Each nation has its own characteristics. We usually do not notice our habits until we look at them from the outside. Therefore, it is always so interesting to learn about how foreigners see us.

Russians do not like everything cheap, considering such goods to be of poor quality. You can often hear this expression: "We are not so rich that we can afford to buy cheap things." The English word bargain, which translates as a good product or service at a low price, a bargain, has no analogues in Russian. Good things cannot be cheap - but they can be free, and this is called the Russian word "freebie". Russians love freebies, and even the most expensive and luxurious things received for free are still considered elite.

Russians really don't like throwing things away. From their point of view, everything can be useful - one old ski, a broken umbrella, holey rubber boots, coffee cans and everything that foreigners would call the word "trash". Usually in Russian apartments there are special pantries where all these things are stored, but if they are not there, or the pantry is already full, then a balcony is used as a room for trash. It would never occur to Europeans to use a balcony or loggia as a closet, but among Russians this is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Of course, it cannot be argued that all the inhabitants of this country, without exception, do this, but very many, especially women, are prone to this. They will never let you throw away anything from their stocks, although they will not even notice if half is missing.

In modern Russian, there are no well-established addresses to people: “sir” and “madame” are outdated, “comrade” is reminiscent of the Soviet past, and “citizen” sounds too formal and even intimidating. Therefore, Russians address strangers rather familiarly: "man" and "woman." Waitresses and saleswomen are told “girl”, even if this girl is approaching retirement age. However, until recently, service personnel in Russia also did not differ in politeness.

Evening gatherings in the kitchen are a national phenomenon. Unlike American apartments, in Russians the kitchen is not only a place for cooking, but also a dining room and sometimes even a living room, despite its tiny size, as a rule. Here the family gathers for lunch and dinner, here they drink tea with guests and vodka with friends, sitting up late and talking about life. Russians like to talk about philosophical topics, but they always avoid talking about work, unlike Americans. And they really drink a lot of vodka compared to foreigners - this is not a myth. But this does not mean at all that all Russians are alcoholics.

Russians think that there is a myth spread all over the world that bears walk the streets in Russia. But foreigners have never thought of this, and they sincerely do not understand why T-shirts are sold in Moscow with an inscription in English: “I was in Russia, there are no bears there.”

But the myth that it is very cold in Russia is really widespread all over the world. For example, in the American film "Independence Day", which takes place in the midst of summer, the headquarters of the Russians is shown - everyone is wearing earflaps, outside the window of the hut one can see the tops of Orthodox churches covered with snow. With Russia, foreigners associate not only hats with earflaps (although they are primarily), but also felt boots, an overcoat, a sweatshirt, a fur coat, woolen scarves and, in general, all the warmest things.

Russians for the most part do not save water and electricity, especially if they do not have meters installed. Many consider it normal to cheat and write down incorrect meter readings or even install special devices so that they do not work - in order to pay less. Russians are especially dismissive of water, which often angers the Japanese, who save every liter and bathe in the same bath with the whole family.

Many Russians like to break rules and laws - little things, not serious ones. For example, they smoke in inappropriate places, walk their dogs in playgrounds, park in places for the disabled, and so on. Bribes are common in Russia. The fact is that punishment for this usually does not follow. But if all the laws in Russia really worked, almost the entire population would have to be judged.

Everyone tries to buy a car as expensive as possible, they love big black cars very much. A lot depends on the brand, color and size of the car, including safety on the road and the attitude of other drivers. Bicycles and motorcycles on Russian roads are either ignored or not considered full road users.

A Swedish family, an English farewell, a roller coaster, a French kiss - all these expressions in one way or another show our stereotypes about other nationalities. And in other countries, well-established phrases about Russians are used no less often, which can lead us into bewilderment. However, they are quite popular, and what's more, many people believe that these stereotypes are true.

The expression "Russian family" is used in many languages. For example, in France this is the name of a large family with more than three children. They say it respectfully, respectfully, so it can even be considered a pleasant stereotype. But in Poland, the Russian family is far from exemplary: this is the name of families in which the husband drinks, and this wife suffers and does not get divorced. In Australia, a couple is called a Russian family, in which one of the spouses has an affair on the side and does not even hide it. Perhaps this is the result of the fact that almost all Australians have read Tolstoy's Anna Karenina - and, apparently, have decided that such a love triangle is a common thing in our country.

There are also many variants of the meaning of the expression "Russian bride". For example, the Germans so call poor girls from decent families, without a dowry. And in Spain, a “Russian bride” is a widow who has decided to remarry. Why this is so - no one can explain. In the Scandinavian countries, this is the name of girls who seek marriage of convenience, are looking for rich and promising suitors, as a rule, older than themselves. Perhaps there are some grounds for such a stereotype about Russian women. And the Americans call Russian brides those girls who prefer to get acquainted on the Internet - whether they are from Poland, Spain or the Philippines. Any foreign girl on a dating site with Americans is a Russian bride.

“Russian fashionistas” in Italy are called women who dress clumsily and tastelessly - by the way, there are many Italian women among them. But all over the world, "Russian sex" is considered the best: in China, this is what they call sex on a first date, and in Brazil, passionate love for several days.

Russian food in Serbia is when there is soup on the table. And in Norway, this is what they call a feast with spirits. Although the Norwegians themselves like to drink as much as the Russians, they prefer to blame us for this. All over the world, "Russian salad" is called a salad with a lot of mayonnaise and potatoes - probably because of the famous "Olivier". In New York, restaurants serve “Russian-style oysters” with black caviar, which, according to many foreigners, is our main dish. True, in New York you cannot sell real black caviar, so oysters are made with its substitute. And the British call tea with lemon “Russian tea”.

Worst of all, according to foreigners, the situation in Russia is with business. "Russian businessman" in the Baltic countries unreasonably overcharges and deceives customers. In Western Europe, this is the name given to entrepreneurs whose business brings more losses than profits. And Americans habitually call Russian businessmen who evade taxes or deceive the state in other ways. And the most interesting version of the translation of this expression in Bulgaria - there, any shops, offices, workshops and other establishments that work with a lunch break are called Russian business.

The "Russian Party" is an event where French women (mostly feminists who fight for their rights) relax so much that they let men pay for themselves. As a rule, French women do not allow this - whether it is a friendly trip to a cafe, a date at a restaurant or just a party, you need to pay equally. But at "Russian parties" you can forget about it.

And in Finland, if after going to a restaurant the bill turns out to be more than two hundred euros per person, they immediately also remember Russians. In Japan, "Russian Evening" suggests karaoke, although the Japanese are considered to be more karaoke-singing than Russians.

The national character of each country is formed under the influence of many different conditions: history, territory, climate. Foreigners note the characteristic features of Russian people: patriotism, collectivism, religiosity and others. All of them can be explained: patriotism arose because of the constant military danger, collectivism because of the unfavorable climate, which forced people to work together. Now the situation has changed, but the Russian character remains. And if we ourselves do not notice any pronounced features in ourselves, then foreigners immediately highlight it.

Many foreign travelers say that one of the most noticeable and distinctive features of the Russian character is collectivism. For many centuries, peasants lived in communities and solved all issues together in order to support the weak and help out their relatives. At all times, this feeling of brotherhood has fascinated foreigners who are closer to individualism. And today they are surprised that Russians without hesitation interfere in other people's affairs (that is, the affairs of their relatives, friends and neighbors) and even give advice to people on the street.

Russians have a very interesting attitude towards laws, which always surprises law-abiding Europeans and Americans. They are able to break petty laws, minor rules, neglect some rules - they walk dogs in prohibited places, swim where there is a sign “swimming is prohibited”, smoke under the inscriptions “no smoking”, cross the road in the wrong places. The attitude of Russians to such minor violations is frivolous - after all, as a rule, they are not fined. But at first it is difficult for foreigners to get used to the fact that it is almost impossible to cross a zebra in Moscow - cars simply do not stop in front of pedestrians.

Foreigners often say that Russians are more informal and friendly in communication. They share all their problems with their friends, while foreigners often answer the question “How are you?” answer duty "Good." Strangers on trains quickly get to know each other and begin to communicate like old friends - they talk not about the weather, but about personal problems, about their lives. Relationships between bosses and subordinates are less formal, they often communicate on an equal footing.

Russians have a very complicated attitude towards wealth, many foreign tourists note with surprise. A Russian proverb says “happiness is not in money”, the wealth of other people causes envy, hostility in them, it is more difficult for the rich to gain respect. Poor people are often proud of their position and even consider themselves better than others, although sometimes they probably envy the rich. They believe that respect and attention is more important than money and career.

One of the most interesting features of Russians is their behavior in public places. Everyone knows the gloominess and unsmilingness of Russian people - in Russia it is simply not customary to smile at strangers. But many foreigners are already accustomed to this, and those who live in Russia for a long time have long learned this serious facial expression.

Of course, the national character cannot be applied to every individual. In Russia there are smiling people, and those who prefer individualism, and unsociable.

What do we know about our country? Exactly what we face every day. We imagine the image of a typical Russian person "from the inside". But there is also a perception by foreign tourists, which sometimes seems surprising.

1 Russians are distrustful of everything cheap, believing that this is a sign of low-quality goods. But nevertheless, the “freebie”, that is, getting an elite product for less money, does not diminish its eliteness, it even pleases even more.

2 Kitchen gatherings until late and talking about everything: politics, illnesses in the family, remembering each of the relatives, moreover, in a completely frank format - this is something that foreigners cannot understand at all. At the same time, such a topic as work is often avoided, when, for example, in American culture it is one of the main ones.

3 Many foreigners are struck by such a quality as thrift. Rather, it can hardly be called frugality, if we talk about balconies or storerooms, where it is not known how much rubbish is stored.

4 Another of the qualities of a Russian that is surprising for foreigners is visiting doctors. Rather, visiting them only at the moment when problems make themselves felt is already too persistent. Few people go for preventive examinations. Few consider them to be necessary at all.

5 Many people know the jokes of foreigners about the Russian "stone face". For representatives of foreign cultures, this is true: after all, for them, a smile is nothing more than a manifestation of politeness and an indication of attention to the interlocutor. In the Russian tradition, all kind words, such as “please”, “thank you”, and even more so a smile, are spoken sincerely and are given only to the closest people. It is not surprising that Russian people call the wide American smile the duty smile: after all, it is customary to show it there almost constantly.

6 Foreigners very clearly notice the attitude of Russian people towards foreigners, especially from former capitalist countries. It is extremely positive. To such an extent that Russian people are sure that if someone moves from, for example, Germany to Russia to live on a permanent basis, this is nonsense. For many years it was not possible to eradicate the idea that everything European is much better than Russian.

7 Funny observation in Internet communication. It is Russian people who often abuse emoticons. The number of brackets is also significant. The degree of joy or sadness, the pleasantness or unpleasantness of an event, etc., depends on their number.

8 Often striking is the clear and fundamental division of people by gender, both at a party and in addresses to strangers, which is considered adequate and normative for the Russian language: “woman” or “young man”. To Americans, this even seems familiar, which is not surprising: in the English language there is no division by gender either.

What do foreigners think about Russia? How has their opinion of us changed? Which stereotypes remain stable, and which, years later, have long since dissipated, like dust from “white apples”?

I. "Russian law is not written"

We have been used to this for a long time. However, foreigners about life in our country still say something like this:

“Surprisingly, for these Russians, not following the rules seems to be the absolute norm”

And indeed it is. For them, on the contrary, compliance with any rules is considered the norm, even if there is no control nearby and close.

It is inconceivable in their opinion that the Russians without the slightest doubt cross the road at a red light, only because, according to their calculations, it is still quite far from the entrance of a moving car.

II. "Russians totally drink"

In the Western world, there is a persistent stereotype that our nation is incredibly drunk. Everyone talks about it to one degree or another. But meanwhile, if we turn to the official WHO statistics, Russia will take not the first, not the second, or even the third place in terms of alcohol consumption per each of its inhabitants. In this matter, even the restrained Balts overtook us.

At the same time, foreigners are sincerely surprised that in our country there can be absolutely any reason for drinking, and the process that began with the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bsitting "a little" almost always develops into a full-scale table.

The most striking difference between Russians and residents of foreign countries is that Russians, in a tipsy state, “get smarter” and begin to conduct active, highly intellectual conversations.

Talk about politics, the meaning of life, and just philosophize, while all the other nations in the world, on the contrary, drunk recklessly stupid, brag, lie and tell a series of fictional stories.

III. “There is no feminism in Russia”

With this stereotype, unlike the previous ones, everything is exactly the opposite. Foreigners love it very much.

Men from abroad openly dream of choosing a Russian woman as their wife, since most Americans, Europeans and other representatives of the weaker sex are trying to prove their mythical “independence” with them.

They scare men with the lack of elementary femininity, pay for themselves in restaurants, react painfully if they are helped to open the door, do not understand why they shake hands, or simply sit in their chair.

Such representatives, when creating a family, are guided primarily by material considerations, rush to draw up a marriage contract, and even choose the first question on a date:

"What's your job?"

Of course, the foreigners are running from them as fast as they can.

Our women, on the contrary, like to appear weak, although in fact they are the strongest. Thanks to this, even an American in our country feels like a man much more than in his own homeland.

From here, in general, the above stereotype went.

IV. “Russians have an incredible culture”

This is a true template, which has more than a monolithic justification.

Mostly foreign excursions - groups from abroad, visit St. Petersburg and Moscow, and it is there that the most famous Russian sights are located. In this regard, it is not surprising that everyone speaks with enthusiasm about the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Intercession Cathedral and Red Square.

Another thing is surprising: for some reason, many guests are extremely amazed that people of absolutely all ages go to museums and galleries in Russia. Often you can meet young couples in love in them, and for Americans, with their culture of pop - corn and Mickey - Mouse, it's just an inexplicable problem ...

The love of Russians and their craving for reading completely amazes everyone who comes to us, because neither a tablet nor a modern smartphone could beat it off.

V. “Russians have a strange relationship with food”

Foreigners very often talk about life in Russia, remembering dumplings, borscht, pancakes with meat and caviar. In this regard, Russia seems to them a wealthy power. This conclusion stems from the fact that all feasts in our country are held on a grand scale, and always remain so, regardless of the occasion and financial situation.

It is not clear to an American why it is so important for a Russian person to make the table with dishes with all kinds of salads, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese and sausage cuts, fried chicken legs and other food.

But those who are more familiar with Russia are already aware that the Russian will invest and give everything he has for the sake of the guest's convenience. And what is most surprising, he will do this not in order to impress, but first of all for himself, and from the heart for those whom he receives.

Of course, in this situation, it seems strange for a foreigner that after such a feast the organizer may well remain in his last shirt, but even so, he will not be scared and still go for it.

VI. "Russians never smile"

Almost all foreign guests remember our sincere Russian hospitality with kind words, but at the same time, they consider us serious and gloomy. They think that our harsh climate is to blame. And therefore, they say, on the street you can see rarely smiling men, women, youth, or old people.

But the strange thing for them is that the situation changes dramatically, one has only to turn to the Russians for advice. If you ask a question, enter their social circle, or meet the person the next day, then for some inexplicable reason, the sullenness disappears.

"Why can't you smile from the very beginning?", they ask with incomprehension. And the “tolerant” people do not realize that in Russia such an approach is called insincere, and an empty smile without real feelings is not worth a damn.

VII. "This mysterious Russian mentality"

Any European or American in Russia has to adapt. For example, to the fact that the Russians for some reason constantly keep all sorts of unnecessary things. “They say that this is in case when something, it will be possible, to fix something,” and this fact raises even more questions among Americans.

They don’t understand why Russians (unlike modern Westerners) are learning to “be able” to do everything at once? And we really can be professionals in completely different areas. Every man, regardless of the type of activity, is able to hold a power tool in his hands, work with the construction of a house, be his own cook, or make and repair everything in a row. For a foreigner, this state of affairs seems the height of absurdity.

“Why be prepared for anything when you can always call the service, or the rescue service ?!”

And the "comrades" do not understand that in real life, such an opportunity may not always turn up.

But the main feature of a Russian person, which strikes the guests who come to our country to the extreme, is the wide and mysterious soul of Russia.

To be always ready to help, to provide this assistance free of charge, not to evaluate the substituted shoulder in monetary terms, all this is still inexplicable and completely incomprehensible for the Western layman from beginning to end ...

The Ininsky rock garden is located in the Barguzinskaya valley. Huge stones as if someone deliberately scattered or placed on purpose. And in places where megaliths are placed, something mysterious always happens.

One of the attractions of Buryatia is the Ininsky rock garden in the Barguzin valley. It makes an amazing impression - huge stones scattered in disorder on a completely flat surface. As if someone deliberately either scattered them, or placed them on purpose. And in places where megaliths are placed, something mysterious always happens.

Power of nature

In general, the “rock garden” is the Japanese name for an artificial landscape in which stones, arranged according to strict rules, play a key role. "Karesansui" (dry landscape) has been cultivated in Japan since the 14th century, and it appeared for a reason. It was believed that gods lived in places with a large accumulation of stones, as a result of which the stones themselves began to be given divine significance. Of course, now the Japanese use rock gardens as a place for meditation, where it is convenient to indulge in philosophical reflections.

And philosophy is here. Chaotic, at first glance, the arrangement of stones, in fact, is strictly subject to certain laws. First, the asymmetry and size difference of the stones must be respected. There are certain points of observation in the garden - depending on the time when you are going to contemplate the structure of your microcosm. And the main trick is that from any point of observation there should always be one stone that ... is not visible.

The most famous rock garden in Japan is located in Kyoto, the ancient capital of the samurai country, in the Ryoanji Temple. This is the home of Buddhist monks. And here in Buryatia, a "rock garden" appeared without the efforts of man - its author is Nature herself.

In the southwestern part of the Barguzinskaya Valley, 15 kilometers from the village of Suvo, where the Ina River emerges from the Ikat Range, this place is located with an area of ​​more than 10 square kilometers. Significantly more than any Japanese rock garden - in the same proportion as the Japanese bonsai is smaller than the Buryat cedar. Here, large blocks of stone, reaching 4-5 meters in diameter, protrude from the flat ground, and these boulders go up to 10 meters deep!

The removal of these megaliths from the mountain range reaches 5 kilometers or more. What kind of force could scatter these huge stones at such distances? The fact that this was not done by a person became clear from recent history: a 3-kilometer canal was dug here for irrigation purposes. And in the channel channel here and there lie huge boulders, going to a depth of up to 10 meters. They fought, of course, but to no avail. As a result, all work on the channel was stopped.

Scientists put forward different versions of the origin of the Ininsky rock garden. Many consider these blocks to be moraine boulders, that is, glacial deposits. Scientists call the age different (E. I. Muravsky believes that they are 40-50 thousand years old, and V. V. Lamakin - more than 100 thousand years!), Depending on which glaciation to count.

According to geologists, in ancient times the Barguzin basin was a shallow freshwater lake, which was separated from Lake Baikal by a narrow and low mountain bridge connecting the Barguzin and Ikat ridges. As the water level rose, a runoff formed, which turned into a river bed, which cut deeper and deeper into solid crystalline rocks. It is known how torrential streams of water in spring or after heavy rain wash away steep slopes, leaving deep furrows of gullies and ravines. Over time, the water level dropped, and the area of ​​the lake, due to the abundance of suspended material brought into it by rivers, decreased. As a result, the lake disappeared, and in its place there was a wide valley with boulders, which were later attributed to natural monuments.

But recently, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences G.F. Ufimtsev proposed a very original idea that had nothing to do with glaciations. In his opinion, the Ininsky rock garden was formed as a result of a relatively recent, catastrophic, gigantic ejection of large-block material.

According to his observations, glacial activity on the Ikat Range manifested itself only in a small area in the upper reaches of the Turokcha and Bogunda rivers, while in the middle part of these rivers there are no traces of glaciation. Thus, according to the scientist, there was a breakthrough of the dam of the dammed lake in the course of the Ina River and its tributaries. As a result of a breakthrough from the upper reaches of the Ina, a mudflow or ground avalanche threw a large amount of blocky material into the Barguzin valley. This version is supported by the fact of severe destruction of the bedrock sides of the Ina River valley at the confluence with the Turokcha, which may indicate the demolition of a large amount of rocks by mudflows.

In the same section of the Ina River, Ufimtsev noted two large “amphitheatres” (resembling a huge funnel) measuring 2.0 by 1.3 kilometers and 1.2 by 0.8 kilometers, which could probably be the bed of large dammed lakes. The break of the dam and the release of water, according to Ufimtsev, could have occurred as a result of manifestations of seismic processes, since both slope "amphitheaters" are confined to the zone of a young fault with outcrops of thermal waters.

Here the gods were naughty

An amazing place has long been interested in local residents. And for the "rock garden" people came up with a legend rooted in hoary antiquity. The start is simple. Somehow, two rivers, Ina and Barguzin, argued, which of them would be the first (first) to reach Baikal. Barguzin cheated and set off on the road that same evening, and in the morning the angry Ina rushed after her, in anger throwing huge boulders out of her way. So they still lie on both banks of the river. Isn't it just a poetic description of a powerful mudflow proposed for explanation by Dr. Ufimtsev?

The stones still keep the secret of their formation. They are not only different sizes and colors, they are generally from different breeds. That is, they were not broken out from one place. And the depth of occurrence speaks of many thousands of years, during which meters of soil have grown around the boulders.

For those who have seen the Avatar movie, on a foggy morning, Ina's stones will remind you of hanging mountains around which winged dragons fly. The peaks of the mountains jut out of the clouds of mist like individual fortresses or the heads of giants in helmets. The impressions from contemplating the garden of stones are amazing, and it is not by chance that people endowed the stones with magical powers: it is believed that if you touch the boulders with your hands, they will take away negative energy, instead bestowing positive energy.

In these amazing places there is another place where the gods were naughty. This place was nicknamed "Suva Saxon Castle". This natural formation is located near the group of salty Alga lakes near the village of Suvo, on the steppe slopes of a hill at the foot of the Ikat Range. The picturesque rocks are very reminiscent of the ruins of an ancient castle. These places served as a particularly revered and sacred place for Evenki shamans. In the Evenki language, "suvoya" or "suvo" means "whirlwind".

It was believed that it was here that spirits lived - the owners of local winds. The main and most famous of which was the legendary wind of Baikal "Barguzin". According to legend, an evil ruler lived in these places. He was distinguished by a ferocious disposition, he took pleasure in bringing misfortune to the poor and indigent people.

He had an only and beloved son, who was bewitched by spirits as punishment for a cruel father. After realizing his cruel and unfair attitude towards people, the ruler fell to his knees, began to beg and tearfully ask to restore his son's health and make him happy. And he distributed all his wealth to people.

And the spirits freed the son of the ruler from the power of the disease! It is believed that for this reason the rocks are divided into several parts. There is a belief among the Buryats that the owners of Suvo, Tumurzhi-Noyon and his wife, Tutuzhig-Khatan, live in the rocks. Burkhans were erected in honor of the Suva rulers. On special days, whole rituals are performed in these places.

The national character of each country is formed under the influence of many different conditions: history, territory, climate. Foreigners note the characteristic features of Russian people: patriotism, collectivism, religiosity and others. All of them can be explained: patriotism arose because of the constant military danger, collectivism because of the unfavorable climate, which forced people to work together. Now the situation has changed, but the Russian character remains. And if we ourselves do not notice any pronounced features in ourselves, then foreigners immediately highlight it.

Russian mentality

• Date: June 17, 2013

Russian holidays through the eyes of a foreigner

Any foreigner who comes to Russia for at least a few days immediately notices that Russians are very fond of holidays. A thousand years ago, the Great Kyiv Prince Vladimir said, "Rus' is drinking fun, it cannot exist without it." Six hundred years later, the British ambassador wrote in his book: “It is common for a Russian to drink on any day of the week, finding the right occasion.” And the British journalist and translator Edmund Harris, who lived for six years in Moscow, says that it was Russian holidays that brightened up his life in the cold Russian capital.

Russian mentality

• Date: June 03, 2013

Moscow through the eyes of foreigners

As a rule, all foreign tourists go to Moscow first. Those foreigners who have decided to settle in our country also prefer to live in Moscow. We are accustomed to our capital, we do not notice its shortcomings or advantages, but visitors can clearly see the whole life of the capital from the outside. Something is surprising for them, something is puzzling, something they really like. Here are collected various opinions of foreigners about Moscow, its good and bad sides.

Russian mentality

• Date: 20 May 2013

Stereotypes about Russians

A Swedish family, an English farewell, a roller coaster, a French kiss - all these expressions in one way or another show our stereotypes about other nationalities. And in other countries, well-established phrases about Russians are used no less often, which can lead us into bewilderment. However, they are quite popular, and what's more, many people believe that these stereotypes are true.

Russian mentality

• Date: 08 May 2013

How to behave in Russia if you are a foreign tourist

Usually, tourists traveling abroad are given advice related to the characteristics and culture of different countries. These are not only recommendations on where you can change money, how to find a way, how much to tip in restaurants - but also tips on communicating with local residents, on behavior in public places and at a party. Cultures of different nations can vary significantly, so every little thing matters. What do they advise those foreigners who go on vacation to Russia?