OK, here's my anwers. I hope others will follow soon.


1. How do people greet each other –(shake hands, bow, embrace, other)?


It depends on conditions. First of all, one says hello, hi, how do you do, how're you or something like that acceptable in

given situation (in russian language, of course ).

Then men usually shake hands. Embrace/kisses are informal greeting, they're used, for example, when you haven't seen somebody

you know well for a long time and vey glad to see him/her.

As official form of greeting embrace is used only by politicians.

I never saw people bowing to each other unless they're japanese

Overall I think our greeting customs aren't very far from western ones.

[/b]2. As a visitor to the country, would you exchange gifts at the first meeting? What gifts are considered appropriate? If

flowers, what kind? (Some have special meanings.)[/b]

If the meeting takes place in someone's house, guest usually comes "not with empty hands", i.e. with some present. Common

rule for the first meeting: present should not be expensive. That can be flowers of any kind.


3. How are children educated? At what age do they begin school? Do boys and girls generally go to separate schools, or are

they separated by sex in the same school?


Children go to school at age of 6-7 and graduate from it after 10-11 years. There's no separation by sex. For some info about

educational system of Russia see my posts in the thread
http://www.russia.com/forums/showthr...threadid=22668

4. How is garbage collection dealt with?

Usualy through metal containers at the yard.

5. What is the normal dress for men and women?

It's not far from western style, but we, Russian men, prefer dark colors. I' often dressed in all black.


6. What foods, if any, are generally not eaten?


It's personal. Some idiots eat even hamburgers I think Russians are able to eat absolutely everything.


7. Are there gestures or movements that would not be acceptable in polite society?

Oh, I can't give you a list. Just two thoughts on the topic:
1. do not gesticulate a lot when you're speaking
2. It isn't really about gesture, but nevertheless: there's an unwritten law (the only kind of laws that we really follow in

Russia) not to speak loudly in public places (unless people came there specially to listen to you ).

8. Is it acceptable to bargain for goods at department stores or at markets?

At department stores it isn't acceptable. At street markets you can make a try.

9. How do people spend their leisure time? What kinds of leisure activities do they participate in?

Sorry, but at the moment I can't remember any specifically Russian leisure activity that you can't see in other countries...

Maybe someone else will add something.


10. What are normal work hours? Are most stores open on weekends? What days might they be closed?


Usually we work from Monday to Friday 9.00 - 18.00 with lunch time 13.00-14.00. Total 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. But

stores are different story. Many of them are open 7 days a week till 19, 20, 21 hours. Most large department stores are open

24 hours a day.


11. What are the important holidays? Are there special observances of these holidays?


State holidays are: 1,2 Jan - New Year; 7 Jan - Orthodox Christmas; 23 Feb - Day of defender of Fatherland; 8 Mar - Woman's

day; 1,2 May - Day of spring and labour; 9 May - Victory Day; 12 Jun - Day of Russia; 7 Nov - Day of agreement and

reconciliation; 12 Dec - Day of Constitution

But since the next year we will have "New-Year vacation" 1-5 Jan, one day-off on 1st may instead of 2, and instead of 7 Nov

-we will celebrate 4th Nov - Day of National Unity (4 nov was the day when Russian militia force led by Minin and Pozharskiy

liberated Moscow from Polish intervents in 1612).


12. Where and how do people get married? What is the average marriage age? Is it acceptable not to get married? What is the

attitude toward divorce?

There's a procedure of marriage registration in special state institution that registers marriages, divorces, births, deaths and so on. Religious people also are married in church. Average age is 25-30 I believe.

In spite of western influence, everybody is expected to be married, I think. Expected doesn't mean "must", but I think it describes attitude of people around. Divorces are quite common, but there's still some conservative tendencies, for example, when couple do not divorce for the sake of children and continue to live together.

13. What is the national language of the country? Are other languages spoken?

There's as many languages as ethnicities in Russia, more than 160. But the only language used nation-wide, and official language of the state is Russian.

14. What is the principal religion(s) of the country? What are the basic beliefs or doctrines of these religions?


Most believers are Russian Orthodox. Orthodoxy is considered true Christianity, with Catolicism and different protestant churches regarded as heresy.

Also, a number of native ethnicities are muslim, others are buddist. These are three main religions of Russia.


What kind of music is popular at this time? Who is the major pop star or movie star at the present time?


It depends on personal taste. I do not like pop music.
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