State Services for the Blind

Minnesota State Services for the Blind

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN INTERVIEWING A RUSSIAN CUSTOMER

Russian immigrants will often either arrive early for an appointment (in hopes of being seen early) or late (so as not to waste waiting time).
Formal meetings require prior appointments and punctuality.
Russian hospitality is well-known. Tea and cookies will commonly be offered to visitors and should be accepted by the visitor.
Direct eye contact with a good, firm handshake is a customary form of greeting between men but not between women or between women and men.
The tendency among Russian immigrants is to respond with a “no” rather than “yes”. In an interview, be sure that the customer understands what is being said, and that no is the response intended.
Approval is communicated by nodding.
Russians believe that public behavior should be respectful, and the following behaviors should be avoided:
1. standing with hands in pockets or talking with older persons with arms folded across the chest;
2. slouching around in chairs;
3. crossing legs when seated to show sole of shoe; or
4. stretching and crossing arms in back of head.
In Russian folklore, the doorway was considered the place of the house spirit, and it became a sign of bad luck to shake hands over the threshold.
It is important to be aware of the hidden meanings of some common gestures.
1. The “OK” sign can be a positive gesture, but it can also be viewed by some as obscene.
2. Thumbs up usually indicates approval.
3. Shaking the raised fist indicates anger or disagreement.
4. Pointing with the index finger is considered improper.
REMEMBER: Russians tend to speak loudly even in pleasant conversations.

RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS IN MINNESOTA

Geographic Distribution and Population Estimates:
1. According to information available from the State Demographic Center
  published in June of 2004, the estimated immigrant population of Russians is 12,500.
2. While Russian speaking immigrants settled throughout the Twin Cities, Russian Jewish refugees initially settled in St. Louis Park, downtown Minneapolis and the Highland Park area of St. Paul, based on proximity to services.
3. Communities of Russian immigrants are also located in Rochester, Pelican Rapids, Robbinsdale, Osseo, Shakopee, Savage, Burnsville and Eagan.
4. Compared with Minnesota’s other major immigrant populations, Russian Immigrants are generally older (83% are 50 or older), have fewer children and are more educated (95% have at least a high school degree
Languages Spoken
1. While all Russian immigrants speak Russian, most also speak the language of the republics where they used to live (i.e., Ukrainian, Belorussian, andUzbek).
2. Russian is a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic script which at times can be confused with the Latin alphabet as some letters look the same or similar.
3. Native languages of Yiddish and Ladino are also sometimes spoken at home, although typically only the oldest generation of Russian Jews can still understand and speak these older languages
Health Care and Religious and Cultural Beliefs

Common diseases seen in immigrants from the former Soviet Union include: hypertension, coronary disease gastro-intestinal problems, diabetes and tuberculosis.
Some of the more common disabilities include sensory impairment (usually related to diabetes), high incidence of substance abuse (particularly alcohol), chronic heart disease, high blood pressure and mental illness.
Russians believe that disability and/or illness is caused by something the individual did not do right such as not eating well or dressing warm enough.
1. As a result Russian people may resist a suggestion to “ice” a part of the body.
2. The Russian individual, if in the hospital, may want to wear warm clothes over the hospital gowns.
3. When a person is ill, he/she may prefer soft, warm or hot foods.
Home remedies are popular and will be utilized prior to seeking medical attention.
1. Examples of some home remedies include: rubbing of oils, fresh air and sunlight, mud and steam baths.
2. One common Russian remedy for colds and flu is the use of “bonki”. Glass cups are pressed on a sick person’s back and shoulders to ease fever and flu symptoms, often leaving behind bruises and welts. Such practices have been misinterpreted as abuse.
Among the Russian population, bad news is not given to the person who is ill or disabled. Talk to the family first. The family can then decide whether or not to tell the person who is ill of his/her condition and prognosis.
1. The family does not want the person to be anxious about his/her disability
  or illness.
2. The individual needs to be at peace, so physical and emotional conditions
  do not worsen.
Russian “patients” are distrustful of doctors and tend to disobey doctor’s orders such as not taking medications as prescribed or combining then with Russian treatments.
When a Russian person is ill, family members and friends are expected to visit in order to provide support to the individual and the immediate family.
Mental illness is disgraceful in Russia, and Russian immigrants often do not provide answers regarding any family history of mental illness or past treatment for mental illness.

Family Structure
1. The family is a source of great stability among Russian immigrants.
2. The Children are expected to be very respectful and to care for their elders.
3. Elders are expected to raise their grandchildren if the parents are both working.
4. Elders are shown respect by the use of titles such as Mr., Mrs., Uncle, or Aunt when addressing them.
5. The family is often consulted during any planning process especially if any “consents for release of information” is necessary.
6. Russians tend to speak using loud voices, even in pleasant conversations.
7. The strongest personality in a Russian family (mother, father, eldest son or eldest daughter) is usually the spokesperson and decision-maker for the family.
8. There are strong kinship bonds among family members, and everyone in the family (mother, father, siblings, cousins, grandparents, etc.) provide support and service during a crisis.
Occupational Background
1. The majority of Russian immigrants already in the United States are educated and often hold professional positions such as doctors, teachers and engineers.
2. Many encounter difficulties pursuing their careers due to certification or Licensing requirements.
3. More recent arrivals from Russia have a lower educational level and are more likely to pursue technical careers.
4. They are more likely to be employed in the manufacturing, trade and service Industries, and recently, dozens of small, Russian-owned businesses have been successfully started.

RESOURCE LIST FOR RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS IN MINNESOTA

Census: More foreign-born residents; Minnesota Public Radio; web site address: http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200206/03_hughesa_census/foreign.shtml June 4, 2002.

Cultural Competence for Clinicians: Enhancing Your Cultural Communication Skills; University of Michigan – Program for Multicultural Health; web site address: http://www.med.umich.edu/pteducation/cultcomp.htm; 2004.

Culture Clues: Communicating with Your Russian Patient; University of Washington Medical Center; web site address: http://depts.washington.edu/pfes/pdf/RussianCultureClueDec99.pdf; December 3, 1999.

Estimates of Selected Immigrant Populations in Minnesota: 2004; Minnesota State Demographic Center; Ronningen, Barbara J.; web site address: www.demography.state.mn.us/PopNotes/EvaluatingEstimates.pdf; June, 2004.

Finding Common Understanding: An Employer’s Guide to a Cross-Cultural Workplace; International Institute of Minnesota; web site address: http://www.iimn.org/ (click on publications); January 2001.

Four Cultures Have Four Views on Medical Care; Statesman Journal; Tom, Susan; web site address: http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=51952; November 17, 2002.

Immigrants in Minnesota: An Increasingly Diverse Population; Minnesota State Demographic Center; Ronningen, Barbara J.; web site address: http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/pdf/2001/ImmigrationDiverse.pdf; December, 2000.

Immigration in Minnesota; The Minneapolis Foundation; 1999.

Judaism: A Covenant Relationship; Shulman, Laura Ellen; October 14, 2003.

Learning Module – Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity: A Quick Guide to Cultures and Spiritual Traditions; Association of Professional Chaplains; Wintz, Sue, BCC and Cooper, Earl P., BCC; 2002-2003.

Passport to Rochester: Russian Immigrants in Minnesota; Post-Bulletin; web site address: http://www.postbulletin.com/specials/passport/kulikov_facts.html; 2002.

Program for Multicultural Health Cultural Competency Program Index by Health Topic; University of Michigan Medical School; web site address: http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/ccp/topic.htm; 2004.

Russia : Gestures and Taboos; World Religions and Cultures; web site address: http://wrc.lingnet.org/russges.htm; 2004.

Russian Multicultural Resources; University of California – Davis: Center for Nursing Education; web site address: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cne/Policy/cultural/russian.htm; 2002.

Russians and East Europeans in America; Harvard University; web site address: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~gstudies/russia/lessons/backgd.htm; 2000.

Special Populations; Massachusetts’s League of Community Health Centers; web site address: http://www.massleague.org/clinicians/special_pops.htm; 2004.