Russians get training to smile during wk

- Russians receive massive training to learn to smile. This is because of the expected 1.5 million tourists who will visit Russia during the World Cup. With this, the country wants to do something about the stereotype that Russians do not often laugh at.

A reason for stern-looking Russians may be a Russian saying that can be translated freely as: 'Laughter without reason is a sign of stupidity.' This is what The Atlantic cites in an article that attempts to explain the phenomenon of the non-smiling Russians.

Employees from companies such as FIFA, the Russian railways and the Moscow metro now receive 'lazy training', according to the BBC. This should prevent Russians from being seen as unkind.

The World Cup will start on Thursday.