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tention to their appearance both at the market and at the club. Looking too casual identifies you as a tourist. Bring a long, black coat if you are traveling to Moscow in winter. It will keep you warmer than a hip-length parka, and you will blend in.

• Take tissues and liquid soap with you if you are expecting to use a bathroom somewhere out. Most public restrooms are not equipped with these basic items.

• Bring a gift if visiting someone's apartment; chocolates or flowers (an odd number over 2 flowers and not yellow) are a good suggestion. (Even number of flowers is good at funerals only.)

• Ask Russians to take you shopping. People at the markets raise the prices when they see foreigners.

• Know that most young people have studied English and can help you if you get in a bind.

• Be polite to the people who you see everyday like security guards, etc. A little gift can grant you many privileges.

• Have some tea and sweets on hand. You never know when your

4. There are many scandals with cards and pin numbers being stolen with ATM's at these locations.

5. You can literally lose hundreds of dollars just through commission.

DON'TS

• Do not assume that everybody in Russia is ethnically Russian. There are more than 100 ethnic groups in Russia. When talking to Russians it is appropriate to ask about their "nationality".

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•Don't take a lot of your money in Traveler's Checks. It can be a pain to find a place to cash them, and when you do, they will take at least 10% of what it is worth.

•Don't use ATM's in the metro or on the street. Use the ones in the lobbies of hotels that cater to western businessmen where the ATM's are usually guarded and uncorrupted.

•Don't take a taxi alone at night. Avoid a car if it has anyone besides a driver. Know where you are going and sound sure of yourself when negotiating a price with the driver.

•Don't be afraid to decline vodka. You won't offend anyone. If you do drink with Russians, know that the bottle is usually drunk until it is empty.

•Don't be afraid to try new food, customs, words or ask for help.

•Don't expect people to smile at you. It is not customary in Russia, especially in big cities, to talk or smile at strangers,Иso don't interpret this behavior as coldness or unfriendliness.

•Don't expect everyone you meet Дwith to be on time. Russians have different idea of timing and it is clear that in general time is a much cherished value among Americans.

•Don't walk around alone atАnight.

•Don't expect to eat different food in the cafeteria.

•Don't stay in the dormбa lot. Your time in Russia will fly a lot faster than you think.

•Don't expect Americanиstandards in public places like restrooms.

•Do not put your feet on the tables. This will support Russian stereotypes about AmericansСbeing "uncultural".

•Do not wear caps in the class rooms. This is unaccepted behavior at schools and any professor or teacher will be offended.

•Do not eat in classrooms - that is an accepted behavior.

•Do not expect to pay a visit to a friend "for a half an hour". If you are invited to someone's house and sit down to lunch or dinner this is a lengthy process.

•Do not hesitate to open your soul to Russians. You will be considered a real friend. Russians don't have a developed bank system yet. They don't know about Americans living on loans. They will find you to be very rich when they learn that your parents own a house, several cars and you are a student of a university. This will be very educational for them.

•Don't be scared by anybody's warning! Just realize that this is not the US! You are studying abroad and have therefore already elevated yourself

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to the minority of students. Take full advantage of the situation and learn by having fun.

Moscow has numerous coffee shops, concert halls, dance halls, theaters and other forms of entertainment. If you are willing to look, you will always find something interesting to do. You can always ask someone in your host family or one of your new Russian friends to lead the way!

http://www.waytorussia.net/TalkLounge/conversation11704.html

56. Look back at the suggestions you have made in ex. 54. Have you changed your mind about any of them?

57. Read the text in ex. 54 – 55 again more carefully. Check any new words in your dictionary. Are the following statements true or false? Correct the false ones.

1. Russians show politeness by being vague and talking about something

2. Americans are not used to walking a lot, so cozy and comfortable shoes

10. American studentsСare not expected to pay the bills on dates in Russia, even if they are men.

58. A scientific adviser is talking to an exchange postgraduate student who is going to Russia. Complete the following questions and answers.

-Let me ask you a question. As you went to Moscow twice last year you must know everything about its transport. I’m not going to rent a car, how can I get to the place I need?

-Well, if you are in Moscow the cheapest and the most convenient transport is …

-However, I’ve heard that it can be dangerous because of …

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-Of course it can, but if you avoid … it’s much safer than … or … because there are always a lot of people and you can always call … in case of emergency – the button is in every …

-How … is the ticket?

-You’d better buy a metro pass – at least 30 trips – and always keep it …

-Is it … to buy a ticket in the train?

-No, I’m afraid not. Do it in advance in …

-I hope the trains … on time.

-Yes, they are. Every four minutes. But it works till 1 am.

-I see. If I’m at a bar or a … late, I’ll take a taxi. Oh, I’ve heard about gypsy cabs or gazelles as they call them!

-I can’t remember, what do you …?

-Minibuses, something like small route buses.

-Ah, I take your point. I tried it once. И

-And it was really frightening, wasn’t it?

-Well, yes, it was like something out ofДa horror movie. The driver was so thin and bent; he had long, straggly dark … and dirty old torn … . The

smell was … But the worst thing was the ... . Goodness knows what he had done to himself and to his car, butАI felt like on a roller coaster. I could hardly stand up straight when I went out.

-What are some of the goodбthings about …?

-Um, well, you don’t have to walk at least.

-… и

-…

-Goodbye. GoodСluck with the trip!

-Thanks, I’ll need it.

-Just keep calm! Phone me when you can.

-I will. As soon as I come out of … in Domodedovo, I’ll … a ring.59. Make similar dialogues about other things that American students

should and shouldn’t do in Russia. Role-play it as an American and Russian student.

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Self-Assessment

Module 7

1.Look through Module 7 to find the answers to the questions 1 – 20.

1.What is the area of Russia?

2.What is “the lungs of Europe”?

3.What are the largest European lakes in Russia?

4.What mountain chains are there on the territory of our country?

5.What mineral resources is Russia rich in?

6.What countries does the Russian Federation border on in the west (in the east)?

7.What branches does the federal government comprise?

8.When was the Constitution adopted by national referendum?

9.List as many facts as you can about the president of Russia.

10.What leading political parties are there in Russia?И

11.Is unemployment in Russia an insurmountable problem? Why?

12.What makes it possible for Russia toДgradually reduce its foreign debt?

13.What industries does Russia compete with India and China in?

14.Why was the new land code passed by the Duma?

15.How many embassies are thereАin the Russian Federation? Where are they?

16.What international organisationsбis Russia a member of?

17.What is the structure of the Russian military forces?

18.List as many factsиas you can about Omsk Metro.

19.What are the most popular Russian towns for foreign tourists to visit? Why? С

20.What suggestions would you give to someone who goes to study in Russia?

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