Culture & Etiquette

Russians do not smile at strangers on the street — it is considered strange or insincere. A smile is reserved for genuine emotion, humor, or friends. This does not mean Russians are unfriendly; once you are welcomed into a conversation or home, warmth is abundant.

Always remove your shoes when entering a Russian home — this is a strict rule. Hosts typically offer slippers (tapochki). Walking in with outdoor shoes is considered extremely rude and unhygienic. This applies even for quick visits.

Never visit a Russian home empty-handed. Bring flowers (always odd numbers — even numbers are for funerals), chocolates, or a bottle of wine. Yellow flowers symbolize separation, so avoid them. Gifts are opened in private, not in front of the giver.

When drinking vodka in Russia, wait for the host to make a toast. Drink it in one shot, not sipped. Refusing a toast can be seen as disrespectful. If you cannot drink more, leave your glass full — an empty glass will be refilled. Always eat zakuski (snacks) between shots.

Russian uses the Cyrillic script, and very few signs outside Moscow and St. Petersburg are transliterated into Latin letters. Learning to read Cyrillic (33 letters, many similar to Latin/Greek) will dramatically help with navigation, metro maps, and restaurant menus.

Moscow's metro stations are architectural masterpieces — many feature chandeliers, mosaics, and marble. It is also one of the most efficient subway systems in the world. Rush hour is intense. Stand on the right side of the escalator and walk on the left.

Russians consider it extremely bad luck to shake hands or pass objects across a doorway threshold. Step fully inside (or outside) before greeting someone with a handshake. This superstition is widely observed even by younger generations.