Differs from generally accepted European norms. In the West, politeness and tolerance form the national mentality. In the Russian Federation, people also try to be polite, but will not mince words if something does not suit them. This is the main difference that characterizes national etiquette in Russia.
Rules for addressing another person
In Russia, it is prescribed to address older people and strangers with “you”. However, a person may well switch to “you” even after a short acquaintance, or if you offend or offend him in some way.
Prefixes that exist in foreign languages (“Mister”, “Monsieur”) are absent in Russian. This creates certain inconveniences. Before the revolution, there were such addresses (“sir”, “madam”), then they were changed to “citizen” and “comrade”. IN modern world Such consoles are not in use.
Today you can address a person knowing his last name (“Mr. Petrov”), but this is also not very popular. Many Russians will prefer to use the usual "man", "woman", "girl", "young man" if they need to address a stranger. A faceless “excuse me, please” will also work to attract attention.
Degrees of relationship are often used in addresses. For example, “grandmother” or “uncle” will not hurt the ears of a Russian person.
Speech etiquette in Russia
A neutral topic of conversation, no matter how strange it may seem to foreigners, is politics. Russian people love to express opinions about modern power and evaluate the actions of politicians. Moreover, the majority of Russians, even in a conversation with an unfamiliar person, are quite able to state own plan saving the Russian economy from stagnation.
But Russian etiquette will not allow long conversations about the weather and other abstract matters. This is not considered impolite, but a resident of the Russian Federation will not be able to maintain a conversation on such simple topics for a long time. You can safely ask a Russian person about family, work, health, and even the latest gossip. Any specifics in the conversation are welcome.
Russians do not like to touch upon only certain intimate topics, for example, sexual relationships. This may seem strange to foreigners, given that Russian swearing is directly related to sex. Obscene language is another point that is difficult for residents of other countries to get used to.
When communicating with a Russian person, you need to be prepared for the fact that you may encounter the following manifestations of character:
- unkindness, and sometimes even rudeness;
- reluctance to come to the rescue;
- bad manners.
You don't have to do something wrong to deserve bad treatment. It’s just that the person at the time you contact him may be in a bad mood and easily curse you. However, in really serious situations, you can count on the help of Russian people, even if they do not know you.
Modern etiquette in Russia does not oblige people to smile. This may be unusual for foreigners, because politeness is one of the main qualities abroad. A Russian person who has been smiled at will not smile back. Or maybe he can also twirl his finger at his temple, expressing his opinion about your mental abilities. There is no need to be offended by this, it’s just that Russian national etiquette is structured differently. Here they will not behave calmly and restrainedly if they are feeling bad. On the contrary, they will demonstrate their dissatisfaction to the whole world.
Gestures and facial expressions
Many Europeans can do without active gestures, but Russians prefer to use different gestures in normal conversation. Here is a list of the most popular:
- fig (used if you need to refuse something);
- beating one's chest (a gesture signifies devotion or a promise to do something at any cost);
- twirl your finger at your temple (expresses a disapproving opinion about mental abilities person);
- a click on the throat (an invitation to drink alcohol).
There are several dozen more popular gestures that are the norm in everyday communication of Russian people. As for facial expressions, residents of the Russian Federation also use them very actively.
Russians are not very welcoming to strangers who try to invade their personal space. If we compare them with sociable peoples (Latin Americans,), where people constantly touch each other’s clothes or pat each other on the shoulder, then this is not accepted among residents of the Russian Federation. A Russian person will calmly react if such gestures come from close relative or a friend, but will not tolerate it if you decide to be too close to him when you first meet him.
Most residents feel a need for personal space, but not as strong as, for example, in. You don't need to move too far away from your interlocutor, just try not to lean too close to him.
Social etiquette in Russia allows people to be closer if they are walking somewhere or standing in line. Europeans do not accept such behavior; they try to maintain boundaries in any situation.
If you need to pass through a crowd, a Russian person will pave the way with the help of his torso, for example, by putting his shoulders forward. Foreigners are accustomed to pushing people away with their hands, which in the Russian Federation is considered a sign bad taste.
You can attract the attention of a Russian resident by trying to catch his eye. These features of etiquette in Russia differ, for example, from, where it is impolite to look directly into a person’s eyes.
Modern etiquette in Russia. How to behave in public places
The rules of etiquette in Russia dictate not to disturb the people around you. Try to carry your things carefully so as not to touch others. When squeezing through a crowd, it is unacceptable to push people aside. If you are moving in a stream of people, do not stop until you step aside.
Etiquette in Russia is not as strict regarding garbage as in Europe. Here, a piece of paper thrown past the ballot box will not surprise anyone. However, you should not litter anywhere. Bring candy wrappers or skins to the trash can.
Try not to talk too loudly if there are people around you. Rules of etiquette in Russia dictate not to talk on the phone while on public transport. Many people break this rule, but such a conversation (especially in a raised voice) looks ugly. There is no need to sort things out if there are a lot of people around. Put off the quarrel until you get home.
Traditionally, when entering somewhere (a house, an elevator, a restaurant), a man lets a woman through first, holding the door for her. If you have to climb a steep and dark staircase, then a man should go first.
In public transport, it is customary to give up your seat to elderly people, disabled people, pregnant women or those with children. However, today many people also violate this rule, demonstrating impoliteness. On a bus or subway, it is not customary to spread your legs wide, preventing another person from taking the next seat.
in Russia you need to know if you are going to make a deal. In Western European countries, the rules differ from those that establish business etiquette in Russia. Russian people are accustomed to solving most issues by establishing personal contact. A potential business partner will be offered a joint dinner or a visit to the sauna to build connections.
In communication, you should adhere to the official style, avoiding jargon and other unconventional expressions. If you are late for a meeting, be sure to notify your partner. During negotiations, you cannot be rude or insult your interlocutor, or get personal. Be polite, even if you are not happy with something.
There are general rules for employees of Russian companies that establish business etiquette in Russia:
- Dressing should be formal;
- Punctuality and politeness are required;
- speech must be literate;
- trade secrets cannot be disclosed;
- it is necessary to adhere to corporate ethics.
The peculiarities of business etiquette in Russia require that employees adhere to the dress code established by the company. Most often these are formal suits, ties, and shirts. Dress codes often even dictate the length of skirts that female employees can wear.
Be sure to adhere to chain of command. Business etiquette in Russia prohibits a familiar attitude towards management or subordinates. The rules for receiving official delegations are regulated depending on their status.
A condition for obtaining a good position is the person’s literacy. You must be able to express your thoughts on paper, as well as in oral conversation. Etiquette in Russia today prohibits constant smoking breaks and other liberties.
Always adhere to the rules established by table etiquette in Russia. This is especially true if you don’t know the people you’re visiting very well. Do not lean on the table with your hands and do not lean very low towards the plate. Do not slurp while eating, and if you put food in your mouth, do not talk until you have chewed.
When you eat fruit, place the pits and skins on the edge of the plate. Do not use napkins or ashtrays for this, this is unacceptable. Show that you are full by placing a fork and knife on your plate.
When dining at a restaurant, give women the first choice of dishes. Calling a waiter loudly if he is at the other end of the hall is considered a sign of bad taste. Wait for him to pass by your table and call him.
Do not start eating until not all guests have gathered at the table. Men should look after women during the feast (pour drinks, bring dishes that are far away).
Table etiquette in Russia does not accept the use of combs or powder during dinner. Postpone cosmetic procedures for later. Do not use a toothpick until you are alone; it is impolite and may be unpleasant to others. If you don't like a dish, don't speak negatively about it, just don't eat it.
To take the floor, you can tap the glass with a fork or spoon. This will draw attention to yourself and politely interrupt other conversations. If you wish, you can clink glasses with those present. But, if you can't reach all the guests, you don't need to lean across the entire table. Just extend your hand with a glass, imitating clinking glasses.
When dining in a restaurant, everyone pays for their dish, or by agreement, the bill is divided among all those present. An exception is made only in cases where a specific person invited you to dinner. He pays the general bill. Be polite by leaving a tip. They make up 10% of the amount.
Different cities may have different rules of behavior. You should find out about them before planning your trip.
Some features of etiquette in Russia may seem strange to foreigners. Most often, in Russian people, they are surprised by their wariness, lack of smiles and harsh statements towards a person who has offended them in some way. However, upon closer acquaintance, the national mentality reveals a desire to help others if they need it. A Russian will always come to the rescue, even if he doesn’t know the person. A heightened sense of justice also sets the residents of Russia apart from other peoples.
The national culture of any state is determined by this important element, How . Language, verbal communication, set expressions, formulas, stereotypes of communication - all this reflects the experience of the people. In every state there is national peculiarity speech etiquette. It is not devoid of it either, the specificity of which is very bright, unique, and amazing. About what national characteristic of and what distinguishes us from our neighbors, read below.
To understand what national and cultural characteristics the residents adhere to different countries, you need to pay attention to them speech etiquette . It is enough to at least listen to the welcoming speech. Abroad (America, EU countries) it is not customary to cry to a friend during a meeting or complain about life. Local etiquette allows you to inquire about the health of your interlocutor, exchange standard phrases (“How are you?”, “How is life?”), but it is not customary to answer questions. In Russia, friends who meet each other can spend hours sharing their experiences, concerns, complaining about life, and even be proud of the fact that they have to resolve the difficulties that have arisen. Behavior rules this is not prohibited (the main thing is that the conversation should not be tiresome for the interlocutor). Moreover, the presence of difficulties should not always be regarded as a bad sign. The peculiarity of the Russian mentality is to believe that only idle people have no worries or sorrows, while a serious person is surrounded by them. It’s simply not customary to talk about a good life in Russian society. Having poured out his soul, a person waits for a response from his interlocutor. A Russian, answering the question “How are you?”, in most cases will complain, tell how difficult and unfair life can be sometimes. The European response is “Okay!” may arouse suspicion. Therefore, a Russian, talking with a foreigner or a person who does not want to talk about his life, will feel tension and consider his opponent secretive and intractable. These are the amazing ones that are revealed after analyzing just a few phrases spoken at the moment of greeting.
They also appear in the following communicative situations. When talking with an acquaintance, a Russian resident prefers to focus on himself (“Can you imagine, I was in yesterday…”, “This happened to me!”, “I ended up in similar story. Listen…"). This distinguishes Russians from other nations (for example, during a conversation they talk about each other). It is quite difficult for a person with a Russian soul to mask his feelings. He prefers to express his opinion directly (“Let me disagree with you,” “Don’t mislead me”) rather than try to please the opponent, try to refuse something in a delicate manner, or hint that the interlocutor is wrong, as, for example, polite people do.
Each of us in any situation, talking with any person, uses. When choosing what to say and what methods of conveying etiquette meanings through speech, a person takes into account everything: the environment, the topic of the conversation, the person with whom he is speaking. Behavior rules are always observed by people, since speech that is not related to etiquette does not exist.
Sign language is of particular importance in speech etiquette for the Russian nation. In Russia, as in European countries It is customary to shake hands when meeting. But gestures accepted and widespread in our country may have the opposite meaning and be indecent on the territory of other states. Russian etiquette allows men not to raise their headdress when greeting someone. Abroad (in Japan, for example), such behavior is considered uncivilized. When meeting a friend, we can easily slap him on the shoulder, which is prohibited in Japan and Finland, where this gesture is unacceptable. Approving the action of a loved one/child, or consoling someone, Russians stroke their head, which is unacceptable in relation to Thais, who consider the head sacred. And such a gesture as shaking the head, which characterizes the word “No” among Russians, is not used at all and verbal words associated with denying something are avoided.
noticeable in the example of telephone etiquette. A Russian, when making a call to someone, usually does not introduce himself, unlike polite Europeans. Etiquette Nor does it require this from the person being called. The most common case is to limit yourself to the phrases “Hello”, “Yes”, “Listen”. In Europe, it is common to introduce yourself to both the caller and the person answering the phone (“Good afternoon, Mr...”, “Hello, you have reached Dr. Smith, leave a message,” or “Dr. Smith is listening”). Although in last years began a confident movement towards the European, which is especially noticeable when visiting large chain stores. In supermarkets, employees (cashiers, salespeople) adhere to special corporate etiquette, the main rule of which is to greet customers. The latter are also included in the etiquette game, as they realize that silence can be perceived as rudeness and disrespect for the store staff.
The naming system also has national specificity. In the West, a two-name system for naming people (first name + surname) is common, in Russia it is a three-name system (a patronymic is added). Surprisingly, in Rus', emphasis on the patronymic was considered a sign of respect and honor. Today, due to the inevitable Westernization of Russian society, the appeal system is undergoing enormous changes. In Russia, especially in the press, the combination first name + surname is often used.
Concerning writing, which is a type of communication etiquette, also has specific features. letters consist of strict adherence to certain functional styles, while oral speech allows for the blurring of stylistic boundaries.
If we draw a parallel between Russian and European etiquette, the indisputable fact remains that Western European is more focused on maintaining distance between people, Russian speech etiquette - to maintain solidarity. Gradually, this line is erased, since the influence of Western culture still leaves its mark. But Russians, unlike residents of Europe and the United States, are still provided with a wider range of speech strategies, which sometimes makes it difficult to choose the only correct one for a particular case, which is neutral and has minimal emotional load. In less than a century of history, Russia has lost a number of treasures accumulated by its ancestors. Gradually, European words are replacing Russian ones (militia - police, cleaner - cleaner), words reflecting the original Russian culture are disappearing from everyday life (mother, Your Excellency, comrade). But basics of speech culture are still respected by the inhabitants of the country.
To summarize, it is worth saying that the social conditions of any society are reflected through human activity and communication. The construction of speech occurs in different ways, taking into account who you have to address, for what reason and what kind of relationship connects the opponents. To know the norms of behavior, to follow them, to be able to control, restrain one’s emotions, to respect people, to be attentive to them, to observe them - these are the tasks that every citizen must set and fulfill. Only compliance with the requirements of speech etiquette can turn communication into a pleasant process, allowing you to resolve difficult everyday and business problems, and eliminate conflicts and misunderstandings.
Introduction
What is etiquette? This concept is philosophical. According to the dictionary, “Etiquette is a set of rules of behavior relating to the external manifestation of attitude towards people (dealing with others, formulas of address and greetings, behavior in public places, manners, clothing).”
Etiquette determines the behavior of any person. These are not only the rules that must be followed at the table or at a party, these are generally all the norms of human relationships. With the help of such rules, interactions with others are regulated. Indeed, etiquette is expressed in different aspects of our behavior. For example, a person’s various movements, postures and positions that he takes can have etiquette meaning: a polite position facing the speaker and not at all polite - with his back to him. For etiquette purposes, we often use objects (a raised hat, presented flowers), features of clothing (the choice of festive, mourning or everyday clothing shows well how we understand the situation and how we relate to the participants in communication). Most important role Our speech plays a role in the etiquette expression of relationships with people.
Speech etiquette is a broad area of communication stereotypes.
In the process of education and socialization, a person, becoming an individual and increasingly mastering the language, learns the ethical norms of relationships with others, including speech relationships, in other words, masters the culture of communication. But to do this, you need to navigate the communication situation, the role characteristics of your partner, correspond to your own social characteristics and satisfy the expectations of other people, strive for the “model” that has developed in the minds of native speakers, act according to the rules of the communicative roles of the speaker or listener, construct the text in accordance with stylistic standards, master oral and written forms of communication, be able to communicate contact and remotely, and also master the whole range of non-verbal means of communication.
So let’s take a closer look at the features of Russian etiquette and the norms for its implementation.
Specifics of Russian speech etiquette
Impossible to name linguistic culture, in which etiquette requirements for speech activity would not be presented. The origins of speech etiquette lie in the most ancient period of the history of language. In an archaic society, speech etiquette (like etiquette in general) has a ritual background. The word is given special meaning, associated with magical and ritual ideas, the relationship between man and cosmic forces. Therefore, human speech activity, from the point of view of members of archaic society, can have a direct impact on people, animals and the world; The regulation of this activity is connected, first of all, with the desire to cause certain events (or, conversely, to avoid them). Relics of this state are preserved in different units speech etiquette; for example, many stable formulas represent ritual wishes that were once perceived as effective: Hello (also Be healthy); Thank you (from God bless you). Similarly, many prohibitions on the use of words and constructions that are modern language are considered abusive and go back to archaic prohibitions - taboos.
The most ancient ideas about the effectiveness of the word are superimposed by later layers associated with various stages in the evolution of society and its structure, with religious beliefs, etc. Of particular note is the rather complex system of speech etiquette in hierarchical societies, where the rules verbal communication fit into the semiotics of social hierarchy. An example is the court of an absolute monarch (medieval East, Europe at the turn of the Modern Age). In such societies, etiquette norms became the subject of training and codification and played a dual role: they allowed the speaker to express respect for the interlocutor and at the same time emphasize the sophistication of his own upbringing. The role of etiquette manuals in the formation of a new, Europeanized elite was well known.
In the speech etiquette of almost all nations it is possible to distinguish common features; Thus, almost all nations have stable formulas for greeting and farewell, forms of respectful address to elders, etc. However, these features are implemented in each culture in its own way. As a rule, the most extensive system of requirements exists in traditional cultures. At the same time, with a certain degree of convention, we can say that the understanding of speech etiquette by its speakers goes through several stages. A closed traditional culture is characterized by the absolutization of etiquette requirements for behavior in general and for speech behavior in particular. A person with a different speech etiquette is perceived here as a poorly educated or immoral person, or as an insulter. In societies that are more open to external contacts, there is usually a more developed understanding of the differences in speech etiquette among different nations, and the skills of imitating someone else’s speech behavior can even be a source of pride for a member of society.
In modern, especially urban culture, the culture of industrial and post-industrial society, the place of speech etiquette is radically rethought. On the one hand, the traditional foundations of this phenomenon are being eroded: mythological and religious beliefs, ideas about an unshakable social hierarchy, etc. Speech etiquette is now considered in a purely pragmatic aspect, as a means of achieving a communicative goal: to attract the attention of the interlocutor, to demonstrate respect to him, to arouse sympathy, to create a comfortable climate for communication. The relics of hierarchical representations are also subject to these tasks; compare, for example, the history of the address Mr. and the corresponding addresses in other languages: an element of speech etiquette that once arose as a sign social status addressee, subsequently becomes a national form of polite address.
On the other hand, speech etiquette remains an important part national language and culture. Impossible to talk about high level proficiency in a foreign language, if this proficiency does not include knowledge of the rules of speech communication and the ability to apply these rules in practice. It is especially important to have an understanding of the differences in national speech etiquettes. For example, each language has its own system of address, which has been formed over centuries. When translated literally, the meaning of these addresses is sometimes distorted; Thus, the English Dear is used in official addresses, while the corresponding Russian Dear is used, as a rule, in less formal situations. Or another example - in many Western cultures, when asked How are you? should answer: Okay. The answer Bad or Not very is considered indecent: the interlocutor should not impose his problems. In Russia, it is customary to answer the same question neutrally, rather with a negative connotation: Nothing; Little by little. Differences in speech etiquette and in general in systems of rules of speech behavior fall under the purview of a special discipline - linguistic and regional studies.
Each language has its own history, its “ups and downs”. At particularly critical moments of government transformation, there is always a danger of losing attention to this national asset, being distracted by the seemingly more important needs and problems of society. In our time of great social and spiritual changes, this danger has increased many times over.
Over the past two decades, the Russian language has suffered many not-so-good influences and invasions. Dozens of scientific and cultural figures sounded the alarm. Back in the early 90s, realizing that there was an ugly pollution of the Russian language, writers of the St. Petersburg organization of the Union of Writers of Russia raised the issue of adopting a Law on the Protection of the Russian Language at the state level. And only at the beginning of 1998 this Law was adopted, which talks about the mandatory introduction of a course in the Russian language and speech culture in all universities in the country and the adoption special measures in increasing the literacy level of the population.
Speech etiquette has national specifics. Each nation has created its own system of rules of speech behavior. In Russian society, such qualities as tact, courtesy, tolerance, goodwill, and restraint are of particular value.
Tactfulness is an ethical norm that requires the speaker to understand the interlocutor, avoid inappropriate questions, and discuss topics that may be unpleasant for him.
Consideration lies in the ability to anticipate possible questions and wishes of the interlocutor, the willingness to inform him in detail on all topics relevant to the conversation.
Tolerance means being calm about possible differences of opinion and avoiding harsh criticism of the views of your interlocutor. You should respect the opinions of other people and try to understand why they have this or that point of view. Closely related to such a character quality as tolerance is self-control - the ability to calmly respond to unexpected or tactless questions and statements from an interlocutor.
Goodwill is necessary both in relation to the interlocutor and in the entire structure of the conversation: in its content and form, in intonation and choice of words.
Appeal is the most widespread and most striking etiquette sign.
There are few personal pronouns in the Russian language, but their weight in speech etiquette is quite large. The choice between You and You is especially important. You instead of You in addressing one appeared among Russians relatively recently (in the 18th century). This attitude was established primarily among educated nobles. Before this, You in itself had no etiquette content. But in comparison with you, it acquired the meaning of proximity, and in the communication of people who are not close, it began to express social inequality, communication from top to bottom. You told the commoners, the servants. Gradually capturing more and more layers of townspeople, the use of You and You respectively received a variety of shades in accordance with the typical for each public group attitude.
A person’s speech is a very important characterological feature; it can be used to determine not only the level of education, but also the degree of his responsibility and discipline. His speech reveals his attitude towards other people, himself, and his business. Therefore, any person who wants to achieve success in communicating with other people needs to work on their speech. Rules of speech etiquette, summary which each of us learns in childhood, contribute to better mutual understanding between people and help establish relationships.
The concept of speech etiquette
Etiquette is a set of norms and rules of behavior, usually an unwritten code that each person learns along with culture. Compliance with the rules of speech etiquette is usually not required by anyone to be followed in the office or writing, but they are a must for anyone who wants to build relationships with other people. Speech etiquette prescribes the desired verbal presentation of typical communication situations. No one came up with these rules intentionally; they were formed in the course of human communication over thousands of years. Each label formula has its own roots, functions and variations. Speech etiquette and etiquette rules are a sign of a well-mannered and polite person and subconsciously set up a positive perception of the person using them.
History of origin
The word "etiquette" came into French from Greece. Etymologically, it goes back to the root meaning order, rule. In France, the word was used to refer to a special card on which the rules of seating and behavior at the royal table were prescribed. But during the time of Louis XIV the phenomenon of etiquette itself, of course, did not arise; it had a much more ancient origin. The rules of speech etiquette, a brief summary of which can be described by the phrase “successful communication,” begin to take shape when people had to learn to establish relationships and negotiate with each other. Already in ancient times, there were rules of behavior that helped interlocutors overcome mutual mistrust and establish interaction. Yes, code good behavior described in the texts of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. In ancient times, etiquette rules were a kind of ritual that suggested to interlocutors that they were “of the same blood” and that they did not pose a threat. Each ritual had a verbal and non-verbal component. Gradually, the original meaning of many actions is lost, but the ritual and its verbal presentation are preserved and continue to be reproduced.
Functions of speech etiquette
U modern man The question often arises: what are the rules of speech etiquette for? The short answer is to please other people. The main function of speech etiquette is establishing contact. When the interlocutor follows general rules, this makes him more understandable and predictable; we subconsciously trust more what is familiar to us. This goes back to primitive times, when the world around was very uncertain and there were dangers from everywhere; observance of rituals was then extremely important. And when the communication partner performed a familiar set of actions and said the right words, this removed some of the mistrust and facilitated contact. Today, our genetic memory also tells us that a person who follows the rules can be trusted more. The rules and norms of speech etiquette perform the function of creating a positive emotional atmosphere and help to have a favorable influence on the interlocutor. Speech etiquette also acts as a means of demonstrating respect for the interlocutor, helps to emphasize the status distribution of roles between communicants and the status of the communication situation itself - business, informal, friendly. Thus, the rules of speech etiquette are a tool. Part of the tension is relieved by simple etiquette formulas. Speech etiquette, as a formal part of ethics, performs a regulatory function; it helps to establish contacts and influences the behavior of people in typical situations.
Types of speech etiquette
Like any speech, etiquette speech behavior is very different in its written and oral form. The written version has more stringent rules, and in this form etiquette formulas are more mandatory. The oral form is more democratic; some omissions or replacement of words with actions are allowed here. For example, sometimes instead of saying “Hello,” you can get by with a nod of the head or a slight bow.
Etiquette dictates the rules of behavior in certain areas and situations. It is customary to highlight several different types speech etiquette. Official, business or professional speech etiquette determines the rules of speech behavior when performing job responsibilities, during negotiations, when preparing documents. This type is quite highly formalized, especially in its written form. The rules of Russian speech etiquette in formal and informal settings can be very different; the first signal of a transition from one type of etiquette to another may be a change from addressing “You” to addressing “you.” Everyday speech etiquette is characterized by greater freedom than official etiquette; there is greater variability in key etiquette formulas. There are also such types of speech etiquette as diplomatic, military and religious.
Principles of modern speech etiquette
Any rules of behavior are based on universal principles of morality, and speech etiquette is no exception. Golden Rule Speech etiquette is based on the main moral principle formulated by I. Kant: act towards others as you would like them to act towards you. Thus, polite speech should include formulas that the person himself would be pleased to hear. Basic principles speech etiquette are appropriateness, accuracy, brevity and correctness. The speaker must select speech formulas in accordance with the situation, the status of the interlocutor, and the degree of familiarity with him. In any case, you should speak as briefly as possible, but not lose the meaning of what was said. And, of course, the speaker must respect his communication partner and try to construct his statement in accordance with the rules of the Russian language. Speech etiquette is based on two more essential principles: goodwill and cooperation. treats other people with an initial attitude of goodness, he must be sincere and friendly. Communicators must do everything on both sides to ensure that communication is productive, mutually beneficial and enjoyable for all participants.
Etiquette situations
Etiquette regulates behavior in different situations. Traditionally, speech differs significantly in formal settings and in everyday life, as well as in different forms of its existence: written or oral. However, there are general rules of speech etiquette in various speech situations. The list of such cases is the same for any sphere, culture and form. Standard etiquette situations include:
Greetings;
Attracting attention and appeal;
Introduction and introduction;
Invitation;
Offer;
Request;
Gratitude;
Refusal and consent;
Congratulations;
Condolences;
Sympathy and comfort;
Compliment.
Each etiquette situation has a stable set of speech formulas that are recommended for use.
National features of etiquette
Speech etiquette is based on universal, universal moral principles. Therefore, its basis is the same in all cultures. Such universal principles, characteristic of all countries, include restraint in the expression of emotions, politeness, literacy and the ability to use standard speech formulas appropriate to the situation, and a positive attitude towards the interlocutor. But private sale universal human norms can vary significantly in different national cultures. Variability usually manifests itself in the speech design of a standard situation. The general culture of communication influences national speech etiquette. The rules of etiquette, for example, in the Russian language suggest maintaining a conversation even with strangers if you happen to be in a confined space with them (in a train compartment), while the Japanese and the British will try to remain silent in the same circumstances or speak on as neutral topics as possible. In order not to get into trouble when communicating with foreigners, you should, when preparing for a meeting, familiarize yourself with their etiquette rules.
Contact situation
The basic rules of speech etiquette at the beginning of a conversation are related to the speech format of greetings and addresses. For the Russian language, the main greeting formula is the word “hello”. Its synonyms can be the phrases “I greet you” with an archaic connotation and “good afternoon, morning, evening”, which are more sincere compared to the basic formulation. The greeting stage is one of the most important in establishing contact; words should be pronounced with sincere intonation, with a hint of positive emotionality.
The means of attracting attention are the words: “let me/permit me to address”, “excuse me”, “excuse me” and adding an explanatory phrase to them: ideas, requests, suggestions.
Treatment situation
Addressing is one of the difficult etiquette situations, since it can be difficult to choose the appropriate name for the person to whom you need to address. In the Russian language today, the address “Mister/Madam” is considered universal, but in speech they do not always take root well due to negative connotations in Soviet time. The best way to address someone is by first name or patronymic, but this is not always possible. Worst option: using the words “girl”, “woman”, “man”. In a situation of professional communication, you can address the person by the name of the person’s position, for example, “Mr. Director.” The general rules of speech etiquette can be briefly described as the desire for the comfort of communicators. In no case should the address indicate any personal characteristics (age, nationality, faith).
Contact termination situation
The final stage in communication is also very important; the interlocutors will remember it and you need to try to leave a positive impression. The usual rules of speech etiquette, examples of which we know from childhood, recommend using traditional phrases for saying goodbye: “goodbye,” “see you later,” “farewell.” However, the final stage should also include words of gratitude for the time spent communicating, perhaps for working together. You can also additionally express hopes for continued cooperation, say parting words. Speech etiquette and etiquette rules recommend maintaining a favorable impression when completing a contact, creating an emotional atmosphere of sincerity and warmth. This is helped more firmly by the formula: “it was very pleasant to communicate with you, I hope for further cooperation.” But cliched phrases must be pronounced as sincerely and with feeling as possible in order for them to acquire true meaning. Otherwise, farewell will not leave the desired emotional response in the memory of the interlocutor.
Rules for introduction and dating
The dating situation requires resolving the issue of conversion. Business conversation, contacts with unfamiliar people involve addressing them as “you”. According to the rules of speech etiquette, “you” is allowed only within the framework of friendly and everyday communication. The introduction is formalized by such phrases as “let me introduce you,” “please introduce me,” “let me introduce you.” The presenter also gives brief description to the person being represented: “position, full name, place of work, or some particularly noteworthy detail.” Acquaintances must, in addition to voicing their name, say positive words: “glad to meet you,” “very nice.”
Rules of congratulations and gratitude
Modern rules of speech etiquette in the Russian language offer a fairly wide range of formulas for From simple “thank you” and “thank you” to “infinitely grateful” and “very grateful.” It is customary to add an additional positive phrase to words of gratitude for a great service or gift, for example, “very nice,” “I’m touched,” “you’re so kind.” There are extremely many congratulation formulas. When writing a congratulation on any occasion, it is worth thinking about individual words, in addition to the usual “congratulations,” that would emphasize the specificity of the occasion and the personality of the person being honored. The text of the congratulation must include any wishes; it is advisable that they are not template, but correspond to the personality of the hero of the occasion. Congratulations should be pronounced with a special feeling, which will give the words greater value.
Rules of invitation, offer, request, consent and refusal
When inviting someone to take part in something, you should also follow the rules of speech etiquette. The situations of invitation, offer and request are somewhat similar; in them, the speaker always slightly reduces the status of his role in communication and emphasizes the importance of the interlocutor. A stable expression of invitation is the phrase “we have the honor to invite,” which notes the special importance of the invitee. For invitation, offer and request, the words “please”, “please”, “please” are used. In the invitation and proposal, you can additionally say about your feelings towards the invitee: “we will be glad/happy to see you”, “we are pleased to offer you.” A request is a situation in which the speaker deliberately reduces his position in communication, but you should not overdo it; the traditional form of a request is the words: “I ask you,” “could you please.” Consent and refusal require different verbal behavior. If consent can be extremely laconic, then refusal must be accompanied by softening and motivating formulations, for example, “unfortunately, we are forced to refuse your proposal, since at the moment ....”
Rules of condolences, sympathy and apologies
In dramatic and tragic etiquette, the rules of etiquette recommend expressing only sincere feelings. Typically, regret and sympathy should be accompanied by encouraging words, for example, “we sympathize with you in connection ... and sincerely hope that ....” Condolences are offered only for truly tragic reasons; it is also appropriate to talk about your feelings and offer help. For example, “I offer you my sincere condolences for... this loss has left me with bitter feelings. If necessary, you can count on me."
Rules of approval and praise
Compliments are an important part of establishing good relations, these social strokes - effective tool establishing good relationships. But giving compliments is an art. What distinguishes them from flattery is the degree of exaggeration. A compliment is just a slight exaggeration of the truth. The rules of speech etiquette in the Russian language state that compliments and praise should always refer to a person, and not to things, therefore the words: “how does this dress suit you” are a violation of the rules of etiquette, and a real compliment would be the phrase: “how beautiful you are in this dress". You can and should praise people for everything: for skills, character traits, for performance results, for feelings.
Etiquette standards of behavior are national in nature.
I. Ehrenburg in his book “People, Years, Life” writes about this: “Europeans, when greeting, extend their hand, but a Chinese, Japanese or Indian is forced to shake a stranger’s limb. If a visitor stuck his bare foot into Parisians or Muscovites, it would hardly cause delight.
A resident of Vienna says “kiss the hand” without thinking about the meaning of his words, and a resident of Warsaw, when introduced to a lady, mechanically kisses her hand.
The Englishman, outraged by the tricks of his competitor, writes to him: “Dear sir, you are a fraudster,” without “dear sir” he cannot begin the letter.
Christians, entering a church, church or church, take off their hats, and a Jew, entering a synagogue, covers his head. In Catholic countries, women should not enter the temple with their heads uncovered.
In Europe the color of mourning is black, in China it is white.
When a Chinese man sees for the first time a European or an American walking arm in arm with a woman, sometimes even kissing her, it seems to him extremely shameless.
In Japan you cannot enter a house without taking off your shoes; in restaurants, men in European suits and socks sit on the floor.
In the Beijing hotel, the furniture was European, but the entrance to the room was traditionally Chinese - the screen did not allow direct entry; this is associated with the idea that the devil is walking straight; but according to our ideas, the devil is cunning, and it costs him nothing to get around any partition.
If a guest comes to a European and admires a picture on the wall, a vase or other trinket, then the owner is pleased. If a European begins to admire a thing in a Chinese house, the owner gives him this item - politeness demands this.
My mother taught me that when visiting, you should not leave anything on your plate. In China, no one touches the cup of dry rice that is served at the end of lunch - you need to show that you are full. The world is diverse, and there is no need to rack your brains over this or that custom: if there are foreign monasteries, then, consequently, there are foreign rules.”
National specifics speech etiquette is also extremely bright in every country, because the unique features of the language are superimposed on the features of the way of life, rituals, habits, national character.
Thus, in Muslim countries, what is a sign of respect in European countries can be perceived as an insult - when meeting, inquire about the health of your wife and loved ones.
In Korea, if you are old, you will be constantly reminded of it: “Please sit down, at your age you should sit,” since in the East a person’s age is his asset, and the older a person is, the more respect he deserves, which definitely needs to be emphasized verbally.
The origins of speech etiquette lie in the most ancient period of the history of language, when speech etiquette (like etiquette in general) had a ritual meaning: the word was given a special, magical meaning, therefore, human speech activity, from the point of view of members of archaic society, could have a direct impact on people, animals and the surrounding world. Relics of this state are preserved in various units of speech etiquette, which is why many stable formulas represent ritual wishes that were once perceived as effective. In Russian this is, for example, Hello(Also be healthy), Thank you(from God bless).
If we compare Russian etiquette and European etiquette, then in a general sense we can say that Russian politeness is more of a “politeness of maintaining solidarity” than the Western European “politeness of maintaining a distance.”
Russian etiquette is characterized by distance and anonymity in situations with a lack of communication or with formal communication. Contact and openness, on the contrary, characterize informal communication. It should be noted that this interpretation fully corresponds to the stereotypical opinion about the Russian character: “they smile little, but after meeting them they are very (sometimes too) friendly.”
If we limit ourselves to verbal communication and speech etiquette, then we can apparently say that modern European etiquette is characterized by a tendency towards standardization of verbal communication, a certain independence of speech behavior from familiarity/unfamiliarity or even the degree of acquaintance of the communicants. European speech etiquette offers one or, at most, several speech strategies that are neutral and applicable in a variety of situations. Russian speech etiquette, on the contrary, is characterized by a larger language choice and, accordingly, a range of speech strategies, but it is often difficult to choose the only neutral, emotionally unloaded one.
In English speaking countries the question How are you? is only a form of greeting and either does not imply a response at all ( How do you do? - How do you do?), or implies an answer Good, Excellent (How are you? - Fine, thanks.). Answer Badly or Not good, just as a detailed story about how things are going is considered indecent: the interlocutor should not impose his problems. In Russia, it is customary to answer the same question neutrally, rather with a negative connotation: Nothing, little by little and, besides, this question for the Russian consciousness is not completely desemantized, pure social “stroking”, so Russians are inclined to question How are you? consider it a sign of sincere interest and respond to it in the most detailed manner.
For example greetings It is interesting to compare the national specifics of Russian and European speech etiquette.
The very set of situations when two people greet or do not greet each other when meeting is determined primarily by the space in which the meeting of people takes place.
If strangers meet in a certain space, separated from the “big” world, for a person all strangers automatically become “friends.” This does not happen, for example, in a square in a city, even if there are only two people in it at some point. If for a European such a small space is necessarily a HOUSE, even an apartment building, for Russians this is less typical: a small space is rather not a house, but, for example, an APARTMENT. If, while visiting, two strangers bump into each other in the kitchen or in the hallway, they will certainly say hello.
IN THE STORE, where standard communication between the buyer and the seller takes place, for example I'd like two hundred grams of sausage, please., polite communication in Russian does not imply greetings, but for Europeans the exchange of greetings is almost mandatory. The situation SHOP can be generalized and considered as a whole the situation of professional communication “client – person performing job responsibilities" This includes communication in various fields service, in transport (for example, between a bus driver and a passenger or between a conductor and a passenger). If we are talking about standard professional communication ( Your ticket please etc.), in Russian speech etiquette, greetings are not only not obligatory, but rather unnatural and look strange. For of this type situations, it is also necessary to note the almost obligatory absence of farewell in Russian speech etiquette. A final polite phrase could be gratitude - Thank you etc.
Moreover, a greeting in a situation of brief standard communication may be perceived by a Russian as somewhat aggressive behavior, or more precisely, as a prelude to possible aggression, at best, to an unwanted conversation (for example, in an elevator).
It should be noted, however, that the situation has changed significantly over the past few years. There has been a certain shift in Russian speech etiquette towards the European one. First of all, we are talking about the standard situation STORE. The fact is that this situation falls into the sphere of corporate etiquette. In many large stores (including those opened by European and American companies) has its own mandatory corporate etiquette. So, a salesperson or cashier in such a store must greet the client. Don't reply to in this case to greet him would be downright rude.
Telephone etiquette also has certain specifics. When calling somewhere and then talking on the phone with a certain intermediary (who is asked to call the required person to the phone), Russians say hello less often than Europeans and almost never introduce themselves. Likewise, if in a work situation a Russian person picks up the phone, he, unlike European rules of etiquette, is not obliged to introduce himself, but can limit himself to words Hello or Yes.
Features of national character can be traced using the example of the expression requests. Yes, in French a common form of request expressed by a construction of words merci de + infinitif(or verbal noun). This construction is quite difficult to translate into Russian, since Russian Thank you- French translation merci- is a reaction to an event that has already happened. In this case, we are talking about gratitude for an action that has not yet been done, which will take place in the future. So, for example, the expression merci de votre compréhension could be translated into Russian as Hope for your understanding. It is interesting that a Russian person perceives an expression of gratitude for an action that has not yet been completed not as a polite request, but rather as aggression hidden behind an etiquette form of gratitude, which is completely uncharacteristic of Russian etiquette. Translation merci by using we hope is not adequate, since this Russian word expresses an uncertain request, as opposed to overconfident gratitude for something that has not yet happened. Expressed gratitude obliges the recipient to follow the imposed strategy, predetermines his actions and deprives him of the opportunity to choose.
System naming also has national specifics. In Europe, it is customary to call people by their first and last names. In Spain, as well as Latin American countries, a person usually has several names (in this regard, a common joke is that Brazilians squeeze in the names of all the players of their favorite football team, including substitutes, between the first and last names of their child).
In Russia, a unique three-name system for naming people has been adopted: surname - first name - patronymic. The patronymic arose in Rus' in the 12th century as a sign of belonging to the princely family; from the 16th century, Russian tsars began to give patronymic names to those close to them, thereby showing them special respect; the indication of the father’s name was grandeur(from that time the question remained: How should I call you Father?). However, nowadays, under the influence of Western culture, a tendency has arisen to call people by their first and last names (this is especially true in the media). If we analyze the materials of the modern press, it turns out that the combination of first and last names accounts for 72% of uses, the use of only one last name accounts for 22.2%, and the share of the first and patronymic remains 5.8%.
Each language has its own system, formed over centuries requests. When translated literally, the meaning of these addresses is sometimes distorted; yes, English Dear is used in official addresses, while its corresponding Russian Expensive usually used in less formal situations.
In all countries, the address once arose as a sign of the social status of the addressee, but later became a national form of polite address (Seńor, “senior, master”; Madam, “my lady”, etc.).
Sharp social change in Russia, they have led to the absence of a generally accepted address to a stranger, which creates a lot of inconvenience for the Russian person. Before the October Revolution of 1917, the normal form of address was sir, madam. The Bolsheviks introduced instead comrade And citizen. However, the word citizen gradually became associated not so much with everyday life, but with a trial or being taken to the police station. And the word comrade- a word from the vocabulary of the Communist Party - died out after the fall of the communist regime.
The most common forms of treatment “based on gender” at the moment man And woman(which emerged back in the Soviet era as an alternative to the “bourgeois” gentlemen And ladies and vernacular guys And women) cause a negative reaction in most people.
IN Lately The address “Ladies and Gentlemen!” becomes normative, but it is used only in an official business setting. IN business conversation or in official correspondence it is customary to address Mr. Ivanov, Mrs. Petrova. But such appeals have not yet taken root in everyday life.
Perhaps the most convenient form of addressing a stranger remains Sorry!, Sorry!, since this does not emphasize any social characteristics of the person being addressed.
Situational variation of etiquette formulas.
Speech situation- this is a complex set of external conditions of communication (for example, the place and time of communication, and also partly the topic) and internal reactions of those communicating (including the reason and purpose of communication).
Social role a person’s communication is determined by his social position and function. Wherein position understood as the general position of a person in social environment(student, father, director, etc.) Each social position is prescribed specific functions, which the occupant of this position is capable and obliged to perform. This or that role in people’s minds is associated with a certain pattern of behavior, with expectations of what a person in this role is obliged to do and what he has the right to.
In addition, each person is also a bearer of the role socially-psychological, adopted specifically for him and precisely in this team (“shirt-guy”, “star”, “leader”, “clown”).
Clear understanding social roles and speech situations is important for choosing a communication style in general. As for the formulas of speech etiquette, in this case they serve as “markers” that clarify the nuances of the speech situation for both interlocutors.
Features of communication largely determine and type of communication.