Family customs in Russia

Sunflowers, regarded as a symbol of light, are the most popular in Russia. It is called "sun flower" and is designated as the national flower. When visiting Russians, the flowers given to women should be odd.

Russians are particularly afraid of the number "13". The number 13 and Friday are considered ominous, because on this day Jesus was crucified and regarded as a symbol of disaster and death, so people try to avoid saying this number. On the contrary, thinking that "7" means happiness and success, Russians say "seventh heaven" instead of "cloud nine". Russians don't like black cats, because they don't bring good luck. Russians usually think that horses can exorcise evil spirits and bring good luck to people. In particular, they believe that the horseshoe is an auspicious object, and the horseshoe represents strength and has the magic power to subdue evil spirits. A broken mirror means that disaster is coming. If the salt is spilled, there will be disputes and quarrels. It is forbidden for family members to sweep the floor immediately after leaving home, otherwise they will not come back. The girl sitting in the corner of the table can't get married. Put down the knife and come to the male guest; If you drop a fork or spoon, you will come to the female guest; The cat has washed its face and is going to be a guest. Breaking a mirror means misfortune in personal life, while breaking cups and bowls, especially plates and saucers, means wealth and happiness. Therefore, in wedding banquets, birthday banquets and other grand occasions, some dishes are specially broken to celebrate.

Before relatives leave, both those who leave and those who see them off should sit down and sit quietly for a few minutes. Don't get a haircut before the exam, or you will fail. Don't whistle indoors, or all the money will be blown away. Don't sweep the floor before going to bed, or you will take all the money. Avoid dog meat. Russian students are used to wishing "I wish you nothing" in an ironic tone when taking exams. The actual meaning is to wish you a full load and a pleasant journey. In the past, Russian hunters had a superstitious saying that congratulations on victory were bound to lose, so they used to bless each other in an ironic way. This kind of congratulations is also used on other occasions. Russians, unlike China people, like to use singular numbers, such as one, three, five and so on. Even numbers are considered unlucky. Russians have a superstition since ancient times that the more people know the date of birth, the more difficult it will be to be born, and even bring disaster, so try to keep it a secret before giving birth. Russians think that childbirth is filthy, so they have the custom of giving birth in uninhabited places, such as bathrooms and cowsheds. If you are killed, there are customs such as unlocking and unlocking.

(2) dress etiquette

Most people in Russia pay attention to appearance and clothing. In Russian folk, married women must wear headscarves, mainly white; Unmarried girls don't wear headscarves, but often wear hats. In cities, Russia currently wears suits or dresses, and Russian women often wear dresses. When visiting Russians, please take off your coat, gloves, hat and sunglasses immediately after entering the door. This is a courtesy.

The typical Russian national costume is: men wear long-sleeved shirts with oblique skirts, usually embroidered at the neckline and hem, and wear a belt outside the shirt. Shirts are usually made of linen gauze and white cotton cloth, but also colorful cloth. Pants are slightly fat, use white cloth or dyed cloth. In the cold season, people usually wear thick wool or fur coats, felt hats and leather boots. Women's clothes are usually long shirts and shoulder pads are linen. In northern and central Russia, married women wear a sleeveless robe-"Salafang" over their shirts, while in southern Russia, they wear a hand-woven wool skirt with a checkered pattern.

Girls don't wear headscarves, but only cover part of their heads with headscarves, but married women must wear headscarves in order to wrap all their hair. In winter, women usually wear thick wool or fur coats and high boots. Now men wear suits, fedora hats, casual hats and top hats, fur hats and leather shoes, boots or felt boots in winter. Women wear dresses, jackets or skirts. In the past, women didn't wear pants, but now some people do. Women wear high heels and leather boots in winter. Wear a wool hat or a fur hat in autumn and winter, and a flower headscarf in summer.

(3) Catering etiquette

The staple foods of Russians are: bread made of rye, wheat and other flour, porridge made of all kinds of wheat, and cereal. The standard cooking method of wheat porridge is to add human eggs or various meats to the porridge. Wheat flour is fermented, mixed with human cheese and fruit and baked into pancakes. This kind of cake is thin, soft, translucent and nutritious. Russians take bread as the staple food, meat, fish, poultry, eggs and vegetables as non-staple food, and like to eat stews, boiled stews and fried roasted vegetables. I like sour, sweet, salty and slightly spicy food. They don't eat certain seafood (squid, jellyfish, sea cucumber) and fungi.

Russians eat with plates instead of bowls and drink soup with deep plates. When eating, hold a fork in your left hand and a spoon or knife in your right hand. If you only use a fork, you can use your right hand. Don't rattle the knife when eating, chew it up. When there is not much soup left, lift the plate outward with your left hand and hold the spoon outward with your right hand, not inward. When drinking tea, put the spoon on the saucer after use. Don't leave the spoon in the teacup to drink tea. Most Russians like to eat fish, shrimp, mutton, mutton skewers, mutton soup, roast mutton, fried lamb chops, fried sheep intestines, beef, steak and braised beef, but they don't like pork very much. I like roast chicken, fried potatoes, China sweet and sour fish and Peking Duck. Vegetables include cucumber, tomato, potato, radish, lettuce and onion. Russians generally pay more attention to breakfast and lunch, while dinner is simpler. Its dietary characteristics are: love sour food, bread, milk and even soup are sour. I like to eat cold dishes, and I must have cold dishes for lunch. There are many kinds of cold dishes, including black and red fish roe, sausages, ham, red fish, salted fish and sour mushrooms.

Russians love drinking, especially hard liquor, among which vodka is their favorite. People who can usually drink a lot of wine. They like drinking black tea. Lemon slices and sugar are usually put in tea. Eat jam, bread, butter, snacks, etc. At tea time. Boiling water kettle is a necessity in Russian daily life, and every household can't live without it. Since ancient times, cooking tea with kettle has always been loved by Russians. Russians often say: "As soon as the kettle of fire and water is opened, the guests are left behind".

In terms of eating habits, Russians pay attention to large quantities and substantial benefits, and the oil is big and strong. They like sour, spicy and salty food, and prefer fried, fried, roasted and fried food, especially cold dishes. Generally speaking, their food is rougher in preparation.

Generally speaking, Russia is dominated by pasta, and they like to eat rye-baked black bread. In addition to brown bread, Russian famous specialty foods include caviar, pickled cucumber, yogurt and so on. When eating fruit, they don't peel it.

In terms of drinks, Russians are good at drinking cold drinks. Vodka, a strong liquor with the characteristics of this country, is their favorite wine.

Besides, they also like to drink a drink called "Gowasu".

When eating, Russians use knives and forks. They are forbidden to make noise when eating, not to drink tea directly with a spoon, and not to let the tea stand upright in the cup. Usually, they only use plates instead of bowls when eating.

When attending Russian banquets, you should praise their dishes and eat as much as possible. Russians put their hands on their throats, which generally means they are full.

When eating western food, please hold a fork in your left hand, a knife in your right hand and bread in your hand. Generally, the knife will only be put down if it is used for a long time. Please raise your cup with your right hand to drink. When you chew, your mouth is closed and you can't make any noise. Generally, fruits are not peeled. A man should take care of the lady next to him at the party. Attention, habit is to take care of the one sitting on your right! After the banquet, politely ask the lady on the right if she needs to take her home. Russians drink tea not so much to quench their thirst as to satisfy their hunger. Usually have tea between breakfast or lunch and dinner. Milk, whipped cream and sugar can be put in tea. Jam, bread, butter, snacks, etc. Even at tea time. You should put the tea spoon on the saucer after using it. You can't leave the spoon in the teacup and drink tea with it. Old people like to make tea in a teapot. They drink tea with small plates and eat sugar alone.

(4) Marriage customs

The traditional Russian marriage customs are quite diverse. Pay attention to matchmaking all day, and avoid Wednesday and Friday and 12. Pray on a date and walk around the table three times. There are many ways to get engaged, such as drinking sugar water for life. Only after a priest presides over the engagement ceremony can the two sides begin to prepare for marriage and hold an engagement ball. There is a "gate-shaped" wedding banquet at the time of marriage, three kisses to parents at the city wedding, and a marriage check-up one week after the wedding; The countryside pays attention to ringing bells to exorcise evil spirits, and the carriages that newlyweds ride should be decorated with flowers and small bells. At the wedding reception, according to Russian custom. Newlyweds should each break off a piece of bread, dip it in salt and give it to their parents to thank them for their parenting. Then they kissed their parents goodbye, and the female companions sang a sad farewell song. According to the custom, the newlyweds should not eat more at the banquet, but should be the hostess for the first time, so that the guests can enjoy themselves. During the dinner, everyone raised their glasses frequently, and the bride and groom kept kissing in the shouts of "Bitter, Bitter". People sometimes sing and sometimes dance, and the whole wedding banquet is full of festive atmosphere. Now in Russia, almost all towns have "Marriage Registration Palace", also known as "Happiness Palace". This kind of "palace" is mostly a two-story building. The first floor is the form registration room, female guest room and male guest room; The second floor is the registration hall, banquet hall, gift room, greenhouse and lounge. Weddings in modern Russia are mostly presided over by the staff of "Happiness Palace". In the national anthem, the wedding was announced. Under the guidance of the host, the couple marched arm in arm, and relatives and friends slowly entered the registration hall in the melody of Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto. Then, the signing ceremony of the couple and the witness was held, and everyone applauded in the music. A couple gave each other the ring presented by the representative on a plate, received the marriage certificate and walked out of the hall with the music. After the wedding, the newlyweds offered flowers in silence in front of Lenin Memorial Hall or Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to show their memory of their predecessors, and then took a float to visit the city and hold a wedding reception.

The wedding style in Russian countryside is completely different. On the morning of the wedding, the wedding procession pulled by three horses flew all the way to the bride's door. Ribbon for large vehicles. Branches and flowers are beautifully decorated. On the bus, the groom in white embroidered national costume and his young companions are sitting. The partners are playing accordion and lyre, and songs, shouts and melodious music are floating over the countryside. In the laughter, the bride came out to hug and kiss her parents, and then got on the float surrounded by her girl friends. The mighty motorcade sent relatives to the village Soviet to hold a marriage registration ceremony. After the ceremony, the host and guests came to the groom's house together. The bride and groom got off the float and walked slowly on the carpet covered with all kinds of flowers. Everyone scattered golden grains of wheat on them, wishing them a smooth life like a carpet, full of flowers and a happy life. A banquet was held on the wedding day. The banquet will also include the content of letting the groom cut wood and make a fire. This is a test of whether the groom can keep the house. Fire also symbolizes love, bringing warmth and light to new people. This kind of wedding banquet usually lasts until late at night, sometimes even all night. In Russia, different nationalities have their own special wedding customs.

(5) Social etiquette

In interpersonal communication, Russians have always been known for their enthusiasm, boldness, courage and frankness. On social occasions, Russians are used to shaking hands with people they meet for the first time. But for familiar people, especially after a long separation, most of them should embrace warmly. On more solemn occasions, men will bend down and kiss the left back of women to show respect. The elder kissed the younger generation on the cheek three times, usually from left to right and then to left, to show his love. When the younger generation shows respect to their elders, they usually kiss twice. Women hug and kiss when friends meet, while men only hug each other. Brothers and sisters will hug and kiss when they meet or part after a long separation. After drinking a glass of wine at the party, a man must kiss a woman on the mouth.

When welcoming distinguished guests, Russians usually give each other "bread and salt". This is a very high courtesy to the other party, and the guests must accept it gladly. On the tray covered with embroidered white towels, there are buns and bread, and a small piece of paper is sprinkled with salt. Holding "bread and salt" to greet guests is the highest respect and the warmest welcome to guests.

In the street, shops, buses and other ordinary occasions, you can call each other "you" (вы) or "comrade" (товарищ).) If you have further conversation, you can call each other "sir" according to your gender and age. When you meet and talk with Russians on more formal occasions, you should remember their full names, that is, call them by their first names and add their father's surname to show respect and courtesy. Besides, you should be called вы, not ты.

During and after the revolution, the word "comrade" has positive significance. Therefore, to strangers, we think we are our own, like-minded, and to acquaintances and comrades, we are also called comrades. But now we don't use this name in our daily life, such as shopping and asking for directions. We often use the words "citizen", "young man", "grandfather" and "aunt".

Address each other by his official title, unless he specifically asks to use another title.

Russian names are usually arranged as first name, father name and surname, but surnames can also come first, especially in official documents. First and parent names can be abbreviated to initials. Generally speaking, a person's surname or first name. Use your name and your father's name when honoring others, but only your father's name for old people. Give your family a nickname, such as Ivan, Vanya or Vanusha Sergei. Thank you for the party. According to Russian folklore, when addressing Russians by name, we can adopt different methods according to their different relationships. Only when dealing with people who meet for the first time, or on very formal occasions, is it necessary to connect the three parts of Russian names.

Most women's names end with "Wa" and "Ji". Women use their father's surname before marriage and their husband's surname after marriage, but their names and father's surname remain the same. According to Russian custom, the first name plus the father's name is a polite address for adults, but it is ridiculous to use it to address young people. Familiar people are used to calling their elders by their first names, but it is impolite and imprudent for young people to call their elders by their first names. At home, the daughter-in-law is not used to calling her in-laws, and when the son-in-law is not used to calling her in-laws, she can call her old man's name and her father's name to show her respect. At school, students show respect and courtesy to their teachers, who must call their names and their fathers' names; Teachers can use their surnames directly when addressing students in class. If you call him by his first name, it shows that he is friendly, trusting and attaches importance to students; In the factory, the same is true of the mentoring relationship. Rural and urban address habits are not the same. In rural areas, old people often call each other by their fathers' names, which means they are close and know themselves. People with close ties can use nicknames, while great men and celebrities use only one surname, such as lomonosov, Pushkin, Lenin, Gorky, Stalin and Putin.

It is best to exchange business cards if there are a large number of business cards. When meeting with Russian officials, you should use a business card with English printed on one side, preferably Russian printed on the other side.

Visit other people's homes, invite guests, break into houses and get permission to go in. Take off your coat and hat before entering the room, then bow to the hostess and say hello to the host and others. When the host sees the visitor coming in, he will stand up and shake hands with him, and ask him to sit down before discussing the work. When the host and guests enter the living room together, the host should go ahead and open the door for the guests; You should walk behind the guests when you go out, so as to close the door behind you. Invited to a family dinner, you can send flowers, wine, artworks, books and other gifts after receiving the invitation. Don't arrive too early, so as not to affect the host's preparation, and don't arrive too late. It is impolite to keep the host and other guests waiting.

In Russia, appointments should be punctual. It's best to write directly to the organization you want to contact, set a time, tell them what you want to discuss, and attach relevant trade documents. At the same time, citizens will submit a copy of this letter to the commercial office of their embassy, and the commercial office will assist you to contact the relevant departments and obtain their consent in principle before you can visit the relevant institutions. Make an appointment at least two or three days in advance. In any case, whether through the arrangement of the embassy or direct appointment, Dude needs to be confirmed by the other party again before he can leave.

Smoking instructions: Smoking and spitting are not allowed in public places. In a very empty hall, smoking is far away from others, and someone will take care of you. Russians have a strong sense of public morality in this respect. When putting out cigarettes, they usually hand in cigarette cases and let them take them themselves, not just one. Pay special attention not to light three people's cigarettes with matches. When a man smokes, first ask the lady next to you if she mind.

Ordinary Russians have strong national pride. Don't talk lightly about the nation, especially after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, its economic situation is not good and its international status has declined. Russians are particularly sensitive to this.

Common Language Officials, business managers and engineers all over the country speak Russian. Russian is also the main language in technical documents. English education is very popular as the first foreign language, and many senior officials can speak English.

Etiquette when you meet an acquaintance, you can't extend your left hand to shake hands and say hello. Students can't draw test papers with their left hands in the examination room. Women can't sit in front of men, show their thighs, and can't use skirts as fans, otherwise it will easily lead to misunderstandings of seducing men. Look at each other when you are talking, and don't interrupt others' conversation to show respect. You shouldn't talk to others in a language they don't understand. Don't pick your nose, stretch, scratch, spit or cough loudly in public. If you cough, be sure to cover your mouth with a handkerchief and cough quietly. Don't point fingers when talking to others. It is uncivilized to speak loudly in public places, and telling what to do while speaking is considered' uncultured'. You can't just say that you want to go to the toilet, but say "excuse me, please wait" or "excuse me, I have to make a phone call, please wait"

When several people from China are together, never say anything like "Fei" or "Hui" in Chinese (including all its homophones). If there are these two sounds in China's name, you should pronounce it softly, because the word Фуй, which is similar to Fei and Hui in Russian, is a rude word, and Russians will feel harsh when they hear it.

An ancient custom of entertaining Russians is to entertain guests with bread and salt. The origin of this custom can be traced back to the 5th century. At that time, the Xiongnu Empire dominated Eurasia. Attila, the leader of Xiongnu, destroyed most salt drying fields in Russia and Europe today in order to guard against and destroy the enemy. By the 9th 9- 10/0th century in the Russian Principality, salt had become a rare and precious commodity, and only when entertaining guests could people open their eyes at banquets. Because of the low agricultural productivity in the Middle Ages, bread was undoubtedly a symbol of wealth and status, especially in backward ancient Russia. Therefore, entertaining guests with bread is not only to show their wealth, but also to show their respect and enthusiasm for the guests. Usually, the host holds bread in his hand, and the guest bends down to take it, kisses it first, then breaks a small piece, sprinkles a little salt and tastes it to express his gratitude. Nowadays, although bread and salt have lost their original valuable value, they still mean goodwill and friendship. Besides, knocking over the salt pot means quarreling. Bread and salt are indispensable media in Russia's friendly exchanges. When invited to a local home for dinner or as a guest, presenting a bouquet of flowers to the hostess will make her feel very happy. You also need to send some colored pens and intellectual game toys to the owner's children. Russians are very hospitable, and there is a proverb that says it best: what's in the oven, what's on the table. No matter how tight the food supply is, when you are invited to dinner, do your best to leave the rare delicious food to the guests. If you don't eat and drink generously, it will be considered impolite.

Russians are famous for their good wine. Generally, spirits are not served at more advanced banquets, but at cocktail parties, there are always several bottles of vodka (spirits), which is the old drinking rule of Russians. In the intellectual world, it is not recommended to persuade wine, but in rural areas, the host often takes the lead in toasting and gets drunk. At this moment, if you can drink some, you will be called "friend" and "know yourself" immediately.

Respecting women is the social fashion of Russians. When greeting, men should greet women first; Young people should greet their elders first; People who enter the house should greet the host and others first. When a woman walks into the living room, a man should stand up to show his support, while when a man walks into a guest, a woman can not stand up, but she must face the guest to show politeness. When introducing people to each other, always introduce women to men first, and when answering, women should take the initiative to reach out and shake hands and say their names. When they meet on business, young men and women should say their names, and adult men and women should say their names and their fathers' names. When you want to introduce someone to a lady, you should ask her permission before introducing her. When getting on the bus, entering the room and going up the stairs, men usually let women go first and open the door for them, even women they don't know. When going out, the man helps the woman in the same trade to put on her coat and pull the door; In the cinema, a man should find a seat for a woman to sit down, and then sit by himself. After asking the woman to dance, send her back to her original position, express her gratitude and leave. When taking pictures, whether indoors or outdoors, if women are standing, men should not sit and take pictures. When you are with a woman, you must ask her permission before smoking.

Three. 1. Avoid yellow. Russians think yellow is an unlucky color. When giving gifts, yellow things are generally avoided, and pure yellow clothes are also prohibited.

Don't get married in May. Most people are afraid of getting married in May. I think this month's marriage is full of suffering and failure.

3. Eat without looking in the mirror, eat without looking in the mirror, and serve without a hat. These are thought to bring misfortune.

5. Don't send candles. Russians usually regard candles as ominous things that can bring death, so giving candles is tantamount to cursing each other's early death.

6. Don't bark like an owl. This indicates that people will be threatened by death.

Taboos in communication

1) Avoid shaking hands.

2) Avoid talking about women's looks.

3) Don't ask women's age.

4) Avoid excessive praise.

5) Avoid praising your health.

6) Avoid talking and shaking hands across the threshold.

7) Avoid lighting three cigarettes with one match.

8) Avoid congratulating your birthday in advance.

9) Don't point your finger at each other.

10) Don't be an uninvited guest.