1 / 20

Russian Business Etiquette

Russian Business Etiquette. By Allen Crotty Prof: Dr. Hemby TR 1 p.m. 5 Words to Remember. IZVIENEETYE “I’m sorry.” OCHIN PREEYATNA “Very pleasant” SPASIBA and PUZHALSTA “Thank you” “Here you are” or “Not at all”. 5 Words to Remember. Vodka CHOOT-CHOOT “Just a little please” ZA VAS

ama
Download Presentation

Russian Business Etiquette

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Russian Business Etiquette By Allen Crotty Prof: Dr. Hemby TR 1 p.m.

  2. 5 Words to Remember • IZVIENEETYE • “I’m sorry.” • OCHIN PREEYATNA • “Very pleasant” • SPASIBA and PUZHALSTA • “Thank you” • “Here you are” or “Not at all”

  3. 5 Words to Remember • Vodka • CHOOT-CHOOT • “Just a little please” • ZA VAS • “To you” • The instant toast

  4. Addressing With Respect • Never use first names • Only for close friends and relatives • Learn the titles of those you are to encounter • Gaspodin or Gaspzhah • Equivalent Mr. or Mrs./Miss • With surname

  5. Dressing Appropriately • Russian Proverb: • “They meet you on how your dressed and they say goodbye to you on how wise you seem” • Large portion of budget to clothing • Brand names or very well made • Light blue, brown or grey are best colors

  6. If visiting in winter bring very warm clothes • Hat and gloves • Well insulated boots • Men • Suit and tie • All meetings • Women • Long sleeved blouse and long skirt • Hat or scarf when visiting Russian Orthodox Church

  7. Appointments • Schedule far in advance • Confirm several times • Try not to schedule near end of July or during August • Russian day begins early • Schedules are constantly subject to change

  8. Appointments • Always be punctual • Open ended meetings • May be late to meeting • Them not you • Business hours range from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday • 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. are most common working times

  9. Welcome Conversations • Enthusiastic conversationalists • Changes in living in Russia • Russians are extremely well educated • Can and will start talking about history of their country • Personal topics are best avoided • Approach compliments with caution

  10. Conversations • Culturally great affection for children • Showing pictures of you own can build trust and goodwill • Can be very careful about what they say and sometimes speak metaphorically • Great reliance on nonverbal communication • Can sometimes be very frank, depends on the situation

  11. Conversations • Welcome topics include: • Changes taking place in Russia, current events, WWII, economic difficulties, books, and films • Topics to avoid: • Complaints about Russia, the Holocaust, the Czars and the monarchy, ethnic minorities, and religion

  12. Business Gifts • Russians take pleasure in giving and receiving gifts • Try to bring an assortment • Try to avoid giving: • Pencils, pens, lighters, cheap wine, or vodka • If invited to a home try to take gifts: • Chocolates, dessert items, good wine, or alcohol(not vodka)

  13. Gifts • Wrap more expensive gifts • Acknowledge children with a small gift • A toy or candy • Do not give thank you cads or notes • No practical use • Flowers are best given exclusively to women • Choose pink, cream, orange, or blue flowers in odd numbers • Even numbers are for funerals.

  14. What to Know Before Negotiations • Take a healthy supply of business cards. • Make them 2 sided and hand them the side written in Russian facing them • Delays are to be expected when dealing with officials • Get to know your Russian counterpart, it is essential for success

  15. Before Negotiating • When entering a room knock and wait for admittance before opening a closed office door. • They may have greater expectations if you are from the west • Sometimes will make promises they do not have the authority to make

  16. Before Negotiation • Presentations should be simple and easy to understand • Making good impressions important • Company must present a united front • Russian Negotiators will make minor concessions and expect large ones

  17. Before Negotiating • Do not expect them to work after hours, weekends, or vacationing • Praising anyone in public is viewed very suspiciously • Contract must be clear and concise • Expect Russians to try to get around the terms of the contract • Express distrust in bureaucracy and authority whenever possible

  18. Acceptable Public Behavior • Handshakes are common • Keep eye contact during introduction • Thumbs up is a “good job” sign • Call servers with an outstretched index finger

  19. Public Behavior • Do not summon someone with a forefinger • Wearing winter coats and boots in theatres is frowned upon • Do not sit with legs apart or with one ankle on the knee • Many western gestures such as “OK” or the shaking of the fist is considered very rude

  20. Russia • Russians have a very unique culture • The business environment is moving more from the communistic control to a more western style of business • This can lead to misunderstandings and may require you to explain certain concepts • Be patient and understanding to your partners from the world abroad.

More Related