I am seeing lessons that use the informal in what appears to be formal circumstances. This one appeared a moment ago:
Tell me about yourself (Informal)
Is it possible to be on informal terms with someone in this circumstance? In English, “tell me about yourself” is what you say to strangers that you have just met, or have never spoken to outside of a professional situation, like a customer, or a coworker. Both seem to be вы situations, to me.
My own standard operating procedure is to remain formal with everyone those situations. Is this not so in Russia? I have been given the impression by many Russians that relationships remained formal until people were well acquainted and trusting of one another.