First Time In Russia: Clothes, Drinks, Entertainment, Safety, Water, Food

Clothes

They do not wear valenki, touloups, and sarafans in Russia and have not been for some time. These exotic things you may find in a remote village and not that often either. The style in clothing of the urban population does not differ from clothes Europeans wear. If you work in a bank, a large company, or an office of authority, it is customary to wear suit. If you do not want to appear strange, dress as you would back home or smarter. The latter is especially true for women - being too casual in clothes and total lack of makeup in Russia might be perceived as being unkempt and not looking after yourself.

Drinks

Another one of widespread misbeliefs is that Russians drink vodka all the time. Maybe it was so once upon a time, but now vodka is not the most popular drink in Russia by far. Beer is more popular today. The choice is huge - from very cheap to elite international brands. In business circles cognac is much favoured traditionally, and in recent years - whisky. You may encounter large quantities of vodka during certain parties or celebrations. If you are not experienced in consuming ample amounts of this drink, it would be wiser to abstain. Those around you would understand.

Leisure and Entertainment

Entertainment industry is well developed in large Russian cities. Any taste is catered for. There are many cafes with ethnic cuisines - from Japanese to French, a multitude of entertainment centres, dance clubs and cinemas. In any city large or not so large you find theatres, often rather good. In regional centres you easily find a typical English pub and a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant. The difference between high and low prices may be very dramatic, especially in large cities. Even if you order roughly the same food, a dinner (including drinks) may cost you both under 20 Euro and over 500. The service changes accordingly. This is why we strongly recommend that you seek advice in the hotel. Another peculiarity is the age group composition of the customers. People you see in many respectable places are quite young; appearance of a middle age person on a dance floor of the majority of clubs might be perceived as rather odd.

Safety

The situation in large Russian cities is not much different from that in a European megapolis - there are "good" and "bad" areas. It is not advisable to walk around at night in the outskirts, talk to strangers, or go to dubious establishments. Money and valuables in the hotel room are best locked in the safe. If you left something in a taxi, most likely you can think of it as gone. On the whole, adhering to common safe behaviour standards you have been used to in your country would be enough.

Water

Water mains water in different cities is different quality - from fully compliant to the European standards to totally unfit for drinking. Good bottled drinking water may be purchased in any shop or a street stall/kiosk - there are very tough government regulations for drinking water manufacturers.

Food products

Food is best purchased in a large supermarket. The choice is not that much different from European. You will find goods of all best known brands on the shelves. Local products (primarily meat and dairy products, bread) differ considerably from what you would be used to - flavour and fat content are totally different. Convenience stores are open very late - at least until 8 PM, some even later. There are shops which stay open around the clock.