I love hearing your descriptions of working is Russian.

Have you ever read the book There's a Word For it In Mexico? You might find it interesting. The short scoop, it's written with the ex pat or foreign business person in mind. It examines a word in the historical context of colonialism, Catholicism, and socialism. It's aim is to help navigate/explain those still-lingering social influences when you're coming from a country with a much different 'work ethic.'