Russian Customs?

Travel Info
I am moving to Russia and trying to find out about Russian customs so as not to be rude to anyone. I know that handshaking is a big deal and that when you are invited to someone鈥檚 house you should always bring a gift. What else should I know? I want as much info as possible. Thanks in advance

Travel Tips

OK, dumb American answering here.

I would recommend a book called "From Nyet to Da" written by Yale Richmond for a crash-course on interacting with Russian people and understanding some basic manners/etiquette, culturally significant customs, and Russian perspective .

The book is an overall primer, and includes lots of the things you've seen written here as advice! It's a nice little handbook to get you started, and it's a very good read; but of course most of your learning will take place once you arrive in Russia and make Russian friends and associates. I still recommend this book, though, to help you avoid some major mistakes when you first arrive.

Good luck! Source(s): Book is available on both the Canadian and American Amazon websites. (Links are long or I'd post!) You want the Third Edition, which I believe is the most recent.
Other Travel Tips

hello! and welcome

Well about when you're invited to someone's house - you don't have to bring anything, it is just a good thing when you go to visit people and bringing for example a bottle of wine (if there're going to be a dinner) or you bring smth to tea (like a small cake, or some sweets, or cookies). Russians love to drink tea.

About handshaking - only men do that, from us- women, just hi or hello would be enough, but if it's your friend of course you can kiss her or him on a cheek, but it's more personal things, not everyone does that. Women can handshake maybe at work, in more official situation.

Foreign people smile a lot (i love that), but not a lot understand it here. People can look at you as on weird. But don't pay attention to it, those whom you'll become a friend would love you as you are. I know all that cause i studied in the usa time ago, so i know quite good You and us.

You can also bring some little souvineirs from your country or state. So you can greet people you'll meet. it could me magnets, or lighters, or key chains smth like that, where it would say for example USA, or your state name. It would be nice, people would LOVE that.

At first be careful on the streets, not everyone around would be happy to see you, not everybody would say hi to you, it just like that sometimes, it doesn't mean we're rude, just more conservative people i think. Are you moving to big city? like moscow or St.Peterburg? or where?

well if you have any others questions, be free to ask, i'll be happy to help you! You'll can contact me to my email or messenger.

good luck
russian me
now,we dont like $,because dollar is fall down every week , in month for 1 rouble lower....
some russian customs that i know:
1.dont point at somebody with yr index finger...it's rude.u can use the thumb/the whole of a hand of yours.
2.if u know some russian greetings,be sure that u can differentiate btwn the informal and respectful forms.u never use privet (锌褉懈胁械褌) to somebody who is older than u.u may use it only with close frens.zdrastvuyte (蟹写褉邪胁褋褌胁褍泄褌械) will b better to greet strangers/elders.
3.russians expect their women to be honoured.if possible buy bouquet/bunch of flowers for a gift for any ladies u meet.they will love such gifts.never tuck your hands into yr the pockets of yr trousers while u r speaking face to face with them.that is considered rude.
4.learn the russian language very well...then u can gain respect here.never use english unless necessary (however most of em dont speak eng.many young ppl study eng at schools).
5.praise russia n its beauty if possible.that will make them proud and they will definitely like it.
Let's see... here are a few:

- with friends, it is not uncommon to greet by kissing on both cheeks
- big gatherings or parties always involve food. even if you're meeting for business at someone's home, there'll be lots of food.
-it is rude to point
-it is not rude to discuss almost any topic at the table
-people bang on the table for luck
- aside from that, be sure to realize that a lot of the food and holidays will be different

otherwise, use your common sense and you'll be fine!