Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel

Russian gestures

Russian gesture: welcome
“Dabro pazhaluvut”
“Welcome”
How to do it: when shaking hands with or embracing someone, make sure you cross the threshold first. Doing so before you have entered the room is thought to bring bad luck.
Illustration: Guardian
Russian gesture: Let's Drink
“Davai vyp’yem”
“Let’s drink”
How to do it: flick throat with index finger.
Illustration: Guardian
Russian gesture: too complicated
“Zachem tak slozhnu?”
“Why so complicated?”
How to do it: reach behind head and scratch left ear with right hand or vice versa – means that something has been expressed backwards or has been made too complicated.
Illustration: Guardian
Russian gesture: i'm full
“Syt(a) pa gorlo”
“I’m full up” (male/female)
How to do it: draw thumb across throat.
Illustration: Guardian
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.