We are sure that you can travel around the whole of Russia in one week
This is one of the most common misconceptions of foreign tourists. Because of it, they plan their route incorrectly, and accordingly, they are sorely lacking time to visit the main attractions of the country. Neither geographical maps nor the results of Internet search engines can convince them. Foreigners are confident that they can travel the length and breadth of Russia in just a few days.
They are able to understand the scale of the country only when they are on the spot. What can I say, in order to see the sights of the capital, it is not always possible to do it within seven days. And so that their plans do not completely collapse, hotel staff and professional guides come to the rescue; they give valuable advice and recommendations on how to maximize the planned tourist program.
Don't criticize Russia
A Russian person already knows that not everything is in order in his country, so there is no need to remind him of this. However, in the West, especially in America, things are just the opposite. People have a responsibility to criticize their government all the time so that it strives to improve the lives of citizens. But not everyone will agree to hear this from the lips of a foreigner. After all, they are the ones who are guilty of “destroying our country.” In addition, according to tourists, every Russian person is a patriot. Therefore, they strongly discourage each other from speaking negatively about the president, even if the criticism is well founded.
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They think that everything is cheap in Russia
This is another common stereotype among visiting tourists. If in small towns you can still get goods or services at a low price, then in large cities you can forget about it. Undoubtedly, the most expensive city in Russia and one of the most expensive in the world is Moscow. Many travelers become disheartened when they see the prices. Accommodation in a good hotel and dinner in a restaurant are not cheap. The cost of products in supermarkets is often comparable to prices in European stores.
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Some tourists come specifically during sales periods, wanting to update their wardrobe. But when they see the prices, they get upset, since most goods during the discount period are more expensive than new items in foreign stores. Moreover, visiting many attractions and cultural and entertainment institutions for foreigners will cost more than for Russian citizens.
Welcome to Russia!
What should you tell a foreigner about Russia? The main supply of information among foreign tourists is often limited to the fact that Russia is a huge country with rich cultural traditions and a great history. They remember that Yakutia alone is equal in size to half of Western Europe, the Komi Republic is comparable in area to France, the Kola Peninsula is two Denmarks, and Ireland is the size of the Novgorod region. These are truly impressive sizes.
The way of life in Russia differs significantly from Western European and American ones. To many, distant territories seem cold and lifeless, where, in order not to freeze, you need to wear a hat with earflaps all year round. It is really very cold in winter. The temperature in Norilsk reaches -50 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature in Vorkuta - -52 degrees - was recorded in 1978, in Yakutsk - -64 degrees (1891). But the frost and blizzard outside the window are compensated by the warmth of communication.
Foreigners have often heard that women in Russia are the most beautiful in the world. Many come to see this for themselves and are not left disappointed. Inquisitive European and American tourists understand that the Russians they meet will be pleased if a citizen of a foreign country learns a few phrases in Russian. Although the majority most likely already know the words “Stalin”, “perestroika” and “communism”.
We are sure that everyone in Russia speaks English
Despite the fact that in modern educational institutions English has become a compulsory subject, many residents of the Russian Federation do not speak it. In their reviews of trips to Russia, foreigners often say that in large cities there were practically no problems with communication, while in remote areas even hotel staff did not always speak English. To avoid awkward situations, tourists recommend that people planning a trip to Russia learn a few standard phrases or purchase an English-Russian phrasebook.
What foreigners think about Russia
Foreigners also love to talk about the country. At first, Russia appears to many as an aggressive and frankly backward state with a harsh climate and no less harsh people. But after visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg, talking with Russian people and becoming familiar with the culture, most foreign guests radically change their opinion. The recent 2018 World Cup, the largest sporting event, played a huge role in attracting tourists to Russia and debunking many myths.
Foreign fans after the World Cup said that their stereotypes were completely dispelled after just a few days in Russia. Before this, Russians seemed unfriendly and intolerant to them. Most would like to visit the Russian Federation again, and some intended to stay after the end of the championship to explore a few more cities. More than half (53%) of tourists rated the 2018 World Cup in Russia as ten out of ten.
Order a taxi at the counter at the airport
Foreigners arriving in Russia for the first time, without thinking, order a taxi from the service desk at the airport. Due to ignorance of tariffs, they are often not embarrassed even by the cost of travel, which in fact is several times higher than the real one. The fact is that in most countries there are strict tariffs for taxi services, no matter whether you are moving around the city or outside it.
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For example, if you order a taxi at Pulkovo Airport to the center, you will have to pay about five thousand rubles for the trip, but if you order through a special application (Yandex, Uber), the cost of the service will be five times lower - 700-1,000 rubles. Having gotten used to it a little and learned the real prices, foreigners feel deceived and regret that they unknowingly overpaid. This is especially true for older travelers who, due to their age, do not always use mobile applications.
Don't give up drinking
Well, you understand, right? This phrase: “Do you respect me?” – has driven fear into poor foreigners to such an extent that they are already afraid to approach those places where alcohol is poured. It’s funny to us, but they really think that no one in Russia has the right to refuse a drink if it is offered to him. In addition, in our country, it turns out, there is a tradition that if a tourist’s glass is at least half empty, then it should certainly be replenished. Because of such generosity and the desire of the Russian person to amuse his interlocutor, it is customary to think of us as those who get tourists drunk.
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Avoid Russian Airlines
According to surveys, most people prefer to travel with airlines that exist in their country or those that they trust. Therefore, when planning a trip to Russia, they purchase tickets from their usual carriers, even if they have to overpay. In fact, Russian airlines offer a high class of service, while the cost of the flight is much lower. In addition, if you purchase a ticket several months before your intended trip, you can save a lot of money.
Buy museum tickets online
Many are convinced that if you buy a ticket to a museum online, you won’t have to stand in line for a long time and you can get inside faster. But this rule does not always apply. For example, standing in line with an electronic ticket in front of the Hermitage, tourists often watch how people, bypassing them, go inside with a regular ticket in their hands.
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Advice for a foreigner: what you should definitely not do in Russia
For violating some unspoken rules, a foreigner will get off with public condemnation. Violating others will attract the attention of police officers. It’s better to find out in advance what you shouldn’t do in Russia.
What exactly should not be done in Russia, and how can a foreigner avoid conflicts with the population and law enforcement agencies? According to foreigners, Russians hardly smile
The first mistake a guest in Russia makes is to start smiling at strangers. Passers-by are irritated by such friendliness. Especially in the subway or public transport. The Russian smile is not just politeness, but a feature that reflects the real mood. Russians manage to express sympathy and aggression using a smile; they use different smiles for friends and colleagues. But you can't smile at strangers. What a foreigner should not do in Russia: drink alcohol on the street
Western films have perpetuated the stereotype that Russians drink alcohol on the street. If a foreigner decides to follow this example, he will face a fine. Drinking alcohol is allowed only in cafes, restaurants, and bars. You can have a glass or two at home. In large cities, the police will quickly curtail alcohol-fuelled outings. Tips for foreigners: don’t try to out-drink a Russian
Competing with a Russian in drinking alcohol is a bad idea. Imagine a foreigner who finds himself at a traditional feast with all its rules (link to material Russia cannot be understood with the mind: unusual, but familiar habits). There is a small gap between the first and second. In addition, after the first one there is no snack. If you're late, you get a penalty. Each feast consists of a large number of toasts, and after each toast you will have to drink. How to compete with an “enemy” for whom such a feast is a familiar part of life? What not to do in Russia: ask about salary
Questions about age and salary are taboo. Interestingly, a Russian woman reacts more calmly to a question about age if it is asked by another woman. Men are not allowed to ask this. You can ask a friend about salary, but this information should not leave your conversation. Information about the amount of earnings in Russia is personal. It’s better not to ask strangers about age and salary - you’ll run into trouble. What you can’t do in Russia: you can’t go anywhere without a passport
If a foreigner finds himself on the street without a passport, he risks spending several hours in a police station. This is especially true for guests who do not look like Russians. Foreigners recommend their compatriots not to panic if they are stopped. As a rule, after examining the passport, the foreigner is released. The exception is cases when the guest violates public order. What is the best thing not to do in Russia: how to address passers-by?
Here lies the paradox. The fact is that you can address young people as “girl” or “young man”. In relation to pensioners, the addresses “grandmother” and “grandfather” are used. But how to approach a middle-aged person? If you say “woman” to a lady of Balzac’s age, you can hear a lot of new things about yourself. In such cases, foreigners recommend that their compatriots first ask the name of a passerby. The advice is strange, considering that Russians are quite suspicious. Advice for a foreigner on how to behave in Russia: public transport
Give up your seats to the elderly, pregnant women, disabled people and passengers with children. An unspoken rule that works like clockwork. Violating it may cause an unpleasant response from other passengers. It is interesting that in Russia men often give up their seats to girls and women. Representatives of the fair sex willingly accept such social privileges.©
We are convinced that a Russian bathhouse and a sauna are no different
Many people know what a sauna is thanks to the popularization of the Scandinavian lifestyle.
A Russian bathhouse is the complete opposite of calmly taking water procedures in Finnish style, especially if it happens in winter. Instead of relaxing, people are whipped with a broom, turned up to heat, doused with ice water, or forced to jump into an ice hole. Therefore, after the steam room, foreigners cannot recover from the culture shock for a long time.
We are sure that it is always cold in Russia
There is still a widespread stereotype that Russia is a country of permafrost, where it snows from morning to evening and bears walk the streets. Therefore, when planning a trip, tourists stock up on winter clothes, down jackets and jackets, even if we are talking about a trip in June. As a result, the suitcase is filled with unnecessary things, and in order to have somewhere to put souvenirs and gifts, you have to purchase additional luggage and overpay for overloading.
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They don't know what an underground passage is
Most tourists arriving in Russia for the first time use ground pedestrian crossings. When they see an underground passage, they think that this is a descent to the subway.
It is worth noting that in most large cities there really are no such passages, and people go underground only to travel on the subway. Therefore, in Russia, such structures are often not considered as an alternative to a ground pedestrian crossing, but are taken as an entrance to the metro.
Don't accept gifts right away
There is an interesting habit in Russia: if you are given a gift, you must first politely refuse, and when it is offered for the second or third time, you can agree. This is especially true when people give each other money. Even if a person really needs this or that thing, he should not immediately agree, so as not to expose himself as a “redneck” who expects gestures of goodwill from people. This tradition should also be adopted by those foreigners who want to give a gift to their loved ones: you need to continue to be persistent, even if the person initially refused the gift.
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