The 10 Strangest Unwritten Rules of Different Cultures

9. Russia – Never Smile at Strangers

In many Western cultures, smiling at strangers is a common way to appear friendly. Not in Russia. A random smile from a stranger is often seen as suspicious, insincere, or even foolish. In Russian culture, smiles are reserved for genuine happiness shared between friends and family. This doesn’t mean Russians are unfriendly—it’s a different approach to expressing emotions. Why it matters: A lack of smiles doesn’t mean someone is rude or unfriendly—it’s just cultural!