Diet taboos in Russia

Russia does not have rigid dietary taboos that are universal and observed by the entire population. Common taboos in public perception are mostly linked to religious beliefs, ethnic customs, regional food traditions, and personal choices. The saying online that "touching certain foods will annoy Russians" is mostly a stereotype, and the actual room for error is extremely high.

Two years ago, I was on a business trip to Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan. The local employees I contacted were devout Muslims. During the team building, we specifically confirmed with the restaurant that there were no pork products on the table and no alcohol. Then another Tatar girl in her early twenties from the same department took us to the bar to drink fruit wine, saying that her family was not religious and had no such respect at all. Orthodox believers have four Lent periods every year, and devout old men will strictly abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, and even vegetable oils. However, a local young man I know in Moscow still eats beef burgers during Lent, joking, "God will not blame me for eating a hamburger because I am hungry." These are completely personal choices. No one will force you to follow the fast, nor will he fall out because you eat the food he avoids in front of him. At most, he will just politely avoid it.

Oh, by the way, speaking of the "Russian food red line" that has been so popular on the Internet, I was slapped in the face by the supermarket refrigerated cabinet when I went to Moscow for the first time: I saw a post saying that Russians never eat animal offal, but the neatly arranged beef liver, chicken heart, and pork kidney in the cabinet were half the price of lean meat. The traditional Russian menu already includes the classic beef liver pate and roasted beef heart with potatoes. Where can I talk about taboos? It is also said that Russians do not eat sea cucumbers or chicken feet. When I went to the seaside market in Vladivostok last year, chilled sea cucumbers were all over the floor. The stall owner also chased me and said, "local wild ones, the stew soup is very fresh."

If we really want to consider it as a hard rule, the only law in Russia that explicitly prohibits the consumption of dog meat is untouchable. Other scattered little things are considered folk customs at best and not taboos at all. For example, some elderly people in remote areas think it is unlucky to give pears as the homophonic word corresponds to "separation". Some people think it is impolite to knock a knife and fork against a cup when eating. But the last time I went to a friend's house and brought a basket of imported pears, his grandmother was so happy when she saw it. She said that her favorite was this kind of soft pears. When asked about the taboo later, the old man waved his hand and said, "It's all rumored by the older generation. How important is it that it tastes good."

There was some discussion before about whether we should give black caviar as a guest. One group said that it would be too expensive and would put a psychological burden on others. The other group said that it would show sincerity if we have a good relationship. I myself gave a small jar to a professor from Mo University who helped me last year, and he was very happy. After the market opened, it was served with bread. He turned around and gave me a can of home-pickled pickled cucumbers, and told me, "Don't buy such expensive ones next time, just bring some of those Chinese spicy sticks you mentioned." To put it bluntly, it depends on the person, and it doesn't matter whether you are Russian or not.

I have traveled to Russia almost ten times, from Kaliningrad in the west to Kamchatka in the east. I have never stepped on any dietary issues. Every time before I go to a guest, I casually ask, "Is there anything you don't want to eat?" The answer I receive is either "I'm allergic to nuts" or "I don't like coriander." These are all personal needs that apply to everyone. There are no special taboos specific to Russia. Oh, by the way, there is also a saying that "you have to sip vodka to drink vodka". Last time I had dinner with some young designers in St. Petersburg, they always sipped vodka and laughed at me, "Where did you learn the old Soviet habits?"

If you are really afraid of making mistakes, it's easy. Just ask and you'll get it done. If you're too lazy to inquire in advance, bring two boxes of Chinese oolong tea. Whether you're religious or not, a meat lover or a vegetarian, you can happily accept it. It's much more reliable than reading a hundred taboo lists posted online.