What a Way to Greet

                                                      2014 Winter Olympics Logo



Russia has many different social customs that separate it from other countries. Russians are very proud people and they are prideful that their lives are difficult and that they have managed to flourish. As far as etiquette goes in Russia you must give a typical bone-crushing hand shake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Also when men shake hands with women, they shake less firm. When female friends meet they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating. When male friends meet they pat each other on the back and hug. Due to the years of communism in Russia, women have been given equal rights in everything in Russia and as far as treating women you would treat them just as you would treat a man. Another thing that is interesting is that Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th. Russia also happens to view Easter as a bigger holiday then Christmas! May 9th is another big deal in Russia because it is national Victory Day which celebrates the defeat of Germany in WWII. One of the coolest things about what is happening in Russia right now is the fact that the 2014 Winter Olympics are going to be held in Sochi, Russia. Ice hockey of course is one of the main sports in Russia due to the fact that it is freezing in Russia practically year round. But the most popular sport in Russia is soccer because Russia was the very first European country to win the European soccer championship. So overall Russia's social customs are far different from Knoxville, Tennessee.