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Global Cultures: Case Study Russia 1

Global Cultures, Case study: Russia

Brittany Baron

Professor Morton

OCLU 425

February 19, 2016

Global Cultures: Case Study of Russia

It derived its name from a tribe that gained political ascendancy in Kiev which lent to its

name, language, culture and state. Enriched by originality, its culture that includes fine arts

masterpieces, literature where the famous and great author’s works have been equated to world’s

renowned writers such as Shakespeare, graphics and performance art; fine arts masterpieces

holds a world record. Known for its fine arts masterpieces and music of ballet schools, Russia’s

classical ballet is the best in the world, which too represents its symbols. In fact, in places where

Great Russian writers lived, they were made architectural and cultural monuments where

festivals and cultural meetings are held.

It has significant cultural beliefs, norms and values some that are from its ancient times

and others which exist in its growth and development occurs. Division of labor was characterized

by gender where difference in gender calls for the difference in the allocation of tasks. Men are

valued for patriarchal and stern leadership, household management, physical strength, bravery,

and rationalism; women are valued for beauty, intuition, and selfless generosity. Language is one

of the unique cultures which shocks many, especially English speakers who have a hard time for

it uses many unfamiliar, guttural sounds.

Russia has a mixed religion, whereby, though it’s mostly of Orthodox Christianity, where

churches are built on ancient sacred sites, it has allowed other religions such as Buddhism, Islam,

Judaism, Protestants and Catholicism. In the Orthodox churches, priesthood and hierarchy are

strictly a male obligation. Women leadership is only embraced in some other religions but the

Orthodox. They believe in death and afterlife, meaning they have respect for the dead where they

Global Cultures: Case Study of Russia

are cared for and have anniversaries every year to remember them. Just like any other religions,

they have beliefs in relation to where they live, urban or rural, as well as behavioral prohibition

stems from old beliefs. Socialization plays a major role in its growth. In the elementary schools,

Arts and Sciences are taught. Education is embraced since study proves that ninety-nine percent

of Russia’s population is literate. It’s also known for a good academic system which equips their

students with world’s History, Mathematics, Sciences, Arts and Engineering among other

subjects. (Everyculture.com, 2016)

In relation to etiquette, verbal markers of social status are embraced whereby, they are

taught on the proper ways of addressing people in such a way that, the most distant people are

social, the more formal they will address each other. This means that, if a foreigner visits Russia,

the way they’ll be addressed is totally different from how the natives address each other, thus

showing the level of discipline as it is embraced by all. Dress-codes embraced and nurtured from

the ancient days is fading away and vanishing as time goes by due to explosions in the world of

fashion.

Marriage is highly valued, embraced and respect. Women treat their men with respect and

they both perform their duties. Cohabitation is tolerated though marriages are preferred. The

nuclear family is the most important unit in the domestic unit. In matters of inheritance, families

from the gentry divide their lands among all the living sons before they die. On the other hand,

the peasantry households own domestic tools and clothes; but forest lands and pastures are held

common by the villages. This clearly proves that socialism is highly embraced among natives in

Russia.

Global Cultures: Case Study of Russia

In relation to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions on power distance, which refers to the extent

to which the less powerful members of the institutions and organizations believe that power is

unequally distributed, Russia holds high percentage where power holders are very distant in

society since being such a large nation, it’s centralized in terms of investment where they are

concentrated around Moscow. In individualism, referring to the extent to which the

interdependence maintenance in a society among members, Russians relationships are crucial in

obtaining information or successful negotiations. This is because they opt to be personal,

authentic and trustful before one can share the information while the Americans are known for

interacting even strangers. Leaders-employees relations are close and they interact freely.

In reference to masculinity, most Russians seem to understate themselves especially when

meeting with strangers or at work, that is, they like to talk modesty of themselves. In the

American culture, success is openly discussed; jobs are on a setting target where one is given to

show how good they are at what they do. In Russia’s uncertainty avoidance in cultural

dimensions, people are formal and distant and are also threatened by ambiguous situations; in the

United States, air degree of acceptance for new ideas or trying something new. In long-term

orientation culture, it’s a country with a pragmatic mindset which holds that truth depends on

situations, context and time. They also are perseverant in achieving results. In the case of the

United States, they are prone to analyzing new information to check whether it’s true and very

practical due to the ‘can do’ mentality. (Geert-hofstede.com, 2016)

Language barrier, a division of power and practice management can be a major challenge while

opening a facility in Russia. 


Global Cultures: Case Study of Russia

References.

Everyculture.com,. (2016). Culture of Russia - history, people, clothing, traditions, women,

beliefs, food, customs, family. Retrieved 10 February 2016, from http://

www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Russia.html

Geert-hofstede.com,. (2016). United States - Geert Hofstede. Retrieved 10 February 2016, from

http://geert-hofstede.com/united-states.html

Move One Inc,. (2016). Culture Shock in Russia. Retrieved 10 February 2016, from https://

www.moveoneinc.com/blog/videos/enculture-shock-russia/

Pushkin, A. (2016). Russian Culture. Russian Embassy in London. Retrieved 10 February 2016,

from http://www.rusemb.org.uk/russiaculture/