English vs. Russian: greeting strangers (and names somewhat)
Francoise Rosset
frosset at WHEATONMA.EDU
Thu Apr 30 10:19:23 UTC 2009
About the Euroset example: not sure that's specifically American
influence, (Dustin didn't claim that anyway), but it does reminds me
of another custom in France.
The custom of greeting upon entering a store was absolutely common in
France and still is in smaller towns and establishments. Every time
some one entered a store, or the hairdressers or the cafe or even the
post office, there would be a generic greeting, usually initiated by
the customer stepping in and greeting everyone with "Bonjour,
Messieurs-Dames," or more commonly the shorthand "Messieurs-Dames."
Other customers as well as the store owner would respond "Madame," or
"Monsieur." Sometimes, additionally, the store owner would use the
customer's last name (NEVER the first name, heavens!), with special
inflections, especially with older ladies.
This was considered basic common courtesy. I still do it as a reflex
when I'm there and most people respond. Needless to say, it's
pointless in a supermarket setting. But remember that in the old(er)
days most housekeepers went to all the shops every day to get just
that day's provisions, so you did know the crowd. And even if you
didn't, it was considered a social setting.
-FR
>
> Another example: Euroset (the mobile phone store chain). I noticed
>all
> workers at Eurosets here in Moscow started to greet customers upon
>entrance
> by calling out "Zdrastvuite" and this is echoed by other workers in
>the
> store; in effect, they aren't greeting anyone but themselves,
>because
> customers rarely if ever greet them back. It's quite humorous, but
>I'm sure
> it will change how some people think and those people might start
>greeting
> other strangers, even if it's against cultural norms.
>
> Things change.
>
> Dustin
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Use your web browser to search the archives, control your
>subscription
> options, and more. Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface
>at:
> http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francoise Rosset, Associate Professor
Chair, Russian and Russian Studies
Coordinator, German and Russian
Wheaton College
Norton, Massachusetts 02766
Office: (508) 285-3696
FAX: (508) 286-3640
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
options, and more. Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
More information about the SEELANG
mailing list