Intercultural Project - Russia

Introduction

Have you ever thought about going to Russia, having a Russian friend or why not doing business with a Russian businessman- If the answer is yes, then you should be aware and consider the Russian national culture while operating there. Some general facts about this magnificent country and the answer to a set of question will help you to build and maintain long term relationships with people from Russia. In this paper, I tried to answer briefly to some questions in order to introduce you in the Russian spirit:

- How do Russians think?

- What do they consider achievement?

- How do they see the individual self?

- What motivates Russian people and how is their performance rewarded?

- How is Russian society organized?

- What is the relationship of the members of this culture to time issues?

- What culture barriers are affecting the interactions between me and my business partner?

- How can we build and maintain trusting business relationships with one another?

- How has the outlook on life in a given culture be showed by history?

- What could the cultural practices of my business partner be?

- What values might my business partner be stressing in his behavior?

- What is our cultural common ground?

After finding the answers to these questions, everyone can have an idea of Russia cultural background. In what concerns me, after studying Russia’s history and culture, I can affirm that I am convinced that the roots of negative attitude towards Russia go back in history. Of course the main reason of this problem can be the isolation from the rest of the world which for centuries was the characteristic feature of our country’s course of development.

1. Facts about Russia

Russia is situated in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, having the largest landmass of any country in the world (about 17 million sq km) and 11 time zones. The language spoken there is Russian, plus many minority languages. Their currency is the Rouble. The Russian society is made-up of 81,5% Russians, 3,8% Tatars and 3% Ukrainians. In matter of religion, most of them are Orthodox (about 20%), but there is a significant number of Muslims too. The other Christians are counting a very little part.(2%). I have to mention that Russians do not know English very well, only young people and students do. The others are using a translator for negociations.

2. The Russian Culture

All the countries of Eastern Europe have traditions, cultures and customs long quarantined by politics and conflict. Russia is proud of its culture and traditions. Russian culture can be characterized as colorful, enduring, and deeply embedded in the Russian collective consciousness. It is a very rich and diverse culture, based on many different ethnic groups from the former Soviet Union. It is a culture that was extremely sheltered until the fall of the Soviet Union. Russian culture is very state centered.

Influence of history

Russian culture is rich, spanning centuries of Russian history. Russian culture encompasses art, food, traditions, literature, attitudes and more. The culture of Russia is both a point of pride for Russians themselves and a major draw for travelers who plan trips to Russia. Russian worldviews are based on a long history of distrust. I can find lots of examples in history, but the brightest of them are Mongol Subjugation, the Soviet period of Cold War, World War II, Stalinism and Communism.

Throughout history the Russian lands have been invanded many times. It is due to the vision of history through these glasses that gives the Russian people a reason not to trust outsiders. Russian can be likened to an infant emerging into the world, it has many things to learn. If in the learning process other countries try to take advantage of Russia, problems will develop.

Living for centuries in a very harsh climate explains the Russians' strength, their ability to endure extreme hardship, and their bleak outlook on life. It also explains their patience and submission. Climate has also contributed to a cautiousness they exhibit.