Remember a while ago we talked about how to learn Russian by creating an immersive experience. Except now I realize that in my suggestions I overlooked one major resource.

It’s really so simple that I can’t believe I totally missed it! Thankfully I was reminded of it by reading an article in a Russian-language magazine «Сноб» [Snob]. The article in the February issue was called «Кое-что русское во мне» [There’s something Russian in me]. It was essentially a sampling of customs or character traits that are customarily thought of (by Russians themselves) as «чисто русские» [uniquely Russian].

That’s when it occurred to me that one of the ways to supercharge learning a language (any language, really) is to not just surround yourself with it on the outside, but to engage from within. Now I sound like a life coach, don’t I?

So let’s talk about some of these uniquely Russian habits and thought patterns. Then you can pick and choose the ones you like most and «попробовать их» [try them out] for a little while. And if it doesn’t work out, at least you’ll learn some new phrases.

#1 – «Присядем на дорожку»

This means literally sitting down before getting on the road. When you are about to «уехать из дома» [leave the house], you need to sit down in silence for a few moments. It doesn’t apply to short trips or daily commutes, just the big long-distance ones.

A helpful and related phrase that Russians use a lot is «сидеть на чемоданах» [to sit on suitcases]. It means “packed and ready to go” as in «Отпуск начинается лишь через два дня, но я уже вещи упаковала и сижу на чемоданах» [My vacation starts in two days, but I’ve already packed my stuff and am ready to go.]

A less cheerful meaning of this phrase is “being in limbo” as in «Я снял домик на море на неделю, но в последнюю минуту хозяин отказал. Ищу другой вариант, а пока сижу на чемоданах» [I rented a sea-side bungalow for a week, but the owner cancelled at the last moment. So I’m looking for something else and, in the mean time, the situation is uncertain.]

#2 – «домашние тапочки»

Ever been to a Russian home? Then you are familiar with the «переобувание» [footwear-changing] routine. Entering a house, you are supposed to leave your footwear in the hallway and immediately change into house slippers provided by the host. Not taking the shoes off is a major faux pas, a sign of «неуважение к хозяевам» [disrespecting the host]. The rule of «домашние тапочки» holds rain or shine, carpets or hardwood, an informal get-together or a holiday party.

#3 – «Тьфу-тьфу-тьфу»

Well, the actual phrase is «тьфу-тьфу-тьфу чтобы не сглазить» [spit-spit-spit to ward off the evil eye], followed immediately by three knocks on wood (optional). If wood is nowhere to be found, feel free to (gently) knock yourself on the forehead. Note: when saying “spit-spit-spit” turn your head however slightly to the left.

Use it liberally when good news are announced, as an answer to praise «в вашу сторону» [directed at you], your family, people and things you care for, or when hopes and wishes for the future are expressed.

#4 – «Книга – лучший подарок» [a book is the best gift]

Once upon a time, in not so distant past, Russians prided themselves on being «самая читающая нация в мире» [the world’s leader in reading]. Books were treasured and never thrown away. Not having a car or a color TV or a stereo was a sign of «бедный интеллигент» [poor intelligentsia]. But everyone knew that «бедность – это не порок» [poverty is not a vice] Not having books in the house was a sign of «некультурность» [lack of culture].

Newspapers were readily used as «обёрточная бумага» [wrapping paper], «туалетная бумага» [toilet paper] (seriously, was there a better use for the daily «Правда» [Pravda]?), to wash windows with, to use as bedding for hamsters, etc. But books, however poorly printed and bound or «зачитанные до дыр» [read to tatters] were kept forever.

#5 – «Хлеб всему голова» [bread is the staff of life]

Speaking of things Russians are taught to never throw away… It is «стыдно» [shameful] to waste food, but to throw away bread is downright «грешно» [sinful]. «Рука не поднимается» [don’t have a heart to] throw away bread. Instead, use stale bread in cooking, make «сухарики» [croutons], feed birds with bread crumbs, or manufacture your own penicillin. Ok, that last one is a joke, but you get the point.

#6 – «Посиделки на кухне» [kitchen chats]

For Russians the heart of a house is not its living room, but its kitchen. When friends stop by for a chat, they spend time in the kitchen, usually with a cup of tea and a «бутерброд» [open-faced sandwich] or some «сладкое» [dessert]. At a more formal party, when the table is sat up in a «гостиная» [living room], the kitchen remains the main hub of activity and a place where most engaging and heartfelt conversations take place.

#7 – «Да нет, наверное» [lit. yes no, maybe]

I love this phrase and use it A LOT. So I was glad to see it in the aforementioned «Сноб» article. The closest English-language expression I can think of is “definitely maybe” although this is the case when most of the original meaning is lost in translation. The actual meaning of the phrase is “I haven’t really made up my mind one way or the other, but mostly likely it’s going to be a no”.

UPDATE: I ran a highly unscientific poll amongst my Russian friends and relatives regarding the exact meaning of the phrase «Да нет, наверное». The results are in…

• The phrase means “most likely no” – 10 votes
• The phrase means “most likely yes” – 1 vote
• I’m not exactly sure of the meaning of the phrase, but it can be either “no” or “yes” – 1 vote

This list is by no means all-inclusive. So feel free to add to it. What “uniquely Russian” phrases, customs, and habits you know, love, hate, use or are trying to get rid of?