Germany

Cultural values
Germany is home to over 80 million people – as well as a diverse array of religions,
customs, and traditions that make up the rich national psyche. Germany is known for its long
and rich history, one that has put it at the forefront of European thought, politics, and art for
over 1,000 years. This history has shaped a culture that combines predominantly Christian
values with literature, art, philosophy, logic, reason.
Germany can be considered a modern and advanced society in lots of ways. The
nation has some of the most progressive policies regarding gender equality.
German people traditionally have strong family values, and even today, it is not uncommon
to find several generations of a family all living in or around the same town or city.
The average working week in Germany is around 35-40 hours, one of the lowest in
Europe, but the compansate through very high productivity.
Privacy is highly valued in Germany. People tend not to divulge a lot of personal
information about themselves or discuss their political and social views when first meeting
strangers.
Business
Germans tend to differentiate one another on the basis of their social ranking.
People generally pay more respect to those with expertise, evidence of a higher education
and experience. One usually finds that the social hierarchy structures authority around these
qualities.
Germans are known for being industrious, orderly and punctual. The German
expression “Ordnung muss sein” (“there must be order”) reflects the cultural preference for
organisation and methodical planning. Indeed, it also explains the preference for having
one’s socio-relational boundaries clearly defined. People generally like to understand the
context to interactions and what is required of them in certain scenarios.
Germans generally arrange to meet one another by clarifying exactly when and
where they will be meeting, for how long and what they will be doing.
German people are task oriented over relationship oriented and business
relationships are often kept formal as many Germans do not always feel the necessity to
build personal relationships before doing business.
Germany is a low context culture, the information which is made explicit is extensive.
Germany has a monochronic culture so they prefer promptness, careful planning and rigid
commitment to plans. They also tend to be task-oriented whereas people from polychronic
cultures are people-oriented.
Punctuality in German business culture is sacred. Arriving 15 minutes late will be considered
a very serious offence. 
 Russia
Cultural values
Russian Culture: Generosity, Camaraderie., Strength, Cautiousness, Intellect,
Protectiveness, Interdependence.
The nationalism, solidarity and cultural identity shared between Russians of such
diversity is highly complex and usually summarised through metaphors.
Russia’s dominant and powerful position in global politics means that opinions of the
country and its people are often formed before encountering them.
Russians can come across as having quite a serious or stern front when initially
meeting people they don’t know. They generally smile and emote very little in public. This is
mostly because formal behaviour signifies respect, particularly when interacting with
strangers or those who are older or of higher social status.
Russia is a particularistic society, meaning personal relations have more importance
than rules, and individuals are valued for their unique personal importance. Members
of particularist societies have a cultural tendency to trust anyone they know on the basis of
familiarity.
As personal relationships are often considered more important than rules, they are
sometimes interpreted rather as guidelines, particularly when exceptions for friends or
family are needed. Regulations and plans have limited authority in Russia.
Business
Russians appreciate an interest from foreigners in the Russian language, so an
attempt to learn or at least partially speak with them in their language is a good idea.
There is a keen appreciation of punctuality, be on time if not early if you are meeting with
Russians.
However, don’t necessarily expect your Russian counterpart to be on time, this may
be just an attempt to test your patience. The Soviet mentality persists in most firms
regarding their managerial approach. Decisions are made from the top down and
subordinates rarely take initiative or ‘deviate’ from the position of their company. 
The Soviet mentality persists in most firms regarding their managerial approach.
Decisions are made from the top down and subordinates rarely take initiative or ‘deviate’
from the position of their company. 
Russia fits for a high-context culture, particularly in its written texts. Unexplained and
uncited references to literature and other culture-specific works are common, even
expected, in Russian writing.
Russia is a polychronic culture, in other words, people tend to be flexible in the
organisation of their priorities and attitudes towards punctuality are relaxed. Polychronic
cultures also often feel it is more efficient to do several things at once; therefore meetings
may not follow a linear agenda and may be interrupted by phone calls or people coming
in.

Conclusions
The two countries need to find a common denominator and try to accept each others needs
and prefereneces. This will lead to succes and ease in communication and the chance of
creating a long-lasting business relationship.

Recommendations
 Due to the fact that the German follow the expression “Ordnung muss sein” (“there
must be order”) reflects the cultural preference for organisation and methodical planning
and the Russians have a polichronic culture, that consist in meetings not following a linear
agenda and may be interrupted by phone calls or people coming in. This problem can be
solved by freezing the least important meetings and shutting down the mobile phones of all
the participants.