Send Flowers to Russia, Ukraine and Worldwide with Cyber-Florist.com Fiance.com: Beautiful Russian brides
Home  |  About  |  Forum  |  User Blogs  |  Login  |  Register

	Create New Topic   My Posts   My forum buddies   Invite friends   Private messages Russian brides > Main Forum > Russian Etiquette and Social Customs Author Post scottlf Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/21/2004 3:20:10 PM   Since I opened a subject for Ukraine, seems natural to just open one for Russia as well. Again, some that I have found. In public indoor places such as theatres or offices it is not considered acceptable to leave outdoor clothes on as there is usually a cloakroom where you can leave such items, nor should you sit on your coat whilst in a restaurant or theatre. There is a superstition that whistling when indoors will cause financial losses, so avoid whistling indoors even when enthusiastically applauding a good performance. Avoid sitting with one ankle resting on the knee or with legs apart. In public places standing with hands in pockets, loitering, slouching and lounging around along with chewing gum are considered poor manners, as is laughing and talking loudly. Summoning someone with the index finger is found to be insulting, so turn your hand palm down and motion inwards with your four fingers. Many hand gestures in popular use here in the West are thought to be very rude, including the 'OK' sign and shaking the fist. Russians are happiest being introduced by a third person. If you join a group therefore, wait to be introduced for a few moments before you introduce yourself. The Russian handshake is as usual, and is a firm grip with several shakes, between men. A handshake between two women or a man and a women is much gentler. Between women the older should offer her hand first, and men should wait for a woman to offer her hand first. Keeping eye contact is important during an introduction and for as long as you are being addressed. Public displays of affection occur only when greeting each other, particularly with relatives and good friends, when they will hug and kiss each other on the cheeks. For a gesture of approval you may use the "thumbs up" sign. You can bargain in the markets but not in the stores with fixed prices. Having hard currency such as dollars can be helpful, but changing it on the streets is inadvisable. Bartering is an accepted form of trade and western goods are very popular, and can even be used as tips with a small sum. Clothing - It is wisest to dress conservatively, most of the older people in Russia do so, however the younger element of society there are beginning to wear Western-style clothing. Another reason to wear plain , conservative clothing is to prevent your hosts feeling jealous and resentful of your affluence, especially as many people there have to be very careful to maintain the few resources they may have which may include their clothes As winters in Russia are usually extremely cold it is advisable to pack warm , well-insulated clothes, don't forget hats and gloves and shoes with good treads. Wearing shorts in public is not approved of but jeans and sneakers are appropriate casual wear. Feel free to support, refute, or add to any of the above. Ditto Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/21/2004 3:24:51 PM   Men should wear hats in the winter or risk having the older women share their opinion about your future health. ensata Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/21/2004 3:24:57 PM   Scott, all good info. I imagine that some of these customs and etiquette pertain to many areas in Eastern Europe. How about any tips on Moldova? scottlf Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/21/2004 3:30:22 PM   Actually, I found the following had some information some might value: http://wrc.lingnet.org/rniscult.htm I don't know anything specific to Moldova, but I can take a look. scottlf Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/21/2004 4:46:16 PM   Most Moldovan customs I can find are the same as Ukraine and Russia, with some minor variances (or at least minor to me). I have found another site with some interesting info that covers many contrasts of Russian and Western life. http://www.goehner.com/russinfo.htm Marsh Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 5:51:07 AM   Russians are religious, so when coming into a church take off your hat. Women should cover their heads with a cloth, usually headscarf. They are also not allowed to wear jeans. For men it is ok, but no shorts - that is out of question. Russians tend to find symbolism in everything: colors, numbers, etc. Avoid looking in a stranger's eyes too long, otherwise he/she may think you want to put an evil eye on him/her. idiotdetector Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 6:06:07 AM   If you know the exchange rates and can talk with people on the street, usualy you will get a better rate on your money. I am not advising it but I have done it and had no problems. During the summer months I have worn shorts with no noticable reaction. Except my girl saying I looked forien, I said, I am. If in a market and a man hounds you to buy something, always say no even if you thinkit is a good price. In markets they would prefer you to buy it from them. rather than have you buy it from someone else they will sell it making almost no money, as they do not want to loose face. They prey on westerners because they think we are rich and ignorant about the value of there good so if you say no enough times, you will get them down to a good price. All russian men have ears that are resistant to cold as they never cover them, I don't know why. Wearing a woolen beeny will not make you blend in. I do not care about it but maybe someone does. Ptichka Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 7:07:28 AM   women may wear jeans but not in the church of course. In church women should go in the long long skirts, if I'm correct, just having been there for a long time. as for wearing hats in winter, it depends on the person, ok I live much more on the South, but it doesn't make our winters not so cold, and I didn't wear the hat on the majority of days last winter, it depends on the person only:) Marsh Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 7:38:27 AM   "All russian men have ears that are resistant to cold as they never cover them, I don't know why. Wearing a woolen beeny will not make you blend in. I do not care about it but maybe someone does." Not only ears, I would say. They do not wear fur-cap in winter. They call them "land walruses". Probably they think a shock is enough. disastronaut Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 3:13:55 PM   I just got back from St. Petersburg. Thinking that I'd blend in (being from New York), I was surprised how vendors and museum cashiers spotted me as a foreigner from a "mile" away. It then occurred to me that it wasn't my clothes, or the way I walked. (And I wasn't wearing my "I survived the Hermitage" T-shirt). I'm not Russian!!! I am of Irish and Puerto Rican descent. "In Russia, do as the Russians do" crashnsplash Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 6:30:34 PM   LoL dis, I was just there myself and I managed to sneak through a few places, but I did get caught at the Hermitage myself =) I think that since I'm from south florida my skin color is too dark compared to the natives there and I was spotted on several occasions. Even though I kept silence it didnt work. But I will say that between the White Nights, the Czars Palaces and the Hermitage, I had an experience I'll never forget. But I will still say that all that played second fiddle compared to actually being arm in arm with my sweetheart. disastronaut Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/22/2004 8:40:13 PM   I agree Crash. Being with my woman was what my trip was really about. I'm going back in October! Marsh Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 8:46:12 AM   Oh, I can hear the wedding bells ringing! Dale E Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 12:19:31 PM   Crash- I see you've learned a second language now. I think it's called "lovey-dovey" lol litterbin Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 12:31:12 PM   Here's one for you. I have been to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in the last 12 months. It is not the done thing to make eye contact with someone (most especially young women)to whom you have not been introduced (for example on public transport or in the street). They can look at you, mostly out of curiosity, but to look back directly can cause serious offence. The woman will, at best, avert her eyes and stare at the floor or, at worst, move away until you have moved on. This is a terrible shame because these women have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen! It is, however okay to approach a young woman in public and ask for directions. The reason for the young bit is that English has been taught as a second language in Russian schools since 1989, but older people rarely speak it at all. crashnsplash Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 4:15:03 PM   Great news Dis!! I am seeing my sweety very very soon as soon as I get my travel dilemma cleared up. LoL Dale, I can't argue with that Ptichka Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 4:28:23 PM   litterbin you see when you look a girl into her eyes here, it means that you liked her and going to come up to her and get acquainted with her. And not many girls like when a man comes up to get acquainted with her in the street...when there is a public holiday it's possible to come up to girls in the street, but not on the usual day. Adam2301 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/23/2004 5:20:59 PM   Litterbin, I don't see where's the difference between Rusian girls/women and western European ones. Try to look to our girls/women in the eyes and you will get the same reaction. Is it so different in the States ? litterbin Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/24/2004 11:08:56 AM   Thank you for your enlightening comments, Ptichka. It is odd that I have never experienced the phenomenon in this country before - but then I've never been the subject of so much scrutiny in my own back yard, I guess! Adam, I refer to the above comment to Ptichka - it simply has never happened to me here in the UK - well, not for so long that I can remember! When I was young (said the old fool), it was all different - I guess that I've lead a sheltered life! And those eyes....... tradman Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 6/24/2004 2:22:38 PM   Hi Ensata, I am just back from Moldova, I acted just as an Englishman(I am very polite) no took offence at my hand signals, everyone was friendly, I did get a couple of funny comments from the girl translators, when I paid them cash in dollars, the street:) The first time my girl came to my aprtment, she did seek out a pair of slippers, however, no-one commented or looked aghast when I wore my shoes:))and at times my girl wore shoes in the house. My advice, is celebrate the cultural differences, don't worry what or what not to do(within reason) they are not so different from us. Maybe the only difference is that they still act like women and expect men to act like men Your Reply: Your name:   New Registration Password:   Forgot password?   refresh Code:   Russian brides > Main Forum > Russian Etiquette and Social Customs
	Pages: 1 2 3