RussiaELIZABETH ARCOS

Russia: The Basics

-Largest geographical country in the world

-Borders on many different countries: China, Georgia, Ukraine

-The capital of Russia is Moscow

-President Vladimir Putin◦ Served from 2000-2008 and 2012-present

-Putin has strong political influence and the media (BBC, 2015).

Russian Flag -Adopted on August 22, 1991 when the former Soviet Union USSR was no longer in power

-Three colors: Red, Blue, White

-Many theories as to the meaning of the colors, however no official meaning assigned from the government

-One theory: Red stands for bloody past, Blue stands for the Tsar, and White stands for a bright future (Mapsofworld.com, n.d.).

Language -Russia is a multinational state, and different territories speak different languages

-Most citizens speak Russian, but the influence of the English language is growing quickly (Ustinova, 2011).

◦ 81% of population speaks Russian as their first and main language (Kwintessential, 2014).

-In most territories, English is considered to be a foreign language. The majority of parents choose English as the foreign language of choice learned in middle school and high school

-The slow spread of English can be contributed to many factors:◦ The major factor is the deep knitted culture of the Russian language, which played a major role in the

formation of the country◦ -example: Literary works that are written in Russian

-Republic of Sakha-Yakutia◦ English is the working language in this region because of the diamond exports that are in this region. Citizens

from this region work with the Western World, and requires English to do so (Ustinova, 2011).

Russian Culture -Many cultural changes happening in a short amount of time since the end of the Soviet Era in Russia (Davis & Erofeev, 2011).

-Most of the citizens in Russia remain very conservative when it compares to the United States (Anderson, 2013).

-There are liberal uprisings taking place in Russia, but on a much smaller scale than in the United States (Anderson, 2013).

◦ Example: There are marches that take place in the major cities in Russia that are directed towards the homosexual community. But again, not as large as the campaigns against abortion in the United States (Anderson, 2013).

-Extremely prideful country◦ Pride themselves on being able to survive during times when others would not be able to

(Kwintessential, 2014)

Religion - Overwhelmingly, according to a research study from 2008, 72% of the adult population in Russia identify as Orthodox Christian. The remainder of the population identifies as unaffiliated at 18% and other religions at 6%.

-Since 1991, there has been a dramatic 31% increase in the population in regards to those who identify as Orthodox Christian (Huffington Post, 2014).

- Former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, enacting many laws that protected the Russian Orthodox Church. While current president Vladimir Putin is less religious than Medvedev, the protection of the church still continues to this day. The Russian Orthodox Church protects the government, and the government protects the church in return. It is speculated as Russian policy and laws change over time, whether it is more conservatively or liberally, the church will follow suit (Verkhovskii, 2014).

Main Exports and Imports-Russia has the largest natural gas reserve, 2nd largest coal reserve, and 8th largest oil reserve (Economywatch, 2010).

-80% of exports include oil, natural gas, timbers, metal and defense equipment (Economywatch, 2010).

-Russia’s biggest trade partner is the European Union (European Commission, 2015).

-As of August 22, 2012, Russia joined the World Trade Organization, but it still struggling to maintain the commitments assigned to the contract. Complying with these regulations, the trade opportunities with Russia will be more possible in the future (European Commission, 2015).

Trade Relationship with US -Top Imports from the US

◦ US exports to Russia amounted to $18.3 billion-6.5% of overall imports

◦ Vehicles: $3 billion◦ Machines, engines, pumps: $2.6 billion◦ Medical, technical equipment: $1.4 billion

(World’s Richest Countries, 2015).

- 2. Russia accounts for a very small number of US international activity (Nelson, 2014).

Political Tensions

-President Putin has a clear hostility towards the Western world that greatly impact business efforts between the US and Russia

-Example: As a result of Moscow supporting pro Russian rebellions, the US and other states imposed sanctions that negatively affected some Russian business and those close to President Putin (BBC, 2015).

Verbal and Nonverbal CommunicationVERBAL

-First names are only used by close friends and family

-Very careful about what they say◦ Often metaphorically or symbolic or cryptic

-Essential to know at least basic information about Russia before communicating (Ivanchuk, n.d.)

NONVERBAL

-Handshakes are essential, saying hello is not enough

◦ Firm between men, softer when a woman is involved

-Eye contact is required when engaged in conversations with another person

-Russian’s rarely display public affection, only when greeting and exiting

-Unlike Western cultures, using the “ok” sign is incredibly offensive (Ivanchuk, n.d.)

Gender RolesMAN (HUSBAND)

-provider of material and financial support

-strong and healthy

-protect the members of the family (Lezhnina, 2014)

WOMAN (WIFE)

-attractive

-relaxed temperament

-creates harmony in the family dynamic and relationships

-along with the support of the husband, the wife raises children and manages the needs of the household (Lezhnina, 2014)

Education-Age -Three stages of education

◦ 1. Primary Education◦ 2. Basic General Education◦ 3. Secondary Education

-State requirements dictate curriculum in public schools (Expatica, 2015).

-As of 2010, 99.58% of Russian adults are literate◦ Steadily increasing number since 1989 (Ycharts, 2012)

-Two levels of higher education◦ 1. Basic Higher Education◦ 2. Post graduate Higher Education (National Research University, 2014)

Foods and Dining -Business Dinners are a popular way to conduct business in Russia

◦ Typically held in the home◦ Very lavish affairs◦ Spouses are not typically included (Ivanchuk,

n.d.)

Gift Giving -Russian culture encourages gift giving

-Often spare no expense in giving gifts-could be potentially offensive if a person was to gift an inexpensive gift

-When attending a business dinner, it would be appropriate to bring one of the following gifts:

◦ Chocolates◦ Expensive wine◦ Lavish desert items◦ Other alcohol other than Vodka ◦ Flowers are only appropriate for women

(Ivanchuk, n.d.)

References Anderson, J. (2013). Rocks, Art, and Sex: The “Culture Wars” Come to Russia?. Journal Of Church & State, 55(2), 307-334.

BBC (2015). Russia country profile-overview. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17839672

Davis, H., & Erofeev, S. (2011). Reframing Society and Culture in Post-Soviet Russia. Comparative Sociology, 10(5), 710-734. doi:10.1163/156913311X599034

Economywatch (2010). Russia trade, exports and imports. Retrieved from: http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/russia/export-import.html

European Commission (2015). Russia. Retrieved from: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/russia/

Expatica (2015). The education system in Russia. Retrieved from: http://www.expatica.com/ru/education/Education-in- Russia_104072.html

Huffington Post (2014). Religion in russia shows increase in orthodox Christian affiliation, but not in church attendance, reports pew survey. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/religion-russia-orthodox-christian_n_4766753.html

Ivanchuk, S. (n.d.). Russia: Your guide to Russia. Retrieved from: http://www.executiveplanet.com/russia-2/

References Kwintessential (2014). Russia-language, culture, customs, and etiquette. Retrieved from: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/russia-country-profile.html

Lezhnina, I. P. (2014). The Transformation of Gender Roles in Today's Russia. Sociological Research, 53(5), 13-31. doi:10.2753/SOR1061-0154530502

Mapsofworld.com (n.d.). Russian Flag. Retrieved from: http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/russian-federation-flag.html National Research University (2014). Russian system of higher education. Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University. Retrieved from: http://www.en.spbstu.ru/system_of_education/

Nelson, R. (2014). US-Russia economic relations. Retrieved from: https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IN10119.pdf Ustinova, I. (2011). Multiple Identities of English in Russia. International Journal Of Diversity In Organisations, Communities & Nations, 10(6), 67-77.

Verkhovskii, A. (2014). The Russian Orthodox Church as the Church of the Majority. Russian Politics & Law, 52(5), 50-72. World’s Richest Countries (2015). Top Russian imports from around the world. Retrieved from: http://www.worldsrichestcountries.com/top-russia-imports.html

Ycharts (2012). Russia Adult Literacy Rate. Retrieved from: http://ycharts.com/indicators/russia_adult_literacy_rate

Picture References -http://www.albany.edu/acc/AccountDptmt/Research/Russia/report/map.html

-https://www.ijustloveit.co.uk/product/personalised-sparkling-rose-and-chocolates/

-http://sukhothai.troothmedia.com/Gallery/Business

-http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17839672

-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/religion-russia-orthodox-christian_n_4766753.html

-http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/russia/moscow/35178/Moscow-city-break-guide.html

Questions?