Thank You - - Is this a concept that RW know

[Robert D]

... in response to Re: Thank You - - Is this a concept that..., posted by Tootsie on Dec 3, 2001

Just one comment that may be relevant.  I also noticed in St. Petersburg that in shops where locals shopped, the shop keepers do not say thank you or smile for that matter when you buy something.   I asked my friend if that bothered her.   It did not.   It seems that traditional Russians do not waste much energy in that area.
It seems odd or fake to them I am told.    I did find, however, that in shops that served tourist, they was always a smile and thank you.  It also seemed that there were more pretty women doing these jobs.  
RobertD

[Bob S.]

... in response to Re: Re: Thank You - - Is this a concept ..., posted by Robert D on Dec 3, 2001

I've seen that same cold business-like serious manner from shopkeepers in Germany and Austria.  Sort of along the lines of: you're not there for chit-chat and pleasantries, you're there to conduct business.  The Finnish were a bit more cordial when I last passed through there.

I've heard that Canadian shopkeepers are similar in demeanor.  Can our resident canuck confirm or deny this?

[Del]

... in response to European Shopkeeper Hospitality, posted by Bob S. on Dec 3, 2001

in the world!!
Bring your greenbacks and come and visit us (they're worth about 2/3 more up here!!).  Bring lots, too!!
And, turn your thermostats up and all your lights on while you're at it - every little bit helps, you know!  :-)

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Thank You - - Is this a concept that RW ..., posted by juio99 on Dec 3, 2001


I was thanked quite a bit when I was in St. Pb.

Maria worked very hard to get me to say Thank you without an accent.

Often times, the thank you from her would be a quick kiss (in private) or a nod of thanks.

Not like here, of course

But then again, I am always after my 8 year old daughter to get her to say Please and Thank-You... so maybe America is catching up in that...

[RW]

... in response to Thank You - - Is this a concept that RW ..., posted by juio99 on Dec 3, 2001

JR,

I think there are two "sides" of this question: the difference in women's expectations and overall Russian culture.

In the first case man is pretty much expected to pay for dinner and buy gifts, etc. In this case it will pretty much depend on the woman's age, manners and upbringing as to how she will react/thank you for your gifts and gestures. In some situations it is even a sign of manners. Some ladies consider is obliging to accept expensive gifts or allow man to pay for everything, others have a strategy of "spining" the guy off for as much as they can. And I think it is pretty much your choice what type of women you prefer. Don't write off everythig to the cultural differencies.

As for Russians overall, and it also depends on the family, not much emotions are expressed usually at the beginning of relationship, meeting or conversation. Again, you might be talking about different types of people - there are some who will feel obligated to give you back something - gift, welcome party, etc if you give them a gift, there are others who would not even care to tell you "thank you".

But overall, my observation is that is US you are met with the smile and all polite words first to establish a good impression, in Russia you have to develop personal relationship and contact first and will be showered with hospitality if that impression is good. Kind of reverse process.

Russian Wife

[Ryan]

... in response to Thank You - - Is this a concept that RW ..., posted by juio99 on Dec 3, 2001

I have been to Lugansk one time to visit my friend and stay with her family that consisted of her mother and father and a younger brother.  Anyway yes I am familiar with your difficulty of these people not saying thank you.  It is there culture difference as I can see it.  They are however not being rude they are just not used to saying it.  I found it funny though towards the end of my stay I had them all pretty much saying it.  Her mother would always say a form of thank you she would get it screwed up and say please when she should have been saying thank you but it was funny I had a good time with it.  My girl friend never said it though and never really even tried she was sort of a beaitch that way.  I would do something nice and she would not say anything but her brother would jump in and say thank you and push his sister a little (Like get with it girl he would sort of say).  Anyway it is really not a big issue to me I mean little things like that do not bother me I write it off to cultural differences.  I mean I just wonder how many things I did that were considered rude or not so proper.  Live with it, it is a small issue on the grand scale of things.

[Ryan]

... in response to Re: Thank You - - Is this a concept that..., posted by Ryan on Dec 3, 2001

Oh ya her father would always say to me some form of thank you like "Good" was a word that I heard him say.  I remember when I gave him a bic lighter.  Oh my god he came out of his chair and sort of did a jig.  He must of like it, her mother would always just give me kisses all the time like when I gave her some gifts.  Oh looking back it was a grat time...

Ryan

[Zink]

... in response to Thank You - - Is this a concept that RW ..., posted by juio99 on Dec 3, 2001

I think what you experienced was normal for a RW. And I think your aquaintance was correct. My lady did learn to say thank you after awhile. But it was often grudgingly. And when russians gave me things like food or alcohol I would thank them. Many times they started to laugh at me because of this. They said,"you are our guest. You do not need to thank us every time we give you something".

When recieving my gifts they would say thank you. But there are many things that they feel it is only normal to do, such as a man paying for meals. Don't expect a lot of praise for doing something like that.