I am studying Russian, and am here in Minsk for 3 weeks. (it is easier to type in English). Today one shop/café refused to serve us dinner, saying that there was no seats (we had no reservation), yet the place was only half-full. We have had similar situations whereby the local people don't seem to want to talk to us and treat us as normal people.

Are the people here very shy, or do they have a fear of foreigners? We have difficulty understanding the culture toward us. Can anyone explain?