Table of contents:
- Russians celebrate New Years with much more enthusiasm than Christmas
- Russians always cook more food than they need to
- Russians say really long and complicated toasts
- Russians congratulate each other, leaving the sauna
- Sitting down at the table to eat, Russians like to rest there for several hours
- Russians call all women "girl"
- Russians love to constantly tell jokes with and without reason
- To the question "how are you?" Russians respond with an honest and detailed account of their lives
- Russians don't smile in front of strangers
- Russians love to watch old Soviet cartoons
- Russians love to dress smartly even for shopping
- The Russians sit for one minute before going on their journey
- Russians often live with their parents
- When Russians meet complete strangers, they quickly start calling them friends
- Russians never come to someone else's house without a gift
Video: 15 Russian habits and traditions that surprised Americans during a trip to Russia
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Russia still remains a country that is not always understandable and sometimes mysterious for the Americans. Many Russian traditions, which have become commonplace for us, cause surprise and misunderstanding among American guests. We have collected 15 Russian habits that surprised Americans during a trip to Russia.
Russians celebrate New Years with much more enthusiasm than Christmas
The Russians call the holiday tree a New Year tree. Gifts are also given for the New Year. Not Christmas, but New Year is the main winter holiday for Russians. And, perhaps, the main holiday throughout the year.
Russians always cook more food than they need to
Russians prefer to prepare hearty meals, often with tons of mayonnaise. And they always cook it more than they can eat, especially when they are waiting for friends to visit.
Russians say really long and complicated toasts
Only the laziest of Russians says simple toasts like "To health" or something similar, just as short. Seriously. Sitting down with the Russians at the festive table, before each drink, be prepared to hear long stories, parables, anecdotes and even poems of their own authorship.
Russians congratulate each other, leaving the sauna
Leaving the sauna (they call it "banya") or even from the shower (!) Russians usually congratulate each other on this event. It must be said "S lyogkim parom!" … Perhaps this is due to the traditionally serious attitude of Russians to personal hygiene. Although some Americans who have experienced what a Russian is "banya", believe that the matter is completely different.
Sitting down at the table to eat, Russians like to rest there for several hours
Gathering at the table for lunch or dinner, Russians love not only to eat, but also to talk. Moreover, they talk much longer than they eat.
Russians call all women "girl"
Wanting, for example, to call a waitress of any age, the Russians shout "girl!" If you want to address a fifty-year-old woman, you may well call her "devushka" … If you want to refer to a teenage girl, you can also name her "devushka" … Any woman other than grandmother ("babushka") is a girl for Russians.
Russians love to constantly tell jokes with and without reason
Right in the middle of a dialogue, Russians may suddenly stop and, with words for some reason, tell an anecdote that often has nothing to do with the conversation.
To the question "how are you?" Russians respond with an honest and detailed account of their lives
Russians take the question literally, seeing in it the interlocutor's interest in his life. Therefore, instead of the standard, they consider themselves obliged to give an exhaustive voluminous answer about all their affairs.
Russians don't smile in front of strangers
You rarely meet a Russian who can smile at a stranger. Russians cherish their smiles for friends and loved ones, but they do it sincerely.
Russians love to watch old Soviet cartoons
"Wait for it!" (Russian version Tom and Jerry), "The Bremen Town Musicians" and "The Snow Queen" are the most beloved cartoons in Russia.
Russians love to dress smartly even for shopping
Russian women, especially those living in small towns, love to dress up. For example, they find a nice dress and high heels suitable for a simple walk or even for a casual trip to the store.
The Russians sit for one minute before going on their journey
After the suitcases and bags are packed, most Russians pause for some reason just before leaving and sit quietly for about a minute. They call it "prisyadem na dorozhku".
Russians often live with their parents
It often happens that the entire Russian family - parents, children, grandparents, all live together in one apartment. It is difficult to imagine how they succeed.
When Russians meet complete strangers, they quickly start calling them friends
Often, after ten minutes of dating, Russians begin to consider the interlocutor their friend and call "vyipit chayu".
Russians never come to someone else's house without a gift
It is considered bad form among Russians to appear in a strange house empty-handed. It can be a box of chocolates, chocolate, cake, a bottle of alcohol or a bouquet of flowers (necessarily an odd number) - it doesn't matter what they come with, the main thing is that with a gift.
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