I. Love of alcohol

Drinking is an ancient and traditional hobby of the Russians, and from ancient times to the present, the tradition of the Russians' addiction to alcohol is difficult to change. In the ancient Rus period, Grand Duke Vladimir said, "For Rus, the joy in wine, can not do without wine." As we all know, vodka is a famous Russian liquor, since its inception, has never been cold in Russia. 15 century, the first breweries and hotels appeared in Russia, but its development is very fast, and later actually became Russia's "national drink".

Russians are the world's largest drinkers, with an average of 80 to 90 liters of vodka per man per year. 40% of the population get drunk several times a year, 24% get drunk a few times a month, and only a quarter of the population have never been drunk, while 3% drink every day.

Alcoholism has become a social problem whose most immediate danger is the disruption of normal family life. According to the results of a survey conducted by Russian sociologists across Russia recently, 43 percent of people believe that the most serious problem in family life is alcoholism. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the two major cities in 1990, divorce cases, the husband's alcoholism led to the divorce of 62% of the families.

Violence due to alcoholism has also risen in recent years. Although the dangers of alcohol are well known, it is not easy to eradicate. An anti-alcohol campaign in the former Soviet Union ended in failure, and the Russian government has not found an effective way to tackle the problem, but has turned a blind eye to the growing trend in sales of the national drink.

Two, three kisses?

Russians are accustomed to kissing and hugging when they meet. Especially relatives or close friends meet, to kiss the cheeks three times. Elders kiss the forehead of the younger generation. This custom is known as the Russian "three kisses".

Three, bread and salt

Russia, like many European countries, the custom of welcoming guests with bread and salt. During the ceremony of welcoming a state guest at an airport or station, a girl in brightly colored national costume, accompanied by several girls, walks lightly up to the guest, bows to him with a big smile, and hands him a round piece of bread, on which is placed a square handkerchief with delicate embroidery, the upper corner of which hangs down on the bottom of the plate. The guest kisses the bread, then breaks a small piece, sprinkles it with a little salt, tastes it and thanks him.

Greeting guests with bread and salt is because historically salt was expensive. In Rus in the 9th to 11th centuries, even at banquets held by the grand dukes, salt was available only at the VIP table. If a guest at a state banquet didn't get to taste the soup with salt in it, or didn't have a dish of salt with his soup, he was treated poorly, and he had to "go home empty-handed".

Nowadays, bread and salt are still used to receive guests, in order to show cordiality, friendship and respect. When Russian state leaders go abroad to inspect their work, local governments often greet them with this ceremony. This ritual is reflected in daily life, that is, there must be bread on the table, and you must eat bread when you go to be a guest.

Four, "you" and "you" to distinguish

In the Russian communication, "you" and "you" use more complex. They are used quite differently depending on age, sex, position, status and social position. As the sparseness changes, so does the address.

Generally speaking, among people who are close to each other, calling "you" to one's own family, acquaintances, friends, peers and children indicates warmth, friendliness and casualness, while calling "you" to elders and strangers indicates respect and politeness. If you change your address from "you" to "you", it means that the relationship has progressed and reached a certain depth. On the contrary, if the address between two people changed from "you" to "you", it indicates that the two sides have had differences and the friendship is broken.

Sometimes, just know people talk for a while, soon changed to "you", that has become a friend, do not have to be constrained and polite; superiors to subordinates to speak when the use of "you", shows that he is equal to the people, friendly and trust. It is said that the former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and others talk, like to use "you".

Fifth, praise should be appropriate

Usually, the Russians in the race pleasantries, conversation, the person's appearance, attire, stature and demeanor can be complimented, while the person's physical condition can not be complimented, which habit happens to be different from the Chinese. In Russia, almost do not hear "you really good health", "you really healthy, do not have a problem" these compliments, because in the habits of the Russians, this is not allowed to say, people feel that said will have the opposite effect. Russians are very fond of saying "you are very young", "you do not look old" this kind of praise, people are happy to hear.

Sixth, ladies first

When a woman gets into a car, a man should open the door for her; to give up a seat for a woman in a car; to open the door for a woman when entering or leaving the house; to take off and put on a coat for a woman before or after watching a play at the theater in the checkroom, and to open the way for a woman to find a seat when entering the house. When a woman passes between two rows, a man who has already taken his seat should stand up and give way; when a man and a woman meet, he should greet them first; if a woman doesn't take her seat, a man can't sit down; when a man walks on the street, he should walk on the left side of the woman, and when he crosses the street, a man must escort him, and so on.

Seven, bring your own slippers to guests

Russians often bring their own slippers when they go to other people's homes. Because after arriving at other people's homes generally have to change shoes to go in, and the host family may be too many guests at a time and difficult to prepare enough slippers. It is also more hygienic to wear your own slippers. In addition, you can be a few minutes late when you are a guest, but don't arrive at your host's house early, as this will make your host feel nervous.

Eight, flowers are the best gift

Russians love flowers, whether it is a birthday, holiday, or usual guests, are inseparable from the flowers. Giving flowers. Less than a branch, more than a few branches, but must be singular, because the Russians believe that the singular auspicious, even unlucky. There are also rules about sending flowers: on March 8, Women's Day, give your girlfriend Acacia; flowers for men must be large flowers with tall stems and bright colors; and only when someone on the other side passes away, send an even number of flowers, i.e., two or four. Carnations and tulips are usually sent.

Expanded Information

Taboos of interacting with Russians

1. When meeting and shaking hands, do not form a cross shape.

2. In Russia, there is a traditional saying that "the left hand is bad, and the right hand is good", so do not extend your left hand to the other party, whether it is shaking hands or handing back goods.

3. When you meet an old man, woman or superior, you should not take the initiative to extend your hand, but wait for the other party. Face to keep smiling, if the face is cold, no expression, the other party as a sign of coldness.

4. When addressing women, do not use the word "Mrs.", which will cause each other unpleasant. There is a title to call the title, or give each other the opportunity to introduce, wait for the opportunity to act.

5. Avoid pointing with your hands, no matter what the occasion is, Russians consider this a great insult to people. In front of people, can not make a fist of the hand, the thumb in the forefinger and middle finger between the outstretched, the Russian language called this gesture "kukish", is a contemptuous ridicule of rude behavior. The common American gesture of touching the thumb and index finger in the shape of an "O", with the other three fingers straight (OK), is a sign of impoliteness in Russia.

6. Do not hit each other with the shoulder in the interaction, this behavior generally only occurs between close friends, otherwise, the body collision is extremely rude behavior.

7. Avoid the use of the word "you should" in conversation, the Russians have always respected individual opinion and resent being told what to do.

8. You can't say "you're getting fat" or anything like that. Friends meet again after a long time, greetings, do not talk about fat talk about thin. The Russians think it's a way of describing them as bloated and ugly.

9. Greeting taboo asked: "Where are you going?" This is not a polite greeting, for Russians, this is inquiring about other people's privacy.

10. Let the cigarettes can not give a single, to hand over the whole box. When lighting a cigarette, it is taboo to strike a match or use a lighter to light three people at the same time, and you can't smoke other people's cigarettes.

11. Men and women in social occasions, when parting, the man should wear a coat for women, pull open the door, let the woman go first, can not open the door and brush their sleeves.

12. There are two items that should not be given as gifts - a knife and a handkerchief. In Russia, a knife means that the friendship is broken or that there will be fights and quarrels between them; a handkerchief symbolizes parting.

13. Don't try to persuade people to drink when they are thirsty or deliberately pour alcohol on them. Russians are very greedy for alcohol, and a drunkard is scorned, while a person who deliberately tries to make others drunk is hated and disliked.

14. Do not say goodbye on or under a bridge, as such a goodbye means a permanent departure.

15. One must not kick a dog or other animal with one's foot. If you meet a dog on the road outside, you must speak to drive it away. Russian dogs understand commands, and kicking is taboo.

References? ? Baidu Encyclopedia ? Russia