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Buses from the plane
Arriving in the most airports in Russia you should be ready to have a ride in the bus going from the plane to the airport, if you want to be the first getting in the airport you need to be near the door in the bus, sometimes buses are full and you will be pushed by other people just be ready for that too.
Luggage ticket
Usually when you take your luggage especially in domestic flights there is a person wearing uniform who will check your luggage ticket and make sure that the luggage is yours, so don not put your plane ticket far. Sometimes it takes 20-30 minutes to get the luggage, depending on the airport.
Taxi people
When you will be done with all the customs procedures and get your luggage you will meet annoying taxi people, they will bother you offering their services, they usually doble of even triple the real cost of the ride, if you want to use them negotiate and do not believe them because they will claim that their price is the lowest possible. The best option is to ask the company which provides you the invitation to Russia or hotel booking to order the taxi for you.
Airport control
In some cities when you enter the airport your luggage and baggage will be checked, then when you have preflight control where they can make you take off your shoes. Some airports can check you and your luggage even after you arrived on the plane.
Preflight formalities usually go in the following order:
Domestic flights:
- preflight control, passengers, luggage and baggage examination;
- flight registration;
- waiting for boarding;
- boarding.
International flights:
- migration control;
- customs control;
- flight registration;
- preflight control and luggage checking;
- frontier control;
- preflight control of the passengers and the baggage;
- waiting for boarding;
- boarding.
Registration in the hotel
This process sometimes takes a long time, people in the reception not always speak other language except Russian. They might take your passport for the registration and keep it for a night, it does not sound safe but usually they give it back.
Some hotels do not accept credit cards, only cash, some do not provide registration for people from other countries, it means you will not have any stamp in your migration card proving that you stayed there, but leaving you can show bills from the hotel with your name, it might work as registration. If you have questions or need our assistance getting your registration please contact us.
Working with Russian People
When you start working with Russian people you have to keep in mind that there are many cultural differences.
First things that you will notice: Russian people often do not listen and when they ask you a question they then start to argue. Also for Russian people it`s difficult to put themselves in your position especially if they never travelled abroad.
If you work with/managing people in Russia and you need them to make something the best is to use direct orders, especially if you need something to be done exactly like you want. If you try to be very polite telling: I would like you to do it this way, most likely the person will do it absolutely differently. If you need something to be done right away, it`s better not to say: “Could you please do it…” You have to explain to the person that it`s urgent or needs to be done immediately. In other words try to be very forward.
For Western people is normal to answer: “I don`t know”, Russian people will come out with all kinds of reasons why they can`t answer the question but simply to tell: “I don`t know” is difficult for them. Keep in mind that people in Russia like to take everything personal, if you start to tell bad things about the country or the company where they work most likely they will be upset with you because they take it as a personal insult.
In communication Western people are closer to the idea, they can explain things to each other in a short and simple way, Russian people like to use many words and sometimes it takes a while until they get to the point.
It`s very common that people cancel the meetings, in many cases everything is done very slowly, other people’s time is not valued.
We are not telling that everything above mentioned will necessarily happen to you, but it`s better to be prepared than frustrated. We are sure that after your travel you will be able to fill this list with the new findings.
Working with an interpreter
Interpreter is the key aspect for trustful communication with your partners. When you communicate using an interpreter it`s necessary to follow these rules:
- You have to speak slowly, and very clear, double meaning must be avoided;
- It’s better to tell that interpreter has to express what you tell with intonation;
- You have to tell not more than 1-2 sentences in a row. Take in account that it`s difficult for an interpreter to keep in mind a lot of information;
- It`s necessary to take into account the reaction of your partners and take actions immediately if you feel that they didn`t understand you correctly;
The interpreter in his turn also can ask you or your partners to explain the thought in a different way, or repeat it;
- Before starting negotiations it`s necessary to dedicate some time and work with interpreter explaining him the topic that will be discussed and terminology that will be used;
- If you are going to give the presentation, lecture, or report it`s necessary to provide it to the interpreter a day or two before the speech.
And the last you have to remember that there are no interpreters who would know medical, technical or any other terminology equally well.
Time difference
In order to avoid misunderstanding with your partners you have to always remember about the time difference between your country and Russia. It`s ok if you call to your partner like at 8 pm having two hours difference, but if you live in Canada or the USA, and decide to call at 5pm your time it might be 2am for your partners, most likely they will not be happy to hear you.
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