Why You Should Think Twice Before Smiling At Strangers In This European Country
If there's one thing that's true about Americans, it is that we love to smile. Smiling at strangers on the street or on public transportation is a part of everyday life. It might even be considered strange if you don't smile at someone who smiles at you. Americans have a reputation for being smiley. Why? First and foremost, it's culturally accepted. Likewise, it's believed that smiling became the norm because of language barriers. The U.S., after all, is a melting pot.
Per a 2015 study published by the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior (via SpringerLink), research demonstrates that in Western society, a smile can communicate many positive attributes about an individual. However, the same cannot be said about smiling in Russia. In other words, don't make this rookie mistake if you're a first-time visitor. According to the same study, a Russian adage states, "Smiling with no reason is a sign of stupidity."
Simply put, smiling is not common in Russia, and it can make you seem untrustworthy. This is especially true if you're smiling at someone you don't know. In Russia, smiles are reserved for friends or individuals you have some kind of relationship with. Otherwise, they are considered off-putting. It's no wonder that Russians have amassed a reputation for having emotionless expressions.
What's the deal with Russians not smiling?
While Americans might find it odd Russians don't smile, The Moscow Times theorizes that it has been ingrained in Russian society for decades that a smiling American is disingenuous. Thus, they refrain from smiling. Note that the U.S. and Russia's diplomatic relationship has always been frosty. Moreover, the aforementioned 2015 study on nonverbal behavior also states that smiling tends to be uncustomary in societies suffering turmoil and unrest. Notably, Russia has a turbulent history.
Smiling is so atypical in Russia that when the country hosted the 2018 World Cup, individuals working at the event had to prepare for the event by training to smile. This was to ensure that tourists felt welcomed, with psychologist Elnara Mustafina telling the BBC (via YouTube), "That's why when other people come to Russia, they think Russians are not friendly. We need to teach them how to smile. We need to change their attitude."
One woman even told the BBC that Russian police questioned her for smiling. That said, if you are smiling in Russia, refrain from displaying a wide grin. Also, don't be surprised if service industry workers don't smile at you either.
Don't do these other things if you visit Russia
At the time of this writing, American tourists are not advised to travel to Russia due to safety concerns and political unrest. Nevertheless, if you ever find yourself in this stunning country one day, here's what you need to know (beyond perhaps withholding a smile). In a TikTok, user @jennyyfierr, who states in her bio that she is a Russian living in Florida, says one thing you should never wear inside a Russian home is shoes. Russians commonly wear slippers inside of their homes. In another TikTok, @jennyyfierr notes that small talk is a definite no-no.
Furthermore, it is considered bad financial luck to whistle indoors in Russia. When you meet someone and greet them by shaking their hand, ensure your gloves are off. It's deemed ignorant if you shake someone with a gloved hand. If you are invited to a gathering, bring something for your host (like a treat). Russia is home to spectacular churches. If you decide to visit one of these structures, dress modestly, and if you're a woman, consider wearing a head scarf. As mentioned by @jennyyfierr, taking photos while you're inside is not advised.
This is all to say that Russia is significantly culturally different from the U.S. If you want to learn more about American norms that are not followed in other countries, check out where you would be considered rude for tipping.