Russian Business Etiquette
Russia is a large eastern European country and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Russia has a rich and proud cultural heritage that may be foreign to westerners. Individuals traveling to Russia for business meetings should show respect for their Russian counterparts by practicing proper Russian business etiquette.
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Greetings
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Business meetings typically begin with introductions. Russian names include first, middle and last names. Russians typically give all three names during formal introductions. Shake hands firmly and make eye contact throughout.
Business Cards
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Print business cards with English text on one side and Russian Cyrillic text on the other side as a courtesy to your Russian colleagues. Exchange business cards after initial introductions, and hand over your business card with the Russian text side up so it is easy for the recipient to read.
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Appearance
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Men should wear conservative, dark-colored suits and understated ties to all business meetings. Shoes should be highly polished. Women should wear dark suits with skirts that hit below the knee, nude or dark hose and conservative pumps. Both men and women should keep their jackets on during meetings. Don't stand with your hands in your pockets or sit with the soles of your shoes showing; both are signs of disrespect.
Punctuality
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Schedule meetings in advance and confirm one to two days in advance. Arrive early for meetings and be patient when your Russian counterparts arrive late. Patience is considered a virtue in Russian culture.
Meetings and Negotiations
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Avoid high-pressure negotiation tactics. Russians expect to debate and thoroughly debate issues. Meetings are slow-moving and may include drinking, sweets, casual conversation and frequent interruptions. Be patient and don't try to rush the conversation. Angry outbursts are common in Russian meetings and are not necessarily a sign of a failed negotiation; they may be a tactic to convince you to concede to their demands.
Documents and Information
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Russians often expect detailed presentations including the history of the topic at hand and detailed analysis of the present situation. Provide business documents printed in both Russian and English. Russians prefer to finalize everything in writing. Expect to sign a "protocol," a document summarizing the discussion, at the end of each meeting.
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References
- Photo Credit handshake image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com
