| If you take a trip to Russia, it can be easy to be | | | | appreciate and understand. |
| swept up by events and miss out on some of | | | | Hospitality comes before practicality in many |
| the finer things happening. This is often because | | | | parts of Russia. If you visit my home and I have |
| of the easy hospitality of the average Russian | | | | one piece of bread, I'll give it to you without a |
| family, something you should respect and | | | | second thought regardless of how hungry I am. |
| appreciate. | | | | This is pretty much true across the board for |
| We see three types of Russians in the media | | | | many Russians. If you accept an invitation for a |
| these days. The first type is the rich oligarch, a | | | | party, you must understand that a family is really |
| Russian who is filthy rich. The second type is the | | | | putting on the ritz for you and show a great |
| power hungry Russia, usually exemplified by | | | | appreciation for it. |
| Vladimir Putin who is a dictator by any other | | | | There are many times when you should be |
| name. The third is, of course, your average | | | | careful about accepting such hospitality. If a couple |
| Russian mobster who is up to all kinds of | | | | works as teachers, how much money do you |
| interesting things. In truth, there three profiles | | | | think they have? In many parts of Russia, |
| describe a tiny section of the Russian population. | | | | teachers make under $200 a month. A dinner for |
| The real Russian you are likely to meet on the | | | | you can cost them much of this figure, but they |
| street is a family person. Live revolves around | | | | will not thank twice about providing you with the |
| family, partly as a matter of tradition and partly | | | | best they can. |
| to get through tough times. Part and parcel to this | | | | Avoiding these situations can be difficult. One |
| family tradition is the additional traditional of | | | | option is to insist on bringing food with you since it |
| hospitality. If a Russian invites you to their home, | | | | is "wink, wink" a tradition in your town. The |
| they intend to treat you like a king or queen. This | | | | second is to invite them over to your place. The |
| is the way Russian hospitality works and it can be | | | | third is to simply refuse the invitation. All of these |
| overwhelming. | | | | may ruffle a few feathers, but your host may be |
| A classic Russian celebratory dinner consists of | | | | secretly relieved that they do not have to spend |
| many different courses. Yes, there is vodka | | | | what funds they have on you. |
| drinking involved as well, but the bigger point is | | | | Russians are very traditional and hospitality is one |
| there will be more food than you can shake a | | | | of their strongest traditions. Enjoy yourself while |
| stick at. You will eat, drink, dance and talk to your | | | | there, but make sure you are not putting your |
| hearts content. That being said, there is a dark | | | | host in a tough financial spot. |
| side to this hospitality that you, as a visitor, must | | | | |