Questions about Russian etiquette/behavior

[mk09]

I read this site - http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/russia.htm and found a few statements interesting, like:

As a foreigner, you are expected to be on time to all business appointments. However, your Russian counterpart may be late, as this may be a test of your patience. Do not expect an apology from a late Russian, and do not demonstrate any kind of attitude if your business appointments begin one or two hours late. This may also be a test of your patience.

Patience is an extremely important virtue among Russians; punctuality is not.

Some 'hard-line' Russians still view compromise as a sign of weakness, and often refuse to back down. To these individuals, compromising is bad business.

could someone who has been in Russia explain the rationale of these statements? I'm just curious because punctuality and compromise are valued in the West.

[terminator]

I personally never found many Russians to "try your patience" by being purposely late. Although, driving through Moscow traffic always makes people late.

This is the kind of "test" Am Women use to "weed out" Am Men who don't look like Brad Pitt!