Oulu UAS - School of Business…
Marketing - Ismo Koponen, Mr
Russian Business Culture ackording to "the FINTRA book".
About Russia, in general: please, see e.g. The World Factbook.
Time: office hours are between 9am and 8pm; lunch from 1pm to 2pm; events seldom start punctually. Foreigners should however – be. Delays may be used tactically;
Alcohol: western drinks are popular; domestic vodka is consumed as a beverage; drinking and speaking ! Do not drink and drive (zero tolerance; in Finland: 0,5 per mille, not e.g. 0,8 (!));
…: official invitations, in advance !
…: in proper order of rank; remember names !
Free time activities: classic Russian literature, sports, datscha; vacations abroad, and everything new (Ismo's observations); when in Russia, try concerts, opera & theatre;
Having fun: when in Russia, leave the hotell area, and approach the locals; be careful !
Age: seniority ! Generation X vs Seniors; changing: young managers with western MBA education;
Patriotism: Russians are, you should be, too !
Tipping: not necessary; there is an after market for restaurant receipts (!?);
Small talk topics: anything interesting; the athmosphere is more free, nowadays; do not be a boaring one !
Languages: English is becoming more and more common; learn a few frases in Russian; use an interpreter - for tactical reasons;
Politeness: very important; very very, with women !
Flowers: odd numbers ! (the many florist's shops and kiosks… );
Yes vs No: not as definite as in Finland; may confuse a Finn;
Business cards: have yours translated into Russian; used to be taken as a gift or as an invitation. Ackording to S:t P. (2003: 15) there is a significant distance between ladies and gents; ladies do not shake hands, they may kiss (kiss!) once or three times, never twice or four times; men also, if they are friends.
Business gifts: not necessary at first appointment; remember e.g. birth days;
Management style: vertical (military style); changing slowly;
Women in business: seldom in managerial positions, "ladies are more ladies than business partners"; ladies are (!) beautiful, and are taking care of their homes (S:t P., 2007: 15). Ackording to YLE news (Sep 25, 2007), Russia is a very matriarchal society, where the women manage the households.
Family: kept aside from business; high divorse rate; children and grand children important, though;
Protocol: followed;
Speaches: given (!), Russians love to give speaches; learn a few by hart;
Addressing: "You, not you"; title and family name; first name and father's name; diminutive forms among friends; ackording to S:t P. (2007: 15), this is an important issue, and a difficult one to be managed.
Dress code: nowadays, western; less casual than in e.g. Finland; especially ladies dress up for business occasions; fashion -> glamour -> style ! accessories, like "KKK" i.e. … , important;
Sitting order: "teams" kept apart;
Table manners: assist your neighbours ! ladies do not pour alcohol;
Money: exchange offices and kiosks in hotells and anywhere; prices may be in USD, RUR only legal tender; credit cards more and more common;
Tabus: less and less; foreigners should avoid politics and religion;
Smoking: common everywhere;
Safety: chaotic traffic in big cities; Taxis and "taxis"; learn to use the subway; Ismo's experience: the inofficial taxis are ‘a working system'.
Working time vs free time: may be combined / mixed; less vacations than in e.g. Finland;
Punctuality: be patient !
Religion: related topics may be of some interest among locals;
Colours: interiors may be "dark"; colourful clothing may be liked, but blue-gray-black is preferred in business;
Friendship: will come in time;
Friendliness: part of being a Russian; customer service ? Ismo's experience with the telephone books, and the telephone !