Hello in Russian

Здравствуйте literally wishes health (the root is здоровье), which is why it looks so long. Native speakers compress it in speech: something like zdrastvuyte, with the first в silent. Nobody pronounces every letter, and you should not either.

When in doubt, use здравствуйте. Being over-formal with a peer costs you a smile; being under-formal with an official or an elder reads as rude. You will be offered ты quickly when it fits.