In Russia, superstitions are alive and well and many Russians actually believe in them, acting accordingly in their everyday life. Were you aware of these seven Russian superstitions?
1. Numbers matter.
This is probably the most well-known Russian superstition that has turned into a custom. It refers to the number of flowers you give someone. No matter whether you are paying a visit to someone or going on a date, always make sure that you bring an uneven number of flowers (so either 1, 3, 5,…). Even numbers are only ever given to someone at funerals, which is why there is this negative connotation to the even number.
Shaking hands or passing objects over a threshold is just not something you do in Russia.
This superstition derives from the belief that good spirits live under the doorstep and in order not to disturb them you should not shake hands or pass objects over a threshold. So if your host mother asks you to pass her the gloves she forgot inside her apartment, do make an effort to adapt to the local customs and step over the doorstep before you give them to her. Of course, nowadays, (most!) people don’t believe in good or evil spirits anymore, but this habit has remained in many Russian households. Guests are also greeted after they stepped inside. It’s good to remember this custom when you visit friends in Russia. Otherwise, you might feel like the American astronauts of the Apollo when they met with their Russian colleagues from the Soyuz spaceship: As the two crews were separated by the spaceships’ docking ports, the Russians at first wouldn’t shake hands with them.
Don’t put empty bottles on the table.
Whenever you’re done with your bottle of beer or wine (or vodka?) do not – by all means, put the empty bottles on the table just like that. Instead, place them on the floor. What an odd custom? This one is actually quite straightforward: Putting your empty bottles on the floor instead of keeping them on the table simply used to be a trick to outwit the inn owner as you only had to pay for the empty bottles ON the table (hence visible to the waiter). Unfortunately, this trick doesn’t really work anymore, but to leave empty bottles on the table is still considered a prediction of financial trouble to the owner of the dwelling.
Never show ailments on yourself.
Whenever talking about illnesses, injuries, accidents, etc. especially non-native speakers of Russian tend to show what they mean – rather than take the pains of actually describing what exactly happened. However, do not be surprised if your listeners give you the odd look whenever you do so or even hinder you to show the injury on yourself as it is said to attract the said illness to the speaker.
Sit down & Contemplate & Only then leave for a journey.
If you are a person that loves to travel and is constantly on the plane, train or bus to somewhere – this is a custom (derived from a superstition) you should consider adopting. Just every time before you leave for a journey take a minute and two to sit down in silence and calm down. This might not only give you time to remember what you else you might need, but is also said to ensure that you have a good trip without accidents.
You stepped on my foot, I’ll have to step on yours as well!
We find this superstition absolutely adorable. Stepping on someone’s foot is considered an omen of future dispute. So if you accidentally step on someone’s foot while getting dressed in the narrow hallway, this person has to step on your foot as well in order to even out the deed.
Knives, Blades, Swords – Anything sharp, pointy or dangerous is not an option as a present!
This is particularly good to know if you are invited to a party or a gathering and you are thinking of bringing a „useful present“ for your host, like a cooking knife or cutlery – Think again! In Russia, “sharp” gifts are thought to bring problems to the one receiving them. Empty wallets are also not a great idea – put a bit of money in there before you gift-wrap it. And just as the cherry on top, a very short, easy and very (in-) convenient superstition: When you are telling a story and someone (also you) sneezes, it means you are telling the truth.
There you go: A few Russian superstitions debunked! Of course, to know about all Russian superstitions is impossible (and also not quite necessary, rather learn some more vocab!), but to remember a few can come in handy every now and then. Let me know which one of these you find the funniest.
Read also: The Funniest Russian Tongue-Twisters