If you are planning to stay in Russia for a while when studying or interning, you may experience culture shock. Many things are different there as compared to what you are used to.

Tips to avoid culture shock in Russia

It may not be possible to avoid the culture shock altogether, but these few tips may help you to adjust better and avoid most typical blunders.

1. Stop smiling once you cross the border to Russia

Best to stop grinning once you land in Moscow airport. The border patrol officers and customs officials are going to have sombre faces and even though they are used to ever-grinning foreigners, you’ll have an easier time if you keep a straight face with no smiles.

Smile is a special luxury for Russians and reserved for the occasions when you are with family and friends, and really enjoy yourself and the situation. If you are not in the circle of family and friends and you are grinning, this means you have found something funny, and you don’t want the customs officers feel you are laughing at them.

On the streets of Moscow, the happy expression of the face tips pickpocketers you are a foreigner and might have cash in easily accessible places. You probably don’t want to do it.

2. Embrace tea-drinking

Russians drink much more tea than they drink vodka, if you thought the latter was the beverage of choice for locals. Most often people in Russia drink black or green tea with sugar and no milk. You’ll be offered tea in private homes when you visit people, accept the offer or they may have to think what else they can offer you, and they might not have much other options, which can embarrass the hosts.

3. If you are drinking vodka with Russians, don’t mix it

Russian girls may drink vodka with orange or pineapple juice, but guys just gulp it pure. Girl in general prefer sweet champagne (dry champagne is unpopular). It’s actually not a real champagne, it’s a sparkling wine. But they call it champagne.

If you drink vodka, don’t mix it

After gulping down a shot of vodka (don’t drink it in small sips, just one big sip), people may drink some juice or eat a piece of pickle or salami.

4. Walk fast

In Moscow the pace of life is hectic and it seems like people are purposefully running in various directions, busy with their lives.

5. Dress smart

Russians who live in capital cities are dressed impeccably. Suits and shoes, fashionable and elegant. In small towns people look more dowdy. Another thing, Russians wear a lot of black and dark colours.

6. Local Russian fast food joints offer great meals

The food is also quite cheap. Russian pelmeni (dumplings with filling) are great and locals love it, they come with various fillings, even if you are a vegetarian you can find something to your taste.

7. Water in restaurants isn’t free

Ketchup in MsDonalds is also not free but has to be paid for.

8. Public displays of affection are normal

If you are from a country where people don’t hug and kiss each other in public, this may be quite a cultural shock, as in Russia you may see a lot of couples immersed in each other.

9. Not many people can speak English

This may come as a surprise, especially knowing that all Russians learn English at school for 6 years and then if they go to college, it’s another 3 years of English tuition with exams at the end.

But that’s the fact: Learning English and being able to understand an English-speaker and respond back are obviously different things. The level of comprehension and fluency in spoken English is very low, most people won’t understand your speaking. But you can communicate via apps.

10. All signs are in Cyrillic

It may be hard to find your way around at first, until you start picking Cyrillic alphabet (it’s not that hard).

11. Don’t buy souvenirs in city centre

Prices for souvenirs near Kremlin are exorbitant. If you can, go to Izmailovsky market (at the end of dark blue subway line in Moscow) where prices are much cheaper and negotiable.

Don’t buy souvenirs in the center of Moscow, it’s expensive

12. Don’t accept offers to take photos with characters near Kremlin

They look awesome but then demand ridiculous fees for being in your photos or threaten to break your camera. Just simply walk away if offered such photos and don’t give them a second look.

In general, don’t talk to people trying to get your attention near Kremlin. They know all foreigners come there and try all types of tricks.

All in all, enjoy your time in Russia! Whether you are staying for a few days or months, you’ll get to love Russians and their warmth once you establish a few connections with locals, and it’s easy!

Read also:

• What foreigners think about Russians?
• 10 Shocking Facts about Russian Girls for Marriage
• Cost of a weekend trip in Russia
• Tips for communication with women from Elenasmodels.com