Why Learn about Russia?

By Diana Kleban 02/05/2013

Reasons to Learn about Russia• Russian Coworkers, friends, or relatives ?• Plan to visit Russia as a tourist ?• Russian Language is beautiful ?• Interested in Russian History ?• Love Russian food ?• Interested in Russian traditions, culture and

superstitions ?• Are Russia and Russians very mysterious?• Tell me more?

Popular Russian Names:Women:

Anna, Yulia, Natalya, Olga, Svetlana, Marina, Elena/Lena, Katya, Irina, Oksana

Men: Alexander, Alexei, Andrey, Boris, Ivan (Vanya), Mikhail, Sergei, Dima Vladimir, Igor

Russian Holidays

• Dec 31 - New Year – Noviy God• Jan 7 – Christmas (since 1991)• Feb 23 – Defender of Motherland (1918)• March 8 – International Women Day• May 9 – Victory Day (firework/parade)

Russian Attributes• What is the largest & coldest country in the world?• What two largest countries with the same flag colors?• What is the most popular drink in Russia?• What is the name of the metal container for boiling water,

originally heated with coal?• What are the traditional national winter footwear made of wool

felt?• What is the famous folk Russian string instrument, that

resembles a guitar (3 strings only)?• What is one of Russians’ favorite animal, the hero of many

legends and fairytales?• Most famous wooden handcrafted nested Souvenir?• What is most famous Russian poet?• What is most famous and popular tree in Russia?

Russian Attributes

Matreshka

Balalayka Mishka Beryeza (Birch)

A.C. Pushkin

Blini (Pancakes) Valenki

Ushanka

Samovar - Chai

Russian GloryBolshoy (Big) Theater, Moscow

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow

St. Basil’s Cathedral

Mausoleum

Russian AttractionsMoscow Subway Revolution Squire GUM Shopping Mall

Russian AttractionsTretyakov Galery, Moscow

Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Russian Etiquette• Men and women greet each other with “Privet”, a handshake or a node. A hug or kiss – only if very close.• Can you come to visit friends or family unexpectedly and without

invitation? How do you greet the hostess?• As a party guest, don’t forget flowers, cake, cookies, and a bottle

of alcohol. Flowers for women, bottles for men.• Take your shoes off at home and change into slippers.• Never drink from the bottle and always take a bite between

shots. Long and meaningful toasts are always anticipated.• It is ok to ask such questions as salary, age, family life or other

personal nature questions.• It is acceptable practice to have public transportation gallantry -

give up seats to elders and pregnant women.• It is normal for men to pay for women in restaurants, open doors

for them and help off the busses.

Leisure Activities• Bath Houses (Banya)• Boating/River Cruises• Parks and Gardens• Cross Country Skiing• Ice-Skating• Berry/Mushroom picking• Billiard• Bowling• Chess• Tea Parties

Arbat Street, Moscow

What are the most popular American activities?

Popular Russian Food - Breakfast Kasha - Porridge Pancakes – Bliny Egg Omelet Dumplings - Vareniki Cottage Cheese pancakes – Syrniki Dumplings - Vareniki

Bliny - Pancakes Syrniki (with cheese)

Popular Russian Food – Lunch/Dinner

Salads: Salad “Oliver” (potato salad) Beet Salad Tomato and Cucumber Salad Mixed Veggie Salad Salad “Oliver”

Soup: BORSH – Beet soup Chicken Soup – Bullion Shi - Cabbage soup Mushroom soup

Cabbage soupBORSH

Popular Russian Food – Lunch/Dinner

Main Dishes: Cutlets Meat balls Plov (rice/meat dish) - Rice Pilaf Beef and potatoes - Beef Stew Chicken dishes Plov Cutlets

Side dishes: Mashed potatoes Fried potatoes Rice Buckwheat Kasha

Popular Russian Food – Lunch/Dinner

Desserts: Apple pie Chocolate cake Pirozki & Pirogi Pancakes Jams and Preserves Baranki (round cookies) Bubliki (donuts with a hole)

Beverages: Tea with lemon, honey, sugar Coffee Juices – apple, orange (never diluted) Champaign / Wine / Beer / Vodka

Superstitions• Don’t show a newborn baby for 40 days• Don’t buy things for a newborn before the birth• Don’t celebrate birthdays before the actual day.• Look in the mirror if you forgot something at home and returned

to the house.• Don’t sit in the corner of the table, if you want to get married.• Don’t dry hands with someone else with the same towel if you

don’t want conflicts.• Don’t spill salt to avoid conflicts• Don’t share a happy event until it happens• Don’t shake hands or give something through a threshold• Don’t eat from a knife if you don’t want to be angry• Don’t wear clothes upside down, if you don’t want to be beaten• If someone sneezes around you, it means it is the truth and etc.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

Life style• What will you hear back if you say “Hello, how are you?”• Are people in your country emotional, sentimental and/or

open with strangers, friends, relatives?• Who is bringing cake for your birthday at work?• Do people live mostly in houses or apartment buildings?• Can you wear sneakers with the fancy dress?• Can you wear the same clothes for several days in a row?• Do you like to drive fast on roads?• Do you patiently stand and wait in line?• What country has fire drills & very powerful AC (even in the winter?)

Cultural Differences and SimilaritiesEducation• Do kids play together and go to the same school on your street?• Do your children get praised a lot?• Are multiple choice test popular in schools?• Is “bulling” addressed seriously in America?

Medicine• Can you survive without “bribing rewards”?• How strong is the diagnostic and cure services in America?

Patriotism• Are Americans patriots of their country?• Do Americans have true “inclusion and diversity”?

Sport• What is the most popular sport in your country?• Do Americans walk a lot? Walking and not Moving (puzzle)

Cultural Differences and SimilaritiesHome Décor• Do you prefer wall paper to paint , curtains to blinds,

carpets to wood floors, ceiling lamps to standing lamps?

Nature/Animals• Does your country love and take care of nature and/or animals?

Relationships:• How valuable is friendship in your country?• Is family considered to be the most important part of life?• Do children live together with parents for a long time?

Families• Are we all human Beings who live on the same planet – Earth?• Do we all have similar goals, desires and wishes for our families,

relatives, and friends?

Simple RussianHi – Pri-Vy-Et (privet)YES – DANO – NYETHow are you? – Kak di-la?Good – Kha-ra-shoThank you – Spa-si-baWhat is your name? – Kak Bas Za-VutMy name is - Mi-Nya Za-Vut…DianaGood Bye – Da-Svi-Da-Ni-YaBye – Pa-ka