Originally Posted by
Боб Уайтман As for the safety rules in Russia, I would advise the following:
Russia is generally a safe place for foreigners, but you have to apply some common sense:
- Buy a local SIM-card rather than using your home one, it will help you to save your money greatly;
- Don't take too much cash with you (there are lots of ATM machines in all big cities, many big stores also accept credit cards) - generally, a few thousand roubles would be enough, and you can always withdraw more cash when you need;
- Always take your passport and visa, it may help if some problems (and better keep it in you pocket, not in your bag);
- Better call a taxi by phone, rather than stopping it in the street. Or, if you stop a taxi in the street, discuss the price in advance before even getting in (otherwise a taxi driver may charge you several times more because you are a foreigner);
- Use public transportation when possible, it is cheap and quite safe. Some big cities in Russia have an underground system - that might be the best option for you.
- That's OK to shop in an official store. But do not shop in a market alone for the same reason: you would most likely be charged extra price for being a foreigner;
- Do not flash your money in a crowdy place;
- Do not buy anything from strangers in the street;
- Do not drink with strangers;
- Do not walk alone in a dark deserted street;
- It would be excellent if you find some friends you can trust to;
- Do not do anything illegal of course.
As to the cultural differences, there are many of them. You will notice them easily. What comes to my mind first:
- Do not expect strangers to smile to you. Russians do not smile as often as Americans do. That does not mean they do not like you. The reason is the smile in Russia is understood differently: you have to have a reason for smiling! We smile to a baby, we smile to close friends when we are really glad to see them, we smile to someone we like and know well, we smile when we are really happy or when something is really funny. In USA, a smile is a neutral sign. In Russia, no smile is a neutral sign, and a smile should be sincere.
- Generally, Russians do not like insincerity. If asking "How are you?" (Как дела?) in Russia, be ready to hear a honest answer, not just the universal "fine" as in the US. A Russian will not usually say he is fine if he has some problems at the moment. He will tell you some story about his problems instead.
- For the same reason as above, Russians do not like a meaningless "small talk" between strangers. That is not customary to talk to people you do not know in order just "to fill a pause": in a supermarket line, in an elevator, in a hotel corridor etc. unless you really need to ask something.
- But Russians are usually very warm and open with their friends. If you make friends with someone, you can expect sincere heart-to-heart conversation with them.
- Russian women are 0%-feminists. They expect signs of attention from men: a man is expected to open a door for a lady, to offer his seat in a public bus, he MUST take her heavy bag to carry, he MUST offer his hand to a lady when exiting a car, a bus or a tram (the man should exit first). He MUST pay for her in a restaurant if dating. Failing to do so is considered rude and "uncultured".
- When invited to someone's home, ALWAYS take your shoes off before entering an appartement.
There are of course more to come. But at least I would recommend that you follow that advice.