CultureShock! Russia

Anna Pavlovskaya

Description

CultureShock! Russia is the all-essential guide to help you understand and integrate into the largest country in the world. Discover how Russia's political and cultural histories and other influences have shaped the country and its people. Learn about the values, attitudes and lifestyle of the Russians and how you can avoid cultural and social pitfalls and adjust to the Russian way of life. This insightful book provides useful advice on practical matters such as how to set up home, what to expect from the work environment, how Russians view punctuality, where to shop and even tips on learning the language. The book also highlights the best in Russian cuisine and the rich variety of leisure activities. CultureShock! Russia is a must-read for anyone new to this wonderful and sometimes bewildering land and will pave the way for a pleasant and fulfilling stay.

Sujets

• Russia
• Russie

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 15 février 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814435574
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 7 Mo

Extrait

This 2nd edition published in 2011 by: Marshall Cavendish Corporation 99 White Plains Road Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001 www.marshallcavendish.us
First published in 2007 by Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, reprinted 2008. Copyright 2007, 2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited. 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 Marshall Cavendish International. PO Box 65829, London EC1P 1NY, UK Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
eISBN : 978 981 4435 57 4
Please contact the publisher for the Library of Congress catalog number
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
Photo Credits: All black and white photos by the author except pages 120-121, 164-165, 204-205, 220-221 and 224-225 (Photolibrary). All colour photos from Photolibrary except pages l-m from Inmagine.com Cover photo: Getty Images
All illustrations by TRIGG
ABOUT THE SERIES
Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.
Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.
Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the people-where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.
Then on with the practical aspects-how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through topics such as how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.
To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Map of Russia
Chapter 1
First Impressions
The Mysterious Russian Soul
Acquaintance with Russia at Home
Arriving in Russia
First Impressions
Chapter 2
Overview of Land and History
The Russian Regions: Unity in Diversity
Moscow-the Heart of Russia
Saint Petersburg
The Russian Village
The Peculiarities of the Russian State
Master of the Russian Land
The Baptism of Russia
The Role of Religion in Russian Life
Different Views of Russia s Development
Russia Between the East and the West
The Attitude of Russians to the Outside World
Russia and the Rest of the World
Chapter 3
The National Character
The Russian Character Viewed from Outside
Modern Western Guidebooks to Russia
Collectivism
The Attitude to Money and Riches
The Attitude to the Law
The Attitude to Time
Spoken and Written Word
Main Features of the Russian Character
Chapter 4
Traditions of Social Intercourse
Interaction with Friends and Colleagues
The Attitude to Women
Fashion and the Attitude Towards It
The Attitude to Foreigners
What Shall We Talk About?
Social Traditions and Etiquette
Alternative Lifestyle
Chapter 5
Settling In
Formalities
Home and Family
Living in Russia
Specific Features of Everyday Life
Education
Financial Matters
Health
Shops and Purchases
Transportation
Means of Communication
Tips for Foreigners in Russia
Chapter 6
The Russian Feast
The Traditions of Russian Hospitality
Eating Habits
Banquets and Business Receptions
An Invitation to a Russian Home
Restaurants and Other Public Eating Places
Traditional Russian Cuisine
Drinks
Russian Tea Drinking
Chapter 7
Culture and Travel
The Russian Culture
The Russian Holidays
Travelling in Russia
Places of Interest
Sights
Souvenirs
Free Time
Chapter 8
Learning the Language
The Russian Language
Russian as a Language of Intercultural Communication
The Russian Alphabet
Learning Russian
Addressing in Russian
Non-verbal Communication
Chapter 9
Business in Russia
The Russian Businessman
Business Etiquette
Best Time for a Visit
Business Negotiations
The Main Features of Russian Business
Chapter 10
Fast Facts on Russia
Famous People
Acronyms
Culture Quiz
Do s and Don ts
Glossary
Resource Guide
Further Reading
About the Author
Index
INTRODUCTION
Writing a guide is difficult. Writing a guide about Russia is next to impossible. An unenviable but noble task of any guide to any country is to thoroughly acquaint the reader with its history, culture, way of life, traditions, customs and sights, as well as to give useful information about various aspects of life. A guide must be true and specific. It must encourage a traveller to start for the unknown. It must serve like a compass in a strange world. All this is extremely difficult in the case of Russia. Life here is changing so rapidly and drastically that any guide will become outdated before it is published. Finding one s bearings with its help is like using a compass in a region of iron deposit.
Only one thing in Russia is changing slowly and reluctantly-it is the Russian people. It is about them, their character, mentality, habits, likes and dislikes, their manner of behaviour and communication, that is worth writing about nowadays.
The main principle that any foreign traveller setting out for Russia must bear in mind is that it is the Russian people that make Russia. In his days, Joseph Stalin-the father of peoples as he was called in the country-introduced a motto still widely spread and used in Russia: everything depends on the personnel. Any leader in Russia knows how true it is. Not infrequently, some hopeless projects work thanks to the enthusiasm of personnel, while very promising ones fail because of wrong partners. Find the right person or a group of people and your problem is settled. It will work by itself.
Times change, black becomes white and vice versa, those who were nobodies have become somebodies as the revolutionary hymn had it, and state and ideological values have been replaced with their exact opposites. In the space of one century, Russia has on three occasions made fundamental changes not only to the state system but to life as a whole. But whichever system they were living under-an autocratic system, developed socialism or undeveloped capitalism-the people have remained the same, amazingly saving their traditions, ideas and relations to the surrounding world. Furthermore, slowly but surely, they are refashioning the latest new world in their own way, and in such a way that it is starting to look very much like the old world.
As it is impossible to foresee all the difficulties, especially while the social life is changing so rapidly, one ought to rely on personal contacts and communication, on which the whole country depends. While a whole lot of services is at one s disposal in Western cultures, in Russia, all of these may be quite successfully provided by just one person: an acquaintance, your business partner s wife, a concierge in your block of flats, a woman on duty in your hotel, an old woman who lives next door, etc. This kind of people, if they like you, will share anything with you-from their richest experience to some cash to borrow. Feminists will be glad to know that under the circumstances, it is women who are most useful, efficient and reliable, particularly in all kinds of down-to-earth problems. Like heroines of Russian folk tales, they save the hero from the most dangerous situations with the help of a magic mirror or a clew.
Don t be afraid of coming to Russia. Many foreigners who have visited come back to Russia again and again, finding in this world something which is lacking in their own. Russia is a country of enormous scale and a successful business here often opens up more possibilities than