Why do Russians never smile?

[markbanham]

Thank you. I live in the former Soviet Union, and I get freaked out by the amount of people that don't smile back.

[Acubens.]

It's not a forced smile, it's a genuine friendly smile.

[maxscameraguy]

I spent 6 days in Moscow during the 2018 World Cup and I had a smile from ear to ear and I was feeling this. I joked that I was the happiest person in Moscow. Everyone from Moscow thought I was absolutely crazy. They aren't the first nor the last to think so

[Arandomperson.]

My introverted ass could never handle people not giving back a smile💀

[lilcaps]

"a man, happy in life, has reason to smile whenever he wishes"

[EdwardJohns-ek]

In Canada you are not permitted to smile on official documents.

[errruvande]

I think we should clarify something.

We do smile outside. If you see a group of friends, they would be smiling and laughing with 90% chances. We smile back at smiling, laughing kids, cause they're kids and they're small and cute. We smile if we have an interaction with someone (with a cashier in store, or after helping someone with directions or something else). We do not smile at total strangers who's just passing us by. We do not try and talk with a total stranger if we don't need help or see that something wrong with that person/their clothes.

Actually, if a total stranger tries to talk to you it means that that person either need help or is a creep. And it's usually the second option.

[kajunkaa.s]

"Kdo se směje, neví čemu, podobá se přihlouplému" 🇨🇿

[Smolandgor]

In usa you smile to be polite with strangers, in slavic countries you mostly use polite language to show that you are polite.

[funny_vagabond]

I am an American and my girlfriend is Russian. I smile and many people smile back. I have been to Russia 5 times so far .

[mayalienv]

i’ve dealt with russians and they’re some of the nicest people ever!!!! LIKE EVER! IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED

[fancypants]

If a Russian girl does not smile at you, it means she likes you.

[VALaker]

You are not allowed to exhibit a gummy smile on US official documents.

[realDave]

You aren’t allowed to smile on any other ID photo.

[danihussain]

You're not smiling without reason if you smile when you greet someone.

[samiajji]

In Arabic we say laughter with no valid reason is a sign of a lack of manors

[MarkHoaglund]

this is an example of 2 different cultures doing precisely opposite things and both being right. in america the smile means, it pleases me to meet you or that we are reunited in friendship or whatever. however it usually means, i dont know if we will like each other, but i am open to exploring and finding common ground where we will get along well and focus on that. the smile does not mean, i am clownishly and stupidly happy and oblivious at all times.

[antonio]

I almost never smile. Am i part Russian?

[reddirt]

What a beautiful bride!
I knew a Russian girl that had the most beautiful smile!

[bobcandon]

Smiling and small talk are wonderful things.