Cultural Differences of Russian-British Couples

Today’s Russian-British couples have a much easier time meeting and marrying than spouses of decades past. Where Russian women look for strong, caring and sober British husbands, British men are attracted to feminine, romantic, “old-fashioned” Russian women. However, like many other intercultural relationships, they still bring different expectations, values and cultural traditions to their union. Despite mutual empathy, there is always be the chance for cultural differences to dissolve a couple’s relationship. National character traits formed by centuries of history, tradition, and culture won’t disappear. For intercultural relationships to be successful, both partners first of all need to acknowledge those cultural differences of each other. The cultural dimensions outlined are examples of how cultures could be compared and the differences between them recognized.

The value systems of Russia characterized by collectivism, contradict highly-valued individualistic attitudes of the British in many aspects of everyday life, either through communication or money management in a family. With respect to the division of gender roles, the traditional family role expectations of Russian women, and ideals of femininity could be misunderstood by their Western spouses. Equality and loyalty priorities between men and women in modern British society support the idea for a woman to fulfill her social role outside the house. Paid work has become the medium by which partners achieve independence. Different views on what is a woman’s role and what is a man’s role in a relationship could become a cause of problems and worth awareness from partners of both cultures.