| When you visit your friends, relatives, | | | | take this polite answer literally in Russia. It is our |
| fiancée or business partner in Russia most | | | | custom not to come empty-handed and common |
| likely you will be invited to come to their home. | | | | to bring flowers for the lady of the house, the |
| With this invitation there come expectations. What | | | | hostess of the event. Make certain that the |
| will the invitation be like? What do the hosts | | | | flowers have an odd number and of the fresh-cut |
| expect and what are your assumed obligations? | | | | variety (an even number of flowers or artificial |
| Insights into this aspect of social interaction in | | | | flowers are only brought to a funeral). Should a |
| Russia are what I wish to share with you today. | | | | guest arrive without any flowers, expect to hear |
| As you might imagine, one usually does not | | | | the usual excuses, including, "I did not have |
| receive a written invitation unless it is a wedding | | | | enough time" or "I was unable to find the ones |
| or an important widely celebrated anniversary. It | | | | you like." While some behaviors differ, others are |
| is quite common to invite guests during a casual | | | | universal! |
| encounter or with a simple phone call. Often one is | | | | It is also common to bring something for the |
| not afforded much advanced warning, generally | | | | table to share, such as a cake, pastry or sweets |
| 2-3 days before the actual event. Don't expect to | | | | for tea time, which always comes after the main |
| be invited for lunch or dinner; you are invited to | | | | meal. You would also be well served to bring along |
| come as a guest. Sounds confusing? Let me help. | | | | some alcohol for the host to stay in good graces! |
| It is unusual for a Russian to invite somebody | | | | If you know what it is they drink at home, buy it. |
| over for tea or coffee only. Even though Russians | | | | Otherwise wine always works. If you seek yet |
| do not always specify what kind of meal will be | | | | another option, try fresh fruit. |
| served, most likely you will have a time specified | | | | It is preferable to come on time. If there are |
| for arrival, be it 6-7 p.m. or even 2-3 p.m.. | | | | many guests coming, and one is late, it'll force |
| Whatever the time, expect that the menu and | | | | others to wait and will put you in an |
| courses for the meal will stay the same: a large | | | | uncomfortable position upon late arrival. |
| variety of salads, meat cuts and mushrooms | | | | Whatever you decide to bring, just be friendly |
| followed by the main course and, as always, tea | | | | and genuine like you would be with guests in your |
| afterwards. | | | | own home and enjoy the Russian hospitality that |
| Most will ask, "What could I bring along?" In | | | | is famous the world over. There is no restaurant, |
| response, one is likely to hear, "Nothing, just | | | | even the most luxurious, which can match a |
| come yourself." While this might seem quite a | | | | home cooked feast prepared with love and the |
| common conversation here in the USA, do not | | | | camaraderie shared with family and friends. |