English vs. Russian: greeting strangers (and names somewhat)

[Sarah Hurst]

I've just been to France and I noticed in shops and autoroute toll booths,
after the transaction staff frequently say "bon journee". Is this
traditional or a translation of "have a nice day"? 

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Francoise Rosset
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 2:19 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] English vs. Russian: greeting strangers (and names
somewhat)

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
> 
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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

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