If your nose itches you, better be aware as you will have a drink, get into a fight or fall in love (at a Russian wedding it is fine to combine these three things, by the way). And if you want to break up with a lover, then giving yellow flowers is a foolproof method to cause an argument and end the relationship.

When giving flowers, always make sure to give an uneven number of flowers, unless it is for a funeral, where an even number of flowers is given. This is done to avoid another quarrel that would have otherwise certainly materialised. If by accident you step on a Russian’s foot, don’t be surprised if he or she will step on your foot in return. Ladies, don’t put your bag on the floor because, next to whistling, that also means you will not have money! And by the way, to those ladies who wish to get married, after you have taken care of your bag, don’t sit down at corner of the table or you will stay unmarried for seven years! Shaking hands, kissing, hugging or greeting someone across the threshold of a doorway should also be avoided at all cost! Greeting people across the threshold will bring about a quarrel. For example, whistling will cause money problems and whenever you do whistle in Russia, you will immediately be urged to stop whistling. Some of these superstitions are not hard to notice. There are superstitions that deal with luck, health, money, relationships, marriage, your house, losing and finding things, and, of course, drinking. Although half a century ago, I was once born as a rational and level-headed Dutchman. I must admit that after 27 years in Russia, superstitions have also become a part of my life, and I now adapt my daily life according to a number of these superstitions. In many areas of life, Russians choose to be guided by emotion and intuition, and choosing superstitions over rational consideration is a part of Russian life. Russians are more emotional and intuitive than non-Russians think.

But despite Russia’s impressive academic and technological credentials, daily life in the 21st century is still very much ruled by superstitions. Russia is also well known for its academic progress and for having one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Russia’s status as one of the world leaders in science and technological inventions goes back to the 19-th century. The satellite and the space rocket, the first nuclear power plant, Mendeleev’s Periodic Table and the first electric tram.

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