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Generation P
WayToRussified
Joined: 22 May 2006
Posts: 319
Location: SHE WENT TO BARCELONA!
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 Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: superstitious |
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| gomer wrote: |
Is it a bad sign if they don't give you tapochki to wear and you walk around their apartment in your sock feet? |
err... joking, right? I'd take it as sign of the fact that host doesn't care to pay any attention to his/her guest, whether it is bad or not.... you name it! |
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Ender
Talk Show Host
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 1:49 am Post subject: |
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| averageg wrote: | | I read from a website that you should never give white roses and always give roses in odd numbers, never even. |
The colour of roses is irrelevant. Even number of any flowers is for dead. Odd for alive.
| averageg wrote: | | I also read something weird such as never to handshake or kiss someone under a door way. Can anyone confirm? |
100% true. Talking under a door way also considered as showing that you don't pleased by guest and not want see him. |
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Ender
Talk Show Host
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 2:07 am Post subject: |
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| Sparks wrote: | From traveling to Russia and Belarus I noticed this:
1. Always leave your shoes at the door before entering a house. I had already seen this in London when visiting homes of Indian and Japanese families. Actually it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
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True
| Sparks wrote: |
2. Always bring gifts to people when you visit their home, especially if you are going to stay there for a few days. A gift for each individual is required, including kids. Gifts are not only appreciated, they are actually expected as a kind gesture from visitors.
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Not true. This very dependent from your relationships with hosts. But yes small tasty gifts for children is appreciated.
| Sparks wrote: |
3. Always accept drinks people offer you in meals. I don’t really like drinking, and surely don’t like vodka, but my uncle kept offering me and I had to accept, since my parents had warned me previously about how offended they get if you refuse. It’s like refusing to eat the main dish. Make sure you get used to it before going to Russia.
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Refusal to drink or eat is considered rude. You either have good story as excuse or have pretty tight relationship with the host.
| Sparks wrote: |
4. When in public, avoid calling attention upon you by talking loudly, smiling or laughing. While it’s considered perfectly normal public behavior in the West, especially in Latin America, it's not exactly appreciated in Russia. My cousin was always having to warn me about this. The idea is to keep a low profile in public. Leave warm conversations for private moments with people you already know.
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100% true.
| Sparks wrote: |
5. Russians are extremely friendly once you are no longer considered a mere stranger. Expect a lot more hospitality than you would get in the West. It’s not a matter of politeness. While in the West we have a more individualistic lifestyle, in Russia they tend to want to share everything. They will give you their time, escort you around, share their homes, their rooms, and offer food and vodka all the time. Sometimes I even felt a bit uncomfortable because I thought people were doing too much. Later I understood this is just their way of doing things. If you are staying in a Russian home, don’t be too surprised if you are quickly integrated into their everyday life while you are there.
As consequence of this community-oriented behavior, their idea of privacy is a lot less strict than ours. Don’t expect people to knock on doors and stuff. Be especially careful when you are in the bathroom. I found myself in one or two unpleasant incidents, since bathroom doors didn’t have a lock in two of the four houses I stayed in!
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100% true
| Sparks wrote: |
In Belarus I was at my family’s apartment. Although I expected hospitality, they actually left their own rooms and beds, cramming up in the living room so me and my sister could have 100% comfort. I felt embarrassed. Oh, and if they visit you in the West they will kind of expect the same type of behavior, since it’s so natural to them.
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No. It is said - German in Russia stay German, but Russian in Germany become German.
| Sparks wrote: |
6. When talking to Russians, Russia itself will always be a popular topic. You are welcomed to share your opinions and ideas, but do not make any criticisms about Russia, leave that to them. Also, even if you know a lot about Russia already (from reading books for instance), don’t show it too much. It will not impress Russians, and they may think you are being arrogant and not simply interested, in the sense it might seem “you think you know more than them about their own place”. I know common sense would stop you from doing this, but when things start getting nice and comfy, especially after some vodka, sometimes we make these little mistakes. The key is let them do the talking when the subject is Russia.
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Yes. The only ones who have right to criticise Russia it is we - Russians.
| Sparks wrote: |
7. Do not expect anyone to speak English in Russia. At least in 2000, I hardly found any local fluent in English, not even the young. My cousin was the only exception. In Saint Petersburg, to my surprise the manager of a tourist agency needed an employee (one of the few that spoke English there) to interpret what I was saying. It was a tourist agency and the manager didn’t speak English!! I found a few English-speaking locals near tourist sites in Moscow, since they offered services as guides. I specifically found a woman that spoke well near the Kremlin. That was it. At least this is how it was 6 years ago.
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Not 100% true, but close.
| Sparks wrote: |
Note the lack of English doesn’t stop Russians from making avid efforts to communicate and naturally they like it when you try learning words in Russian.
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Not exactly true. Most of people i know prefer to learn foreign language instead of hurting their ears with broken Russian language from a foreginer.
| Sparks wrote: |
8. If people notice you are a tourist, prices rise up quite quickly. Also, if you aren’t Caucasian you will be stopped in the streets by cops. This didn’t happen to me nor my sister since we look Russian, but we had a friend over from Brazil and she was stopped a few times. No bribes or anything were needed though. Just have your documentation in order and all will be fine.
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True.
| Sparks wrote: |
10. I noticed trying to make eye contact with girls in the streets isn’t a very good policy. In fact, I don’t really know how they flirt with strangers in Russia. In the West, or at least in Brazil, when flirting with strangers, it always starts with eye contact, if the person corresponds then you make an approach. I guess Russians don’t do this on the streets. |
Making an eye contact may be considered as offence or as sympathy. The choice usually is not your's.  |
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Ender
Talk Show Host
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 2:22 am Post subject: |
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| norge95 wrote: | | Peter80 wrote: | | Russians shake hands men to men all the time. Russians don't shake hands with girls usually. When you visit someone, first come inside, and shake hands after. If you have gloves put on hands, take a glove off your hand before shaking. |
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Don't forget to take off your hat also.
| norge95 wrote: |
So what is the most common way for a man to greet a Russian woman when they are meeting for the first time. Would a kiss on the cheek be appropriate? |
No. A physical contact usually is not allowed unless you know the girl better (actually unless she know you better . Usually it is simple verbal greeting. A hand kiss is possible but it is old fashioned and most girls may be confused. You should be really quick with hand kiss.  But if you succeeded, you immediately grow in her eyes. |
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Ender
Talk Show Host
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 2:30 am Post subject: Re: superstitious |
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| gomer wrote: | | Is it a bad sign if they don't give you tapochki to wear and you walk around their apartment in your sock feet? |
Not at all. Many Russians prefer do not wear tapochki or even do not wear sock feet in apartment. Especially at hot summer. So this is matter of preference of the host. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3199
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 2:37 am Post subject: Re: superstitious |
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| Ender wrote: | | gomer wrote: | | Is it a bad sign if they don't give you tapochki to wear and you walk around their apartment in your sock feet? |
Not at all. Many Russians prefer do not wear tapochki or even do not wear sock feet in apartment. Especially at hot summer. So this is matter of preference of the host. |
I am glad to hear that. I like being barefooted in the summer. I only wear socks or my Donald Duck slippers in the winter. I hate socks and slippers in the summer....  |
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Ender
Talk Show Host
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 3:07 am Post subject: Re: superstitious |
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| jo jo 7 wrote: | | I am glad to hear that. I like being barefooted in the summer. I only wear socks or my Donald Duck slippers in the winter. I hate socks and slippers in the summer.... |
However sometimes preferences of the host can be disturbing. The cold floor it is common thing that happens in Russian apartaments. For example woman can actively offer you a tapochki, while her husband even does not think that floor is cold and stay barefooted. The best tactics is to receive a tapochki and take them off if you think that you're okay with floor temperature. |
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