1. Customs & Traditions Thanks to Dan Brennan and Price Waterhouse in Russia for permission to reproduce some of their ideas here.

2. DOs If you leave the house, but then return immediately before leaving for a second time, make sure that you change something about your appearance slightly, otherwise you run the risk of encountering bad luck. When setting off on a journey, spend a few moments sitting on your suitcase if you are leaving a place to which you would like to return. If you give someone flowers, make sure that they are of an odd number (unless you are going to a funeral...) Take off your shoes when entering a Russian home, and be prepared to wear someone else's slippers if you haven't brought your own. (This is eminently practical if you bear in mind the snow or slush around for much of the year in Northern Russia.) Give in coats and large bags when entering theatres, restaurants, museums etc.

3. DOs Touch one of your buttons when you go past a cemetery. Ensure that all your debts are settled before 31st December; otherwise you will be in debt for the whole of the next year. Spit over your left shoulder 3 times when someone pays you a compliment. If this strikes you as too bizarre, then knocking on wood should also produce the desired effect. Throw 3 handfuls of salt over your left shoulder if you spill any salt. Keep hold of lilies with 5 petals and, similarly, any bus tickets where the sum of the first 3 digits adds up to the sum of the last 3. To encourage even greater luck, and if you are feeling brave, eating the flowers or tickets is recommended! Beware of black cats crossing your path, as this will bring you bad luck. However, white cats are said to have the opposite effect.

4. DON’Ts Shake hands or kiss over the threshold of a Russian home, as this means that you will argue with the person who you are visiting. Whistle indoors - this will result in your money flying out of the window. Light a cigarette from a candle unless you are hoping for a sudden death in your family. Worry if you break something. This will, in fact, bring you good luck, especially if it breaks into many pieces. Sit behind the corner of a table or desk (this applies particularly to women), otherwise you will never get married! Start anything important on a Friday. Give handkerchiefs, mirrors or sharp objects as presents. If you decide to give a purse or a wallet, then remember to put some money in it first.