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Russian customs and politeness
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Post new topic   Reply to topic    Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian People
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rwenban
Frequent Guest


Joined: 29 Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Dallas, Texas

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sparks,

I have been in Saint Petersburg for almost a week now and everything you say is correct. THe people are vary nice and the people I have met have a lot of knowledge about the city and the country.

I hired a guide and driver on my first day. Their names are Ann and Alex. You can see many post on this website by them. I recommend this is the best way to get started on learning the city and all it has to offer. We spent the entire day visiting many sights and taking pictures. I made of list of all the sights I want to come back to. After four days, I still have a long list of things to see and do. Ann and Alex are very interesting and fun to be with.

I have also met a local girl that is wanting to practice her english. She is very interesting as well. We have gone to many sight together and her friendship has made my stay even better. She is also a good example of the beautiful women you will find all over Saint Petersburg.


I am here another week and would like to meet anyone interested in hanging out and having coffee (or some voka).
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norge95
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 99

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oleg wrote:
averageg wrote:
I read from a website that you should never give white roses and always give roses in odd numbers, never even.

I don't know why you shouldn't give white roses, I think it depends on a situation, because each colour has it's own meaning. You should give any flowers only in odd numbers because even numbers of flowers are brought on a funeral.


"Spasibo!" Smile I have several friends and clients who are Russian so this could be some useful information for me. A colleague of mine who is from Chita has done a lot of nice favors for me recently and I was thinking about giving her some roses. Since she has lived in the U.S. for over 10 years now I doubt that she would have been offended if I gave her an even number of roses such as a dozen, but she might be very impressed with me if I give her an odd amount.

Do you think it would it be better to give 11 or 13 roses instead of giving a dozen? I'm guessing more would generally be better, but I'm also wondering if there is any association in Russia of bad luck with the number 13.


Last edited by norge95 on Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

give either 11 or 22. I send flowers all the time to Russia and abroad. Only one time were they not fresh. Russians are very superstitious!
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norge95
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 99

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

surfguy wrote:
give either 11 or 22.


"Spasibo" for the quick reply. Smile


Last edited by norge95 on Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:22 am; edited 1 time in total
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

delete

Last edited by surfguy on Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
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norge95
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 99

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.


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?
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was told to kiss her hand
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norge95
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 99

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

surfguy wrote:
My Girlfriend is a Guide in St Pete so if you need any info I can get answers. I plan to be there next spring also-may try to go over in Dec/Jan for 6 months

"Spasibo!" That is really nice of you. Smile I don't have too many specific questions yet since I'm still in the early planning stages, but I appreciate your offer to help.

My focus right now is primarily on a trip that I will be taking to Norway in six weeks, but I'm sure I'll have lots of questions about St. Petersburg in the not too distant future. Smile


Last edited by norge95 on Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Generation-P
WayToRussified


Joined: 22 May 2006
Posts: 316
Location: SHE WENT TO BARCELONA!

PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For the on who asked about numbers: I've understod the number 13 to be considered as a symbol of bad luck also in Russia.
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norge95
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 99

PostPosted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

surfguy wrote:
I send flowers all the time to Russia and abroad. Only one time were they not fresh. Russians are very superstitious!


"Spasibo" again for all of your help. Smile


Last edited by norge95 on Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:23 am; edited 2 times in total
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jo-jo-7
Just Starting


Joined: 16 Mar 2010
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:01 pm    Post subject: superstitious Reply with quote

Do you also have to take your shoes off when you are visiting someone's home in Russia?

I also heard if you whistle in the house it is a sign of financial loss... Wink
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Generation-P
WayToRussified


Joined: 22 May 2006
Posts: 316
Location: SHE WENT TO BARCELONA!

PostPosted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:25 pm    Post subject: Re: superstitious Reply with quote

jo jo 7 wrote:
Do you also have to take your shoes off when you are visiting someone's home in Russia?

I also heard if you whistle in the house it is a sign of financial loss... Wink


Yes, no whistling and no outdoor shoes. But don't worry, your kind host will give you nice tapochki to wear in the house. Smile Besides, Russians are quite keen to sing in in good company, so learn some Russian songs to sing and forget whistling Wink
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jo-jo-7
Just Starting


Joined: 16 Mar 2010
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:32 pm    Post subject: Re: superstitious Reply with quote

Generation P wrote:
jo jo 7 wrote:
Do you also have to take your shoes off when you are visiting someone's home in Russia?

I also heard if you whistle in the house it is a sign of financial loss... Wink


Yes, no whistling and no outdoor shoes. But don't worry, your kind host will give you nice tapochki to wear in the house. Smile Besides, Russians are quite keen to sing in in good company, so learn some Russian songs to sing and forget whistling Wink


Thanks for getting back on this...songs?...I am having a time just to learn the language...but I am getting there... Wink

Tapochki?...are those slippers or shoes?.. Wink
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Generation-P
WayToRussified


Joined: 22 May 2006
Posts: 316
Location: SHE WENT TO BARCELONA!

PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 10:58 am    Post subject: Re: superstitious Reply with quote

jo jo 7 wrote:


Tapochki?...are those slippers or shoes?.. Wink


Slippers. Smile
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gomer
WayToRussified


Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 445

PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:46 pm    Post subject: Re: superstitious Reply with quote

Generation P wrote:
jo jo 7 wrote:
Do you also have to take your shoes off when you are visiting someone's home in Russia?

I also heard if you whistle in the house it is a sign of financial loss... Wink


Yes, no whistling and no outdoor shoes. But don't worry, your kind host will give you nice tapochki to wear in the house. Smile Besides, Russians are quite keen to sing in in good company, so learn some Russian songs to sing and forget whistling Wink


Is it a bad sign if they don't give you tapochki to wear and you walk around their apartment in your sock feet?
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