Experiencing Russia

Culture

Russian culture is one that is rich and colorful. Russians have a rich cuisine. Russian art is considered by some to be very interesting and unique. Russians are also known for their sense of humour. Russian literature was greatly influential to world literature. Russians also gave the classical music world some very famous composers.

Russian literature refers to the literature of Russia or its émigrés, and to the Russian-language literature of several independent nations once a part of what was historically Russia or the Soviet Union. With the break up of the USSR, different countries and cultures may lay claim to various ex-Soviet writers who wrote in Russian on the basis of birth or of ethnic or cultural associations.

Russia is a large and culturally diverse country with dozens of ethnic groups; each with their own forms of folk music. During the period of Soviet domination, music was highly scrutinized and kept within certain boundaries of content and innovation. After the fall of the USSR in the early 1990s, western-style rock and pop music became the most popular musical forms in Russia. With the rise of western music, some native artists became quite popular. Most believe that the music of Russia will change dramatically in the next 5 or so years.

Russia has a rich culinary history and offers a wide variety of soups, dishes made from fish, cereal based products and drinks. In addition to meat culinary, vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, berries and herbs also play a major part in the Russian diet. Primordial Russian products such as caviar, smetana (sour cream), buckwheat, rye flour, etc. have had a great influence on world-wide cuisine.

Russia is a keen sporting country, successful at a number of sports and continuously finishing in the top rankings at the Olympic games. During the Soviet era the team placed first in the total number of medals won at 14 of its 18 appearances; with these performances, the USSR was the dominant Olympic power of its era. Since the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952 and continuing today, the Soviet and later Russian athletes never went below third place in the world (never below 2nd until the most recent Olympics), in number and gold medals collected at the Summer Olympics. Among the most played sports are football and ice hockey. Other sports widely played in Russia include weightlifting, gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, martial arts, volleyball, basketball and skiing.

Business Customs

At first meeting, Russian business people can come across as indifferent and cool to Americans. Russians are known for not smiling and once they get to know someone will indicate that they save their smiles for home and family. Scheduling meetings can be difficult, but this is also the norm. It can sometimes take weeks to get a response to an email, fax or a telephone message request for a meeting. Once contact has been established, patience is still required to confirm a date and time to meet. And, it is not uncommon for meetings to be cancelled with no explanation. Since traffic is a problem in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russian company representatives appreciate meeting at locations convenient to the metro, and are not adverse to meeting in their offices or accepting an invitation for a lunch meeting. Refreshments are usually served at business meetings - coffee, tea and water are the norms. Small gifts are acceptable but not expected.

Russian language ability is a must and an interpreter should be hired if necessary. An increasing number of Russian businesspeople speak a courtesy level of English, however prefer to conduct business discussions in Russian. The Commercial Service can arrange for the services of qualified interpreters upon request. Business cards are important and are exchanged freely. Cards should have regular contact information and an email address and website if available. Most foreign businesspeople in Russia carry bilingual English/Russian business cards (one side English, the other Russian). Translation services are an important tool for creating interest for a company’s products in the Russian market. It is very important that the services be high quality. Many companies interested in the Russian market have used on-line translation services for translation of their promotional material, only to learn that the translation was inferior and did not serve the intended purpose. For the best results, it is highly recommended that professional translation services be used. The Commercial Service can recommend fully qualified translators upon request.

Travel Advisory

Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country, and issues travel advisories when warranted by local conditions. The following “Public Announcement – Russia” issued by the State Department on October 6th, 2006 (expires on March 31, 2007), reminds U.S. citizens traveling in Russia that there remains a heightened potential for terrorist actions, including attacks against civilians. This situation is likely to continue for some time.

Acts of terrorism including bombings and hostage taking have occurred in Russia over the last several years. Bombings have occurred at Russian Government buildings, hotels, tourist sites, markets, entertainment venues, schools, residential complexes, and on public transportation including the subway and scheduled commercial air flights. Hostage taking incidents have included a raid in 2004 on a school that resulted in horrific losses of life of children, teachers, and parents. In October 2005, 200-300 gunmen attacked police and military facilities in a city in the North Caucasus region. Presently, there is no specific indication that U.S. institutions or citizens are targets but there is a general risk of American citizens being victims of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. American citizens in Russia should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices. Americans are urged to remain vigilant and exercise good judgment and discretion when using any form of public transportation. When traveling, Americans may wish to provide a friend, family member, or co-worker a copy of their itinerary. Americans should avoid large crowds and public gatherings that lack enhanced security measures. Travelers should also exercise a high degree of caution and remain alert when patronizing restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, bars, theaters, etc., especially during peak hours of business.

The North Caucasus region is of special concern. Due to continued civil and political unrest throughout much of the Caucasus region, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Chechnya and all areas that border it: North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino- Balkariya. American citizens traveling for even a few days are strongly urged to register with the embassy or nearest consulate general. Registration will allow the embassy to provide direct information on the security situation as necessary. Registration is done on-line and can be done in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the embassy web site, www.usembassy.ru, or at the Department of State's Consular Affairs website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. In addition to information on the Internet (http://travel.state.gov), travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

While world-class tourist and business facilities exist in Moscow and St. Petersburg, they are under-developed in most of Russia, and many goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhnevartovsk, Perm, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Sochi, Yuzhno Sakhalinsk and Vladivostok, among other cities, have Western-style hotels, though often priced at a premium compared with other major cities of the world. Outside major cities, traditional Russian hotels offer modest accommodations at modest rates. Some regional hotels raise rates for foreign guests. It is possible to find wellappointed hotels in some small towns; it is equally possible to be temporarily without water or electricity when visiting other regions of Russia.

Russian businessmen and women predominately wear business suits. For women, dresses, skirts or pants are acceptable. While winters can be extremely cold in Russia with occasional temperatures in the minus-20 Fahrenheit range in northern and Siberian cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg's climate can be less severe than some northern U.S. cities. Winter clothes may be needed as early as October or as late as April. During the winter months people dress for warmth. Hats, coats, gloves and boots are a must. Men usually wear a heavy topcoat and women a mid-calf length coat. Wool, fur and down coats are the most common. Russian men usually wear thick-soled water-resistant shoes. Women on the other hand wear both tall and short boots with high heels. In winter one must be prepared for either slush and/or icy sidewalks. Summers, while brief, can be surprisingly hot, and air conditioning is still rare outside big-city hotels.

A meal in a hotel or top restaurant in Moscow and St. Petersburg can be very expensive by U.S. standards. Nevertheless, in these cities there is an increasing variety of less expensive restaurants, including pizza, and fast food establishments. Russian food can be bland to American tastes, while many visitors find Caucasian, Georgian, and Uzbek cuisines to be interesting contrasts. In smaller communities, visitors often must accept the food available at hotels or traditional Russian restaurants. Regardless of the city, and hotel, bottled water served with no ice is recommended. The price of the water depends on whether it’s local or imported. Imported can cost $6.00 a bottle. Soft drinks of almost every recognized brand are available, however diet soft drinks are not commonly found.

Russia is a predominately cash economy with the Russian ruble as the only legal tender for local transactions. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars or other foreign currency. Old, worn, or marked dollar bills are often not accepted at banks and exchanges. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, currency exchange offices are available in most shopping areas and provide reliable service. Credit cards are now accepted at some modern businesses in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and at some hotels and restaurants in larger regional cities, but at very few stores. Traveler checks are not widely accepted in Russia. Travelers to regional cities or towns are advised to carry enough cash to cover foreseeable expenses. Major hotels and the American Express offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg may be able to suggest locations for cashing travelers checks or obtaining cash advances on credit cards. Rubles (and dollars, if needed) may be obtained from bank ATMs that are connected to the PLUS and CIRRUS systems using U.S. debit/credit cards. It is not recommended to use credit/debit cards for small purchases or in standalone ATMs (those not physically located at a bank). ATMs are becoming more common in downtown Moscow, although there have been some instances of theft from card numbers used in these systems. Western Union has many agents in Moscow, and other cities in Russia, which disburse money wired from the United States.

Crime: While the violent crime rate in Moscow and St. Petersburg is still below that of many major U.S. cities, there has been an increase in reports of unprovoked harassment against racial and ethnic minorities. Travelers are urged to exercise caution in areas frequented by "skinhead" groups and wherever large crowds have gathered. Americans most at risk are those of African, South Asian or East Asian descent, or those, who because of their complexion, are perceived to be from the Caucasus region or the Middle East. These Americans are also at risk for harassment by police authorities. Visitors to Russia need to be alert to their surroundings. In large cities, they need to take the same precautions against assault, robbery, or pickpockets that they would take in any large U.S. city:

• Key billfolds in inner front pockets
• Carry purses tucked securely under arms
• Wear the shoulder strap of cameras of bags across their chests
• Walk away from the curb and carry purses away from the street

Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around nightclubs or bars, or on their way home. Some travelers have been drugged at bars, while others have taken strangers back to their lodgings, where they were rugged, robbed and/or assaulted. To reduce the risk of personal crime, U.S. businesspeople should be alert to their surroundings and guard belongings in hotels,  estaurants and other high-density tourist areas. Do not assume that you can blend in on the street. Do not leave valuables in hotel rooms - keep your passport and visa with you at all times, and retain copies in a separate location in case of loss or theft of the originals. Be alert to the potential for robbery in metro stations or trains where gangs of adults and children sometimes seize handbags or pick pockets. Also be alert to scams on the street or in stations involving money changing or lost or found money. Consider using a neck purse or belt wallet to protect your passport, visa and credit cards from pickpockets. On inter-city overnight trains, secure the door to your compartment with some sort of jamming device (many people simply use a wire coat hanger). While many residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg flag private "gypsy cabs" for rides, this is a riskier form of transport that is
better avoided by the inexperienced. Travelers are advised to use only marked taxis or radio taxis, and to discuss the fare in advance. American business people who utilize local banking, security and medical treatment should provide only the minimum information required for service. Reports have been received indicating that confidential credit, financial, banking and medical information has been supplied to organized crime gangs. In turn, these gangs use the information to extort foreigners.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Travelers should be aware that certain activities that would be normal business activities in the United States and other countries are either illegal under the Russian legal code or are considered suspect by the FSB (Federal Security Service). Americans should be particularly aware of potential risks involved in any commercial activity with the Russian military-industrial complex, including research institutes, design bureaus, and production facilities or other high technology, government-related institutions. Any misunderstanding or dispute in such transactions can attract the involvement of the security services and lead to investigation of prosecution for espionage. Rules governing the treatment of information remain poorly defined.

Consular Services: All Americans who reside in Russia for three months or longer are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy or at one of the U.S. Consulates. Those staying for shorter periods may also register and inquire about updated travel and security information. Registration facilitates replacement of a lost or stolen passport as well as contact in case of emergency. Americans can obtain visas from the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy or from one of three other Russian Consulates in the United States.

Visa Requirements

All Americans traveling to or transiting through Russia by any means of transportation must have a valid passport and visa. Travelers who arrive without a passport or entry visa are subject to fines, delays, and/or deportation by route of entry at the traveler's expense. The Embassy continues to recommend that all travelers obtain visas before traveling to Russia, regardless of the length of their stay or the purpose of their travel, including those simply changing planes at Sheremetovo Airport. Visas, other than for transit purposes, are issued based on support from a Russian individual or organization - the sponsor. It is very important to know your sponsor and how he or she can be contacted. Russian law requires the sponsor to apply for replacement, extension or changes to your visa. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot act as a sponsor. Tourists should contact their tour company or hotel in advance for information on visa sponsorship.

All foreigners must have an exit visa to depart. For short stays, the exit visa is issued along with the entry visa. For longer stays, the sponsor must obtain the exit visa after the traveler's arrival. The vast majority of Russian visas are issued exit permission along with the entry visa. Under new legislation, all foreigners are required to complete a "migration card", which is handed out upon arrival in Russia – either on airplanes or at border crossings. The migration card serves as a record of the visa type, entry/exit, and registration. Upon departure, the migration card must be turned into immigration authorities. Failure to do so may result in delays and possible problems during future travel to Russia. All travelers who spend more than three days in Russia must register their visa through their hotel or sponsor and may encounter problems when leaving the country if they fail to do so. Visitors, who either lose or overstay their visas, even for one day, are unable to leave until the visa is extended or replaced. In order to avoid needing a visa extension, the Embassy advises all Americans to obtain visas for a longer validity than they anticipate needing and to depart before the visa expires. Errors in dates or other information on the visa can and do occur, and it is helpful to verify this information before departing the United States. It is recommended that travelers have all entry, exit, and itinerary points listed on their visa, in order to avoid any difficulties in registering or any delays in travel. Although it is no longer legally required for all itinerary points to be listed, not all local authorities seem aware of the change. For visitors to Russia, it is mandatory to carry your passport and visa with you at all times. Random document checks by police on foreigners are frequent. Failure to present proper documentation can lead to detention and/or fines.

Please note that the dates on Russian visas are listed in the European style (date, month, year). U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
U.S. Embassy Moscow website: http://www.usembassy.ru

Telecommunications

Internet Accessibility: The level of penetration and Internet awareness is increasing in Russia. Recent figures show that about 18% of the Russian population use the Internet on regular basis; 70% use dial-up connection services. The number of ADSL and broadband users are increasing rapidly. The largest players in Russian language e-mail service and search engines are Mail.ru, Rambler and Yandex.

Wi-Fi is in the initial stage of development in Russia. However, it is already available is select locations. Currently, there are about 500 hot spots active in Russia that are primarily located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Marriott Hotel chain was the first Wi-Fi zone in Moscow and in Russia, launched in spring 2003. Vimpelcom (cellular carrier) has also entered this market by organizing a WLAN zone in Sheremetyevo airport and in the Iris Congress Hotel. Mobile Technology: Mobile services are provided in the GSM, CDMA-450, AMPS and DAMPS standards. GSM dominates the market. The major cellular operators in the market are Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), Vimpelcom and Megafon.

Long distance telephone calls can usually be made from a hotel. AT&T, MCI and other telecommunications companies can provide calling card service with local access numbers. Check with your provider to make sure coverage is available. With a prepaid, locally purchased phone card you can also make calls from phone kiosks, located near metro and train stations, tourist attractions and in downtown areas. It is also possible to make calls from the local Telephone and Telegraph office as well as from the Central Russian Telephone Office located at 5 Tverskaya Ulitsa in Moscow. This is the cheapest way to call, but also necessitates standing in line and putting in a request to make an international call. A rudimentary knowledge of the local language is extremely helpful for those placing a
call through the Telephone and Telegraph office. Moscow is eight hours ahead of Washington, D.C. To reach Moscow from the U.S. you need to dial Russia Country Code +7, Moscow City Code 495 followed by the phone number.

Transportation

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Russia as being in compliance with the ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Russia air carriers operations. See http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa/ for more information. Travelers should be aware some local airlines do not have advance reservation systems but sell tickets for cash at the airport. Flights often are canceled if more than 30% of the seats remain unsold. Travelers should have their passport with them at all times. Air travel within Western Russia is occasionally erratic but generally stays on schedule; the quality of service continues to improve. Flights within the Russian Far East are often delayed or cancelled in winter months due to snow or fog. International Russian carriers such as Aeroflot and Transaero usually use western equipment and meet higher standards than domestic carriers. Moscow has four major airports. Most international flights enter Moscow through Sheremetyevo-2 and Domodedovo. Travelers may continue to other Russian cities from Sheremeyevo-1, Vnukovo or Domodedovo airports. Travel time to the connecting airport can be as much as an hour and a half from Sheremetyevo-2, and ample time must be allowed for passport control, customs clearance and baggage retrieval. St. Petersburg's airport has two terminals: Pulkovo-1 (domestic flights) and Pulkovo-2 (international flights).

A good way to travel in Russia is by train. From St. Petersburg to Moscow, travelers can generally ride overnight trains, although unaccompanied passengers are reminded to keep an eye on their valuables and lock their doors at night (if in a sleeping compartment), as some incidents of pick-pocketing have been reported. Inclement weather, erratic maintenance and a culture of aggressive driving make road conditions throughout Russia highly variable. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidents. Traffic police sometimes stop motorists to levy cash "fines," and criminals occasionally prey on travelers, especially in isolated areas. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the metro (subway) can be an efficient and inexpensive, means of transportation. However, for non-Russian speakers, it can be difficult unless prepared in advance. Be sure to carry a metro map with you and learning Cyrillic alphabet is helpful. Marked taxis are increasingly present in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Short-term business travelers may wish to consider renting a car and driver for extensive excursions, or hire taxis through their hotels for shorter jaunts. Car rentals are another option that has opened up in the last couple of years. Although driving in Russia can be difficult for the uninitiated.

Language

Though many better-educated Russians in major cities speak English, you should be prepared to conduct business in Russian. Many first-time visitors are surprised by how difficult it can be to find anyone who speaks English. U.S. businesses should hire a reputable interpreter when conducting important negotiations. Not having product literature in Russian will put your company at a big disadvantage relative to your European and Asian competitors, not to mention local firms.

Health

As in many countries of the world, travelers should drink only boiled or bottled water. Medical care is usually far below western standards, with occasional shortages of basic medical supplies. In Moscow and St. Petersburg there are now a number of western managed medical and dental clinics that provide adequate ambulatory care. Such facilities usually require cash payment at western rates upon admission. For serious medical conditions, it may be necessary to travel to the West, and this can be very expensive if undertaken under emergency conditions. The cost of a medical evacuation (in an air ambulance) from some Russian regions exceeds $100,000. The Embassy strongly urges all travelers who visit Russia to purchase traveler’s medical insurance, which includes coverage for a medical evacuation. Elderly travelers and those with preexisting health problems may be at particular risk. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international traveler's hotline at 1-877-394-8747, or via the CDC home page at http://www.cdc.gov. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates maintain lists of such facilities and of English speaking doctors (http://www.moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/acs).

Business Hours & Holidays

There are eleven time zones across Russia. Moscow is eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Most companies and offices have the same business hours of 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Many of the shopping centers and supermarkets are open from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Occasionally days off will be declared by the government to create a long weekend, particularly at Christmas. Travelers should be advised that little business is done from mid-December through mid-January. The country basically shuts down for business from New Year's to Russian Orthodox Christmas. Government offices, most businesses and even much of the press close during this period. The period from May 1 through May 9 is similar. When holidays fall on weekends, Russian authorities generally announce during the week prior to the holiday whether it will be celebrated on the previous Friday or the following Monday.

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

Russian customs procedures include entry and exit declaration forms. Foreigners are allowed to export up to $3,000 without providing a customs declaration or proof of how the money was obtained. Foreigners may also export up to $10,000 by simply filling out a customs declaration upon exit. More than $10,000 can be exported upon proof that it was imported into Russia legally (a stamped customs declaration or proof of a legal bank or wire transfer must be presented to export currency). Failure to follow these procedures can and does result in delays, detentions, confiscation of the currency, and even imprisonment. Lost or stolen customs forms should be reported to the Russian police, and a police report (spravka) should be obtained to present to customs officials upon departure. Often, however, the traveler will find that the lost customs declaration cannot be replaced. Generally speaking, you should obtain a receipt for all items of value – including caviar – purchased in Russia. Furthermore, old artifacts and antiques must have a certificate indicating that they have no historical value. For further information call Russian Customs at 7 (495) 265-6628 or 208-2808.

Currently, personal items not exceeding rubles 65,000 in value and a weight of 50 kilos may be exported free of charge. A 30% duty may be required to export any personal items valued at over rubles 650,000 and weighing no more than 200 kilos, although additional charges may be required depending on the type of item to be exported. Export duties may be imposed on any items that are determined by customs officials at the point of departure to be of commercial use. Items which may appear to have historical or cultural value -- icons, rugs, art, antiques, etc. -- may be taken out of Russia only with prior written approval of the Ministry of Culture and payment of a 100% duty. Occasionally, dealers of quality items may be able to arrange this approval at considerably less cost. Certain items, such as caviar, medications, jewelry, precious/semi-precious stones or metals, and fuel may be exported duty-free in limited amounts only.

Computers, electronic notebooks and related hardware must be presented to customs officials at the airport for scanning at least two hours prior to departure. The Embassy understands that customs officials may require "information storage devices" to be submitted 24 hours before departure. The law is often neglected but can be enforced on a-case-by-case basis. Failure to follow the customs regulations may result in penalties ranging from confiscation of the property in question and/or imposition of fines or arrest. To prevent possible difficulties in taking currency and valuables back out of Russia, travelers are highly advised to ensure that their passenger declaration form is completed and is stamped by customs officials at the point of entry. This customs declaration should be kept and made available when exiting Russia.