Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greeted Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin upon arrival in Beijing, China, for a summit with Chairman Xi Jinping just days after Xi and President Trump spent two days in personal conference.
There will be more details from this visit that will surface in the next several hours and few days; however, for those who walk the deep weeds the video of the arrival is very interesting. Russia controls Russian interests in all things, including diplomatic missions. Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets President Putin and there are customary celebratory festivities on the tarmac that most are familiar with.
Putin is walking briskly, very deliberately and giving warm waves to the assembled children. But Putin is all business, focused and walking fast. Minister Yi slows his pace in an effort to slow Putin and emphasize the welcome. Putin keeps forward momentum. It’s subtle, but so typically Russian in approach. Nothing extraneous, nothing off script, nothing casual – straight, predictable and forward.
Notice the Russian control and immediate separation at the moment when they reach the end of the red carpet. Wang Yi and the Chinese welcome delegation as well as all security elements just disappear as in typical Russian fashion the Russian security service takes control from there.
It is a subtle difference between the merged casual formality of a U.S-China visit, and the hard lines of a Putin visit. I find myself thinking about what a difference it would make in relations between our nations if Americans really understood Russians. Russians are not cold per se’, they just don’t do casual very well.
There’s no “small talk” in Russian culture. There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence. It is a facet of cultural distinction that many Americans just don’t understand. There are no pretenses and everything is deliberate.
“There’s no “small talk” in Russian culture. There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence.”
And the Russian language reflects that ethnic personality perfectly. There are no articles, no “a” or “the.” There is no “May I please have a cookie if you aren’t too busy.” There is only a Cookie Monsteresque “Give me cookie.”
Understandable why during Imperial Russian times the Russian aristocracy spoke only French, no Russian at all. Also highlights the inherent internal self-proclaiming falseness of Dugin’s fairy tale of the Historic Great Russian Civilization that Putin buys into. Whatever. Makes the world a varied and interesting place.
How are there women in Russia at all…? Ever?
I see what you did… made me laugh…
I found this point interesting in the article too.
So from what you are saying, there is no word ‘Please” ? (which using would mean showing respect, or not)
Does this then mean that there is no concept of what we’d call Manners? so therefore no one is insulted or has any feelings at all that someone just demanded a cookie from them..?
If I’m right, this means that there is no emotional response triggered by someone’s demand and then lack of using what we’d call proper manners. So no wonder we’ve been told the Russians are very cold.. there is a lack of emotion because they don’t have the words that would trigger these responses?
Am I right???
Honestly, this all really does shed a lot of light on why all these negotiations that go on between countries, no wonder it’s so hard to sort it all out. It’s not just about the points, communicating in and of itself adds great challenge.
Yes, you can say “please” in Russian.
From Leo :
“The primary Russian word for please is пожалуйста (pronounced pah-ZHAH-luh-sta). This term is versatile and context-dependent; it is used to make polite requests but also serves as the standard response meaning you’re welcome when someone says thank you.”
As Trapper said above, there are oddly no articles in Russian – which makes using it it feel abrupt or curt at best, and kind of Neanderthal, also.
I am very knowledgeable regarding U. S., European, & Russian (as a former U. S. Naval Flight Officer this includes Soviet history) however, I wasn’t as aware of this construction of Russian language. Thank you for your post; educational and revealing.
The word PLEASE in Russian:
No present tense of the ‘to be’ verb either. Its a very practical and compact way of speaking. Reflects the mindset at some level. I have noticed this about other languages as well (speak five) and they tend to reflect the cultural thinking. Not sure which comes first – the language or the culture. There is a definite connection.
Same in chinese, but even more so. No conjugations, barely any grammar. Easy to learn except for reading characters and writing. Cases, whats that? Russian cases, murder.
Catherine the Great was acrually German born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst.
Everything the Chinese did for Trump seems to be there for Putin, except Xi wasn’t present.
Why?
Does it tell us which one controls the other?
It may tell you that the American economy is the 900 pound gorilla on the planet at a whopping annual GDP of $32 Trillion, China is number two at $20 Trillion, then dropping precipitously to number 3 Germany at $5.4 Trillion, then eventually getting down to Russia at number 9 at $2.6 Trillion, right behind Italy’s 2.7 Trillion. Lucky to get a decent hotel room.
To be fair Russia lost many millions in the 20th Century. It is building back it’s population, or trying to do so.
Yes, they lost so many young men of fighting age from ’41 to ’45 that the Soviet Union didn’t even take a census until 1959, six years after Besoshvili (Stalin) kicked the bucket…
I believe 26 million men died in WW2 Russian. Women had to do men’s work for the decade after. Image was big and strong and rough. Today, Ukrainian and Russian women are considered by some to be most attractive.
To a bit more accurate regarding the devastating results of war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is depleting large a portion of their male population. FYI, during WWI, at the Battle of the Somme the British Army lost 20,000 KIA plus 40,000 wounded, missing, or captured in one day! Date July 1, 1916. Regards, Former U. S. Naval Flight Officer
Which is why Obama & Biden provoked Russia to invade the Ukraine. The Globalist bolshevicks love it when Russians and Europeans kill each other.
The US certainly provoked russia but russian-european wars are par for the course.
I wouldnt underestimate them. They would be more successful without relentless attacks and sanctions. The west has deliberately built up Asia at the expense of the middle class. It was not inevitable. It was 100% intentional.
was Xi at airport for Trump?
no
Nope.
I would say the young Chinese waiving their small flags are less exuberant than when Trump walked along them.
President Xi was not at Trump’s leaving his airplane either.
Xi and Putin have a different relationship towards each other. Putin has been to China many times; Trump hasn’t. China and Russia are in an ‘allies’ relationship; China and the U.S. are in ‘rival’ camps. Protocol will be different. Xi and Putin don’t necessarily have to court each other like Xi and Trump do.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” from “The Shining” just made me think of that for some reason. 😉
All work and no play makes IVAN a dull boy … but Ivan does not care. Ivan is busy trying to survive.
“Here comes the new boss; same as the old boss” are the guide words, and yes, communism, per se, has been under the rug for a few decades and more, but old cultural habits, pounded into the Russian people for several decades, die hard. [One funeral at a time, so to speak.]
Some of these habits are good; others, not so much. Sundance summed it up reasonably well, I believe, as based on my experiences: “Russians are not cold per se; they just don’t do casual very well.”
In the meantime, regarding myself: just like many other ex-pats, for well over a decade, all told, my family and I worked and lived in Russia and Ukraine, and, in general, I can attest to the veracity of the Sundance comment.
In closing, IMO, sooner rather than later — I would hope — America, via the diplomatic and economic doors that our POTUS Trump seems to be opening, will bear some fruit; the specifics of which, remain a long way off, but I can only guess and hope.
Kindest regards.
Well written my Treehouse friend. Kind regards to you also! BD
Putin even takes his coat off before getting in the car..🧐
“There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence.”
Now that is my kind of place!!!!!
Not for me..I like chitchat. 🥰
I wonder if Russians are as enamored of social media as Americans are? I have never opened a social media account because I can definitely do without chit chat, especially with people (or bots) that I haven’t met personally.
Well, I really meant chitchat with real live humans. Human connection will soon be all we have left if the libtards and AI idiots..that is until they outlaw talking to your fellow citizens. AI = the downfall of civilization, and, no, I don’t believe I’m being hyperbolic at all.
Smile at strangers..it’s good for the soul
And I must be part Russian and never knew it. How I cringe when I have to chit-chat amongst a gaggle of (fellow) women!
How do you chitchat with a Karen? Asking for a friend!
You don’t talk politics. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in defense mode..especially when there may not be a need for it.
I must have some Russian, I detest chit chat and have a 1 hour shelf life at cocktail parties.
Wonder if Putin will be visiting Zhongnanhai again this time? Right after PDJT’s visit there. That was of a powerful clear significance.
Oh nooooooo! Xi didn’t meet Putin at the tarmac! What a snub! (sarc over).
Wonder what the Eyeores will latch on to next?
Remember Obama getting off the back of the plane? In a Mao suit no less?
I do, I think of that time to time to time.
Whatever was discussed between Trump and Xi on the AI race, must not have been good for CCP. Their US agents have been busy.
Facebook and X have been bombarded with anti-data center propaganda (environmental dangers, energy and water drain, pollution hype, even no jobs – just robots doing the work) at an exponential rate, since Trumps visit.
Same with yesterdays 1776 Fund. Sudden mass diversion and propaganda clips from all Dems on social and msm media.
I noticed that too.
Few months ago they were promoting AI as the future of the world. “Learn AI or be left behind!!”
Now is all, “AI is going to kill us all!” “There will be no water!” Etc,…
They really need to move to electronic monitors for their protesters.
The old paint, a stick, and cardboard system just cant keep up with all the rapid changes in causes and shifting political winds.
Time to tech up and achieve synchronized absurdity.
That’s because, just like with oil, natural gas and rare earth minerals production, the Chinese are extremely focused on harnessing the enormous power of AI. What they and their ENemedia sycophants *don’t* want is for the USA/ western world to beat them to it!
Howie Carr on Boston talk radio was just talking about this interesting point:
Apparently, a large amount of the big wigs that are being asked to speak at the college graduations, they are getting into the “AI is the future” talk in their speech.
Howie Carr said the young college students are Booing loudly when they do this.
I’ve been out all day, I figure there must be some media coverage of this for him to have picked this up and talked about it today.
But he was thinking this is very telling. Young people are very against AI and apparently don’t like it, or want to be told how wonderful it all is..
Howie said the booing makes these speakers look bought and paid for and pushing a narrative rather than speaking the words of wisdom the students probably wanted to hear from some of these ‘accomplished’ speakers.
Apparently they’ve decided to use that honor, that precious time to push the narrative and isn’t that telling about them in the first place.. they aren’t so impressive.
I just found this article-this appears to be what Howie was talking about:
Why College Grads Hate AI
https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/why-college-grads-hate-ai
They’ve complained that without the illegals no one will make our beds. Just make a robot to do it. No fraud, no money sent home, no stealing ids., no voting for democrats.
do we know what vehicles Russia use?
Probably an Aurus, the modern replacement for the old Zils.
Sundance, I think, said that the Russians drive Chinese made battery operated cars.
German imports are popular BMW and Mercedes taxis . Asian cars, also. Used American are luxury priced.
Three strong military nations meeting within weeks. Europe must be getting nervous by now.
Indeed.
The Armenia and Canada meetings support your observation.
Euroweenies trying to counter-strategize.
I looked for a video of Carney walking the red carpet. Nothing. It cuts at Carney greeting Chinese officials at the foot of the staircase. Then, on May 17, a video of Carney mocking Trump’s visit to China.
President Trump is full speed ahead, get on board, pay your share or get out of the way!!!!
💥💥💥🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅
China doesn’t seem like a country that would have any Bad Bunny types greeting the Russian president.
What are the young people chanting?
I’d like to know too.
When President Trump went there, I asked the same question and was told it was the YMCA song. Who knows. Putin might like that song too.
I was only kidding about the YMCA song.
Trump to Xi: Remember that opium thing? That wasn’t us. It was the UK. Also, I believe in free trade and we’ll enforce that fairly. But you don’t have to live under the UK’s influence or within their globalist intentions. Pass it on to Putin.
Xi to Putin: I not so good to expren. Trump say globalist bad. Got it?
Putin to Xi: Got it.
National Sovereignty and Self-Determination in the face of global tyranny.
The domestic and international optics are VERY good for Xi as the Americans and Russians travel to the Middle Kingdom.
And both the Russians and Chinese can become very gregarious when the vodka and rice wine starts flowing……. 🙂
Smiles from President Putin seemed genuine.
May The LORD’S Will be done, AMEN
President Putin looks pleased to be there.
One can imagine President Trump brought about this meeting.
What kind of airliner is Putin traveling in?
Every time I see President Putin as such the scene that comes to mind in the time he walked into a room, sat down, gave a man a pen and told him to sign the paper. When done, he tells the guy to give his pen back or something like that. As Sundance writes there was no pretense, no preamble.
But Putin is all business, focused and walking fast.
BUT, Putin is smiling, alot. He looks like he’s enjoying being there. Many times I’ve seen Putin NOT smiling, not speaking, and looking bored. He looks very anxious to hear what Xi has to tell him (about you know who).
Things are looking up.
I remember when chess was wildly popular in Russia and the best chess players in the world were Russian. Is it still as popular? Certainly a thinking persons game and much forward thinking involved. I know Putin used to enjoy playing chess.
I still enjoy watching the ” Queens Gambit”.
Pray and help others
……THINGS..ate looking up…… for getting to multipolar world with no war…
Wow that is epic video…and so clear. Russia landing in China. But a little scary at the same time. I love to watch the translators hovering close in the background and both parties responding. How can the translators respond Chinese to Russian and do it split second. Amazing.
Technology is advancing rapidly. Apple’s newest AirPods have instant translation available for certain languages.
so… are we heading towards a world of three hegemonies? Europe, Asia, and Western Hemisphere? Everyone stay out of everyone else’s hegemony and all is well? (No one is interested in attempting to control Africa)
China has no problem going into Africa. They can spare half a million people to the diseases in Africa..they care not.
Your last line: There’s no “small talk” in Russian culture. There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence. It is a facet of cultural distinction that many Americans just don’t understand. There are no pretenses, and everything is deliberate.
I visited a close friend in Poland recently and noticed Polish people in general also exemplify the “no small talk” exercise in public. I know they were under Communist rule from the 1930s up until 1989. I was told that the Russians are not viewed favorably by most Poles.
I found the Poles to be not outgoing and in a “Hurry-up” mode, probably due to the prior yoke of Russia
Well, when “small talk” can get you killed by whatever soon to invade or current occupying force for almost 300 years, not surprised the Polish aren’t much for it.
“There’s no ‘small talk’ in Russian culture. There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence. It is a facet of cultural distinction that many Americans just don’t understand. There are no pretenses and everything is deliberate.”
That’s such a refreshing difference from the American Media-Political ecosystem. We have way too much nonsensical blah blah in our country.
Legacy media, social media, podcasts, hearings, press releases, sternly worded letters, false promises, outright lies, propaganda and psyops-the level of toxic BS in our culture is overwhelming.
Which I guess is the whole point.
Trump has demonstrated that he knows how to handle the Russian bear and the Chinese dragon – he’s a wrangler. Not sure if those who follow can manage.
Are those things with flags the new Chinese robots?
Spent six years in post Soviet Russia and worked for years with the Russians. Sundance, your observations of Russians are spot on. And yes, the country would do well to understand the Russian mindset better. Can’t say that I love the Russians but I certainly don’t hate them either.
We would do well to remember how much we owe “the Russians” (then: “the USSR”) during World War 2. The Germans lost more than 80% of their forces fighting in Russia. Likewise, the Russians paid by far the greatest price in blood. An event which they (alone …) somberly remember in their “Victory Day,” with black-and-white photographs of “the Ghost Regiment” which every family (including Putin’s …) has.
Russians do not fight like “Westerners” do. Hitler learned that the hard way. Ukraine/NATO did (is …), too.
Napolean didn’t do too well either.
Others are unaccustomed to the american style of constant smiling and gladhandimg. It strikes them as insincere.
Oh if only, we would all do well to learn from their directness.
The geopolitical reset continues, backstopped by energy independence. The Trump Doctrine.
I think it has more to do with how certain cultures deploy the art of “small talk”, or protocol of pleasantries. I’ve witnessed this many times. Different cultures develop these differently as a societal survival mechanism.
America is culturally very English (note I did not say “British”; English as in the land of yeomen (who were armed — ask the French about them) and small merchant farmers); disinterested small talk with a wide circle of people was how they kept their society together and functioning. This becomes very important in America because being publicly ‘friendly’ is important, especially with large groups of very different people (some of whom are not native English speakers) all shoved together, who are also armed. The ‘friendliness’ gets turned up, but the ‘disinterest’ is still there; that’s why we get accused of being cold and fake.
Honestly, it’s one of the more charming things about English (not British!) culture. I’d love to see the English allowed to become English again. Empire has destroyed their “English-ness”.
Most Europeans, and in particular Eastern Europeans (I’d throw the Germans in here too) do not have the same historical/cultural inclinations because that isn’t what worked for them. They do become quite chatty and friendly if they’re in their little in-group; it isn’t disinterested pleasantry small talk; it’s more intimate (and many an American has run afoul of this).
I’ve dealt with more than a few Russians in America who didn’t understand the concept of small talk amongst strangers, and the opposing personal space boundaries of Americans. They get confused and then butthurt; we can’t understand why they’re getting this way over ‘nothing’ (in our eyes).