Working in Moscow - etiquette

Make an effort to learn some Russian: this is the biggest country in the world and unlike some languages, Russian is set to remain alive and well for centuries to come. Any effort on your behalf will be appreciated.

Source your business visa from a reputable company: there are disreputable organisations out there just aching to steal your credit card details and then indulge in a shopping spree in the Far East.

Keep your passport and a photocopy of your passport with you at all times: this will help when/if bothered by the police. If you are bothered by police out for a bribe show them a photocopy of your passport only, take their names, individual seven-digit identification numbers and make a show of phoning the British Embassy to alert them to what's happening and to request support. Your passport will also help you remember who you are after a dose of Muscovite nightlife.

Do take a supply of feminine hygiene products: if your plumbing is rigged for that sort of thing. Local versions do not get star ratings and are apparently difficult to acquire.

Do read a little Russian history: before setting out on your trip to Moscow. On the plane read Dogs Eat Wolves by Martin Cruz Smith for an observer's sense of the modern Russia.

When shaking hands, always remove your gloves: no matter how cold it is.

Women should cover their heads: when entering a Russian Orthodox church.

Do remember to be patient: it is seen as an important virtue in Russian culture.

Be aware that Russians usually have three names: the first will be a given name, the second will be a version of the father's first name denoting a son or daughter and ending in ‘vich' or ‘ovich' for a male or ‘a' or ‘ova' for a female. The third name will be the father's family name.

On first meeting: greet a colleague with the title ‘Mr' (gaspodin) or ‘Mrs/Miss' (gaspazhah) and their surname.

Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you are full: clearing the plate suggests to a Russian host that you require more food.

Do gain a waiter or waitresses attention with eye contact: waving or calling is considered rude.

What not to do

Save your blushes, and more, by remembering these rules.

Don't take exception to rude shop workers and officials: people in some kind of uniform being rude to someone not wearing some kind of uniform is almost a national pastime here and everyone receives the same treatment.

Don't try to fare dodge on public transport: the conductors may be armed with tear gas.

Don't square up to anyone who has spilled your drink: Moscow's is a heavily armed culture, and almost all males will have received some form of military training at some point.

Don't enter into vodka-drinking competitions with the locals: most humans are 80% water, Muscovites are around 80% hard stuff.

Don't be alarmed by Russian expressions of passion: it's a cultural thing.

Don't expect the same level of social equality between men and women: regardless of the equalitarian principles of Communism, Mother Russia remains a very male-dominated society with all its inherent problems.

Don't take ice in your drink: anywhere, ever.

Don't hold out much hope for a vegetarian option: there is only one vegetarian restaurant in Moscow - a city of over nine million people. ‘Nuff said.

Don't flaunt your sexuality: a move was recently made to re-criminalize homosexuality in the Russian Federation, but thankfully failed. Moscow has a thriving gay community but nowhere near as well organised or ‘out' as in other European capitals.

Don't stand with your hands in your pockets: it is considered rude.

Don't make a thumb and finger sign for okay: in Russia this is a very rude gesture.

Don't show the soles of your shoes: or place your shoes on seats.

Don't be tempted into Moscow's seedier side: it will be seedier and a lot more nasty than you are used to.

Avoid extravagant public displays of amusement or talking loudly when in public: Russians are more circumspect in public.

Don't over enthuse about any item in a Russian home: your host may well then feel obligated to give it to you as a gift.

Call anyone ‘tovarisch' (‘Comrade'): that's so last century!

Don't refuse the offer of a drink: Russia's business and social culture is one oiled by vodka and to refuse a drink is to slight your host. It is better to pretend to drink if you do not think you can keep up.

Don't try to eat alone in a restaurant if you are a woman: it's just not done.