leaders are building roads and hospitals at their own expense. Isn't this Russian?.. After all, generosity and charity have always been on Russian soil.

When a delegation is expected in an organization or company, everyone strives to prepare in the best possible way.

Hospitality.

But if in modern companies young managers, with all their democracy, can even reach the point of some familiarity in communication (this is expressed in carelessness of address, the truncated name “Tatyan” instead of “Tatyana”, in ignoring the senior-junior positions, some even carelessness in communication, strange business cards cards), then in organizations with a traditional culture, ceremony, sedateness, and adherence to the rules of conduct adopted when receiving delegations are more honored. There is a protocol department that organizes receptions, delegations, meetings, and events.

Feast

In Russia it is accompanied by abundant eating and drinking wine. Only in diplomatic circles can only two snacks be served for “Breakfast” or “Lunch”. If you don’t serve too many treats at a corporate party, this may be perceived with surprise, if not offense. Russians at corporate parties eat generously, drink a lot and sometimes dance, but more often they prefer to break into groups and have a heart-to-heart talk.

Etiquette is not always observed, because why observe it if everyone has become friends and almost relatives at that moment?..

It is very important to control yourself at such moments, because office romances that begin at events quickly pass, and the words spoken about a leader under the influence of strong drinks are, “Not a sparrow. If it flies out, you won’t catch it.”

Greetings, address

After the October Revolution, the boundaries of communication between the sexes were erased and the address “comrade” and “comrade” appeared in everyday life, addressed to both men and women.

After Perestroika, when capitalism began to enter Russia, experts in the field of the Russian language tried to introduce into speech the addresses “master”, “madam”, “sir”, “madam”. Sometimes at pretentious corporate events you can hear “Mr. Ivanov”, “Mrs. Petrova”, but more often at the moment when they are spoken about in the third person.

When contacting directly, you have to find an option that is acceptable and convenient for both. So, in Russia an older person is addressed by his first name and patronymic, of course, with “you”; a younger person is addressed by his first name. At the same time, the practice of addressing even older people by name has become a practice (depending on the corporate style). This style came from the USA.

Particularly important today is the issue of switching to “You”. The initiator of such an appeal Maybe Only a higher-ranking person, only a client, only an older person, and in an equal situation, only a woman, can speak. Everything else is a violation of the rules of etiquette.

At the same time, in Russia “you” is heard all the time, especially on highways, where drivers seem to completely forget about the existence of the pronoun “you.”

Nowadays, as an initial address you can hear “respected” in relation to a man or “lady” said to a woman. Or the impersonal: “Would you be kind?”, “Can you tell me?”

Smile.

It should be noted that the traditional unsmiling and gloomy facial expression by which Russians are recognized all over the world are associated with a sincere desire to appear serious.

Russians smile willingly. But only when meeting friends. Therefore, foreigners could be philosophical about the fact that on the streets they will meet many people who walk with the most negative expression on their faces, with furrowed eyebrows. Obviously, the climate influenced this style. This is also due to the fact that Russians are characterized by a certain closedness, despite the fact that there is a proverb “Death is fair in the world!” Some actors are very reserved in life. But Russians will smile widely and sincerely at their acquaintances and friends. It’s just that in the minds of a Russian person, smiling and laughter are close in meaning, and “Laughter for no reason is a sign of a fool.”

Guests can come not only from abroad, but also from other regions

Forewarned is forearmed. In order to be well prepared for contact with representatives of a separate national culture, in this case modern Russians, it is important to study their customs and traditions, characteristics and possible differences. If you know what certain traditions are associated with, this will make it possible to adapt in relation to partners and visitors, establish the correct style and intonation in communication with them, which will ultimately allow you to establish long-term business relationships. Knowledge of morals, characteristics, traditions will ultimately give a tolerant approach, which in turn will give understanding and create spiritual comfort and loyalty towards, in this case, the Russian people and their mysterious soul.

___________________________-

1. Paternalism ( lat. paternus - paternal, paternal) - a system of relations based on patronage,guardianship and control by seniors of juniors (wards), as well as subordination of juniors to seniors.

___________________________________

Irina Denisova, member of the Council, coordinator of the “Personal Marketing” club, “Communications” workshop of the Guild of Marketers

This article was published in the paper business publication “Directory of the Secretary and Office Manager”, No. 4 2014. Please respect copyright and refer to the author and publication when reprinting. Published in the author's edition. - I.D.

The Savior once said about Christians: “If you were of this world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of this world, because I took you out of the world, the world hates you.” These same words can also be applied to the Russian people, into whose flesh and blood Christianity was most deeply absorbed.

Today we are often faced with open Russophobia and hatred from other states. But this is not a reason to panic, it did not start today and will not end tomorrow - it will always be like this.

The world hates us, but it itself does not suspect how much he himself needs the Russian people. If the Russian people disappear, then from the world soul taken out and he will lose the very meaning of his existence!

That is why the Lord protects us and Russians exist, despite all the tragedies and trials: Napoleon, Batu and Hitler, revolution, perestroika and troubled times, drugs, the decline of morals and the crisis of responsibility...

We will live and develop as long as we ourselves remain relevant, as long as the Russian people retain the character traits inherent in our people.

Caring “friends” often remind us of those characteristics inherent in us that can be classified as bad, trying to make us hate ourselves and self-destruct... We will look at the positive characteristics of the Russian soul in order to remember what gifts the Lord has generously endowed us with and what we should always stay.

So, TOP 10 best qualities of a Russian person:

1. Strong faith

The Russian people believe in God at a deep level, have a strong inner sense of conscience, a concept of good and evil, worthy and unworthy, due and not due. Even the communists believed in their “Moral Code.”

It is the Russian person who views his entire life from the perspective son of God — The Father will like it or it will upset him. To act according to the law or according to conscience (according to the commandments of God) is a purely Russian problem.

A Russian person also believes in people, constantly doing good to them and even beyond that. sacrificing personal for the good of one's neighbor. A Russian person sees in another person first of all Image of God, sees equal, recognizes the dignity of another person. This is precisely the secret of the victorious power of Russian civilization, our gigantic spaces and multinational unity.

Russian people believe in themselves as the bearer of Truth. Hence the strength of our actions and the legendary Russian survival. Not a single conqueror in the world could destroy us. Only we ourselves can kill the Russian people if we believe in the negative image of the Russian people that is being imposed on us.

2. Heightened sense of justice

We cannot live in comfort while lies are rampant in the world. “We’ll put together a strong coffin for the scum of humanity!” from the song “Holy War” - it’s about us.

We fought with the Turks for a long time for the freedom of our Slavic brothers, we saved the poor people of Central Asia from the bais and their extortions, stopped the genocide of the Chinese by the Japanese army and saved the Jews from the Holocaust.

As soon as a Russian person believes that a threat to all of humanity comes from somewhere, Napoleon, Hitler, Mamai or anyone else immediately disappears from the historical canvas.

The same rule applies in our internal life - our riots and revolutions are just attempts to build a fair society, punish those who have gone too far and ease the lot of the poor (naturally, if we consider the motivation of ordinary workers and peasants, and not the cynical leaders of the revolution).

You can rely on us - because we keep our word and do not betray our allies. The concept of honor, unlike the Anglo-Saxons, is not only familiar to Russian people, but also deeply inherent.

3. Love for the Motherland

All peoples love their homeland. Even Americans, a people of emigrants, treat their national symbols and traditions with reverence.

But a Russian person loves his homeland more than others! White emigrants fled the country under threat of death. It would seem that they should have hated Russia and quickly assimilated where they came. But what really happened?

They were so nostalgic that they taught their sons and grandchildren the Russian language, they were so homesick for their homeland that they created thousands of little Russias around them - they founded Russian institutes and seminaries, built Orthodox churches, taught Russian culture and language to thousands of Brazilians, Moroccans, Americans, French, Germans, Chinese...

They died not from old age, but from longing for their Fatherland and cried when the USSR authorities allowed them to return. They infected those around them with their love, and today Spaniards and Danes, Syrians and Greeks, Vietnamese, Filipinos and Africans come to live in Russia.

4. Unique generosity

Russian people are generous and generous in everything: material gifts, wonderful ideas, and expressions of feelings.

The word “generosity” in ancient times meant mercy, mercy. This quality is deeply rooted in the Russian character.

It is completely unnatural for a Russian person to spend 5% or 2% of his salary on charity. If a friend is in trouble, then the Russian will not bargain and gain something for himself, he will give his friend all the cash, and if it is not enough, he will throw his hat around or take off and sell his last shirt for him.

Half of the inventions in the world were made by Russian “Kulibins”, and patented by cunning foreigners. But Russians are not offended by this, since their ideas are also generosity, a gift from our people to humanity.

The Russian soul does not accept half measures and knows no prejudices. If in Russia someone was once called a friend, then they will die for him, if he is an enemy, then he will certainly be destroyed. At the same time, it doesn’t matter at all who our counterpart is, what race, nation, religion, age or gender he is - the attitude towards him will depend only on his personal qualities.

5. Incredible hard work

“The Russians are very lazy people,” Goebbels’ propagandists preached and their followers today continue to repeat. But that's not true.

We are often compared to bears, and this comparison is very apt - we have similar biological rhythms: summer in Russia is short and you have to work hard to have time to harvest, and winter is long and relatively idle - chop wood, heat the stove, remove snow, and collect crafts . In fact, we work a lot, just unevenly.

Russian people have always worked diligently and conscientiously. In our fairy tales and proverbs, the positive image of the hero is inextricably linked with skill, hard work and ingenuity: “The sun paints the earth, but labor paints man.”

Since ancient times, labor has been famous and revered among peasants and artisans, scribes and merchants, warriors and monks, and has always been deeply linked to the cause of defending the Fatherland and increasing its glory.

6. The ability to see and appreciate beauty

The Russian people live in extremely picturesque places. In our country you can find large rivers and steppes, mountains and seas, tropical forests and tundra, taiga and deserts. Therefore, the sense of beauty is heightened in the Russian soul.

Russian culture was formed over a thousand years, absorbing parts of the cultures of many Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes, as well as accepting and creatively processing the heritage of Byzantium and the Golden Horde and hundreds of small nations. Therefore, in terms of richness of content, it cannot be compared with no other culture in the world.

The awareness of the immensity of his own wealth, material and spiritual, made the Russian person friendly and understanding towards other peoples of the Earth.

A Russian person, like no one else, is able to highlight the beauty in the culture of another people, admire it and recognize the greatness of achievements. For him there are no backward or underdeveloped peoples, he has no need to treat anyone with disdain out of awareness of his own inferiority. Even from the Papuans and Indians, Russians will always find something to learn.

7. Hospitality

This national character trait is associated with our vast spaces, where it was rare to meet a person on the road. Hence the joy from such meetings - intense and sincere.

If a guest comes to a Russian person, a laid table, the best dishes, festive food and a warm overnight stay await him. And all this is done free of charge, since it is not customary for us to see in a person only a “wallet with ears” and treat him as a consumer.

Our man knows that a guest in the house should not be bored. Therefore, a foreigner who comes to us, when leaving, can hardly put together the memories of how they sang, danced, rode, fed him to the full and watered him to amazement...

8. Patience

The Russian people are amazingly patient. But this patience is not reduced to banal passivity or “slavery”; it is intertwined with sacrifice. Russian people are by no means stupid and always endure in the name of something, in the name of a meaningful goal.

If he realizes that he is being deceived, a rebellion begins - the same merciless revolt in the flames of which all the moneylenders and careless managers perish.

But when a Russian person knows for what purpose he endures difficulties and works hard, then national patience gives incredible positive results. For us, in five years, cutting down an entire fleet, winning a world war or industrializing is in the order of things.

Russian patience is also a kind of strategy for non-aggressive interaction with the world, solving life’s problems not through violence against nature and consumption of its resources, but mainly through internal, spiritual efforts. We do not plunder the property given to us by God, but slightly moderate our appetites.

9. Sincerity

Another of the main features of the Russian character is sincerity in the manifestation of feelings.

A Russian person is bad at forcing a smile, he does not like pretense and ritual politeness, he gets irritated by insincere “thank you for your purchase, come again” and does not shake hands with a person whom he considers a scoundrel, even if this could bring benefits.

If a person doesn’t evoke emotions in you, then you don’t need to express anything - just walk in without stopping. Acting in Russia is not held in high esteem (unless it is a profession) and those who are most respected are those who speak and act as they think and feel as God put it on my soul.

10. Collectivism, conciliarity

A Russian person is not a loner. He loves and knows how to live in society, which is reflected in the sayings: “in the world even death is red,” “alone in the field is not a warrior.”

Since ancient times, nature itself, with its severity, has encouraged Russians to unite into groups - communities, artels, partnerships, squads and brotherhoods.

Hence the “imperialism” of Russians, that is, their indifference to the fate of a relative, neighbor, friend and, ultimately, the entire Fatherland. It was because of conciliarism that for a long time there were no homeless children in Rus' - orphans were always sorted into families and raised by the entire village.

Russian conciliarity, according to the definition of the Slavophile Khomyakov, is “a holistic combination of freedom and unity of many people based on their common love for the same absolute values,” Christian values.

The West was unable to create such a powerful state as Russia, united on spiritual principles, because it did not achieve conciliarity, and to unite peoples it was forced to use, first of all, violence.

Russia has always been united on the basis of mutual respect and mutual consideration of interests. The unity of the people in peace, love and mutual assistance has always been one of the basic values ​​of the Russian people.

Andrey Szegeda

In contact with

A lot of research has been written - artistic and journalistic - about what the Russian character is, what traits are defining and original in it. The best minds of Russian and Western philosophy and literature have been arguing about the mysterious Russian soul for several centuries. The same Dostoevsky, through the mouth of Dmitry Karamazov, argued that in the soul of every Russian person two ideals coexist - Madonna and Sodomy. Time has proven the complete truth of his words and their relevance today.

So, Russian character - what is it? Let's try to highlight some of its defining aspects.

Qualitative characteristics

• Domestic poets and writers, such as Khomyakov, Aksakov, Tolstoy, Leskov, Nekrasov, considered conciliarity to be a distinctive feature of a man from the people. It has long been customary in Rus' to resolve many issues “peacefully,” from helping impoverished fellow villagers to global problems. Naturally, this moral category was considered as an attribute of village life. And since Russia was originally an agrarian country and the bulk of the population was the peasantry, it was the village peasant who personified the character of the Russian person. It is not for nothing that in Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” the value of all heroes is determined by spiritual closeness to the people.
• Another feature characteristic of the people is directly related to conciliarity - religiosity. sincere, deep, unpretentious, and the peacefulness, humility, and mercy associated with it are part of the character of a Russian person as an organic part of him. An example of this is the legendary archpriest Avvakum, Peter and Fevronia of Murom, Matryona of Moscow and many other personalities. It is not for nothing that saints and holy fools, wandering monks and pilgrims enjoyed special respect and love among the people. And although the people treated the official church ironically and critically, examples of true piety can be considered as features of the Russian national character.
• The mysterious Russian soul, to a greater extent than other nationalities, is characterized by self-sacrifice. as the personification of eternal sacrifice in the name of neighbors “while the world stands” - here it is, the Russian character in its pure form, without any foreign impurities. And if we remember the Great Patriotic War, the simplicity and greatness of the soldier’s feat, it will become clear that neither time nor change has power over true values, over what is eternal.
• Oddly enough, the natural properties of a person from the people include such qualities as stupidity, recklessness - on the one hand, and a sharp mind, natural savvy - on the other. The most famous and popular fairy tales - Ivan the fool and the lazy Emelya, as well as the skilled Soldier, who managed to cook porridge, embody these features of the Russian national character.
• Heroism, courage, devotion to one’s ideals, the cause one serves, modesty, love of peace - this also cannot be forgotten when talking about a Russian person. The writer Alexei Tolstoy has a wonderful essay in which the Russian character is defined capaciously, deeply and figuratively - “human beauty.”
• However, Russian people are ambivalent. It was not for nothing that Dostoevsky spoke about two ideals fighting in his soul. And therefore, along with boundless kindness and sacrifice, he is capable of the same boundless cruelty. The “Russian revolt,” senseless, merciless, which Pushkin warned about, and then the civil war are terrible examples of what people are capable of if their patience has run out, if they are pushed to the limit of what is possible.
• Drunkenness and theft are also, alas, primordially Russian qualities. The jokes included Karamzin’s famous phrase about what was happening in his homeland. His laconic answer is “They steal!” - says a lot. By the way, it is still relevant today!

Afterword

We can talk about Russian for a long time. Love for the native land, for the “father’s coffins”, respect for ancestors and memory of them - this is Russian. But the Ivans, who do not remember their kinship, who betrayed their small homeland, are also Russians. Truth-seekers who are ready to suffer for an idea, who neglect material values ​​for the sake of spiritual ones - Russians. But Chichikov, Sharikov and others like him are just as Russian...