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© Getty Images
0 / 26 Fotos
Always carry your passport
- Police in Russia can stop anyone and ask for ID. If you're foreign, you're more likely to be targeted so make sure you always carry your passport and any required visas.
© Shutterstock
1 / 26 Fotos
Always carry your passport - If you don't, they can actually take you to the police station to run a check on you until they've established who you are.
© Shutterstock
2 / 26 Fotos
You're not as funny as you think you are - Russians don't share the same sense of humor as many people in the Western world.
© Shutterstock
3 / 26 Fotos
You're not as funny as you think you are - When in Russia, avoid jokes in general. Telling jokes involving family members are particularly offensive.
© iStock
4 / 26 Fotos
Never refuse a drink
- Drinking is an important part of Russian culture. Turning down a drink can be offensive.
© Shutterstock
5 / 26 Fotos
Never refuse a drink
- The only plausible excuse to refuse a drink is for health reasons. For many Russians, not drinking alcohol by choice is an alien concept.
© Shutterstock
6 / 26 Fotos
Never disrespect the mighty babushka - Their status as respected babushkas is attained when Russian women reach a certain age.
© Shutterstock
7 / 26 Fotos
Never disrespect the mighty babushka - Babushkas can pretty much say and do whatever they want. They're highly respected in Russian society.
© Shutterstock
8 / 26 Fotos
Don't sit on public transport - Seating is reserved for those who really need it. Think the elderly or pregnant women for instance.
© Shutterstock
9 / 26 Fotos
Don't sit on public transport - If you don't give up your seat to someone who needs it, it'll be frowned upon by the locals.
© Shutterstock
10 / 26 Fotos
Don't wear shoes at home - Russians abide by this law, as they don't want to bring dirt or other germs into their living space.
© Shutterstock
11 / 26 Fotos
Don't accept a gift before refusing it - If someone gives you a gift, make sure you reject it a few times before finally accepting it.
© Shutterstock
12 / 26 Fotos
Don't accept a gift before refusing it - To immediately accept a gift is considered rude, so make sure you play the game.
© Shutterstock
13 / 26 Fotos
Men don't let women carry heavy objects - Russian men are expected to help women carry heavy things.
© iStock
14 / 26 Fotos
Men don't let women carry heavy objects - As a woman, expect men to offer to help you out carrying heavy objects. Don't be offended by it—it's part of the culture.
© Shutterstock
15 / 26 Fotos
Always bring something - This is common in many cultures, but make sure you don't show up empty-handed if you're invited to someone's home in Russia.
© Shutterstock
16 / 26 Fotos
Always bring something - You can bring dessert or a bottle of wine, for instance. You can also bring a small gift for children if there are any in the house.
© Shutterstock
17 / 26 Fotos
Don't whistle indoors - Russians are quite superstitious. Whistling indoors is considered a bad omen.
© iStock
18 / 26 Fotos
Don't whistle indoors - You don't want to whistle all your money away (yes, that's one of their beliefs)!
© Shutterstock
19 / 26 Fotos
Don't smile - Unless you have a reason to, don't walk around smiling at everyone.
© Shutterstock
20 / 26 Fotos
Don't smile - Russians won't trust you and will find you a bit silly.
© Shutterstock
21 / 26 Fotos
Don't leave empty bottles on the table
- Russians believe this will bring bad luck, particularly in terms of money.
© Shutterstock
22 / 26 Fotos
Don't leave empty bottles on the table
- So if you happen to have a couple of drinks, always place empty bottles on the floor.
© Shutterstock
23 / 26 Fotos
Public displays of affection - Showing affection in public is not common in Russia. While this is true regardless of your sexual orientation, particularly avoid it if you're the same sex as your partner.
© Shutterstock
24 / 26 Fotos
LGBT
- You should be particularly wary if you're not hetero. Russia is not the place to show your LGBTQ pride. See also: Eyes in the sky: how the US, Russia, and China are using space spies
© Shutterstock
25 / 26 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 26 Fotos
Always carry your passport
- Police in Russia can stop anyone and ask for ID. If you're foreign, you're more likely to be targeted so make sure you always carry your passport and any required visas.
© Shutterstock
1 / 26 Fotos
Always carry your passport - If you don't, they can actually take you to the police station to run a check on you until they've established who you are.
© Shutterstock
2 / 26 Fotos
You're not as funny as you think you are - Russians don't share the same sense of humor as many people in the Western world.
© Shutterstock
3 / 26 Fotos
You're not as funny as you think you are - When in Russia, avoid jokes in general. Telling jokes involving family members are particularly offensive.
© iStock
4 / 26 Fotos
Never refuse a drink
- Drinking is an important part of Russian culture. Turning down a drink can be offensive.
© Shutterstock
5 / 26 Fotos
Never refuse a drink
- The only plausible excuse to refuse a drink is for health reasons. For many Russians, not drinking alcohol by choice is an alien concept.
© Shutterstock
6 / 26 Fotos
Never disrespect the mighty babushka - Their status as respected babushkas is attained when Russian women reach a certain age.
© Shutterstock
7 / 26 Fotos
Never disrespect the mighty babushka - Babushkas can pretty much say and do whatever they want. They're highly respected in Russian society.
© Shutterstock
8 / 26 Fotos
Don't sit on public transport - Seating is reserved for those who really need it. Think the elderly or pregnant women for instance.
© Shutterstock
9 / 26 Fotos
Don't sit on public transport - If you don't give up your seat to someone who needs it, it'll be frowned upon by the locals.
© Shutterstock
10 / 26 Fotos
Don't wear shoes at home - Russians abide by this law, as they don't want to bring dirt or other germs into their living space.
© Shutterstock
11 / 26 Fotos
Don't accept a gift before refusing it - If someone gives you a gift, make sure you reject it a few times before finally accepting it.
© Shutterstock
12 / 26 Fotos
Don't accept a gift before refusing it - To immediately accept a gift is considered rude, so make sure you play the game.
© Shutterstock
13 / 26 Fotos
Men don't let women carry heavy objects - Russian men are expected to help women carry heavy things.
© iStock
14 / 26 Fotos
Men don't let women carry heavy objects - As a woman, expect men to offer to help you out carrying heavy objects. Don't be offended by it—it's part of the culture.
© Shutterstock
15 / 26 Fotos
Always bring something - This is common in many cultures, but make sure you don't show up empty-handed if you're invited to someone's home in Russia.
© Shutterstock
16 / 26 Fotos
Always bring something - You can bring dessert or a bottle of wine, for instance. You can also bring a small gift for children if there are any in the house.
© Shutterstock
17 / 26 Fotos
Don't whistle indoors - Russians are quite superstitious. Whistling indoors is considered a bad omen.
© iStock
18 / 26 Fotos
Don't whistle indoors - You don't want to whistle all your money away (yes, that's one of their beliefs)!
© Shutterstock
19 / 26 Fotos
Don't smile - Unless you have a reason to, don't walk around smiling at everyone.
© Shutterstock
20 / 26 Fotos
Don't smile - Russians won't trust you and will find you a bit silly.
© Shutterstock
21 / 26 Fotos
Don't leave empty bottles on the table
- Russians believe this will bring bad luck, particularly in terms of money.
© Shutterstock
22 / 26 Fotos
Don't leave empty bottles on the table
- So if you happen to have a couple of drinks, always place empty bottles on the floor.
© Shutterstock
23 / 26 Fotos
Public displays of affection - Showing affection in public is not common in Russia. While this is true regardless of your sexual orientation, particularly avoid it if you're the same sex as your partner.
© Shutterstock
24 / 26 Fotos
LGBT
- You should be particularly wary if you're not hetero. Russia is not the place to show your LGBTQ pride. See also: Eyes in the sky: how the US, Russia, and China are using space spies
© Shutterstock
25 / 26 Fotos
Things you should never do in Russia
Russia is a singular country in many aspects
© Getty Images
Russia is definitely a force to be reckoned with. A powerful empire, Russia has always been a major player in the world.
Russia is the largest country in the world. The Russian territory is actually larger than the surface area of Pluto, since the country is about 17 million sq km (6.5 million sq miles), while the dwarf planet is only 16.6 million sq km (6.4 million sq miles).
Russia
is also geographically in two worlds. Its territory is spread across both the European and Asian continents. Around 75% of the Russian Federation's territory is located east of the Ural Mountains in Asia. However, only 22% of the country's population lives in these Asian regions.
Additionally, the country is home to stunning natural beauty. About 20% of the world's forest areas are actually located in Russia, as well as the world's deepest lake, Lake Baikal.
The country also has some unique rules and laws, and it’s incredibly rich in superstitions and folklore. Russians inherited many pagan superstitions that still resonate to this day.
Russia is a
singular country in many aspects. From teachers being paid in vodka, to bears addicted to fuel, the country is home to many peculiarities.
Click through the gallery and be surprised by the things you shouldn't do while in Russia.
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