Unravelling the Mysteries of Russian Customs

Russia is a vast land with a rich and vivid culture. This culture is reflected in the Russian customs and traditions, which are full of symbols and meanings. Visitors may find themselves perplexed and curious trying to unravel the mysterious customs and traditions of this Slavic country.

When travelling to Russia, one must expect that much of their journey will depend on understanding and navigating some of the local cultural practices. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at a few of the traditions and customs that visitors need to know about when visiting Russia.

The Drinking Culture

When asked about the drinking culture in Russia, most people know that vodka is the de facto alcoholic beverage. While vodka may be the most popular, it's far from the only popular alcoholic-of-choice. Beer is the second-most popular and is a source of pride for the country. Wines from the Krasnodar and Crimea regions, as well as other regional vintages, are all incredibly popular and show off the best of the Russian alcohol industry.
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It is common for Russians to offer to share a drink when socializing. Refusing a drink could be interpreted as rude, so it might be best to accept the offer and use one of the common phrases to control the pace of drinking. Russians usually drink slowly and deliberately, and toasting is a great way to start off any gathering of people!

Greetings and Superstitions

When first meeting with a Russian, it's important to remember a few simple things. Firstly, it is common to exchange a brief handshake while introducing yourself. Secondly, it is important to be prepared to receive three kisses on the cheeks from someone you have just met. It isn't uncommon to exchange a few gentle kisses with people you already know as a way to say hello.

In terms of superstitions, it is a long-held belief that shaking hands over a threshold is bad luck. Instead of shaking hands, it is best to wait until you are inside the house before exchanging a handshake. Another odd but common superstition is to pat children on the head as it is believed to make them grow up faster.

Russian Food

When it comes to food, Russia has some unique and wonderful dishes which often draw in the attention of visitors. Additionally, Russians tend to be very proud of their cuisine and will often be very eager to showcase it!

One of the most popular Russian dishes is 'borscht', a soup made with a combination of chopped vegetables, such as beetroot and cabbage, tomato, and beef. It is usually served with a dollop of sour cream (smetana) on top and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Other popular dishes include 'pierogis', dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, pork, and onions, 'blini', small pancakes made with yeast dough, and 'pelmeni', dough filled with chopped meat. Soups are also incredibly popular, such as 'ukha', a fish broth made from a variety of types of fish, 'solyanka', a sour-soup made with a variety of vegetables and meat choices, and 'okroshka', a cold soup made from kvass.

Holidays

Due to its long, cold winters, Russia has a long list of winter holidays for people to celebrate. While Christmas is typically celebrated around the world on December 25th, Russia does things a little differently. Orthodox Christmas is actually celebrated 13 days later on January 7th, and as such, many of the more festive celebrations take place around that time as well.

In Russian culture, New Year is thought to be the most important holiday of the year and is celebrated much like Christmas is celebrated around the world. It is a public holiday, and it is traditional for people to exchange gifts, spend time with family and friends, and attend parties as part of the festivities.

Pancake week or 'Maslenitsa' is a week-long holiday to mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is celebrated all over the country, and is often accompanied by large gatherings and feasts. People eat traditional foods such as pancakes and dumplings, and it usually coincides with the Russian Orthodox version of Easter.
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Conclusion

As can be seen, Russian culture is full of symbolism, symbolism that has been passed down through generations. As a visitor to the country, it is important to respect these customs and traditions, and to be mindful of the small details that make up the local culture.

Trying to understand the intricacies of Russian customs can be a bit daunting at first. However, it is incredibly rewarding for visitors to take the time to appreciate the stunning and unique culture of this Slavic country.