Culture

Russians love to entertain at home, despite the fact that eating out is now a common Western practice. If you're invited over, always bring a small gift, whether it's some flowers (if you're a man) or some chocolates (if female).

Only at exclusive restaurants and bars are tips accepted, and five to ten percent should be plenty. You'll notice that Russians avoid turning their backs on the iconostasis, which serves as a screen for the altar. In churches, ladies are expected to cover their head and shoulders, while men wearing shorts may be denied access.

Russians tend to be somewhat superstitious; you'll often see them rubbing the canine statues' noses at Moscow's Metro Ploshad Revolutsii for luck. Men still offer to help with heavy lifting and open doors for ladies, demonstrating the continued existence of traditional chivalry. On public transportation, you'll see young people giving up their seats to the elderly; do what they do before you're instructed to.