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• If anyone elderly is present, direct your attention and respect towards them.
• If a Russian requests a favour, it's worthwhile making a genuine effort to fulfil it. Such requests signify the level of personal trust they have placed in you. Following through strengthens the bond and increases the likelihood of them being willing to assist you when you need help. On the other hand, failing to deliver promises can jeopardise this trust.
• Showcasing your family ties and commitment to these relationships can earn admiration among Russians. Those who value close-knit families may view Western family practices as neglectful, like placing elderly parents in care homes. Consider mentioning positive aspects of your family life to demonstrate your closeness.
• When given the opportunity, provide input and advice directly, expressing your ideas with confidence. Delicately posing advice as suggestions may result in them being overlooked or not taken seriously.
• When providing criticism, aim for a private and direct approach. Address mistakes one-on-one in a timely manner. Russians generally prefer to receive feedback in the moment, enabling them to correct the issue while it is still relevant. Suggest potential solutions as you point out the problem or offer your assistance. This approach ensures the conversation remains on improvement rather than potential embarrassment.
• Lead with compassion and be open to withholding judgment of people until you have a clear understanding of their individual circumstances. Russians often exhibit great compassion towards those facing hardship and are less inclined to harshly judge those who bend rules to secure necessities. This leniency stems from a collective recognition of the difficulties posed by Russia's socioeconomic environment. Be aware that Russia's lack of social security presents different challenges to those most English-speaking Westerners are familiar with.

Don'ts

• Avoid critiquing or offering your opinion on Russia, its politics or the president unless you are well-informed. Russians often find that Westerners have limited knowledge of the history and contextual circumstances that have contributed to certain situations. Thus, while they may agree with aspects of your argument, they can find it patronising.
• Avoid mentioning past failures of the Soviet Union or the Russian State. Conversations around communism are generally acceptable, but straight criticism is unlikely to be appreciated. Similarly, respect any tributes to Soviet achievements. Russian pride of this era may be affected by a revisionist history, but a core patriotic feeling remains.
• Avoid discussing Russia’s involvement in wars and other military interventions. Many people share the Russian government’s official account of events, viewing the country’s participation in conflicts as necessary defensive actions against aggressive neighbours. Others may be unwilling to openly contradict these views. If the topic arises, consider that many Russians have family members who have participated in wars over the decades. Direct criticism of military action may be interpreted as offensive and insensitive to the losses Russians have experienced.
• Do not make comments that could be perceived to have a disrespectful undertone. Russians can be sensitive to condescending remarks.
• Do not make jokes about Russians being drunks or women being mail-order brides for foreign men. Such comments can become insulting if delivered insensitively or too often.