Russians show respect through formality with strangers/elders (reserved public demeanor, serious expressions), using first name + patronymic, giving up seats on public transport, dressing neatly, bringing small gifts (odd flowers) when visiting, and showing deference to hierarchy, while close friends use hugs/firm handshakes; a key sign of high respect is the use of formal titles and reserved, non-smiling public behavior to show sincerity, notes the Cultural Atlas.
Hugs, backslapping, kisses on the cheeks and other expansive gestures are common among friends or acquaintances and between members of the same sex. Russians stand close when talking. Putting your thumb through your index and middle fingers or making the "OK" sign are considered very rude gestures in Russia.
Addressing People Properly
Instead, Russians use first name + patronymic (a middle name derived from the father's name). For example, Ivan Petrovich or Maria Ivanovna. This form of address shows respect and is especially important when speaking to elders, superiors, or acquaintances in professional settings.
The 7-letter Russian spelling rule states that after the consonants г, к, х, ж, ч, ш, щ, you never write the vowel Ы, but instead use И, even if the sound is hard (like in жизнь - life). This also applies to other vowels: after these seven letters, never write Ю, use У (e.g., чуть), and never write Я, use А (e.g., часто), a principle often extended to include the letter Ц in broader rules. This rule ensures consistency with phonetic shifts after these specific "hard" or "hissing" consonants, helping learners avoid common mistakes in endings.
Russians also maintain direct eye contact while giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Female friends usually kiss each other on the cheek three times when they meet, first on the left cheek, then on the right, and then a final time on the left. Close male friends hug and pat each other's back.
When a Russian gentleman really likes you, he'll go out of his way to ensure that you happen to be comfortable and happy. This may include running errands for everyone, or simply taking care of practicalities. He may also go out of his way to surprise you with gift ideas.
"Paka paka" (пока пока) in Russian is an informal, casual way to say "bye-bye," used with close friends and family, similar to English expressions like "see ya" or "ta-ta," derived from the single word "paka" (пока) meaning "bye". While "paka" (пока) literally means "while" or "until," it functions as a simple "bye," and doubling it adds emphasis and cuteness, making it very informal.
People write 'z' as a '3' (or a cursive 'z' looks like a '3') due to shared origins with the Greek letter Zeta (Ζ) in both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, creating similar fluid, looping shapes in handwriting, and sometimes to distinguish it from other letters like '2' or 'y', with some variations like the ezh (Ʒ) in Slavic languages looking identical to '3'.
You might think that it's a cold country and that's totally fine, but shaking hands with gloves on is considered to be extremely impolite. Be ready to take your gloves off if you're about to be introduced to someone. Another 'handshake rule', never shake hands over the threshold if you're in Russia.
The most direct way to say "I love you" in Russian is "я тебя люблю" (ya tebya lyublyu). This phrase breaks down simply: "я" (ya) means "I," "тебя" (tebya) means "you," and "люблю" (lyublyu) means "love." Russians use this phrase for expressing deep, romantic love - it carries real weight in relationships.
While Russians can be warm and welcoming, they also value their personal space. It's essential to keep a respectful distance, especially in public places or during initial meetings.
Never make "your mom" jokes unless you are 100% sure the other party knows you are going to make one. An odd number for flowers in a bouquet for a living person, an even for when you visit a cemetery. Don't ask “How are you?” to people you don't know.
Simply put, smiling is not common in Russia, and it can make you seem untrustworthy. This is especially true if you're smiling at someone you don't know. In Russia, smiles are reserved for friends or individuals you have some kind of relationship with. Otherwise, they are considered off-putting.
A flick on the neck
When you see someone bending their neck slightly and flicking the side of it with their finger, congratulations, you've got an invitation. This is an exclusively Russian gesture meaning “Let's have a drink”. It can also be used to allude to someone being drunk without saying it out loud.
Privet (Привет)
This is the most basic Russian greeting, simply meaning “hello.” This is an informal way to address anyone from friends to family members, and has the same usage as “hi” or “hey.” The response is usually the same back, but you can also mix it up with any of the other greetings below!
"Shtoh" (written as что) is the Russian word for "what," "which," or "that," pronounced with a soft "sh" sound, and is a fundamental question word used for objects and concepts, like in "Что это?" (Shtoh eto? - What is this?) or "Что случилось?" (Shtoh sluchilos'? - What happened?). It functions as a pronoun, conjunction, or adverb and is essential for asking questions and forming clauses in Russian.
Polygamous marriages are not recognized in the Russian Federation. The Family Code of Russia states that a marriage can only be contracted between a man and a woman, neither of whom is married to someone else. Furthermore, Russia does not recognize polygamous marriages that had been contracted in other countries.
Cute Nicknames for Girlfriend
UPD: oh, and as for usage, in this context it's best used with "my". "Моя овечка" (moya ovechka) = "my little sheep".