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Preface to the Cultural Interpretation of Conflicts in Daily Social Etiquette between China and Russia Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Both China and Russia are countries that place great emphasis on etiquette, and etiquette is particularly important in interactions between them. As China and Russia deepen their exchanges and cooperation, interactions between their citizens have become increasingly frequent, and etiquette conflicts in daily interactions have become more apparent. Only by fully understanding the differences in etiquette and culture between the two countries can those who interact with one another avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, ensuring that cross-cultural communication proceeds smoothly. This article will explore the cultural roots behind the conflicts in daily social etiquette between China and Russia. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ I. Greetings Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ (I) Forms of address Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Forms of address serve as signals in interpersonal communication; in cross-cultural interactions, the accuracy of these forms of address directly affects the quality of communication. There are rules governing the way names are addressed, and there are also specific considerations regarding how strangers address one another. In China, there are the (elder) \"grandpa\" and (elder) \"grandma\" terms that can be used across the whole country; in addition, \"uncle\" and \"aunt\" are also very common. In Russia, such titles are only used among relatives, and moreover, the term \"elder\" touches on a taboo for Russians related to age, so it is generally not used. In everyday interactions between China and Russia, many awkward situations have arisen due to inappropriate ways of addressing people. This kind of \"culture shock\" is not accidental; its root cause lies in cultural differences. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ China has been a typical agrarian society since ancient times; farming has been an important part of the country’s material production and daily life. The mutual cooperation in production, along with settled living patterns, have led to strong bonds among people who live in the same area. Furthermore, Confucianism serves as the core of traditional Chinese education, fostering the traditional virtues of respecting the elderly and caring for the young, as well as being kind to neighbors among the Chinese people. Therefore, Chinese etiquette culture also bears a deep emotional imprint, which is the fundamental reason why the Chinese place great importance on interpersonal relationships. In daily interactions, Chinese people often aim to exchange feelings and build harmonious interpersonal relationships. Using familial terms for strangers from the previous generation is a strong indication of the purpose of the interaction. Younger people refer to older strangers who are not relatives as (old) \"grandpa,\" (old) \"grandma,\" or \"uncle\" and \"aunt.\" This is a way for the younger generation to acknowledge the age difference between them; from the perspective of those being addressed, it represents a form of respect. Such terms reflect the strong \"clan\" concept among Chinese people and have a significant impact, helping to bridge the gap between two people and creating a positive atmosphere for communication. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Individualism is one of the main characteristics of Russian etiquette culture; it emphasizes individual interests and protects them, and places great importance on personal privacy in interactions. In interactions with strangers, any form of address that reflects one’s age (especially a woman’s age) is considered a threat to personal privacy and regarded as rude; moreover, Russians pay great attention to the closeness of the relationship and gender when using addresses. Therefore, referring to them as дедушка (grandfather), бабушка (grandmother), дядя (uncle), тётя (aunt) will offend them. In recent years, titles such as господин (Mr.) and госпожа (Ms.) have become popular in Russian society; such forms of address are more easily accepted. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ (II) Greetings and Phrases of Politeness Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Greetings serve as a link between the words used to address someone and the topics of conversation; they are also used independently in everyday interactions, and can reflect a person’s manners and friendliness. In Han-Russian everyday language, greeting phrases serve the same function, but their expressions and usage differ greatly. This is Tibbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ When Chinese people meet, they often ask, “Where are you going?” ” ； “From where are you coming back? ”;\"Have you eaten yet?\" ”…… The function of these linguistic forms is to express friendly greetings and greetings as a way to show attention to the other person. The Russian personnel were surprised upon hearing this: “Where are you going?” ” ； “Where are you from? ”It seems to be questioning where the other person has been; if asked, “Did you have lunch?” ”It seems like one is being invited for a meal or a date. And if Russian officials meet with Chinese people in diplomatic settings and say, “You old fool, why haven’t you died yet!” ”This would also leave the Chinese people present in awe. These are typical examples of improper use of pleasantries. The Chinese made mistakes due to a fixed pattern of thinking in communication, while the Russian parties committed serious errors in the pragmatic context; as a result, neither group was able to achieve the intended greeting effect with those casual expressions. The roots of these etiquette conflicts can be found in the differences between Chinese and Russian mentalities and cultures. Firstly, Confucianism, which holds a dominant position in the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizes the unity of man and nature, that is, harmony between humans and the natural world. Its focus remains on humans and human affairs, giving rise to a human-centered humanistic tradition that leads us to approach all issues from a human-centered perspective ； Secondly, Confucian philosophy is a typical practical philosophy that emphasizes experience and utility, which has also led the Chinese to develop an intuitive way of thinking that focuses on the present and practical matters. Therefore, Chinese greeting phrases often focus on topics closely related to the interlocutor, resulting in straightforward and realistic expressions; abstract or formulaic phrases are rarely used. In contrast, Russians are better at abstract thinking, and Russian greetings are also rather \"formulaic,\" characterized by simplicity and abstraction; \"Здраствуй (те)!\" ”How are you? ”These phrases can be flexibly used in various social situations, yet the speaker does not actually pay attention to the other person’s specific circumstances; they are merely a sort of communicative \"formula,\" representing little real concern. Thus, as can be seen, in the process of communication, both parties must overcome their fixed mental patterns related to communication and adapt flexibly to the circumstances surrounding it, in order to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ II. Giving Gifts Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ China and Russia are both countries that place great importance on etiquette; when receiving guests, they treat them with courtesy. When celebrating happy occasions, Chinese people often give \"red envelopes\" (money) as a sign of their generosity; sometimes they also include souvenirs. Whether it is money or gifts, the amount given can symbolize good fortune such as \"double success,\" \"perfect luck,\" and \"four joys and five blessings.\" ； On occasions of death, odd-numbered gifts (usually money) are given to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune, as a way to comfort the family. The Russians, on the other hand, are not very inclined to give money; flowers remain a timeless gift for visiting relatives and friends in Russian society. However, the rules regarding the number of flowers differ from those in China – an odd number of flowers (except for thirteen) is considered auspicious, while an even number is regarded as an unlucky one. Placing an even number of flowers in front of a grave is meant to wish the deceased peace in the afterlife. These subtle differences can greatly affect the effectiveness of communication, and we should understand the roots of these differences in etiquette from a cultural perspective. Firstly, in terms of type, Chinese people tend to give gifts in the form of money, emphasizing the intention of bestowing blessings through wealth, while Russians usually give souvenirs, focusing on the commemorative aspect. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Although China is not a religious country, there are still many folk deities among the people. These deities generally arise from the psychological needs of certain social groups, and they reflect certain characteristics of that social structure. The slogans shouted by the Chinese peasant rebels were: We want food, we want to survive. For the Chinese people, having money means not only being able to survive and escape poverty, thus becoming masters of their own fate, but it also allows them to ‘make even the devils grind grain’. Thus, the God of Wealth, revered by the Han people, came into being, and as the small-scale peasant economy developed, he gradually became more widely recognized, eventually becoming the most authoritative symbol of good fortune in Chinese folk culture. Over time, the Chinese developed the notion that giving money is equivalent to sending the God of Wealth; only money can convey the wish for continuous prosperity in a more direct way, and it is the God of Wealth who serves as a powerful weapon against disasters. Therefore, generous gifts of money are essential for celebrations. Ths ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Russians like to live in the past; they have a strong longing for people and events from that time. For them, the importance of a gift lies not in its practicality but in its symbolic value. Therefore, as a gift, an item that serves as a memento is sufficient. Moreover, their independent and strong national character makes them set clear boundaries when it comes to material possessions. In Russian society, money is not a common gift among friends and relatives, nor is there any custom of giving money to one another. Normally, it serves only the functions of money itself (such as a means of payment, a medium of circulation, etc.), without carrying any emotional or relational significance. However, when money is used as a tool in the workplace, it becomes a medium for conveying such relationships, and transactions involving money in this context are defined as bribery. Secondly, in terms of quantity, the number of gifts given by Chinese people is often associated with concepts such as fortune, prosperity, and success, emphasizing the symbolic meaning of those gifts; whereas Russians use odd and even numbers to determine the appropriateness of giving gifts. It can be seen that the preferences of Russians and Chinese when it comes to the quantity of gifts given have their own characteristics, which is actually a reflection of differences in the cultural connotations associated with numbers. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ In Chinese, although numbers are symbols, when used in combination with other elements they are no longer merely numerical symbols. Instead, through homophony, conventional expressions, and symbolism, they become popular blessings. For example, in local dialects, “2” has the same pronunciation as “yi”, while “3” has the same pronunciation as “sheng” ； “6” has a similar pronunciation to “lu” ； “8” is homophonic with “hair” ； “9” has the same pronunciation as “jiù” ； Among the people, there are auspicious numbers such as 2828 (easy to happen), 9898 (will definitely happen), and 36 (bringing prosperity); when giving gifts, Chinese people can add \"variation\" to these numbers. Westerners are sensitive to the number \"13\", while in China, it does not carry any negative connotations; on the contrary, it is even considered an auspicious number. For example, the \"Ghost Festival\" among the Zhuang people is celebrated on the 13th day of the seventh lunar month, and boys and girls of the Naxi ethnic group in Yunnan hold a coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 13, during which they wear pants or skirts. These festivals are very popular. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Russia is a religious country; although there have been many different religions throughout its history and the various ecclesiastical factions have changed over time, the cultures associated with these factions are deeply rooted in Russian society. Under the influence of religious culture, Russians throughout different eras have used numbers to understand the world around them, assigning sacred religious meanings to these numbers. They believed that some numbers could bring wealth and good fortune, while others would bring poverty and disaster. For example, odd numbers (except for 13) were considered numbers of desire, capable of helping people achieve their wishes and bringing prosperity and happiness; in contrast, even numbers were seen as omens of bad luck and were not favored. Russians, like Westerners, are wary of the number thirteen; this is also a psychological effect arising from religious culture. According to Russian ancient texts, it was on the thirteenth day that Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit ； “There were thirteen people at the “Last Supper” ； Jesus was betrayed by Judas and crucified after thirteen days as well… It can be seen that the meaning of numbers in Russian is often related to religious culture. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ III. Compliments Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ When dining, Chinese people accept compliments on the dishes in different ways; generally, they would say, “There are only a few simple recipes at home – they’re not very complete yet!” ” ； “Where? It’s a bit plain. ”Use phrases like that in response, to politely accept the guest’s compliments and express the host’s apologies. In the minds of Chinese people, this is reasonable. On the contrary, the Russians accept praise from guests, and sometimes even praise their own dishes in front of them, explaining their cooking skills. Russians consider Chinese modesty to be almost hypocritical; sometimes they even misinterpret the host’s lack of hospitality. In turn, Chinese see Russians as being a bit showy. This psychological discomfort arises from the differences in the principles governing responses to compliments in Russian and Chinese. Ths ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ A notable feature of Chinese traditional culture is its emphasis on harmony in interpersonal relationships, on human sociability, and on the constraints that society and groups impose on individuals. It stresses the role of the group, and this cultural atmosphere, which does not highlight individual personality, leads Chinese people to follow the principle of modesty in social interactions. They consider it contrary to ethical principles and rude to accept praise from others, as it hinders the establishment of a ‘modest’ personal image in interactions. Therefore, responses to compliments in Chinese are mainly guided by the principle of modesty (minimizing praise for oneself) and the principle of generosity (minimizing personal gain). Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Expressing one’s individuality is one of the distinct features of Russian etiquette culture; it emphasizes self-centeredness, an independent personality, the pursuit of individuality, and the appreciation of personal achievements and honors. In interpersonal interactions, Russians aim to maintain their individual independence and seek space for personal development, usually relying on facts as the basis for their judgments. Therefore, responses to Russian compliments often follow the principle of consistency (reducing discrepancies between one’s own views and those of others in order to increase consistency) in response to praise. They expressed their agreement and gratitude with “Спасибо! ”Response. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ IV. Public Image in Social Interactions Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Chinese people consider smiling to be a symbol of warmth in social interactions; by smiling at someone, they convey an impression of enthusiasm and friendliness. In contrast, Russians do not smile easily. If a Chinese person smiles at a stranger Russian, that person will not return the smile, showing rather confusion or even surprise at such behavior. At this time, the Russian personnel considered the Chinese to be careless and frivolous; it is evident that the use of laughter among interlocutors from different cultural backgrounds can yield vastly different communication outcomes, and this is actually the effect of the cultural context at play. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ The nations of the world can be divided into smiling nations and non-smiling nations. Chinese people are typical representatives of the first category; they accept smiling and use it flexibly in social interactions, while Russians belong to the second category – they do not smile easily in social situations and tend to appear serious and solemn in various interactions. In China, a gentle smile is a symbol of civilization; it is the only thing that can convey the sunny and optimistic side of a person’s heart, as well as a warm attitude toward others. A smile sends messages of kindness and gentleness to those with whom one communicates within the same culture. Russians are not unable to laugh or refuse to laugh; rather, it is the national psychological habits and the communication culture that has developed over thousands of years that establish specific rules regarding laughter. When faced with someone else’s laughter, they also use these guidelines to understand its meaning. In Russian society, \"laughing\" is influenced by the following factors: first, the social communication environment (for example, one should not laugh at strangers) ； II. Attitude towards work and interpersonal relationships (be serious in work, and sincere in dealing with others) ； III. Convey a genuine and pleasant mood (smiling when something is done successfully or when in a good mood) ； IV. Degree of closeness to the communication partner (smiles are shown more frequently among close acquaintances). Moreover, the Russian people are a people prone to repentance; religion brings them sorrow and doubt, and it is within this melancholy that they develop a serious and diligent attitude toward life. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ V. Conversations Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ (I) Topics related to personal matters Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Chinese people often include topics such as economic income, family life, and marriage in their conversations; these are precisely the personal matters that Russians tend to avoid discussing. If such topics are brought up in everyday interactions between China and Russia, it can lead to communication barriers or even \"culture shock\". Yet, it is reasonable to understand the role of personal matters from the perspective of each country’s culture. How should this be interpreted? Thousands of years of feudal culture have left a deep imprint of a patriarchal system on Chinese society. This patriarchal system, which emphasizes the unity of family and state, fosters a sense of shared honor and shame as well as a prioritization of the group over the individual, placing the social aspects of people at the forefront and highlighting the restrictive influence of social groups on an individual’s development. Coupled with Confucianism’s moral supremacy, this leads people to regard \"the mean\" as the highest moral standard, and to use it as a principle to regulate individual personalities within a unified and harmonious order. The goal of interaction is to achieve harmonious coexistence between individuals and the group, with an effort to seek emotional intimacy in such interactions in order to obtain a sense of \"security\". Driven by the principles and purposes of communication, people narrow the scope of their personal privacy in interactions, and consider asking about another person’s income, family situation, and marital status to be a necessary way to build emotional bonds and strengthen relationships. Therefore, in the Chinese cultural context, it is easy to understand why private topics are included among those discussed in casual conversations. On the contrary, in Russian culture, there is more respect for individual freedom, with an emphasis on personal development. “\"All men are created equal\" is their most powerful slogan for advocating rights, backed further by individualism. Russians engage in relationships not to seek emotional attachment, but to showcase their personality and pursue personal growth. In their ideology, private matters are an individual’s highest form of privacy, and protecting personal privacy is the principle of communication; interactions that deviate from this principle become corrupted. Therefore, it is not appropriate to ask personal questions between strangers. Interestingly, although they are reluctant to ask or be asked personal questions, they themselves can sometimes be quite honest and often take the initiative to talk about their personal situations. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ (II) Chatting: Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Chatting is one of the effective ways of communication, and its content is also influenced by the communication environment as well as the cultural backgrounds of the participants. Chinese people have fewer restrictions on the topics they discuss; almost any aspect of life can be covered. Conversations often serve as a means of sharing one’s feelings, for example, \"Things haven’t been going well at home recently – my elders and children aren’t healthy.\"” ； “\"My cat fell ill yesterday and died today\"… Things like that; the other party usually participates in the discussion by asking questions, giving suggestions, or expressing opinions, which leads to a climax in the conversation. Yet when Russians hear such things, they not only fail to respond promptly but also perform some incredible actions – turning their head to their left shoulder and spitting three times. What can explain this? Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Chinese people use chatting as a way to express their thoughts, for the same cultural reasons they use personal conversations as a means of chatting casually. The Russians' abnormal reactions are caused by their religious culture. According to church figures, an angel stands on a person’s right shoulder while the devil stands on the left; by driving away the devil, one can have everything go well. In modern life, when someone says something inauspicious or related to illness, the listener usually spits three times behind their left shoulder to help rid that person of bad fortune. \"Spit three times over the shoulder\" is a common body language in Russia: one turns their head toward the left shoulder and spits three times, often accompanied by phrases like \"Tfu, Tfu, Tfu.\" This is done to drive away evil and misfortune in order to ensure safety, health, and happiness. Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ Conclusion Þs ÈÎ"h Tìbbs.veduchina.comsÙ½oïÖ0žÞ It is evident that cultural differences between China and Russia lead to significant variations in social etiquette. In daily interactions between the two countries, only by being mindful of these differences and respecting the other party’s culture and living habits can better communication and learning take place, thereby promoting the development of relations between China and Russia.