When visiting Russia there are a few simple rules of etiquette that may be useful.

Customs
- Bring a gift to the family who invites you to their home for dinner. A bottle of wine, cake, box of candy or bouquet of flowers are traditional. A small gift for the child is always appropriate.
If you bring flowers, make sure the number of flowers is uneven, even numbers of flowers are for funerals.
- Do not shake hands or kiss across the threshold of the door step, this is traditioally bad luck.
- Take off your gloves when shaking hands.
- Be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering a home. You will be given a pair of slippers (tapki) to help keep the apartment clean.
- When entering or exiting a vehicle men step out first so as to offer their hand to the woman whom he is accompanying.
- On public transportation, give your seat to mothers with children, the old or infirm.
- Men should offer to carry the parcels of women they are accompanying.
- Check your coat, briefcase, or parcels at the front door of a restaurant, at theaters or any formal receptions.
- Do not cross your legs with the ankle on the knee or put your feet on the furniture. It's impolite to show people the soles of your shoes. When in the metro or sitting on the bus, don't let your feet even come close to the seat.
- For business people traveling to Russia, make sure that you have plenty of business cards one side printed in English, the other in Russian. These can be printed quickly here. See BUSINESS CARDS.
- Offer to share your snacks and cigarettes with those around you, especially on the train or at the office. Be prepared to accept smoking.
- Be prepared to accept all alcohol and food offered when visiting friends, and it can be quite a lot. Refusing a drink or a toast is a serious breach of etiquette. An open bottle must often be finished.
- Be prepared to give toasts at dinners, etc. Be careful, the vodka can catch up with you.
- Dress for the theater and check your coat and any large bags at the garderobe. Be on time. Absolutely no photographs.
- Be careful in complimenting something in a home. Your host may offer it to you.
- Don't put your thumb between your first two fingers. It is a very rude gesture.

Women In Moscow
- Women dress conservatively.
- Women should be accompanied by a man in restaurants and in hotels or they risk being taken for prostitutes
- Women are not supposed to be assertive in public, carry heavy bags if walking with a man, open doors, uncork bottles or pay for themselves in social situations.

Dress
Business people dress conservatively with good shoes. Men should not take off their jackets without asking. Women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat in Russian Orthodox Churches and a skirt should be worn. Dress casually for dinner in someone's home. In cold weather, wear a hat or old ladies will lecture you on your foolishness.

Superstitions
- Do not whistle inside or you will whistle away your money.
- Never light a cigarette from a candle. It will bring you bad luck.
- Never pour wine back handed, it means you will also pour away you money.
- Never pour wine back handed, it is impolite.
- Black cats crossing your path is bad luck.
- Women should not sit on the corner of a table lest they wind up single for the next seven years.
- Women who sit on cold concrete or steps will catch an internal cold.
- If you spill salt at the table you will be plagued by bad luck unless you throw three pinches over your left shoulder immediately.
- If someone gives good wishes, or you talk about your good fortune, you must spit three times over your left shoulder and knock on wood to keep your good fortune.
- If you leave something behind in Russia, it means you are coming back.
- Admire the good & beautiful, don't make invidious comparisons or criticize.
- Warm smiles sympathy, patience, tolerance, and a good nature will get you through most difficulties.

Some Basic Vocabulary
Learn some basic vocabulary and use it whenever possible. It pleases people.
Please=Pozhalusta
Thank you=Spasibo
How are you=Kak Vy pozhivaete
Well=Khorosho
Good day=Dobryy den
Good evening=Dobryy vecher
Good bye=Do svidaniya

Many English words have no equivalents in Russian, such as "fun", and many Russian words no equivalents in English. Some difficulties arise from the differences in meanings given to similar words in English and Russian. Define your words carefully.