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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. Shake hands, firmly but briefly, with everyone (including children) when introduced. It is also customary to shake hands once again upon your departure. Men should wait to see if women extend their hands in inter-gender meetings. In formal settings, local men may kiss the hands of women in greeting, but the replication of this practice by foreigners may not be well received. Note that it is impolite to reach over someone else's handshake. Also, avoid keeping your left hand in your pocket while shaking hands with your right.
2. Note that Russians often greet a stranger by shaking hands and stating their last name, rather than uttering the polite phrase (i.e. "how do you do?"). It is advisable that you greet and respond in the same way. Meanwhile, relatives and good friends will engage in a noisy embrace and kiss each other on the cheeks.
3. The decision to address each other by first names may be decided by mutual consent, although the best practice is to err on the side of formality and use titles and surnames when first meeting someone.
4. Both the American "O.K." sign and any shaken-fist gesture will be interpreted as vulgar. Note also that whistling is not taken as a sign of approval and may even be associated with negative superstitions, such as the loss of money. The "thumb up" gesture, however, indicates approval among Russians.
5. Avoid sitting with the legs splayed apart or with one ankle resting upon the knee, and refrain from placing your feet on any furniture other than a footstool.
6. Laughing or speaking loudly is considered to be rude.
7. Politics and other complicated issues, such as religion and culture, are acceptable topics of discussion in most European countries. The Russians tend to be well informed about politics and to have their own opinions. While conversation on such issues is not discouraged, visitors should not expect Eastern Europeans to be entirely approving of Western concepts, ideas and political viewpoints. Peace, international relations, the changes in Russia, and difficult economic situations are all common topics of conversation. Other suggested topics of conversation include sports, music, travel, and local culture.
8. Western business practices are quickly becoming the norm across Europe, including such things as business lunches. One should not, however, enter into business discussions without some light introductory conversation, politesse and other such niceties. In this regard, it is acceptable to ask about your counterpart's family. If the lunch or dinner meeting is your idea, you should insist on payment being your responsibility.
9. Toasts are frequently offered at meals and as a result, it is good to know a few toasts. The most common is Nah-zda-ROE-vee-ah.
10. In a restaurant or nightclub, Russians may invite you to dance or to come over to their table. Gracious acceptance is advised.
11. It is a great honor to be invited to a Russian home. It is a good idea to bring flowers, liquor, or a food item that is scarce as a gift to the host and hostess. Note that red roses are reserved for romantic situations in many cultures, while lilies are often associated with funerals. Liquor, or a food item currently in scarce supply, are also good gifts.
12. During meals, the host may invite you to eat additional portions. It is traditional in many European cultures to turn down the first invitation.
13. When eating, always use utensils. Note that very few items are eaten with the hands. Also, adhere to the European standard of the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. Avoid the Americanized "cross over" where one uses the knife only to cut meat, while using the fork in the right hand otherwise. Place your utensils together on one side of the plate when you have finished eating. The best practice is to place your knife and fork together in the 4 o'clock position on your plate. Meanwhile, if you wish to pause between courses, cross your utensils on the plate.
14. Generally, Russians dress in a casual but conservative manner, except at dinners or other more formal engagements. Conservative suits (dark in color with ties and white shirts) are usually worn by businessmen, while women's business attire consists of dark skirts and dresses. Discretion is advised in the realm of business, while trendy fashions may be more acceptable in other less formal domains of life.
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