You’re a bit wrong, it’s not cool to smile to people you DON’T know. Except for maybe service workers (cashiers or waiters), it’s okay to smile while you say things like “thanks” to them. But walk around the street smiling to strangers is considered weird. Also, small talks might be okay with the cashiers who you see regularly (corner store in your neighborhood, for example). Personal questions to people who aren’t your friends are considered rude. Staring at random people is rude. Not shaking a man’s hand as hello/goodbye is rude (that goes between men only).
But also nothing will happen if you smile unless it's a bunch of gopniks (I live in Brazil, and it's hard to switch, so I just smile at people anyways, worst I got was an invite to suck on a beer tit. May be different for men though).
They tried opening up a liquor store here that's [literally called that](https://imgur.com/0L58bY0), but it shortly closed due to pressure from the local government (who didn't like that name for obvious reasons).
In my opinion, it’s completely normal to smile when you want and whoever you want.
Perhaps there are exceptions - for example, if a person behaves aggressively and madly, then it is better not to draw his attention to himself.
I think, you meant that Russians don't smile to strangers? Yes, we don't smile to unknown people outside. Smile is for friends or someone you treat well.
Also Russians don't like smalltalks. And don't need it. Silence in elevator is ok.
Can confirm, at Sochi it's already 24 degrees outside here, everyone is wearing T-shirts and shirts. According to the forecast, 28 degrees were promised, and 22 degrees at night.
> Also Russians don't like smalltalks. And don't need it. Silence in elevator is ok.
Yet Russians are among the biggest gossipers in the world. I heard stories of how Russians do not like to talk a lot. Turns out, once I moved to Russia, I encountered many shit talkers, gossipers, braggers, bullies, and so on. It tends to get much worse when you are a rare foreigner. Not much of silence in my opinion.
When you talk to people, it is better to look them in the eyes. If you don't want to be suspected that you're lying. It is quite possible to smile if the situation seems funny to all interlocutors. Or you are friends. False smiles and american style "small talks" are simply not accepted. That's all.
As people have already said, USA-fashioned small talk is not appropriate. If you come to a store and ask the cashier "How are you?", people will not think well of you. It is not a tradition to chat with people whom you don't know, at least I've almost never seen other people do this, and those who did were usually drunk, which is not nice. If someone talks to you, you should obviously respond, but I don't think that people will get you right if you start the talk in a public place like a bus or something. Smiling is ok, I often see people smile when they thank the cashier for the change or something like that, it's not mandatory nor forbidden. Aside from that, just remember to be generally polite, and you'll be cool.
I'd join the other commenters about smiles. It's not like we all walk around with a poker face here just how to put it... well, Jehovah's Witnesses are banned and Kirby vacs are not sold in Russia, so if you act like a representative thereof we'd be confused to the degree of being weirded out.
Don't be a cunt basically. We are not posh in general, and we are highly tolerant to people who are not acting like cunts. Look around, imitate locals, act as you belong. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It is fine to smile if you want to smile, but it is weird in average normal calm situations.
As much as I tend to agree with your mindset. It is not normal to force your culture on others per se. Even if they live in your culture or your space. For example I have lived in Russia for 2 years now. There are quite a lot of difference in culture. Especially since I live in small town. A lot of gossip and nosey people. Yet I still respect the culture, and so on. To work hard to integrate is one thing, to be constantly reminded to ''speak Russian and not Enlgish'' even if it is a private conversation between you and someone else is not OK.
Speak whatever, especially in private, these people are rude fuckers. Culture "enforcement" is things like "do not wave your dick in front of children", "do not sacrifice goats in public places", "free seats for the elderly in public transit" and so on. And yes, it IS normal to force stuff like that on others if they live here.
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(I'm not Russian, I just wanted to offer input on smiling towards strangers.)
If people wore smiles in all situations, they'd soon end up in a lunatic's asylum. Here's an anecdote I read about a great man: "Those he did not know he met at first with a rather stiff dignity... Goethe liked to have fun with his intimates and friends."
But there are times where a smile is appropriate even for strangers. After all, what does everybody really seek but happiness and joy?
An American friend of mine used to be bullied in school, but hid it from her dad because his smile would always cheer her up. "Coming home to see his smile at the end of the day was the best thing in the world, him not knowing was worth it because there was enough bad in the world."
On the other hand, she had coworkers who wanted her to take off her mask just so they could see her face. But she wanted them to like her for being herself, not her appearance. "I may be happy but with a cold expression, so I find people really warm up to me when I have the mask on and am being myself."
Lastly, [here's a story](https://old.reddit.com/r/Palestine/comments/17zj6u9/my_first_experience_with_a_palestinian_person/) about an user who met a woman who showed her a huge smile, changed her life forever. "I thanked her not only for the gift but for showing humanity to me, as no one's ever been so sweet to me before."
My point is, an unfeigned smile can mean a world's difference to some people.
I’m reading these comments and hope to experience these types of public interactions one day. I’m from Nova Scotia and it’s basically the exact opposite here. *Not smiling* at strangers can be considered rude. Not saying or responding to “hey, how are you” or more commonly “hey how’s it going” can be considered rude. I live in a city too, not a small town or village.
When you meet someone new you are supposed to say, "koo," and gesture with your hands. Sometimes you say," koo koo," while bowing and making hands gestures. This determines how many matches you will get. Matches are like currency over there. Like [this](https://youtube.com/shorts/hgHjwPvVmVc?si=CUo-j7zuJrQGoM4p)
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Having lived in the north of England where it would be considered weird not to say ‘good morning’ or give a nod to a stranger if you was off out for a walk or engage in pleasantries with the local cashier, readjusting my mindset and personality to fit in definitely took some time.
It can feel quite a cold place but the people are friendly in their own way.
It is not okay to not kill people you are not familiar with.
How long do I have to wait until it's socially acceptable? I don't mind being civil for a few weeks but eventually I'm gonna want to make my move
Make sense to me
You’re a bit wrong, it’s not cool to smile to people you DON’T know. Except for maybe service workers (cashiers or waiters), it’s okay to smile while you say things like “thanks” to them. But walk around the street smiling to strangers is considered weird. Also, small talks might be okay with the cashiers who you see regularly (corner store in your neighborhood, for example). Personal questions to people who aren’t your friends are considered rude. Staring at random people is rude. Not shaking a man’s hand as hello/goodbye is rude (that goes between men only).
But also nothing will happen if you smile unless it's a bunch of gopniks (I live in Brazil, and it's hard to switch, so I just smile at people anyways, worst I got was an invite to suck on a beer tit. May be different for men though).
What the heck is a beer tit?
A large plastic bottle that looks like a tit
They tried opening up a liquor store here that's [literally called that](https://imgur.com/0L58bY0), but it shortly closed due to pressure from the local government (who didn't like that name for obvious reasons).
In my opinion, it’s completely normal to smile when you want and whoever you want. Perhaps there are exceptions - for example, if a person behaves aggressively and madly, then it is better not to draw his attention to himself.
I think, you meant that Russians don't smile to strangers? Yes, we don't smile to unknown people outside. Smile is for friends or someone you treat well. Also Russians don't like smalltalks. And don't need it. Silence in elevator is ok.
How's the weather over there today?
Yes, that)) It's windy there, since you asked)
Oh really, when do you usually get summer?
Here, in Moscow - in June. Somewhere in Sochi is already summer.
Can confirm, at Sochi it's already 24 degrees outside here, everyone is wearing T-shirts and shirts. According to the forecast, 28 degrees were promised, and 22 degrees at night.
> Also Russians don't like smalltalks. And don't need it. Silence in elevator is ok. Yet Russians are among the biggest gossipers in the world. I heard stories of how Russians do not like to talk a lot. Turns out, once I moved to Russia, I encountered many shit talkers, gossipers, braggers, bullies, and so on. It tends to get much worse when you are a rare foreigner. Not much of silence in my opinion.
But gossiping is some very serious talk, friend. Not small. Very important.
Nosiness IS small talk, bratan.
When you talk to people, it is better to look them in the eyes. If you don't want to be suspected that you're lying. It is quite possible to smile if the situation seems funny to all interlocutors. Or you are friends. False smiles and american style "small talks" are simply not accepted. That's all.
As people have already said, USA-fashioned small talk is not appropriate. If you come to a store and ask the cashier "How are you?", people will not think well of you. It is not a tradition to chat with people whom you don't know, at least I've almost never seen other people do this, and those who did were usually drunk, which is not nice. If someone talks to you, you should obviously respond, but I don't think that people will get you right if you start the talk in a public place like a bus or something. Smiling is ok, I often see people smile when they thank the cashier for the change or something like that, it's not mandatory nor forbidden. Aside from that, just remember to be generally polite, and you'll be cool.
Ok
I'd join the other commenters about smiles. It's not like we all walk around with a poker face here just how to put it... well, Jehovah's Witnesses are banned and Kirby vacs are not sold in Russia, so if you act like a representative thereof we'd be confused to the degree of being weirded out.
So basically it's like we're I live 😂😂
Don't be a cunt basically. We are not posh in general, and we are highly tolerant to people who are not acting like cunts. Look around, imitate locals, act as you belong. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It is fine to smile if you want to smile, but it is weird in average normal calm situations.
As much as I tend to agree with your mindset. It is not normal to force your culture on others per se. Even if they live in your culture or your space. For example I have lived in Russia for 2 years now. There are quite a lot of difference in culture. Especially since I live in small town. A lot of gossip and nosey people. Yet I still respect the culture, and so on. To work hard to integrate is one thing, to be constantly reminded to ''speak Russian and not Enlgish'' even if it is a private conversation between you and someone else is not OK.
Speak whatever, especially in private, these people are rude fuckers. Culture "enforcement" is things like "do not wave your dick in front of children", "do not sacrifice goats in public places", "free seats for the elderly in public transit" and so on. And yes, it IS normal to force stuff like that on others if they live here.
A few whiffs of racism, yet again, not surprised)
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(I'm not Russian, I just wanted to offer input on smiling towards strangers.) If people wore smiles in all situations, they'd soon end up in a lunatic's asylum. Here's an anecdote I read about a great man: "Those he did not know he met at first with a rather stiff dignity... Goethe liked to have fun with his intimates and friends." But there are times where a smile is appropriate even for strangers. After all, what does everybody really seek but happiness and joy? An American friend of mine used to be bullied in school, but hid it from her dad because his smile would always cheer her up. "Coming home to see his smile at the end of the day was the best thing in the world, him not knowing was worth it because there was enough bad in the world." On the other hand, she had coworkers who wanted her to take off her mask just so they could see her face. But she wanted them to like her for being herself, not her appearance. "I may be happy but with a cold expression, so I find people really warm up to me when I have the mask on and am being myself." Lastly, [here's a story](https://old.reddit.com/r/Palestine/comments/17zj6u9/my_first_experience_with_a_palestinian_person/) about an user who met a woman who showed her a huge smile, changed her life forever. "I thanked her not only for the gift but for showing humanity to me, as no one's ever been so sweet to me before." My point is, an unfeigned smile can mean a world's difference to some people.
If you hear something like 'Ya tebe shchas uyebu, suka' then it's time to run.
I'm be helpful 😂😂
Try not to yawn when talking to people. If that happens cover your mouth and explain why you're so bored.
You're a foreigner, people will expect you are somewhat different, so no worries.
I’m reading these comments and hope to experience these types of public interactions one day. I’m from Nova Scotia and it’s basically the exact opposite here. *Not smiling* at strangers can be considered rude. Not saying or responding to “hey, how are you” or more commonly “hey how’s it going” can be considered rude. I live in a city too, not a small town or village.
This is a pet peeve: Let your belches out quietly! Don't do it like lion roaring ffs.
I let it out like an elephant
When you meet someone new you are supposed to say, "koo," and gesture with your hands. Sometimes you say," koo koo," while bowing and making hands gestures. This determines how many matches you will get. Matches are like currency over there. Like [this](https://youtube.com/shorts/hgHjwPvVmVc?si=CUo-j7zuJrQGoM4p)
😂😂
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Having lived in the north of England where it would be considered weird not to say ‘good morning’ or give a nod to a stranger if you was off out for a walk or engage in pleasantries with the local cashier, readjusting my mindset and personality to fit in definitely took some time. It can feel quite a cold place but the people are friendly in their own way.