Ivan IV strikes his son in the head (after striking daughter-in-law Elena) in a dispute over the Elena's manner of dress. Elena miscarries and five days later Ivan the younger dies.

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Why Don't Russians Smile?
January 10, 2014

Why Don't Russians Smile?

It is a common trope that Russians never smile. Which of course is interpreted to mean they are unfriendly, gloomy, sullen – positively Dostoyevskian. This, of course, is a complete misreading of body language and cultural norms.

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