The Russians are coming! 

They are buying the some of biggest and most luxurious mansions around the world. Naturally, everyone is turning to the Russian market. As a luxury real estate expert wanting to capitalize on this trend, you need to familiarize yourself with the Russian character, the Russian viewpoint, and know something about Russian culture, so that you can establish a bond with your new clients. In doing so you will develop a new soul, a new point from which to view the wonders of this world. The experience will be enriching because you will become more of a world citizen, with a cultural passport in the global village.

Having been raised in a Russian family, and studied both the language and literatures, Alexandra feels privileged to have been exposed to the culture in every possible manner. It is part of her soul, it expanded her understanding of life, it caused her to question everything, and it  contributed to her passion for learning. Although her family emigrated from Russia via Lebanon to the United States, they always emphasized their heritage as did their friends. The same could be said with all the Russians she met in her journeys. Here are some of Alexandra's perspectives about the Russians that may be of help to you in your luxury real estate marketing practtce.

The Russian nature is extremely passionate. They come from a huge country of extremes. They are part European and part Asian. Even though the Soviet Union is split up into several countries, the genetic imprint of both worlds runs deep in their veins. Everything they do must be bigger and better and they are possessed by that drive. For, instance, they are renowned for their ballet, and their superb gymnasts imported into America such as Nastia Lukin. Alexandra can assure you, that the Russians feel she is one of their own, just as we Americans feel she is ours. One minute they are excited and joyful, and the next moment morose, tearful, and inconsolable.

The intellectuals amongst them mull over the "damned" questions exploring the meaning of life, while trapped in their existence and circumstances. This became the purview of their greatest authors: Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Chekhov, and their composers: Tchaikovsky, Rimsky Korsakov and Borodin to name a few. Each had their own interpretation on the subject and each is worth acquainting yourself with.

Here is a critic's description of the work of Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky, "With a hidden passion they both stop at moments of horror, total spiritual collapse, and find acute sweetness in the cold trepidation of the heart before the abyss, they both force the reader/listener to experience those feelings, too."

Russians love to laugh at the absurd and the tragic, the laughter through tears phenomenon. When Stalin ordered that an absurdly high quota of wattage be produced in a light bulb factory, they slyly met their quota by producing bulbs with 4000 wattage, thus meeting the quota, and creating a useless product. This is an example of that spirit.

They love their country. They love their art, they love their music. They love pageantry. When Peter the Great decided that Russia should have a religion, he sent his emissaries out to find the most beautiful, and the most theatrical form of worship. They picked Greek Orthodox. The priests wear magnificent ornate vestments, incense wafts through the air, candles burn, and choirs sing exquisite liturgy a capella. This was a religion worthy of the Russian character.

Perhaps this will provide somewhat of a cultural bridge you when you first meet your new Russian clients. Learning a few words in Russian may be quite helpful too!