Russia

Acceptable Public Behavior

Eye contact during the introduction is very important, and must be maintained as long as the individual is addressing you.
Only during greetings do Russians display affection in public. Relatives and good friends will engage in an animated embrace and kiss each other on the cheeks.
The “thumbs-up” sign can be an acceptable gesture of approval.
Smoking in public places is still a common occurrence, although the Russians are slowly becoming aware of the need to impose some restrictions on this activity.
Speaking or laughing loudly in public is discouraged.
Wearing your coat and/or winter boots in theatres, office buildings or similar public spaces is considered unacceptable.

Business Attire

Russian people in general probably spend more money from their family budget on clothing then any other nation in the world.
If you're a man, your best bet will be to wear a suit and tie (make sure not to wear the same ones every day) for all your meetings, whether it's in an office or restaurant. Dark colors and white shirts are only for special occasions.
Jeans and sneakers can be acceptable casual wear.
Women must wear a long-sleeved blouse, a long skirt below the knees, and a head covering such as a scarf or hat.

Visitors should try to speak in a calm, moderate, tone of voice at all times.
Russians are sometimes very careful about what they say, and may revert to speaking metaphorically, symbolically, and perhaps even cryptically. Consequently, there is a great deal of reliance on nonverbal communication. At other times, however, they can be extremely frank; it all depends on the situation.
When a Russian touches another person during conversation, it is usually a sign of confidence.
Bringing up the subject of Russian culture and history can be an appreciated gesture. Russians are extremely educated--so don't be surprised if they start to talk about the history (more likely than culture) of your own country. Be prepared.
There is tremendous affection for children in this culture; if you are a parent, showing photographs of your children can be an effective way of building good will.

The use of business cards is common, and often a necessity, since telephone books are not widely distributed in certain areas.
It's an asset to have your business card translated into Russian on the reverse side. In addition to your full name and title, make sure you include any university degrees you have earned.
It's recommended that you bring all of the documents you need with you, since fax machines, computers and photocopiers, if available at all, may function inadequately. In Russian business culture, there are few women in positions of real authority, influence.
It's essential for women business travelers to dress and act professionally at all times. Even then, women are likely to face considerable challenges conducting business in this county.
Allowing your Russian contact to get to know you personally is an essential part of successfully conducting business here. It will also help if you make the effort to appear down to earth, sincere, and reliable.
When you are running a meeting make sure that you have a plentiful supply of soft drinks, tea, coffee, Danishes, cookies, and similar snacks. Don’t serve beverages in plastic cups.

The business dinner is generally a time for “sealing” a deal.
The center seats are reserved for the most senior officials. You should be seated on the opposite side of the table from your Russian counterparts.
Women are discouraged from dining alone in restaurants
Toasting is a very important part of dining.
If you're unsure of which utensil to use, start from the outside to work your way in, course by course.
Be aware that your Russian counterparts may prefer conducting business when you are drunk. Know when it's time to stop, since every time you drain your glass, you may be urged to have a “refill.”
Russia is a drinking culture. Refusing to drink is unacceptable unless you give a good excuse. Also you may smile and pretend that you are drinking, to show that you accept the toast and respect those around you..

Source

A summary of this information can be found at Executive Planet.
For more information go to:
http://www.executiveplanet.com