«So where are you from?» I asked with a curious and friendly look.
«St.Petersberg.» He answered, no facial emotions.
«OMG!I love StP! » I raised my voice, expanded my eyes and opened my mouth, «I visited there last month and It is such a Beautiful city! And the weather is really good XD. OMG I totally loved it!!!!» I thought to myself, okay now he is gonna open his eyes too and say «oh really!!?»
«hmmm. ok.» His eyebrows still frown, nd took my business card and walked away.
This conversation happened between me and a Russian client I just met. It was an expo in Russia and my job was to talk to them about the products and all. I did it the American way — approaching them with a big smile, and some small talk, a little dramatic hand gestures and facial expressions. But the Russians did not respond the way I expected.
«He is so cold, I am trying to have some small talk!» I cannot believe this man’s attitude.
«oh We don’t do small talk here, » My interpreter Anna explained, «we are not interested in other people’s life.»
«But why not? it is very polite.»
«Eh… do you actually like StP?»
«yeah, of course. but… well, honestly I don’t really care, I just said it because he is from StP.»
I have lived in America for 10 years, studied and worked there. Naturally I am familiar with American people’s mentality : Always friendly, always compliment them and always be dramatic. Because That is how you make them feel «special».
But Russians are not like this, they are more straightforward
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