Russian smile

The first thing that surprises a foreign tourist in Russia is a number of gloomy people. Why do Russians smile so seldom? And this is true – we smile much less than other nations of Western and Eastern world. Hollywood smile and smarmy facial expression of the Chinese and the Vietnamese are inorganic for the Russians.

Communicative behavior researchers call this natural unsmiling one of the prominent national characteristics of the Russian communication. This characteristic is considered to be a discourtesy and disrespect. But this phenomenon is explainable and cause not only in harsh climate and difficult historical development but also in the reason of the Russian smile. Its function differs from a foreign smile. Famous linguists Sternin I.A and Prohorov U.E.  distinguished  several national characteristics of the Russian smile in their research of the Communicative behavior .

The Russian smile differs from other nations. The Russian smile is made only by lips and sometimes the teeth could be shown a little. The demonstration of all teeth, as Americans do is considered to be vulgar and unpleasant and is called «grin» or «horse smile».

Smile is not a kind of courtesy in Russian communication.

For Americans and Europeans a smile is first of all a kind of courtesy, that’s why it is required in greetings and during conversation: more smile – more respect to interlocutor. There is also such function of smile in some eastern cultures as alleviation of a shock from negative information. Ilya Ehrenburg mentions in his memoires a Chinese who informed him about his wife’s death with a smile on his face. This courteous smile means: You ought not to be upset, it’s my sorrow. For the Russians it is nonsense.  Smile as a kind of courtesy is not natural for the Russians, and more it could be perceived with hostility. The Russian expression –“he smiled because of courtesy” consists of a disapproval for those who have been smiling. Courteous smile to clients is called here a «duty smile» and considered as a kind of insincerity.   

A smile to a stranger is not a regular thing in the Russian communication. Usually the Russians address their smile to well-known people, friends. That’s why saleswomen don’t smile to clients – they don’t know them. If some stranger had smiled to a Russian, he would start looking for a reason of this smile and it will cause a question «Do we know each other?». Smile is like an invitation to start a conversation. If a Russian isn’t ready for a commutation he won’t smile back. The Americans smile every time in case of occasional meeting, but Russians do vise versa, they look away.

Russians don’t smile at work or while they do something serious. This feature is very unique. From olden times servants, waiters were courteous, but they had never let themselves smile. This old tradition is still alive. Friendly smile in Russian service branch (field) takes root heavily, because people with Russian mentality take this professional smile like a mask of hypocrisy, under which indifference is hidden. And at the same time when Americans and Japanese children are being taught to smile like this is their social obligation, Russian parents say very often to their kids «Don’t smile! Be serious at school!».

Russian smile is intended to be sincere and it must have a clear reason.

Russian smile is sincere, open and expresses the good mood and liking to interlocutor. Smiles without good mood make a cause of mistrust and disapproval. As Russian proverbs say:

«What you wear in your heart shows in your face», «Smile doesn’t treat a heart pain».

 But Chinese say differently: «The hurt is in the heart – the smile is on the face».

Immoderate smiling looks fishily. It can be considered as a foolishness or as a saucy behavior (for men) and as a signal of  willingness to contact (for women). That’s why they say «Stupid people laugh immoderately and without any reason».

Smile must be apropos. Another proverb says: «Business before pleasure». Teachers very often correct children: «Work, after that smile». It is not usual here to smile if it is known that there are people nearby that have some troubles – someone sick or have problems etc.

Despite the fact that smile is not common feature of the Russians, linguists note that still the majority of Russians are merry, hospitable, cheerful and witty people. Smile and laughter are not one and the same. Laughter is typical of Russia, although sometimes it is laughter through tears.

On the photo: Uezdny Gorod KVN Team. KVN (Club of Funny and Inventive) is one of the most popular TV shows in Russia with long history which have no analogues else where in the world. 

Translated by Lola Kamyshanskaya for Friendly Russia

Source: http://www.moya-planeta.ru/travel/view/pochemu_russkie_ne_ulybajutsya_9789/