Слайд 2
SIT BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE!
Before leaving
for a long journey travelers, and all those who
are seeing them off, must sit for a moment in silence before leaving the house. It is often conveniently written off as a time to sit and think of anything one may have forgotten.
Слайд 3
DON'T CLEAN THE THE HOUSE!
After someone has
left the house on a long journey, their room
and/or their things should not be cleaned up until they have arrived, or at least a day has passed if they are guests in a house.
Слайд 4
SPIT ON OR KNOCK ON WOOD!
Knocking on
wood is practiced in Russia as in other countries.
However Russians tend to add a symbolic three spits over one's left shoulder (or simply with the head turned to the left), and Russians will often knock three times as well. Traditionally one was spitting on the devil (who is always on the left).
Слайд 5
DON'T BREAK
A MIRROR!
Breaking a mirror is
considered bad luck in Russia, as is looking at
one's reflection in a broken mirror. The effect is also more severe than 7 years of bad luck (as in American culture).
Слайд 6
DON'T STEP
ON MY FOOT!
If one person
accidentally steps on another person's foot, it is common
for the person who was stepped on to lightly step on the foot of the person who stepped first. It is said that they thus avoid a future conflict.
Слайд 7
DON'T CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY BEFORE IT!
Birthday
parties should be celebrated on or after one's birthday,
not before. So when one's birthday falls during the week, it's best to celebrate the following weekend. And never give someone birthday wishes before their birthday.
Слайд 8
DON'T FORGET THINGS!
Returning home for forgotten
things is a bad omen. It is better to
leave it behind, but if returning is necessary, one should look in the mirror before leaving the house again. Otherwise the journey will be bad.
Слайд 9
NEVER GIVE SHARP OBJECTS AS GIFTS!
Many
Russians consider giving sharp objects, like knives or scissors,
as gifts, to be taboo. You can avoid this taboo taking symbolic little money, for example one Russian ruble, in exchange as if it is a trade, not a gift.
Слайд 10
DON'T STEP
OVER PEOPLE!
It is often
considered taboo to step over people, or parts of
their body, who are on the ground. It is often said that it will prevent the person from growing (if they are not fully grown already). It is better to ask the person to move or to find a way around them. If one accidentally steps over a person (or people), it is sometimes standard to step backwards over them.
Слайд 11
NEVER GIVE UNMARRIED PEOPLE A CORNER SEAT!
Unmarried
people should not sit at the corner of the
table. Otherwise they will not marry. This mostly applies to girls, and often only young girls. Sometimes it is said that you will not marry for 7 years, making it all right for young children to sit there.
Слайд 12
DON'T GIVE AN EMPTY PURSE AS A GIFT!
A purse as a gift requires a little
money inside. Given empty it causes bad financial luck.
Слайд 13
THE THRESHOLD IS A PLACE OF EVIL!
You must not stand on the threshold of a
house or apartment, and you must not talk across it or hand anything across it.