If you are often abroad, you know that a compatriot on the street can be calculated at a glance. Not by conversation, clothing or skin color. The Russians stand out from the diverse crowd with their gloomy-wary expression on their faces. It doesn't even look like a smile. Yes, the Russians smile a little. Have you ever wondered why?
Laughing for no reason is a sign of fooling around
If a person at a serious job smiles in full mouth, then he works poorly. Do you disagree? And most Russians think so. A person who is busy with business should have an expression of deep concentration and light fatigue on his face. Why smile to a customs officer? He already has a lot of things to do and there is no competition. This is not a store when you can go to competitors across the road, who smile wider and run around you faster. Whether you like the work of customs or not, you still will not go anywhere. In the same way, a passportist, a registrar in a clinic, or any official in a government institution argues. Firstly, they do not smile at serious work. And secondly, giving smiles to customers simply does not make sense.
A smile will not warm in a forty-degree frost
Many sociologists note the great influence of climate on the formation of character and habits. In the southern warm latitudes, the people, as a rule, are more cheerful, friendly and smiling. You probably yourself noticed that when the sun shines brightly in the morning, and the greens rustle, and the faint smell of flowers and delicious pastries soars in the air, then the smile itself appears on your face. After all, how good it is! In Russia, warm sunny days without exaggeration can be counted on the fingers. And when on the street the incessant slush, the leaden sky, it seems, is about to crash down on you, your legs have frozen for a long time, and the passing car has poured a new coat with a stream of dirt, then it does not pull at all to smile. And cold, dull, nasty weather in Russia is a common occurrence.
Not to smile here
In Russia, it is customary to stoop. Talk about your problems or share the details of your illness with others - in the order of things. If a European or an American always tries to show that he has everything wonderful in life, then the Russian on the contrary will come up with a bunch of problems, even where they are not. To not be jealous. Still strong in Russians is the memory of the Stalinist camps, exile and dispossession. You can’t show anyone that you live well and easily. Otherwise, there will quickly be envious people who will correct your wonderful situation. So the Russian man walks with an expression of extreme concern and longing on his face. Even if he recently raised his salary and ahead of vacation by the sea.
The unsmilingness of the Russian man can be explained by the customs, lifestyle and habits that have developed from time immemorial, as well as the climatic characteristics of the country. But still, how nice it is to stumble upon a smile instead of a frown and smile back. Just. Because the sun is shining, the new shoes are so beautiful, the weekend is ahead and spring is coming.
