TRAVEL & CULTURE
Things You Get Used to When Moving to Russia
Living in Russia can get tough at times, but Russians know exactly how to combat their day-to-day struggles with ingenious solutions.
If you plan to move to Russia to marry the love of your life, then you best keep yourself informed and up to date with the Russian way of life. Russians live very differently from Westernized countries, so you might find yourself falling into culture shock.
So what exactly are the things that you get used to when you live in Russia?
There are more women than men
According to the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, there are 10.7 million more women than there are men. It wouldn’t be rare for you to find a man among the crowd, but it wouldn’t be overly common either.
There are about six regions in Russia where men make up the majority of the population. But in highly urbanized areas such as Moscow or St. Petersburg, you’re more likely to see women.
This led some of the women to resort to international online dating. Russians often marry early, so there are plenty of Russian women who are looking for a potential spouse on these dating sites.
Bringing gifts to a party
No Russian ever shows up empty-handed when attending a party hosted by friends, neighbors, or colleagues. Whenever you get invited to a party, make sure you have something to bring.
It doesn’t have to be extravagant or lavish. A box of chocolates, a bottle of wine, or a cake will do just fine.
If you are trying to impress the family of a Russian woman, you’ll have to give them something they can afford. Russians have a habit of reciprocating a gift that costs the same, so best avoid anything that’s beyond their budget.
Following superstitions just because
There is this long-running Russian tradition where you must sit down before leaving home for a trip. This practice stems from superstition.
Most Russians don’t believe in superstitions nowadays, and they’re often observed due to the force of habit. But in most cases, such as the traveling superstition, they do get something out of it.
They get to make sure nothing is left behind and they can gather their thoughts for a moment. To them, it’s a great way to prepare for a long trip.
Having soup for lunch
Soup is one of the most popular dishes in Russia, and with good reason. Russians might have gotten used to the cold, but they prefer to keep themselves warm as much as possible. Hot soup is the perfect way to keep your body temperature in check, especially when you live in a region with seven to eight months of chilly weather.
Soup is the highlight of every Russian restaurant’s lunch menu. The most common you’ll find in every table is the ever classic Borscht. Well, depending on what the soup of the day is.
Congratulating someone after they’ve taken a shower
After a shower or a trip to the sauna, you’ll often hear Russians greeting you.
“S lyogkim parom!”
There isn’t a direct translation for this phrase in English, but it is a general greeting to congratulate someone on a successful bath.
No one knows how this saying came to be. It’s a norm that no one in Russia questions (except for foreigners).
Dressing to impress
Russians, especially women, love dressing up — even if it’s just a trip to the grocery store or walking their dog.
If you see a well-dressed woman in the airport with heels and a face full of makeup, there’s a chance that she’s Russian.
This mostly applies to Russians living in urban cities. If you plan to live in a rural area, you’re less likely to see Russians clad in glamor.
Checking who is last in line
Those who stay in Russia long enough will need to learn the art of Russian queueing. Queues in Russia aren’t the most organized, so people will have to ask who’s last in line.
It’s mostly out of courtesy since they’d hate to cut in line.
Keeping old items
During the USSR, discarding items was considered wasteful and this habit has stuck. Russians stored anything they had just in case they would need it in the future.
Soviet families rarely threw away their leftovers, even at parties. They were always stored in the fridge to be heated later on.
You’ve probably walked past apartment buildings in Russia where balconies are filled with old wooden skis, broken radios, or even car parts. At first glance, you might assume they’re for a garage sale, but no — it’s just their stuff.
Traditional views on gender roles
Although Russia has become more open to going beyond gender norms, the large majority prefers to stick with the usual gender roles.
Russian women are reliable when it comes to tasks, hence they often hold positions of power in society, the government, or businesses. However, they still have no qualms about being pampered or serving their purpose as a wife and a mother in a household.
Russians don’t smile without a reason
Anyone who has visited the country will know this fact all too well. Russians very rarely smile at strangers. For them, smiles are only meant to be shared with your loved ones.
There is an old Russian proverb that goes “Laughter without reason is a sign of idiocy.” You’ll often see Russians keeping a straight face in the streets. But just because they don’t often smile at strangers doesn’t mean they aren’t friendly.
If you ever need help navigating your way around Russia, there’s sure to be a Russian who will help you out.
Sharing anecdotes
Russians often share anecdotes at a party to pass time, and they enjoy it. You’ll have to prepare a few anecdotes if you want to hold up on your own in a Russian gathering.
Getting Settled in Your New Home
Having a Russian woman as a partner is an absolute blessing. If you want to stay in Russia in hopes of marrying her, you’ll have to prove yourself first.
The best way to do this is by showing her that you can manage to live in Russia. Not only is this a romantic gesture of love, but it also gives your partner assurance.
Most Russian women prefer assertive and direct men — not strong, but confident in the way they make decisions. Once you’ve made a decision, stick with it. After all, moving to Russia is one of the many life-changing decisions you can make as a couple.
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