Smiling in Russia

Guess the country

by the facial expressions

Russia is on the top of the ratings of the countries in the world with the most unfriendly people, but this is a cultural misunderstanding.

In Russia school children are taught do not laugh for no reason. Smile in Russia considered as a frivolous mood. There is even a Russian proverb about smiling:

«Cмех без причины - признак дурачины»

“Laugh for no reason is a sign of a fool.”

Do not mix unsmiling with gloominess! Russians are very cheerful and welcoming, and always ready to help a foreigner.

So the next time when you look at Russian and do not receive a smile in response, but just withdrawn eyes – do not think that he/she is in a bad mood or do not like you – we just do not smile for strangers.

If we smile – we do this not from the politeness but sincerely from the heart.

#factsaboutrussia #fun