Can anyone share with me his/her travel experience in Russia?

Question

What are Russian people like? Are they friendly with foreigners?
You can also share with me some useful phrases in Russian related to travel.

Answer 1

My husband went to Russia a few years ago. Half of the trip was with a school group. They stayed in Moscow at the university and visited St. Petersburg. He said that Moscow is just like any other big, crowded city. He preferred St. Petersburg because it seemed cleaner and the people seemed nicer.

The other half of his trip was by himself. He flew from Moscow to Vladivostok and took the Trans-Siberian Railroad back to Moscow. This was during the summer, so Siberia wasn't all frozen and desolate like you would think. He visited Lake Baikal and it looks pretty in the pictures.

Good luck and have fun if you do end up going.

Answer 2

My husband and I spent almost a month in Moscow when we adopted our daughter. The people were nice but not overly friendly -- rather cautious. We tried not to be ugly Americans, but our translator said everyone could tell we were from the U.S. She said the reason was that we "walked with confidence with our heads up and looked people in the eye," and then pointed out that Russians tend to look apologetic. The two most important words, I think, are (I'll spell them phonetically) "spaseeba" -- meaning "thank you" and "pazhalsta" -- which is "you're welcome." But definitely get the Russian Language Map from Barnes and Noble. It folds up like a map and pretty much has every travel-related phrase you'll need.

Answer 3

I spent most of last year in Siberia..in a city called Surgut.

The people are amazing! Warm, friendly, & welcoming.
They still appear a little surly on the street, but once indoors, & especially in their own homes you couldn't wish to meet nicer people.
Contrary to one of your former correspondents, I found them to be quite small people..but that may be due to me being in Siberia & the lack of sun & summer there.

I'm from New Zealand so they found it impossible to 'identify' my looks, and often followed me or stood around just staring at me..a bit disconcerting! My smiley face on the street weirded them out too. Once they learned where I was from they opened their hearts and homes to me.
They're not accustomed to 'coloured' people, & so can be a bit stand-offish..mostly because they're afraid.

Moscow wasn't quite so friendly..typical of a major city in any country. Keep your wits about you there.

I recommend the "Lonely Planet Russian Phrasebook" for useful phrases..AND DON'T LEAVE 'HOME' WITHOUT IT!

I could rave on for hours about my time there! I really hope your experience in Russia is as amazing as mine was.

Answer 4

they are so funny and friendly - they like drinking so much!!!
for me, they are very tall and strong.
but if u want to travel this season - you need warm clothes.

have a nice trip!