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Russian customs

1. Love to drink

Drinking is an ancient and traditional hobby of the Russians. From ancient times to the present, the Russian tradition of drinking is difficult to change. During the ancient Russian period, Grand Duke Vladimir once said: "For Russia, people enjoy drinking wine and cannot live without it." As we all know, vodka is a famous Russian wine. Since its inception, it has never been ignored in Russia. The first breweries and hotels appeared in Russia in the 15th century, but it developed rapidly and later became Russia's "national drink".

Russians rank first in the world in drinking volume, with an average man drinking 80 to 90 liters of vodka per year. 40% of people get drunk several times a year, 24% get drunk several times a month, only 1/4 of residents have never been drunk, and 3% drink every day.

Alcoholism has become a social problem, and its most direct harm is the destruction of normal family life. The results of a survey conducted by Russian sociologists across Russia not long ago showed that 43% of people believe that the most serious problem in family life is alcoholism. Among the divorce cases in the two major cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg in 1990, 62% of the families divorced due to the husband's alcoholism.

Violence due to alcohol abuse has also increased in recent years. Although the dangers of alcohol are well known, eradicating them is not easy. During the former Soviet Union, an anti-alcohol campaign was launched, but it ended in nothing. So far, the Russian government has not found an effective way to deal with the alcohol problem. In the face of the increasing sales of national drinks, it has no choice but to turn a blind eye. One eye.

Two or three kisses?

Russians are accustomed to kissing and hugging when they meet. Especially when relatives or friends meet, they should kiss their cheeks three times. The elder kisses the younger one on the forehead. This custom is known as the Russian "Three Kisses".

3. Bread and salt

Like many European countries, Russia also has the habit of welcoming distinguished guests with bread and salt. At the ceremony to welcome state guests at the airport or station, a girl in bright national costumes, accompanied by several girls, walked forward lightly, saluted the guest with a smile, and handed him a piece of bread. Place a square handkerchief with fine embroidery on it, with the upper corner hanging down from the bottom of the plate. The guest kisses the bread, breaks off a small piece, sprinkles a little salt, tastes it and expresses his thanks.

Welcoming guests with bread and salt is because salt was expensive in history. In Rus from the 9th to the 11th century, even at banquets held by grand dukes, salt was only served at the VIP table. If a guest fails to taste the soup with salt at the state banquet, or if there is no salt dish when drinking the soup, he will be treated coldly and he will have to "go away empty-handed."

Bread and salt are still used to receive guests to show kindness, friendliness and respect. When Russian state leaders go to inspect work in other places, local governments often greet them with this kind of ceremony. This etiquette is reflected in daily life, that is, there must be bread on the table and bread must be eaten when visiting guests.

4. "You" and "you" must be distinguished

In Russian communication, the usage of "you" and "you" is more complicated and the rules are very strict. In some cases, it is exactly the opposite of our Chinese usage. Due to different age, gender, position, identity and social status, their usage is also completely different. As the closeness of the relationship changes, the title will also change.

Generally speaking, among people who are close to each other, calling "you" to family members, acquaintances, friends, peers and children expresses affection, friendliness and casualness; while calling "you" to elders and strangers "You" means respect and courtesy. If the title is changed from "you" to "you", it means that the relationship has made progress and reached a certain depth. On the contrary, if the title between two people is changed from "you" to "you", it means that the two parties have differences and the friendship has broken down.

Sometimes, people who have just met will quickly change their name to "you" after talking for a while, indicating that they have become friends and there is no need to be restrained and polite; when a superior uses "you" when speaking to a subordinate, it shows that he treats people Equality, friendliness and trust. It is said that former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev liked to use "you" when talking to others.

5. Appropriate words of praise

Normally, when Russians are competing or talking, they can praise a person’s appearance, attire, figure and demeanor. The physical condition cannot be complimented, this habit is just different from that of the Chinese. In Russia, it is almost impossible to hear compliments such as "You are in good health" and "You are so healthy and there is nothing wrong with you", because in Russian habits, these words are not allowed to be said, and people think that if you say it, it will cause trouble. The opposite effect. Russians like to say complimentary words such as "You are very young" and "You don't look old", and people are happy to listen to them.

6. Ladies first

When a woman gets into a car, a man should open the door for her; when sitting in a car, he should give up his seat to a woman; when entering and exiting the door, he should open the door for a woman; before and after watching a play in the theater, a man should open the door for her; The cloakroom should be used for women to take off and put on their coats, and they should clear the way and find their seats when entering. When a woman passes between two rows, men who are already seated should stand up and show courtesy; men should greet women first when men and women meet; men cannot sit if women are not seated; men should walk on the left side of women when walking on the street, and men must escort when crossing the road. ,etc.

7. Bring your own slippers as a guest

Russians often bring their own slippers when they visit other people’s homes. This is because you usually have to change your shoes before entering someone else's home, and the host may have difficulty preparing enough slippers due to receiving too many guests at one time. Also, wearing your own slippers is more hygienic. In addition, you can be a few minutes late when you are a guest, but do not arrive at the host's house early, as this will make the host feel nervous.

8. Flowers are the best gifts

Russian people love flowers. No matter birthdays, festivals, or regular guests, flowers are indispensable. Send flowers. It can be as little as one branch or as many as several branches, but it must be an odd number, because Russians believe that odd numbers are auspicious and even numbers are unlucky. There are also things to pay attention to when sending flowers: On Women's Day, send acacia flowers to your girlfriend; flowers to men must be large flowers with tall stems and bright colors; only when someone dies, send an even number of flowers, that is, two flowers. branches or 4 branches. Carnations and tulips are usually given.

Extended information

Taboos in interacting with Russians

1. When shaking hands when meeting, avoid forming a cross shape.

2. There is a traditional saying in Russia that "the left represents evil and the right represents good luck". Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to extend your left hand to the other party, whether it is shaking hands or handing back items.

3. When meeting an elderly person, a woman, or a superior, you should not reach out, but wait for the other person. Keep a smile on your face. If your face is as cold as ice and expressionless, the other party will regard it as a sign of indifference.

4. When addressing a woman, do not use the word "Mrs." as this will offend the other person. If you have a professional title, or give the other party an opportunity to introduce you, wait for the opportunity.

5. Avoid pointing with your fingers, no matter in any situation. Russians think this is a great insult to people. In front of people, you cannot clench your hands into a fist with your thumb stretched out between the index and middle fingers. This gesture is called "gukish" in Russian, which is a rude behavior of contempt and ridicule. The gesture commonly used by Americans - touching the thumb and index finger to form an "O" shape, with the other three fingers straight (OK), is an expression of indecency in Russia.

6. Don't bump shoulders with each other during social interactions. This behavior generally only occurs between close friends. Otherwise, physical collision is extremely rude.

7. Avoid using the word "you should" in conversation. Russians always respect personal opinions and resent others giving orders to them.

8. You can't say things like "You've gained weight." When friends meet again after a long absence, when exchanging greetings, do not talk about fatness or thinness. Russians think this describes it as bloated and ugly.

9. Don't ask when greeting: "Where are you going?" This is not a polite greeting. To Russians, it is inquiring into other people's privacy.

10. Don't give a single cigarette, but a whole pack. When lighting a cigarette, avoid striking a match or using a lighter to light three people at the same time. Do not smoke other people's cigarettes against each other.

11. When men and women are parting in social situations, men should put on their coats and open the door for women. They should let women go first and should not open the door and leave by themselves.

12. Two items are not allowed to be given as gifts - a knife and a handkerchief. In Russia, a knife means that friendship is cut off or there will be a fight or dispute; a handkerchief symbolizes parting.

13. Do not persuade someone to drink when you are thirsty or deliberately force someone to drink. Russians are very fond of drinking. Drunkards are despised, and deliberately making others drunk is hateful and disgusting.

14. You are not allowed to say goodbye on or under the bridge, as such a farewell means leaving forever.

15. Do not kick dogs or other animals. If you encounter a dog blocking your way when you go out, talk to it and drive it away. Russian dogs understand commands, but kicking is taboo.

Reference materials? ?Baidu Encyclopedia ?Russia