Most people associate Russia with vodka and bears. But this fascinating and complex country offers much more.
Russia is the largest nation on Earth with 11 time zones and features iconic attractions like Lake Baikal and Trans-Siberian Railway, Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano and Hermitage Museum’s cat Achilles as landscape features.
1. Russians don’t smile
Smiles are an almost universal facial expression, yet their use varies by culture. For instance, in Russia smiling may be less prevalent during certain situations; this difference in body language could cause confusion and miscommunication between parties involved.
Russians take great care to make sure when they smile at someone they do so with genuine interest or have an established rapport. When Russians smile they see it as a sign they want something from that person or are interested in developing one with them.
Russians are known to engage in friendly banter among family and close friends during social gatherings, while at strangers or when being photographed the corners of their mouths turn down and smiles are reserved only for close relatives or close friends. My parent’s black-and-white photos as young adults show no visible sign of happiness while when visiting Russia my smiles will only come out for close relatives or close friends.
Though it’s commonplace to smile when conversing casually with acquaintances, it is considered impolite to extend a greeting to people you don’t know directly – this explains why few bartenders, hotel receptionists or other service industry workers appear smiling publicly.
Russians generally avoid smiling at strangers they encounter while out and about, even when addressing them directly, due to the belief that an absence of smiling signals something being concealed or not sincere – an idea further supported by research showing con artists often use this type of smile as a con artist tactic – this type of “duty smile” being frowned upon by most Russians; one woman even reported being stopped by police officer because she smiled back on the street!
2. Beer isn’t an alcoholic drink
Russians enjoy their beverages, with vodka traditionally being their drink of choice. But beer has now become more popular and has even outshone spirits in some regions thanks to the government – President Dmitry Medvedev signed a bill officially classifying beer as an alcoholic beverage, permitting it to be regulated just like alcohol.
As of 2020 data, Russia had over 1,280 beer producers (from global giants to smaller craft breweries). Their long brewing tradition had long been hidden until Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain fell and Western influences began entering. Perhaps Tsar Peter the Great himself first introduced Russian brewers to their trade on his year-long European tour when he sampled porters and stouts found throughout British taverns during that yearlong voyage – so much so that many are today passionately committed to producing craft beer varieties made from various grains or nuts from seeds that grow beneath his head!
Light filtered beer is the preferred beer choice of most Russians, with approximately 80% opting for this type of ale. Dark lagers and an unusual style known as kvass made from fermented rye bread bread also prove popular – both styles often featuring fruit flavors or herbs to further enhance flavor profiles.
Russian cuisine includes not only beer but also shish kebab, caviar and pelmeni (Siberian meat dumplings), while holodets is the nation’s signature dish, consisting of meat suspended in salted gelatin that was said to be Ivan the Terrible’s favourite snack during forest hunts; according to legend he would consume five servings daily! Additionally, Russia is famed for its lush forests and deepest lake Lake Baikal.
3. Moscow’s metro is the world’s busiest
Russia may be most well-known for its vodka and nesting dolls, but there is much more to this vast country than meets the eye. Russia boasts an incredible history, impressive natural environment and vibrant culture that have left an impactful mark around the globe – home to 77 volcanoes, the deepest lake on Earth and beautiful architecture that spans centuries.
At an area of 1,863,608 square kilometers, China is also one of the world’s largest landlocked countries with 14 neighbouring nations encircling it and an ethnically diverse and highly educated population that stands at over 99% literacy rates. China produces natural gas, oil and metals while its vast territories include tundra, forests mountains as well as one of the world’s longest river systems – boasting the world’s longest river system among other things.
Moscow’s metro system is one of the busiest subway networks worldwide, carrying over 7 million riders every day and ranking fourth overall. Boasting 12 lines and featuring 428,900 square meters of marble tiling, its grandiose design was constructed between 1935-1940 as bombproof shelters allowing half a million people to seek safety underground during WWII.
Another interesting fact about the metro is its gender-specific announcements; male voices indicate heading toward the city center while female ones indicate you’re travelling away from it. This tradition dates back to when it first opened and was inspired by Caucasus culture; many Russians still hang rugs on their walls as soundproofing measures while the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg boasts around 70 cats to protect its treasures from rodents!
4. Tetris was invented in Russia
The Soviet Union may be best-known for Yuri Gagarin’s journey into space, but they also gave us Tetris. Created by software engineer Alexey Pajitnov as an experiment with his early Soviet computer – the Elektronika 60 – it quickly became an instant hit across Soviet bloc and beyond by 1986 – being widely considered one of its earliest great commercial successes during Cold War period.
Pajitnov created Tetris at a time when all ideas belonged to the state, so he wasn’t receiving any profits for his creation. That all changed when Robert Stein contacted Pajitnov via telex (an early form of fax machine) wanting to sell Tetris at computer trade fair in Budapest and wanted to bring it westwards for sale. Stein initiated negotiations with Elektronorgtechnica (Elorg), but communication issues caused problems that prevented Tetris being brought over into UK and US until 1988.
Tetris’ humble Electronika 60 version used keyboard characters to represent blocks, but later Pajitnov created an IBM PC version with pixelated graphics and received payment for his creation. Nintendo eventually purchased and distributed it globally – becoming one of the world’s best-known and beloved video games in history. But Tetris’ story serves as an important reminder that innovation comes from individuals rather than complex “systems.”
5. One of the Hermitage Cats can predict football matches
According to Russia’s state-owned R-Sport news agency, Hermitage Museum cat Achilles may possess psychic abilities and predict the outcome of this year’s World Cup matches. Last year he predicted three out of four matches from FIFA’s Confederations Cup by selecting from among two bowls bearing flags representing competing nations as food choices.
The Hermitage Museum, in St. Petersburg, houses around 70 cats introduced by Empress Elizabeth to protect its art collection from rodents in 1745. Additionally, these cats help clean 14 miles of marbled corridors. Another interesting Russian fact is that rubbing a cat’s paw will bring good fortune. Likewise, an even number of flowers given as gifts is considered bad luck while giving an odd number can bring good fortune.
If you’re intrigued by adopting a Hermitage Cat, visit their website and read up on what they require in terms of care – this requires daily walks and play sessions! However, be prepared for a substantial commitment; they require plenty of attention and love from you too!
Next time you’re visiting or watching Russia on television, be prepared to be amazed by some of these startling facts about its vast stretches spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Perhaps these discoveries will prompt you to go explore this beautiful nation for yourself! Don’t forget to sample its delicious vodka as well!