Greeting Norms

People normally greet each other formally and their greeting depends on the time of day.  For example, “Dobroe utro” means “Good morning”, “Dobriy den” means “Good afternoon” and “Dobriy vecher” means “Good evening”. A more casual way to greet someone is by saying “Privet” which means “Hi”.

Something important is that you should not greet someone across a threshold. This is impolite and gives the other person the impression that they are not allowed to enter. There is also an old superstition that if you greet someone shaking their hand across the threshold, this will cause you to argue with them in the future.

When you meet someone, they generally shake your hand quite firmly while maintaining eye contact. Not maintaining eye contact while greeting someone is seen as disrespectful. Women usually greet their female friends with three kisses. First, one on the left cheek. Then, one on the right and the last one again on the left.

Men greet their male friends with a hug and a pat on the back. With someone you don’t know it is best to wait to be introduced rather than introducing yourself. You always address someone older or of higher status by both their first and middle name.

Communication styles

Russians are very direct. They do not hesitate to correct others and to give others honest criticism. They speak bluntly and to the point. Their humor is generally dry, sarcastic and again, direct. It can also be self-deprecating. They also often swear in casual occasions.

Personal space and touching

Russians usually stand and sit close to each other. Friends can reach out to each other perhaps putting an arm around the person as a sign of a good relationship. Generally though, physical contact is limited to couples. It is common though to shake people’s hands when greeting them.

Eye contact and gestures

When greeting someone and shaking their hand, you must maintain eye contact. Otherwise, you will be considered as disrespectful. Russians normally have a serious front toward strangers and generally never smile to strangers on the street. There is an old idea that those who smile for no apparent reason are gullible and foolish.

There are certain hand signs and gestures that are considered obscene.

• One of them is to make a fist with the thumb protruding between the middle finger and index finger.

• Another is the sign that in the United States is normally used to say “okay”. This is the sign where the index finger and the top of the thumb meet to form a circle, with the other three fingers stretched out.

• Another offensive gesture is to place your wrist or arm on the inside of your opposite elbow and then bend the elbow with the hand closing in a fist.

All of these gestures and signs are considered obscene and offensive.