Russians are a very demonstrative people, and public physical contact is common. 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.
Friends may hug or kiss on the cheek to greet, but Russians are generally limited in their physical contact. Strong physical affection is generally only seen between couples of opposite genders.
A firm, almost bone-crushing, handshake is typical Russian greeting etiquette when meeting someone (although the handshake between women and men is less firm). Russians also maintain direct eye contact while giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day.
Russian usually shake hands when greeting one another. The famous bear hugs and kisses are usually reserved for good friends and family members after a long time without seeing one another.
There's a well-known Russian greeting tradition: the triple cheek-kiss. It's usually common between close relatives. Sometimes, it's shortened to two kisses. One cheek kiss is often used by girls to greet friends, or even close female coworkers.
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.
Show Some Affection
Traditionally, Russians would kiss three times on the cheek when meeting. Now, one kiss is more common, but a hug will also be expected. This might not be such a strange act for women, but men from other countries sometimes find it odd. Don't fret.
Despite everything, Russian men are very romantic at heart. They are capable of experiencing deep feelings and know how to be loyal and faithful. When a woman awards her beloved one with affection the man becomes caring and gentle, gives flowers and presents to his darling.
Russian families are generally hospitable and open-minded. They really like to spend time together, so it's not common to spend evenings sitting alone in one's room. Families in towns and cities tend to live in apartment; single family homes are more common in rural areas.
Always show heightened respect to those who are older than you. It's common to adopt a more formal demeanour. Offer your seat to an elderly person, pregnant woman or woman with a small child if they do not have one. Men are expected to open doors for women, pay for their food, help them carry items, etc.
Eye Contact: Making eye contact is a show of respect in Russian culture and is highly valued. When conversing to someone, it is considered polite to keep eye contact and direct your look at the other person.
When you first meet someone in Russia, you will usually shake hands with them and have good eye contact. During a first date, however, a man will usually wait for a woman to offer her hand first. Personal space is not highly valued in Russia, however.
Scientists assessed the association between the frequency of hugging, kissing, and other forms of affectionate touch and love in 37 countries. People in Austria showed the most affectionate touch towards their partners.
Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. The oldest or most honoured guest is served first. Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start. Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.
Generally, all the teams agreed that the most essential values in Russian culture are unity, tradition, and respect. Though they admitted that over the years the values have been changing - from traditional values to a more 'modern' value system.
Russians do smile at people they know. Shop assistants smile at the clients they already know, not necessarily at others. If you smile at a stranger in Russia, he/she can smile back, but it can already mean an invitation to come and talk. Russians take smiling as a sign that the person cares about them.
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.
Russia (11.8%)
The circumcision rate in Russia is estimated to be 11.8%.
By contrast, in Russia, no smile is a sign of a neutral politeness, and a smile is always informative. A Russian smile is always personal. When a Russian smiles at you, he or she wants to say that he or she likes you sincerely.
People give the appropriate formal greeting depending on what time of day it is: “Dobroe utro” (Good morning), “Dobriy den” (Good afternoon) or “Dobriy vecher” (Good evening). A more casual greeting is “Privet” (Hi).
Russian romance (Russian: рома́нс románs) is a type of sentimental art song with hints of Gypsy influence that was developed in Imperial Russia by such composers as Nikolai Titov (1800-1875), Alexander Alyabyev (1787–1851), Alexander Varlamov (1801–48), and Alexander Gurilyov (1803–58).
Я люблю тебя всем сердцем. / Я люблю тебя всей душой. I love you with all my heart. / I love you with all my soul. Reserve this phrase for the highest degree of your love. Я тебя обожаю.