Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

Saint Petersburg Local Custom Tips by bobs12

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Europe » Russia » Gorod Sankt-Peterburg » Saint Petersburg » bobs12's Saint Petersburg Page » Saint Petersburg Local Customs Tips by bobs12

Saint Petersburg Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Saint Petersburg Pages by bobs12


Saint Petersburg Local Custom Tips by bobs12
See the Entire Saint Petersburg Travel Guide
Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


bobs12   
leave your baggage at home


Real Name: Robert
Lives In: Saint Petersburg, RU
Member Since: Nov 25, 2003
VT Rank: 3345

Best Saint Petersburg Travel Deals

St. Petersburg Hotels
Hotel Photos, Info & Virtual Tours Find the Hotel You Want at Expedia!

St. Petersburg Hotels
Amazing Discounts on Russian Hotels St. Petersburg Hotels. Book Now!

Hotels Petersberg
Book your favourite hotel online. Compare prices and save online now!

St Petersburg Hotels
Instant hotels, Big discounts Visas; live helpdesk; Book now!

St Petersburg Hotel
Official Site of the Angleterre Hotel in St Petersburg. Book Online

Sponsored Links



 
Tips 1 - 3 of 3
Saint Petersburg Local Customs
 Sort by: Most Recent | Best Rated | Author's Order

Traditions and Habits: Don't whistle indoors
  • Tip Rating:
  • Whistling indoors is said to bring bad luck. The phrase 'ne svisti a deneg ne budet' means 'don't whistle or there'll be no money'.

    Russians are pretty superstitious people. Their 'narodnie primety' , or 'folk omens' still have a very powerful influence on the collective psyche. While foreigners would scoff at someone getting nervous about breaking these traditions, Russians can sometimes take it very seriously and may be offended.

    In Russia you are unlikely to hear anyone whistling anywhere, even outdoors. Since Soviet times, whistling has been frowned upon. Whistling to someone to attract their attention may cause offence.

    Whistling a tune while walking down the street is a sure way to attract attention from pickpockets and thieves - they'll know instantly that you're a foreigner.

    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Visiting Saint Petersburg?

    Read reviews about Saint Petersburg Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Foreign Languages: Mind your tongue
  • Tip Rating:
  • If you're learning Russian, or happen to know some Russian phrases, be sure to watch what you say.

    If you don't have full command of the language, never swear at anyone for any reason, ever. Even 'milder' expletives such as 'kozel' (goat) may have hidden cultural meanings.

    Calling someone a goat may not seem hugely offensive, and in most cases it isn't. But it has a second meaning- in Russian prisons, 'kozel' is the guy who always gets abused in the showers by the other inmates. Enough said.

    Call anyone who has been to prison a 'kozel', and you may be lucky to get away with fractures and concussion.

    Never use the contraction 'devka' to refer to a 'devushka'. 'Devka' is generally used to refer to sluts and prostitutes.

    Russians are singularly unforgiving to foriegners' linguistic mistakes, and are easily offended by such unintended 'insults'.

    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Traditions and Habits: Count your flowers
  • Tip Rating:
  • If you're giving flowers to a Russian for whatever reason, be it a romantic gesture, a birthday or a thank-you gift, be sure to count them first.

    Don't give an even number of flowers - even numbers are reserved for funerals and gravesides. It's another 'bad omen', and believe me, you will be held accountable if someone so much as sneezes after you give the wrong number of flowers...

    If you want to send flowers to St. Petersburg, Edward Thompson runs an excellent mail-order flower delivery service! (And he lives just down the road from me :)

    Leave a Comment

    Website: http://www.topetersburgwithlove.com
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    More Saint Petersburg Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
    Tips: 2
    NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
    Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    TransportationLocal Customs
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 1
    Packing ListsShopping
    Sports TravelGeneral Tips

    Top 10 Lists

    Saint Petersburg Forum

    Join a Discussion

    Which is the best: Comfort Hotel - Nevksy Hotel Grand - Herzen House Hotel?
    (1 replies, Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008, 11:20 AM UTC)

    BUs and trolly transit
    (4 replies, Friday, Sep 12, 2008, 5:06 PM UTC)

    B&B in Sankt Peter
    (5 replies, Friday, Aug 22, 2008, 10:39 PM UTC)

    Be the first to reply to these questions

    down with the depersonalized tourists!
    (no replies yet, Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 2:38 PM UTC)

    down with the depersonalized tourists!
    (no replies yet, Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 2:38 PM UTC)

    down with the depersonalized tourists!!! Individual guided tours
    (no replies yet, Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 2:20 PM UTC)

    » All Saint Petersburg Posts
    » Ask about Saint Petersburg

    FREE VT Deals Newsletter
    great deals, inside tips & no spam
      

    Comments for bobs12 about Saint Petersburg
    tashka Thu Mar 29, 2007 08:59 UTC
     Nice obervations about our habits! But we have much more superstitions than just whistling indoors. :)
    Italiana07 Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:59 UTC
     I love pics of Four seasons! :))) have a nice week! greetings
    marinagreece Wed Jan 17, 2007 22:09 UTC
     I liked these tips!
    barryg23 Wed Mar 1, 2006 21:03 UTC
     Interesting perspectives on St. Petersburg. If I do manage to visit this summer, would love to meet for a beer.
    See More Comments

    Best Saint Petersburg Travel Deals

    Apartments in Russia
    Cozy accommodation. Hotel service. Cheap flats for short term rent.

    St Petersburg Hotels
    75% off St Petersburg Russia Hotels Tours, Hotels & Visas Book Online

    Hotels on Nevsky prospect
    DBL from 2600 RUR per night in St.Petersburg downtown, Russia

    Sponsored Links

    Find:       Matching:  Advanced