Ten reasons why Russians don't smile much.

[Tom Cat]

Knowing when, and how to smile could help make a good first impression.
 

Ten reasons why Russians don't smile much.

ten_reasons_why_russians_dont_smile_much_31259

[Lord of the Dance]

Knowing when, and how to smile could help make a good first impression.
 

Ten reasons why Russians don't smile much.

ten_reasons_why_russians_dont_smile_much_31259

https://www.rbth.com/arts/2013/11/29/ten_reasons_why_russians_dont_smile_much_31259

Glad you broached this interesting subject Tom Cat. Another member here at RUA was telling me that, by and large, Russian ladies don't like to see photographs of men smiling... news to me!

I would have thought just the opposite; women are looking for a smile to indicate a sunny disposition - goes to prove how wrong I can be. I had to come up with a headshot where I am looking disgruntled and ferocious, hence my new avatar (and you can see how well that went over). I can't help that I'm a happy-go-lucky kind of guy... sue me for being pleasant why don't you?   

[Contrarian]

Knowing when, and how to smile could help make a good first impression.
 

Ten reasons why Russians don't smile much.

ten_reasons_why_russians_dont_smile_much_31259

https://www.rbth.com/arts/2013/11/29/ten_reasons_why_russians_dont_smile_much_31259

Glad you broached this interesting subject Tom Cat. Another member here at RUA was telling me that, by and large, Russian ladies don't like to see photographs of men smiling... news to me!

I would have thought just the opposite; women are looking for a smile to indicate a sunny disposition - goes to prove how wrong I can be. I had to come up with a headshot where I am looking disgruntled and ferocious, hence my new avatar (and you can see how well that went over). I can't help that I'm a happy-go-lucky kind of guy... sue me for being pleasant why don't you? 

You look like a hobbit with a large prop from Game of Thrones. 

Lose the prop and start over. Just be yourself and use photos of yourself smiling.

[Lord of the Dance]

You look like a hobbit with a large prop from Game of Thrones. 

Lose the prop and start over. Just be yourself and use photos of yourself smiling.

Well I had that cute one of me on the ski slopes when I was about seven years old, but after learning of the 'smile law' I figured that was too obvious a display of joy. I'm just not very photogenic I guess.

And the axe face of that prop did a nasty job on my finger when I was trying to 'pose' for that picture. I also nearly poked my mother's left eyeball out with the speartip... it would appear that I'm actually less dangerous with a gun in my hand than a halberd.

Alright Confederate, I'll smile for the next one. But meantime, let us see your pearly whites.

[Contrarian]

You look like a hobbit with a large prop from Game of Thrones. 

Lose the prop and start over. Just be yourself and use photos of yourself smiling.

Well I had that cute one of me on the ski slopes when I was about seven years old, but after learning of the 'smile law' I figured that was too obvious a display of joy. I'm just not very photogenic I guess.

And the axe face of that prop did a nasty job on my finger when I was trying to 'pose' for that picture. I also nearly poked my mother's left eyeball out with the speartip... it would appear that I'm actually less dangerous with a gun in my hand than a halberd.

Alright Confederate, I'll smile for the next one. But meantime, let us see your pearly whites.

https://goo.gl/images/zRkgGG

[Contrarian]

Encore.

[Contrarian]

Encore.

[msmoby]

Look at this image:



Tell me it doesn't imply a warmth in the direction of the  recipient and a twinkle..

Learn the male equiv and forget this daft article ..

[Steveboy]

I was reading some guy from the UK's blog about Russia , a little piece about why Russians do not smile all the time. seems pretty good to me..


"I have a theory about Russia. Any foreigner who comes here will ask about the locals, “Why is it that people don’t smile, what’s wrong with them?” I’ve noticed it too of course. I asked my Russian friends and they said, “What, you think we should be like those stupid Americans? Walking around smiling at every stranger in the street, and looking like some kind of retard?” Well, I thought about it a bit and came to this conclusion: Russian society is tribal. If people don’t know you, if you aren’t “one of them”, then you are an outsider. Nobody’s going to help you just because, or for that matter smile just because. But you can become “one of them”. It’s not that hard. There’s no one clear formula to success here. Sometimes, it can be a very long process; but at other times, all it might take is one simple joke or deed of some kind. But once you become accepted as “one of them”, the bond is far closer than when you make friends in England. I have good friends in England, and we have fun together, but there is a line… Here, people are far more loyal to their own, more compassionate, they give you more. Two years ago I found out I had cancer and I went to England for treatment. My English friends called and wrote wonderful messages full of hope: “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know”. But right off the bat, my Russian friends wrote, “What can I do to help? Do you need money? Time? Connections?” It is so much more – and more valuable – than our English approach of, “If there’s anything I can do to help…”
 

[Tom Cat]

From my experience in Russia,  if you have  small children accompanying you,  most Russians will be more  receptive.
Women  especially  will  assist you with  directions, ECT.

You can  almost always get a  smile  from  Babushkas when you offer an arm to help them across an icy  street, or on stairs 

[Contrarian]

I was reading some guy from the UK's blog about Russia , a little piece about why Russians do not smile all the time. seems pretty good to me..


"I have a theory about Russia. Any foreigner who comes here will ask about the locals, “Why is it that people don’t smile, what’s wrong with them?” I’ve noticed it too of course. I asked my Russian friends and they said, “What, you think we should be like those stupid Americans? Walking around smiling at every stranger in the street, and looking like some kind of retard?” Well, I thought about it a bit and came to this conclusion: Russian society is tribal. If people don’t know you, if you aren’t “one of them”, then you are an outsider. Nobody’s going to help you just because, or for that matter smile just because. But you can become “one of them”. It’s not that hard. There’s no one clear formula to success here. Sometimes, it can be a very long process; but at other times, all it might take is one simple joke or deed of some kind. But once you become accepted as “one of them”, the bond is far closer than when you make friends in England. I have good friends in England, and we have fun together, but there is a line… Here, people are far more loyal to their own, more compassionate, they give you more. Two years ago I found out I had cancer and I went to England for treatment. My English friends called and wrote wonderful messages full of hope: “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know”. But right off the bat, my Russian friends wrote, “What can I do to help? Do you need money? Time? Connections?” It is so much more – and more valuable – than our English approach of, “If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Saying (in the West): “let me know if there’s anything I can do to help” is fake. They say it to make themselves feel good. Try to actually take them up on it and you’ll soon find out who is genuine and who is fake.

[Lord of the Dance]

Encore.

Ha, gotta love that. 

[Lord of the Dance]

I was reading some guy from the UK's blog about Russia , a little piece about why Russians do not smile all the time. seems pretty good to me..


"I have a theory about Russia. Any foreigner who comes here will ask about the locals, “Why is it that people don’t smile, what’s wrong with them?” I’ve noticed it too of course. I asked my Russian friends and they said, “What, you think we should be like those stupid Americans? Walking around smiling at every stranger in the street, and looking like some kind of retard?” Well, I thought about it a bit and came to this conclusion: Russian society is tribal. If people don’t know you, if you aren’t “one of them”, then you are an outsider. Nobody’s going to help you just because, or for that matter smile just because. But you can become “one of them”. It’s not that hard. There’s no one clear formula to success here. Sometimes, it can be a very long process; but at other times, all it might take is one simple joke or deed of some kind. But once you become accepted as “one of them”, the bond is far closer than when you make friends in England. I have good friends in England, and we have fun together, but there is a line… Here, people are far more loyal to their own, more compassionate, they give you more. Two years ago I found out I had cancer and I went to England for treatment. My English friends called and wrote wonderful messages full of hope: “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know”. But right off the bat, my Russian friends wrote, “What can I do to help? Do you need money? Time? Connections?” It is so much more – and more valuable – than our English approach of, “If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Glad I'm figuring this stuff out now. Look like a *snip*, learn some Russian, buy some real estate and you're in like Flynn. 

[Lord of the Dance]

I was reading some guy from the UK's blog about Russia , a little piece about why Russians do not smile all the time. seems pretty good to me..


"I have a theory about Russia. Any foreigner who comes here will ask about the locals, “Why is it that people don’t smile, what’s wrong with them?” I’ve noticed it too of course. I asked my Russian friends and they said, “What, you think we should be like those stupid Americans? Walking around smiling at every stranger in the street, and looking like some kind of retard?” Well, I thought about it a bit and came to this conclusion: Russian society is tribal. If people don’t know you, if you aren’t “one of them”, then you are an outsider. Nobody’s going to help you just because, or for that matter smile just because. But you can become “one of them”. It’s not that hard. There’s no one clear formula to success here. Sometimes, it can be a very long process; but at other times, all it might take is one simple joke or deed of some kind. But once you become accepted as “one of them”, the bond is far closer than when you make friends in England. I have good friends in England, and we have fun together, but there is a line… Here, people are far more loyal to their own, more compassionate, they give you more. Two years ago I found out I had cancer and I went to England for treatment. My English friends called and wrote wonderful messages full of hope: “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know”. But right off the bat, my Russian friends wrote, “What can I do to help? Do you need money? Time? Connections?” It is so much more – and more valuable – than our English approach of, “If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Saying (in the West): “let me know if there’s anything I can do to help” is fake. They say it to make themselves feel good. Try to actually take them up on it and you’ll soon find out who is genuine and who is fake.

Fairly accurate Confederate. Providing a (false) cell phone number really pumps up the perceived sympathy!

Joking aside, where I live we do send out a lot of flowers, fruit baskets and such. People are croaking all the time, it's pathetic.   

[Gipsy]

But right off the bat, my Russian friends wrote, “What can I do to help? Do you need money? Time? Connections?” It is so much more – and more valuable – than our English approach of, “If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Absolutely spot on...