Why Russians don’t smile

In this video I share some thoughts on the apparently famous stereotype that Russians don't smile - why I think that is and some general reflections having been brought up in Russia

So recently I found out that "Why do Russians never smile at you/ why don't Russians smile?" was one of the most googled questions about Russians!🙃 And while I was surprised that this question was that popular I also realised that I've heard it float around here and there and I've come across people asking about this in real life too. Having grown up in Russia, I wanted to dissect this stereotype and share some thoughts on why I think in exists and what to do about it if you're not quite ready to give up on us Russians yet 😉 Do bear in mind that I am obviously only one person and by no means representative of the Russian population or know the "truth" about Russian people - so don't take my opinion as any more than that. But if you are curious and would like random thoughts from a. random Russian - this is for you! Let me know your thoughts or questions, I am always happy to chat in the comments!

Anastasia xx

[romanvladimirovichpetrikov]

Because we live in Russia and it's not a fun at all.

[miraborgesilva]

When you’re happy . You smile. A sign of kindness

[idea]

Americans conditioned to smile from birth. I lived in eastern Europe for 7 years and understood a smile must be earned, deserved.

[sisyphusvasilias]

It took a couple of days to adjust to not needing to smile to appear friendly/polite in Russia but after I did it was a huge relief. I felt so much more natural and sincere. And I was more authentic to my true emotions in any situation. I also smiled brighter when I naturally wanted to smile.

[tara]

When I travelled to Russia I found the -not smiling- thing rather unnerving. I thought everyone must be angry or disapproving of me or something. I found it quite intimidating. It made them seem scary and unfriendly. I sometimes wondered if maybe they were angry with me or I had done something wrong!

It is a big cultural difference. Here in the UK, smiling at everyone is simply a way of being friendly and being nice to people. If you smile it helps to put people at ease and make them feel welcome.

So when people do not smile at each other - and I mean even strangers in the street - it makes then seem unfriendly and unwelcoming.

Smiling at people you don't know or when you meet them for the first time is simply considered normal and good manners. Even if they are strangers / cashiers / you will never see them again.

[TelevisionJohnson]

After being married to my ex wife for about 7 years, my friends started commenting about my lack of smiling. It took a divorce and years of standup comedy, but I'm glad to say I've fully recovered the use of my facial muscles for smiling again! :)

[Tybold]

I am from Sweden and I wonder if it is mostly about US culture vs European culture. I agree on many things you present in this video. Now Europe is not homogenous but on average I think this applies that we often consider a "too broad smile" from a stranger is suspicious lol.

[mingmiao]

«Ты спросишь меня, почему иногда я молчу. Почему не смеюсь и не улыбаюсь? Или же наоборот я мрачно шучу, и также мрачно и ужасно кривляюсь. Просто я живу на улице Ленина, и меня зарубает время от времени»

[lostsoul]

During my trip to Russia in 2019, I did meet Russians who smile. Babushkas are among the most friendly Russians and they do smile and stay cheerful :-)

[onelife]

It’s not just Russians. Hungarians, Finnish people, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Romanians and (some authentic) Polish people don’t tend to engage in shallow crappy conversations and if they smile/ laugh its more likely to be genuine than when English /Americans do so.

[williamkinkade]

Your in Russia for God's sake!! Nothing to smile about!!!

[kentl]

Sometimes it can be that the country like the USA or Australia is simply less stressful. It makes your emotional burden a but less. Finally, during interactions, smiling is diplomatic and considered courteous in English speaking nations and to not do so is rude.
For example, a sullen seeming cashier is normal in some nations but feels discourteous in England, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia...

[steveeuphrates-river]

About "fake politeness" ... some people have a generally optimistic viewpoint and are internally happy. They are not faking being open and happy.

[mexxiwolf]

Please help this question go viral !!! What do Russians want for their children???
I know what I want for my children!
It's what I want for all children on earth, for everyone!!!
It's what we deserve and an undeniable right!!!
And it's not invading a country, not killing children and destroying life's and cities, no war and no dictatorship, it's not your leaders !!! What do YOU want??? 👈❤️🇺🇦❤️🇦🇹

[douglasstrother]

All of the people I've met who grew up in a Warsaw Pact country were very undemonstrative, until you took the time to know them one-on-one.

Attracting attention to yourself was considered dangerous.

[kleinweichkleinweich]

it's not to be called a smile but a special facial operation
telling lies about this will get you to the gulag for 15 years

[mariannevandenlemmer]

I visited Russia several times. At the airport, we were told by our tour guide to shut up at the airport, and NOT SMILE OR LAUGH. The people of the customs might think WE, RICH TOURISTS ( we could afford to travel, so we are rich) ARE LAUGHING WITH THE HARD WORKING RUSSIANS. We had trouble doing so, but we did. Behind us was approaching another group of travelers, and we heard them laugh. The custom people (women mostly) suddenly looked hateful. They let us pass quickly, then they harassed the next group so long, that they must have missed their airplane. Russians are just unhappy and they hate you are happy. That is what I think.

[stxstx]

Why russians do not smile? We do not smile to strangers 😅

[mommynaurayasser]

it's interesting to know that.. different culture .. different perspective..
in my country, it's normal to smile even you meet strangers outside and have a chit chat (even when you dont know each other)
but again we can't judge that the person is good one just because he/she likes to smile.. vice versa

[hakanliljeberg]

Smiles doesn´t help you much if f.ex. you are hungry. Then those smily people would probably back off if you asked for help.. But the non-smiling people are probably more likely to help you...