Advices

Advices for interns

Here you can find some tips and advices from Russian LCs for their future interns.

People are different in Russia, don't expect everyone here to besame and treat you the same.

Russians love free things, to be lazy and stay free from work,but are actually very hard-working and persistent.

Russians spend lots of money on things they want or like even ifit's something that may seem useless.

Russians can seem rude sometimes, but are actually nice and kind.

Russians are hospitable and if you come to visit a Russian family,be prepared to be warmly welcomed and to eat a lot.

Russians are always ready to share and are reallygenerous. We call it “a wide soul".

Russians don't like jokes about the family.

Men and women are equal in Russia.

Russians love to joke about Russia or even scold their country,but not always can tolerate foreigners doing the same. Russiansare really patriotic.

Russians believe that foreigners think that in Russia bears arewalking on the streets. We are really interested in whatforeigners think of Russia and Russians, so prepare in advancethat you will have to speak a lot about it.

Not all Russians drink alcohol and especially vodka. To have fundoesn't mean to drink.

When Russians don't know a person they will seem closed, butthey will open up when they get to know you better.

If Russians don't smile or even seem gloomy, it doesn't mean thatthey don't like you or that they are not happy. Just Russians arenot that emotional and smile not that often, but when they do,it's totally sincere. Russians feel suspicious when strangerssmile to them.

When Russians have fun and have rest they do it from the fullheart.

Russians in stressful situations can become notpolite and even rude.

For Russians foreigners are unusual so beprepared that you will cause lots of attention.

Russians divide personal and professional, workand fun.

Russians can act unexpectedly and not everything can workperfectly. Be stress-resistant.

Russians are not used to trusting strangers. They need time toget used to person, but then be sure that you will become bestfriends forever.

Russians drink lots of tea. Really. They can do it alone or incompany with some sweets and talks.

Russia is multinational and multireligious country. Respect it.

Russians are innovative and creative, they alwaysstrive to find new ways of doing things and newideas. Be prepared that sometimes they comeoverboard.

Russians love freedom and hate when somebodytries to order or control them.

Security in Russian shops and public places is really strict.Tolerate with it. Always carry a copy of a passport andregistration with you because policemen should ask for it if theyfeel suspicious.

Older generations of Russians are not good in foreign languages,including English. Youngsters are better, but don't expect themto speak freely. Be sure, that young people in Russia mostprobably will need a time to start speaking any foreign languagewith you.

Russians have lots of different holidays, love them and haveunique celebration traditions for each one of them.

Russians like when foreigners try to speakRussian.

Respect Russian naming style (especially that weuse name-patronimic for formal communication).

Russians don't tolerate when rude and bad words are beingused.Freely. If you learnt some Russian bad words, use them onlyin informal meetings with friends.

Most if young Russians are tolerant to unusual things and people,but some older - not. Be careful.

You can ask strangers on the street to ask for a help if you gotlost, try to approach single people or couples.

Be careful while dealing with strangers.

Be careful while paying in the shops. It's more popular to pay incash here than by card.

Most of Russians are polite, but be ready that,like in every country, there are still not adequateand rude people here as well.

Russians don't like too loud people and too loudemotions.

Respect personal space. Russians are different and they needtime to get used to new people.

We don't have a tradition of kissing after meeting someone. Atformal meetings men usually shake hands and women greet eachother speaking. At informal meetings men are also shaking handsand women can hug or kiss cheeks if they have really goodrelationship.

If you are going to visit someone's home bring some presentsand\or something for tea.

Don't carry big sums of money with you.

Be careful with your personal belongings. Don'tleave your things in public places without watchingover them, don't carry money and passport inpockets.

Try not to come back home late and alone.

When you meet rude, not adequate or drunk people, just kep calmand walk away from them as soon as possible.

Just in case - we have ride-side traffic.

It's okay to be late for 5-15 minutes for informal meetings. Beinglate for work is not tolerated.

Give a seat to old people, disabled people, pregnantwomen and people with small kids in publictransport. It's Russian informal law ofpoliteness.

Be polite, use Russian polite phrases (good day,thank you, please, good bye, etc) in shops and publicplaces.

Thank you for reading!