Most Common Russian Traditions - I WANT TO GO TO RUSSIA S1 E4

[@vespiqueen1984]

Conversation heart to heart... now I can understand that meme of a Russian guy saying "boobs are fine, but in girls I prefer the soul". This is so sweet, I'm melting qwq

[@goroch_thegreen]

The most important in girls!

[@nostalgiaof98]

Русский мемы самый лучший Направление? Какое направление? ... 🖐🤩🤩🤩🤩🖐

[@440hurtz4]

6:21 i think us amaricans should do that more often. I hate small talk. I like to explane my emotions and my veiw of the world.

[@carolyncouch4094]

I'm American also and I hate small talk. I deliberately keep most people away because relationships are so superficial. I'm half Slavic so wondering if it's because of that.

[@FunVanDriver]

Fedor, I just came back from Moscow. I spent 7 days (really 6 because my last day I had to go to the airport early in the morning), and I had an awesome time. The city is beautiful, the food was great, and I didn't even get to see everything I wanted. I was able to get by because my vocabulary is good enough, however I seriously underestimated how important listening skills are; I couldn't understand anybody. I need serious improvement for the next time I go back, and I will certainly be investing in some real classes. Thank you for what you do, a lot of my language skills that helped me while I was over there were from your channel.

[@olegpetrov2617]

Great goal

[@saidelbiev5326]

I trained my listening by listening to podcasts which I find interesting. Or interviews from people you find interesting such as stars, sports people etc. Or a book you already read in your language and don't mind hearing in audio again in russian.

[@FunVanDriver]

@@saidelbiev5326 Those are great suggestions, thanks! My problem is I'm so used to watching with subtitles that as soon as the subtitles are gone I'm completely lost. I did try watching "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" a second time without subtitles and I was completely lost. The audiobook is a good idea, Metro 2033 is my favorite book series, maybe I can give that a try.

[@saidelbiev5326]

@@FunVanDriver I wish you good luck!

[@keithrobertson6627]

You are right about the conversations. I converted to Russian Orthodoxy 20 years ago and immediately noticed the change in the level of talk between Russians and Westerners

[@user-wb2tm3hv8w]

Russian smile thing in few sentences. "Dude, did you know in my country it is polite to hug a man you've just met? It's called being positive. Why didn't you hug him back, are you grumpy? What do you mean you don't hug strangers? It's basic politeness and positivity!" Yeah, that's how it feels when a stranger smiles to me. Like he hugged me. Who tf are you and what do you want...

[@MATERYK]

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[@Славяне-д2ж]

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[@КириллЮгай-б3з]

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[@AkaAsteria]

About a smile. I think it’s not customary to smile on the street also because, basically, it will not look like politeness or goodwill, but as if you are laughing at this person. And even if you don't mean it, the other person may see it differently and, let's be honest, a lot of people won't like it and might want to be rude in return.

[@kathyoneill4011]

Ha ha In my country it's just letting people know they are welcome to your place, business or office. That they are ok and accepted.

[@craigroach8297]

I visited Russia twice . While in Moscow , I found an eatery with common tables . Patrons sat with me and were warm and friendly . I also took a train from Moscow to Gagarin and sat across from an older couple . We ended up sharing family photos . Further , she even gave me snacks ! I found people warm and hospitable the whole trip . Frankly, I was blown away ! Someday I hope to return ❤ .

[@clearwavepro100]

I can say the heart-to-hearts aspect makes me extremely fond of my Russian friends. I adore their openness and it builds much trust.

[@Sashenka979]

But at the same time, it’s hard for us to make friends in North America. Somehow we are perceived as arrogant.

[@Teacher_Sal]

This is why I love Russians, so similar to my Italian culture...

[@liatsuvorov2024]

Idk, the Italians I met were very smiley...

[@glitchkot1812]

Italians just a happy russians Russians just a sad italians

[@bilalmohsin4870]

i saw you in tandem app

[@Teacher_Sal]

@@bilalmohsin4870 Me or the presenter?

[@bilalmohsin4870]

you

[@CouchPolyglot]

I am from Spain, I would have a hard time not smiling at strangers 🤣🤣🤣 Good to know!!!

[@olegpetrov2617]

La verdad y por eso me gustaba visitar tu pais..

[@ИмперияДобра-е9с]

The most smiling girl from Spain is Nuria from Badalona! Check out her channel "Когда ты Нурия", pay attention to how well she speaks Russian!

[@CouchPolyglot]

@@ИмперияДобра-е9с I have seen her videos, her Russian is awesome :D

[@Kinotaurus]

If you do that in Russia, people will think that you are flirting with them!

[@pirston2934]

I’m from Sadie and ik I will smile at a stranger all the time 😂

[@nostalgiaof98]

A society that is socially recluse on the street, but so respectful, caring and inclusive to friends and family, and expect you to do the same This speaks to me more than anything.

[@RedTitan5]

I will take this to heart... Russia is one of my dream place to travel....maybe...after this pandemic or whenever possible

[@AztecusZZZ]

Where are you from? Откуда ты? С какой страны?

[@inseighn]

I'm american and just went to russia for 3 weeks in august.. its possible now.

[@spider.monkey.ninja.assassin]

yeah, you can go to Russia even now. Just do the c test and go :)

[@dylan_1884]

The thing about not being able to have a heart to heart with someone in the states really hit me. I feel like here everyone's guarded, leery of each other and afraid to show their weaknesses for fear of ostracization or losing face. Also people just don't trust each other like they used to. In the states you get it drilled into you that you look out for yourself first and foremost. To me, it's deeply unhealthy on a psychological and even spiritual level.

[@Dangur2]

Well, it's not a problem to visit a friend without bringing any gifts. If a person is not known well, than yes, that makes sense.

[@Bisirsky]

Yes, it's not a rule, but it will never be bad to do =)

[@-_Suslik_-]

This is more relevant for some holidays, such as a birthday or new year's eve

[@Mari-Antuanett]

I'm Russian and every time I go to the friends HOUSE I always bring with me a gift.

[@3finnian]

When I was in Russia in the summer I wanted to buy 6 roses and the lady said "ШЕСТЬ!?" to which I sad да and she responds "НЕТ НЕТ НЕТ, семь" I bought 7 roses and I thought it was a bit strange, looking at the bunch 7 seemed to fit together in a better shape which is what I thought it was but now I understand, thank you!

[@TMD3453]

Sounds great about celebrating at home. Good in cold winter I’m sure. Thanks Fedor!

[@roselinegordon5501]

Fell in love with Russia.Leaving on my third visit there soon😍As a South African took some time not to smile all the time.We are a smiley and talkative nation....😊

[@rubensaraujobarboza1308]

Hi Fedor, i'm from Brazil and start watch your videos recently... i'm watching a lot of your old videos. It is been very useful to help me to learn russian... i'm studying russian by myself and since i discovered your chanel i subscribed. Thank you for your tips and i'm sorry for my bad english. Tks 🇷🇺🇧🇷👍

[@courtneymayfield3380]

Your English is fantastic! No need to apologize at all. In fact, it’s quite impressive that you speak multiple languages. I know this is common in many countries, especially in Europe, but in the USA many people only speak English and find no need to learn another language, which I find sad.

[@olegpetrov2617]

@@courtneymayfield3380 many people haven't even left usa as travelers.

[@Natashanjka]

@@olegpetrov2617 то же самое и с русскими.

[@olegpetrov2617]

@@Natashanjka ну в общем да. Но есть разница- для многих россиян просто дорого,а американцам просто не интересно куда там ехать за тридевять земель.

[@Vladimir-DPRK-Loverovich]

Для россиян зачастую даже в собственной стране путешествовать уже дорого, а чтобы посетить все достопримечательности уйдёт очень много времени, годы. Но все хотят увидеть стандартный набор из чудес света и рекордов Гиннеса.

[@Toasthunter1337]

Interesting, as always ;) I've been to Russia before but there's always something to learn. Your channel has helped me with my language skills on my earlier trip quite a lot ;) Looking forward to learning more and visiting russia again ✌🏼

[@Natashanjka]

Welcome back here! Do you also learn the Russian language?

[@robertbress6703]

Fedor, I love your very informative videos. I hope to visit Russia one day; your country and its people are very beautiful.

[@MichaelCZUSA]

Fedor, not only are your classes preparing my vocabulary and listening skills for my trip in 2025, you also prepare me culturally.❤ Mike in Michigan

[@jonasojka]

Fedor, thank you for your videos! You are a great ambassador for Russia.

[@gjorgjabregu118]

you have a very beautyful culture 😍💗 a really like Russian people

[@vetr17384]

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that people smile at strangers for now reason just because they made an eye contact. It seems so draining. Has happened to me a few times and I felt so awkward and weird. It's different from the smile after saying couple of words to eachother, but along with the eyecontact only? Nah

[@jolevangelista]

It is not always like that. In Canada where people are known for being polite this happens only once in a while. For example, when we say sorry to strangers (who actually could have just hit you accidentally).

[@WhiteMaskAlysa]

it sounds weird to me too, i live in the UK where we go out of our way to interact as little with people as possible lol, people smiling at me would make me feel very uncomfortable and like im about to be murdered

[@ben1147]

It is exhausting! But it’s what we need to do to feel not threatening and polite when passing someone in the street here. Ugh

[@jolevangelista]

@@ben1147 really you do this only when you are forced to (i.e. interaction with stranger) or you are passing your colleague or neighbour you don't really care for. Other than that no one smiles at strangers.

[@courtneymayfield3380]

I think if you’re raised in a culture where most people smile/speak/nod to strangers it’s not that odd or draining. It’s actually more of an automatic response than anything. If you visit the southern USA you’ll find that most people will actively acknowledge everyone, whether they know them or not. We aren’t trying to do it to upset people or be nosy though. I live in a town with a lot of tourists because we have a National park and I am always speaking to strangers. Just yesterday I saw a woman taking photographs of the Mississippi River in a location that is okay, but not exceptionally pretty so I stopped my car and rolled down my window to tell her that if she was interested in BETTER places to photograph the river I’d be happy to tell her. At first I think she was scared because a stranger had stopped to speak to her but she did want to know good places to take photos so she took my advice. After that I said goodbye and I hope she enjoyed her stay. I can definitely see where this would be odd if you are not accustomed to that, but I genuinely DO want visitors to my town to enjoy their stay and feel it’s my duty to help make that happen.

[@stephikarolyi8706]

Banya is life ♥️

[@AztecusZZZ]

Хорошая тема. Только одна просьба. Записывай чуть громче. Выкручиваю наушники на максимум и все равно немного тихо.

[@spider.monkey.ninja.assassin]

а потом орет реклама, тк звук на всю )

[@Sashenka979]

As a Russian woman living in North America, I find men here smile to much. I prefer not to.

[@Movingforward2000]

Its considered corteous but personally I don`t do it to people I don`t like or strangers I`ll not give them that. I view it as a psych thing & vinegar gets the same back from me.

[@myagmarjavbaasanjav2034]

All things was so interesting, thank you so much

[@Vladimir-DPRK-Loverovich]

Смотрю эти видео, чтобы посмотреть на себя со стороны и изучать английский, слушая русский акцент) Однако)

[@RU_Aleks]

Ты не один такой

[@almahfoodhij1179]

I have fall in love with Russian because they rarely smile to strangers which attracts me❤️ salam❤️🇴🇲

[@yujieliao536]

Some similar traditions we share. The last one is new and useful!

[@tariqo16]

banya doesn't just clean the soul that thing burns it too i never been inside something that hot in my life . edit : i can't lie loved it .

[@liatsuvorov2024]

Banya is great!!!

[@alekseykouzmenko9096]

Great! As usually

[@lj2590]

‘If you left your home and then realized that you forgot something, don’t come back but if you really have to, first thing to do when entering the home is looking at mirror and smile’. At first I thought my Ukrainian wife lost her mind but later on I came to know that it’s kind of tradition. Pls tell us if you have something similar in Russia too :))

[@ИмперияДобра-е9с]

100 percent true, there is such a sign. It is believed that your road or journey will be unsuccessful, like a sign with a black cat that crossed your path.

[@CC-pi4rq]

I'd like to think that I don't believe in omens, but I kinda look into the mirror if I forget something and have to return home:D

[@ИмперияДобра-е9с]

@@CC-pi4rq There is another sign or omen, you can not put a mirror in front of the entrance door!

[@CC-pi4rq]

@@ИмперияДобра-е9с That's interesting. I never knew about this one. Also another one is that to never sleep with your legs facing an enterance.

[@lj2590]

Another one, don’t ever drop the salt 🧂

[@adepujiati4389]

Россия Большая, красивая и великая страна, с Лучшие военные и армия в мире Что за история Интересная культура Добрый и патриотичный человек И гениальный Путин, которого все любят Страна, которая всегда помогает, поддерживает колонизированные страны. Вот почему Индонезия и Россия всегда были хорошими друзьями. ❤ Браво Россия урааааа....

[@adamk2473]

As a person who lived with russians for a while Earth is a planet 🌎 And russia is another planet 🌍

[@phoenixfire2286]

I think I'll fit right in to Russian culture because I don't usually smile alot, and very reserve until I get to know someone better or feel a level of comfort with them which can take a very long time. I keep shady people at arm's length. People where I live don't respond to well with that. They perceive me as being aloof and stand-offish. If that is the norm in Russia, I think I will be perfectly fine with that.

[@pluviophile1988]

Same!! I'm American and I get called negative all the time!! But I'm just being.....normal 🙄

[@salvadizzle_696]

That's alot of Information to give out about yourself to the internet,

[@irenemcnamara9699]

Listening to you makes me miss my Russian friends. I can get my Russian fix from listening to you. You have the true Russian soul, especially since you do the banyan!

[@marink7332]

6:45 yeah in America, the reason we don't talk heart-to-heart is that it's seen as rude and oversharing, lol. The common rule of thumb is "I'm fine" = "I literally want to die", "it's going" = "I've never had a worse day in my life", and "I'm good" = "if I keep talking I'm going to cry". A lot of American culture was built on Christian Puritanism, so having any mental or emotional problem is seen as being Crazy or Unstable or Depressed, so you have to be Normal.

[@Niko_Surviver]

Thanks for your explanation 😅 Very informative, especially about the connection with Puritanism.

[@draniomeni2]

Russian culture is so beautiful

[@Aristaeuss]

It's not just you, it's a problem in the States, I think. I've lived here my whole life and most of school had one group of friends. We were all very close. Once out of high school, I entered college, knowing basically nobody. NO ONE wants to get personal. They don't hardly talk about personal stuff or have any kind of deep conversations with you. That's not to say I don't like the people I'm around (I do), but they don't want those kind of relationships. I'm just your average American and I crave that sort of friendship. Haven't had it since I was a kid. The only way I've had something like that with anybody is with a buddy of mine. We decided to go get food before a late night class and we actually talked. It was nice.

[@spider.monkey.ninja.assassin]

I feel like I've seen a dozen of roses be a thing in Russia - just not any other even number. Also, the whole "dress up to go take out the trash" thing is a bit outdated now. Women don't always dress up nowadays. For some that's not even their style at all and they prefer to look casual generally. But plenty of women go out to the corner shop in their robes.. Maybe less so in big cities, but in smaller towns it's only a specific kind of crowd that would take things as far as putting on makeup to go to the corner shop..

[@WhiteMaskAlysa]

Sounded a bit outdated when i heard it lol. It would be a bit weird to expect women to dress up everywhere they go when men can wear whatever they want. Thanks for the response

[@dothetwist298]

Regarding roses, not necessarily. You can give just one flower as a present as well. All in all gifting an even number of flowers ia huge no because even number of flowers is prepared for burial ceremonies.

[@AndreiBerezin]

Oh no never. What do I look like bringing 12 Roses to a Birthday party. Thats like kicking people in the belly. I cant Imagine a Russian doing that. Under NO circumstances other than a funeral.

[@nataliarosselet2339]

As a Russia adopted female, I feel like I’m discovering the natural side of me. Americans are difficult to have them understand but then again we Russians are the TOUGHEST in the world. History and daily life can attest to that

[@grace2312]

Thanks! Very helpful video. :)

[@mhsbosco]

when you wrote "we jump in the show", did you subconsciously mix up 'n' with 'н' or was it just a typo? asking just out of curiosity great video as always!

[@BeFluentinRussian]

Typo of course. But a funny one lol

[@chuzhoy333]

that is exactly what i was thinking

[@chiaracanton6496]

I've been in sankt Petersburg many many years ago at Smolnyi and was a very amazing month.. I'd like to come back again

[@salmatarek6165]

This is a very useful video I already know most of them but the rest were useful for me too

[@endorasofficial7230]

Privet, nice to know through your flog here.very nice.

[@irishpsalteri]

This is fascinating. We have a good Russian friend and this is her to a T. Thank you.

[@verkennenchannel2894]

Oh good to hear that russian culture is quite the same as with asian culture when it comes to hospitality! Greetings from the Philippines!

[@electrocrane]

deep conversation are something really important i believe and wish i had here in india .

[@davids_blog1]

I‘m watching and learning Russian because I wanna travel and I have a friend from Электросталь and probably in near future a girlfriend from Чебоксары^^ Thank you Fedor

[@davids_blog1]

And more and more I hear it is way different to have Russian girlfriend than from somewhere else right?

[@olgabagildinskaia7415]

Oh hello, I'm from. Чебоксары too! 😄

[@davids_blog1]

@@olgabagildinskaia7415 cool…There are mostly Чувашию people I heard

[@минормажор-ж4й]

May I know where you are from? Would you like to make another friend from Kotelnich? This is a very small Russian town

[@Movingforward2000]

Germans don`t smile much either. Very serious people.

[@MolassesMI]

No, it's not just you. In my experience, heart to heart can be difficult to have especially for men. That's been my observation.

[@kittykitkat7614]

I got an ad about learning russian when clicking on this video

[@beccajo2175]

You're right. Americans do not have deep conversations. I'm so emotionally starved that whenever someone does genuinely ask me a question like at work, I will break down and cry.

[@Movingforward2000]

I`m from Europe & I ignore small talk no time for such nonsense.

[@normskilawrence1033]

Hi Fedor. I trust you and your wife are enjoying your time in Russia with family and friends. At the dinner table do we help ourselves or do we wait until we are asked? Keep up the good work!

[@nataliak2693]

It's pretty much the same as in USA. You do not want to start first though. Unless the host offers you to do so. Just wait until everyone is at the table and start your meal like everyone else. The only difference between Russian and American way of dining is we do not prefer buffet style. We usually put all food on the table where we dine at. You would see a lot of deli meat, fish, salads, veggies, etc. And of course, if a plate is far away from you, you would ask other person to pass it to you or send your plate to them. Later the host would bring the main course and send it around or stop by every guest and put food on the plate. So people would just sit together for hours this way munching on stuff, drinking and conversing. Then the host would clean the table and prepare it for dessert. And again you would enjoy it for another hour or so. Of course it would not be unrare to dance or sing in between. Love Russian gatherings like this!

[@normskilawrence1033]

@@nataliak2693 Thanks Natalia for the reply.

[@liatsuvorov2024]

That's a really neat little video Feodor. You didn't mention an important fact about the banya: that you go there naked, not with knee length swim trunks 😁

[@pluviophile1988]

Honestly it is changing in America. People are not as friendly as they once were. I notice nowadays when I pass people, they never make eye contact and definitely never smile or say hey. It used to happen ALL THE TIME and it was very charming and warming experience. It's a good thing. It really has the intention of "we are all in this together", let's make each other's day/life/existence a little brighter, a little happier. But because of the surge of social media and being glued to devices, Americans have become much less social and open with strangers versus before tech took over in say, the 80s and 90s and before. I miss how people once were in my country. It used to be a great country, but it just goes downhill more and more every day.

[@piotrtchaikovsky20]

Thank you! Amazing video!

[@thetrillianaire]

Great video, I love this series. I had never heard about sitting down for a minute before leaving for trips! I wonder how it originated such that most people do it.

[@КириллЮгай-б3з]

Hi! This tradition has pretty interesting origins. It came from the Old Rus times. In slavs mythology - in Russian particulary - there is a spirit of a house, so-called Domovoy (Домовой). Many centuries ago people believed, that there are Domovoys in every house. Domovoys were patrons of a house and the family living in it. They could provide farmers with good harvest, warn people about any troubles or even guard them from illness. But they could also became angry with people, if they were doing something wrong. In that case Domovoys could hide things from people, make scary noises, eat their food. So it was very important to become a friend of your Domovoy and keep things that way. With that purpose, for example, people used to leave a bowl of milk near the camin for the night, so that Domovoy could drink it. And the another tradition was exactly sitting for a minute before leaving for a long trip (посидеть на дорожку). In that way you showed respect to the Domovoy, kind of asking him for a permission to leave the house. During this minute Domovoy could also give a sign to the person leaving the house - like loud noises or dishes falling to the floor. That meant, that there is danger waiting for him on the road, and people could even cancel the trip and stay home in this situation. Sorry for the lot of words. : )

[@thetrillianaire]

@@КириллЮгай-б3з Thank you so much for the explanation! I had heard a little about the domovoy before, but I had no idea it related to this. I feel like there is always so much more to know about Slavic mythology, and the influences still remaining from it today are fascinating. I'm American, and our collective "culture" only goes back a couple hundred years or so, all of which has happened within the "modern" era - sometimes I'm a little jealous of peoples, like the Slavs, who can trace their cultural roots back for over a thousand years!

[@gramps5157]

I was surprised how many Russians when speaking English and trying to explain something will usually say, "For Example"!

[@gindullin]

Yeah that's something we say quite often :D

[@pluviophile1988]

Did you know in the US, dudes will tell random strangers who are females "Smile!" If they see us sitting there straight faced. It is SO ANNOYING. Wtf why the fuck should I be smiling!! I wish I could go back to all those times when I was younger and pretend to be Russian at those times 😂😂😂

[@Movingforward2000]

To smile could mean `approval` of someone that they like you but randomly & routinely smiling @ people is mindless & I don`t give them that.

[@tnt01]

they are insecure and looking for your validation.

[@blakemoreno776]

A place where I’m not expected to be smiling all the time? Sounds pretty nice because the amount of times I’ve had people ask me “are you ok? Why aren’t you smiling is something wrong?” Like no my face is just like that all the time😂

[@kathyoneill4011]

Very interesting traditions. In my country we usually give or send a dozen or half a dozen flowers (even number) for any occasion. The number of flowers you buy depends on your budget. The kind of flower or its color speaks of the occasion. There is a special kind of flower that is used in funerals or cemeteries. It would be a huge mistake to give them to somebody for any other reason, no matter the number of them.

[@trishmalibu6986]

I have No Idea that's Tradition. Well explanation

[@naughtyrocks2425]

Im here in russia and not all women dress great...some are just wearing simple clothes without make up....

[@luis16467]

As per my experience, I have worked for and with russians for many years, they DO smile at strangers, maybe in a different way, maybe not to the casual person on the street, but our russians customers accompanied their Здравствуйте! with a light and sincere smile, and eye contact. Especially people under say 40 years old. That's what I remember.

[@shrippie-4214]

I've never smiled at strangers in my life also banya is starting to become a thing in the US minus the snow part

[@gindullin]

What he left out is that banya is not just a sauna - you literally wash yourself there. Therefore, another outcome - everyone in the banya has their weiners in the open. So you really have to be close friends with someone you invite to banya - if you got invited, you're not a stranger to the host.

[@ScarsUnseen24]

In the US, people often smile at strangers in the suburbs or more rural areas. In New York City, do NOT smile at strangers. It's weird and there are simply too many people. In NYC, smiling at strangers makes you look creepy or like an outsider.

[@courtneymayfield3380]

Conversely, I live in the Deep South and it’s considered rude to not smile and/or wave to everyone, even strangers. It’s so interesting to see the cultural differences not only across international borders but also within our own country.

[@ScarsUnseen24]

Ironically, I moved to the deep south about 7 weeks ago with military family. The culture shock is real.

[@olegpetrov2617]

@@courtneymayfield3380 in NE a half of bus drivers don't smile they don't even reply for hi..funny

[@courtneymayfield3380]

@@olegpetrov2617 New England is over 1200 miles (2000 km) from where I live. My town is on the Mississippi River not far from New Orleans. It is similar to the distance between St. Petersburg and Sochi.

[@olegpetrov2617]

@@courtneymayfield3380 I meant "northeast" but It's almost the same.

[@MDobri-sy1ce]

I am the same way. I don’t smile at strangers either! Too me, it’s more important to keep happiness in one’s heart than fake a smile. I met a lot of people that look happy but aren’t. I never liked feigned smiling.

[@damianlopez7630]

Agreed!!! But I do smile with strangers a lot...Why? Here is the truth. I'm scared of being disliked because of my own insecurities. I smile to diffuse any possible conflict. I smile because I feel weak in character. It is better not to smile. Be polite. Be respectful. But do not smile with strangers. Many will see it as a weakness. Not as a virtue. It is the ugly human condition. I also noticed that 90% of women do not smile. And I also noticed that 50% of men do not smile. Women do not smile as a self-defense mechanism because they do not want to be accosted and taken advantage of or being approached by sexual perverts and predators. When a woman does not smile she is trying to say don't don't mess with me. When a man smiles he's trying to say please like me. These men that smile usually smile at women and the women do not reciprocate the smile. Now there is a small percentage of women that do smile they usually married.

[@MDobri-sy1ce]

@@damianlopez7630 I don’t smile either too signal weakness. I heard that smiling is seen as more feminine and women tend to prefer men who look serious. Also, I heard this is true especially in Eastern European cultures and Middle Eastern cultures that women don’t smile at men so they don’t get the wrong idea.

[@Emmie013]

These are sooo similar, almost the same as Macedonian traditions 😁 I don't think I'll have a hard time in Russia at all. 😁

[@litolito1893]

Are there any negative consequences if you smile at a stranger accidentally?

[@olegpetrov2617]

Sometimes yes.

[@nataliak2693]

They might think you are an idiot. The worst that can happen they might ask Why are you smiling/staring at me? And of course nobody knows what can happen if you smile at a crazy one. However it can happen everywhere in the world. You do not want to come across some crazy in LA for example. LOL

[@blcksh33p84]

8:44 Is it necessary to put makeup? I have never been a fan of makeup. Or I can just put lipstick and move on?

[@gindullin]

Just wear what you would wouldn't hesitate to wear to a job interview.

[@blcksh33p84]

@@gindullin ah ok. Спасибо

[@gindullin]

@@blcksh33p84 Всегда рад помочь!

[@jesssilva6110]

🤔 So... You've been counting the minutes to get to visit Russia, you finally make it and can't wait to meet the locals and practice your Russian BUT they have no clue you're a tourist. 😂 Dude, can we just have a tutorial on how to make friends in Russia since smiling is out of question? 😂

[@I_bring_the_pain_like_]

Alcohol can always help you to make friends

[@pluviophile1988]

@@I_bring_the_pain_like_ 😂👍

[@livetwiceforyou]

Thanks for video What tournaments were you taking part in ?

[@Moheroine]

I'm persian we r so much alike!

[@NintendodogsDream]

Fedor: Woman always dress up when going anywhere! Me going to the store in my pajamas: 👁👄👁

[@jeanroseferido6440]

see you Russia next year

[@nullbeyondo]

There was that russian woman that smiled at me one day while in the metro station and stared.. I couldn't believe my eyes because I know russians don't smile at strangers... then she suddenly started playing with a laser pointer and blowing bubbles at me.. *ah that explains it.*

[@concepcionledezma5027]

Wow, once you get past the smiling (or lack thereof), seems like there are similarities between Russians and Latinos.

[@husamali3354]

I am from maldives, here people greet and smile but in my case its the opposite, i have nothing against smilling, i just don't like smile too often.

[@morganjonasson2947]

its kind of the same here in sweden. if you walked pass a stranger on the street and they smiled towards you, it would feel a bit creepy. however, as a swede i usually smile towards anyone i have a conversation with (wether stranger or not - although a conversation with a stranger is pretty rare unless its a formal meeting.) how does it work in russia? lets say you show up in a job interview. the person you meet obviously is a stranger to you but you both know why you talk withother. would the recruiter looked down on you because you smiled during the interview? xD

[@tashalynn29]

I'm an American. I never smile, especially at strangers. I'm just not a smiley person. I'd blend in well over there on that reason alone

[@pamelahermano9298]

I have a question, so let’s say I’m in a store in Russia and I bought something and I smiled at the clerk who handed me my items when I say thank you. Would that be considered weird?

[@Sanmanu]

No, because you are bound by some kind of interaction: the salesperson is providing you with a service, you are a customer of the store. so smiling and thanking the salesperson would be considered quite acceptable and polite. we don't smile at random people with whom we don't interact in any way. If the interaction has taken place, a smile is appropriate. You just shouldn't smile all the time when interacting with a person, smiling for no reason is perceived weird

[@pamelahermano9298]

@@Sanmanu thanks for the clarification!

[@Movingforward2000]

Why smile if there`s nothing behind it? I see no reason to give that to anyone unless I like them.

[@spider.monkey.ninja.assassin]

я из таганрога - у нас не особо по баням ходят. так, иногда - но это больше по-сибирски/холодным регионам, а не по всей россии в качестве постоянного заняния

[@Hillbillybiker]

Would 13 roses be considered unlucky? As in don’t bring 12 roses but 13. In my culture 13 is an unlucky number

[@reginakorth1809]

The how are you thing is the same in Germany.

[@micahboyum6032]

Besides not smiling at strangers, I instantly loved the culture you are describing. Unfortunately I don’t think America has much culture like that collectively, maybe in family circles. Seems like there is a lot more rich meaning behind what you do. I think we here have been driven to be super industrial and that has caused a lot of traditions to be broken up and families too...for the sake of money. That is why my little family and others we know have returned to having the mothers care for the children full time and the fathers bring in the income. It is very rewarding for us to do this.

[@evaskjerd]

🎯🎯🎯👏👏👏

[@silvia.4442]

Odd number of flowers. Got it! 🤔

[@gindullin]

An even number of flowers can even be insulting.

[@nvskorpio]

If you dont drink alcohol, are you going to insult your hosts by refusing a drink ? And what is the best way to explain this to friends ?

[@АндресВера]

This is a good question

[@EHonda-ds6ve]

I take medicine

[@voshod12]

You can simply say that you do not like alcohol and state of intoxication. Or that your religious beliefs don't allow you. Or any other truth.

[@olegpetrov2617]

Best way to drink beer

[@jolevangelista]

Most likely no, it is ok to refuse. Just add why so that the hosts didn't take it personally. Unless you are somewhere in the remote village where people are well drunken already - refusal might be a problem in there.

[@Sybertek]

I had to get a taxi ride from one part of Kislovodsk to the other. My wife (Russian) was with me and the driver had such a deep voice, yet he looked so young. He never smiled, and he said very little. I figured a guy like this had zero sense of humor. I remember one of my little lessons about tipping, so when we got to our destination, I gave him 500 rubles when the total was 420ish and I was like, "На чаи." and he scared me with the way he laughed. He was like, "huh huh huh huh huh..." My wife said, "I know you learned that in the Earworms music application, but we don't really use that." Cool guy. Never thought I would hear that guy laugh, ever. Well, I was wrong.

[@pratikrajsingh6724]

Two girls in airport regularly was smiling at me and i dont know why

[@ioanstef1983]

You Don't Get Wrinckles!

[@mattrivera8587]

The thing about the United States is that cultures are different from state to state or region to region. California and New York arent known for hospitality... the south is. Iowa and Wisconsin isnt known for bikini season. California and Florida are...

[@jamesspurel8374]

I from Canada anyways I see Russian Culture as more ancient as in the classical era. Do anyone else sees this or is it just me.

[@dddeeevvvx]

In UK you always answer the "How are you?" question contrary to your comment about this in the USA.

[@nataliak2693]

However it is not rude to answer: "Not good" in Russia. People just prefer to be honest. Yes Russians would say Great or OK in most cases. But if it is someone more close like a colleague at work they would not hide if something bad happened in the family or you feel sick. You just say how you feel.

[@userofyoutube157]

Конечно, после того как прыгнешь в снег, после бани , то скорее всего будет воспаление лёгких

[@BruceNorrin]

Fedor i love your channel and plan on going to russia one day, but i'm not hopping in the snow especially coming rom a Hot ass sauna lmaooo i'm black we don't get don like that my boy. Love the content tho fashoo

[@olekscap4620]

Snow is just snow. I'm white and also dislike to jump in the snow from banya but you must to experience this feeling no matter your skin colour. Just for self educating and after effect of "rebirth".

[@BruceNorrin]

@@olekscap4620 skraight onnat

[@davidonfim2381]

What about flower buds? I never buy flowers, but I think they often come with unopened flowers, right? So, do they count? Should I be offended if a Russian gives me a flower arrangement with 5 open flowers and one flower bud?

[@Robert53area]

If your buying flowers never buy even numbers. Especially for roses, even number roses is for funerals.

[@AztecusZZZ]

Я не понял вашу мысль. I cant understand you.

[@aleksandraseledzhieva4430]

You always need an odd number of flower stems, not buds or open flowers. Let's take chrysanthemum for example. There're usually a few buds on one stem, so the number of buds doesn't count in Russia, only the number of stems.

[@jolevangelista]

We don't always answer fully. Typically it is 50x50. So both ways are acceptable. The remaining observations I am inclined to agree with. Just note that while loving to have guests over, Russians can live for decades alongside their neighbours and not even know their names, let alone greet them. It is not always like that but in large cities this is something very common.

[@pissupehelwan]

When some one says "kak dela" in Russian, is it acceptable or okay to not answer at all? Or is that considered rude? In English it is okay to not answer because "how are you" is more like "hi" than a real question.

[@jolevangelista]

@@pissupehelwan no, you need to provide an answer. Not having one will be awkward. Да все в порядке, Потихоньку, Да всё ничего, Живу помаленьку, Да вроде неплохо и т.п.