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bryak
WayToRussified
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 321
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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 Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:44 am Post subject: Hats on beds |
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True or false, two Russian myths I have heard.
1) Russians believe it is the unluckiest thing in the world (worse than smashing mirrors or walking under ladders) to put a hat down on a bed.
2) Russians find it rude to put your feet up on a chair or bench or wherever you are sitting. Also, they don't condone sitting on the ground at all. I read once that a traveller sat down on a curb while waiting for a ride in Moscow and an old babushka told her she would freeze her ovaries and never be able to have children.
So, is there any truth to these two Russian myths? |
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Kesha
Talk Show Host
Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Terrapin Station
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:02 am Post subject: |
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Perhaps this girl was too fertile to begin with and needed some ovary cooling?
Is there a saying in Russia: "Baba knows best?"
Was there a sit com?
Should there be???? |
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wwwadim
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 15 Apr 2005
Posts: 145
Location: Moscow Region, M-7 Highway, Noginsk
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Hats on beds |
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| bryak wrote: | True or false, two Russian myths I have heard.
1) Russians believe it is the unluckiest thing in the world (worse than smashing mirrors or walking under ladders) to put a hat down on a bed.
2) Russians find it rude to put your feet up on a chair or bench or wherever you are sitting. Also, they don't condone sitting on the ground at all. I read once that a traveller sat down on a curb while waiting for a ride in Moscow and an old babushka told her she would freeze her ovaries and never be able to have children.
So, is there any truth to these two Russian myths? |
About first. I've never heard about it, but some people do this. Russians have VERY much superstitions in their mind.
Second part is true. Russians are shy and traditional people. They can not do anything that haven't done by their grandparents. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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| If someone did that to my hat, I would hit him on the head. Someone could lie down and squash my precious hat. I'd say that person would be unlucky! |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Hats on beds |
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| bryak wrote: | True or false, two Russian myths I have heard.
1) Russians believe it is the unluckiest thing in the world (worse than smashing mirrors or walking under ladders) to put a hat down on a bed. |
Never heard that one.
| Quote: | | 2) Russians find it rude to put your feet up on a chair or bench or wherever you are sitting. |
True to a degree.
| Quote: | | Also, they don't condone sitting on the ground at all. I read once that a traveller sat down on a curb while waiting for a ride in Moscow and an old babushka told her she would freeze her ovaries and never be able to have children. |
Very true, from their perspective. |
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cdnexpat
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 86
Location: Afghanistan
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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After some vodka, they throw the hat on the ground, put their feet on the bed, and hang the chair on the wall!  |
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Muppet
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: Re: Hats on beds |
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| bryak wrote: | | 2) Russians find it rude to put your feet up on a chair or bench or wherever you are sitting. |
Oh Bugger!
I've done that several times! 
Good job learnt this before next trip in 2 weeks 
Last edited by Muppet on Mon May 01, 2006 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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bryak
WayToRussified
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 321
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:40 am Post subject: Re: Hats on beds |
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| Muppet wrote: | | bryak wrote: | | 2) Russians find it rude to put your feet up on a chair or bench or wherever you are sitting. |
Oh Bugger!
I've done that several times!
God job learnt this before next trip in 2 weeks |
I know, I do it all the time. I find it very comfortable and comforting, especially if I'm in an awkward situation. When I go to the steam room (equivalant of Russian banya) I always sit either indian style of with my feet up and my knees tucked under my chin. Gotta break that habit . . .
Oh, and as for the first myth -- I just made that one up, so I'm glad that no-one has ever really heard of it  Actually, it's from a movie called Drugstore Cowboy, but the Russian aspect I invented just for the hell of it 
Perhaps we could help to spread this superstition across the globe, yes? Who's with me? |
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siberiamad
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject: The Floor |
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| Of course it's wrong to sit on the floor - it's not only usually dirty but also evil, dark forces are at work. The floor should be avoided at all costs; anything that comes into contact will be permanently contaminated. Having said that I couldn't care less whatever country I'm in and I would rather sit on the floor if I've got a ten hours to wait for a flight and there's no seats. |
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bryak
WayToRussified
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 321
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: The Floor |
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| siberiamad wrote: | | Of course it's wrong to sit on the floor - it's not only usually dirty but also evil, dark forces are at work. The floor should be avoided at all costs; anything that comes into contact will be permanently contaminated. |
Is that really how Russians think? Because I would like to be more optimistic and think that, rather than containing evil forces, the ground beneath me is a Holy thing to be cherished and connected to as best as possible, like the Buddhist practice of touching the Earth, or barefoot Natives connecting to nature through the ground. |
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Muppet
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Well here's a new one on me - feel free to tell me I was being wound-up...
At a restaurant with friends we started with soup and bread. As is my habit I broke the bread and dipped it in. After a few seconds I registered the looks () from my friends and asked what was wrong, and was told that the only people who did that were babushkas with no teeth...
Ho hum, wait till they see me with croissants and coffee... |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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Growing up over in Russia I remember observing these superstitions:
If you accidently dropped a fork to the floor it meant you would have a visitor that day (a man). If it was a table spoon then the visitor would be a female.
If the palm of your left hand felt itchy it meant you would receive some unexpected money.
If your nose felt itchy - you would be drinking alcohol soon. |
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bryak
WayToRussified
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 321
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 2:35 am Post subject: |
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| vitalsigns wrote: |
If your nose felt itchy - you would be drinking alcohol soon. |
Yes. My grandmother always used to tell me if I had an itchy nose I was going to kiss a fool, but when I told my Russian friend that I had an itchy nose she asked me if I was going out drinking that night. Well, I ended up doing both  so maybe both versions are true.... |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 6:59 am Post subject: |
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| I was constantly reminded that it is bad luck to leave a empty bottle on the table |
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