How to deals with Russians? Visit edition.

How to visit a Russian and not get kicked out after the first minute of being there? This article is for you.

"This year has been tough."

1. There are some traditions in Russia that you should know when you come to visit. One of them is that you usually take off your shoes. This is especially important when it's snowing or raining outside, as your hosts naturally don't want you to dirty the floor for them. To take this into consideration, they usually offer you slippers to wear inside. If you plan to stay for a few days, you can bring your own slippers.

2. If you are going to visit, be sure to bring something for tea: maybe candy, some dessert, or even fruit. In Russia, the host often opens the gift immediately upon receiving it and puts it on display by placing it on the table.

3. If you are invited to lunch or dinner, don't be surprised to find the table already set for your arrival. However, this does not mean that you can start eating right away. A beautiful table is part of the festive atmosphere, and it should stay that way for a while.

"Don't touch it, it's for New Year's Eve."

4. Russian cuisine can sometimes surprise foreigners. Russians like to cook and eat a lot of different salads. Russian salads are different from salads in the west. They may contain meat, eggs, and of course a lot of mayonnaise. In Russia, it is believed that there should always be food on the table, so if you eat everything you are offered, most likely your hosts will run to the store to buy more. Russians are very hospitable, so they will keep asking you to pour more and put more salad.

"How about some vodka? - No, thanks, I'm good."

5. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. In Soviet times, apartments did not have a living room (which was considered a bourgeois luxury), so in Russia the kitchen is an important place for socializing. For big holidays, the table is often set in the largest room of the apartment.

"Volodya, bring a stool from the balcony, there aren't enough seats."

6. And finally, toasts are very often said during dinner. This is a traditional element of Russian hospitality. While the person is making a toast, you should raise your glass and hold it in your hand during the entire toast. After the toast, it is recommended that you drink from the glass rather than placing it immediately on the table. This is a symbol of respect for the person making the toast and for those attending the party.

These are the basic rules of behavior when visiting a Russian man! I hope your visit will be successful and you will be invited again.