Things never to say or do in Russia

1.Don't come to visit empty-handed

 

If you're invited over for dinner, or just for a visit, don't come to a Russian house with nothing. What you bring doesn't really matter — a box of chocolates, flowers, or a small toy for a child. Russian hosts prepare for company by cooking their best dishes and buying delicacies that they normally wouldn't for themselves. If, after all this effort, a guest shows up without even a flower, Russians believe he doesn't care.

 

 

 

Don't leave your shoes on in someone's home

 

Russian apartments are covered in rugs. Often, they're expensive.  Russians walk a lot through dusty streets. The host usually offers a pair of tapochki (tah-puhch-kee; slippers); if you go to a party, women usually bring a pair of nice shoes to wear inside. And again, if you fail to take your shoes off, nobody will say anything. But think Are you the only person wearing your snow-covered boots at the dinner table?

 

 

 

Don't underdress

 

Even to go for a casual walk, a Russian woman may wear high heels and a nice dress. Going to a restaurant is also considered a festive occasion, and you don't want to show up in your jeans and T-shirt, no matter how informal you think the restaurant may be. In any case, checking on the dress code before going out somewhere is a good idea.

 

 

 

2.Don't joke about the parents

 

Russians aren't politically correct. Go ahead and tell a joke based on ethnicity, appearance, or gender stereotypes; just steer clear of jokes about somebody's mother or father. You won't be understood.

 

 

 

Don't toast with "Na Zdorov'ye!"

 

Foreigners usually think that they know one Russian phrase: a toast, Na Zdorov'ye! Little do they know that Na Zdorov'ye! (nuh zdah-rohv'-ee; for health) is what Russians say when somebody thanks them for a meal. Russians, on the other hand, like to make up something long and complex. If you want a more generic Russian toast, go with Za Vas! (zuh vahs; To you!)

 

 

 

3. Don't go dutch

 

If you ask a lady out, don't expect her to pay for herself.

 You can, of course, suggest that she pay, but that usually rules out the possibility of seeing her again. She may not even have money on her.

 

 

Don't let a woman carry something heavy

 

Russians believe that a man is physically stronger than a woman. Therefore, they believe a man who watches a woman carry something heavy without helping her is impolite.

 

 

 

Don't overlook the elderly on public transportation

 

In Russia, if you don't offer the elderly and pregnant women a seat on a bus, the entire bus looks at you as if you're a criminal. Women, even (or especially) young ones, are also offered seats on public transportation. But that's optional. Getting up and offering a seat to an elderly person, on the other hand, is a must.

 

 

 

4. Russia becoming more international country, that means some rules are being taken from other countries. Absolutely there are rules that just about Russia, but nowadays, when people from different countries have possibility to connect with each other, rules also becoming international.