Money Issues in Russian-British Relationships

The first factor of divergence is the outlook of the Russians and the British to material values. Money and economic values are at the heart of the British value system (Weisser 1978:11). The standard of living and “things” are crucial elements in the British definition of personal happiness and personal happiness is, in turn, a focal concern of marriage. Yet, in Russia, individual interests have been subordinated to the greater communal good and the concepts of equal material conditions are still prevalent among that society.

The second factor is putting-off immediate desires for goals, perceived to be of greater value in the future. This factor is influenced by the values of the society where both partners grew up. One partner could want things now, while the other is still looking towards the future. Not many people in the UK plan for their future economic needs. When times are good, as they generally have been, this strategy may work well enough. However, when rising inflation cuts away at the currency buying power, like it has been in Russia, then frugal living and preparation for “hard-times” becomes more important.

The third factor is that it is extremely difficult to predict financial orientations of a partner from a different culture. This is one of those issues in marriage that requires continuing communication on the part of the spouses. The way of talking about money is as different between Russia and Britain as the way of spending it. Many couples are unable to communicate freely about money matters. Kate Fox (2005:188) called it “the money-talk taboo” in British culture. The British persist that love and marriage have nothing to do with money. Communication can help to resolve marital difficulties or it can become an issue itself.