The order of a meal
A full Russian lunch or festive dinner runs in a fixed order. Courses are counted with ordinal numbers: soup is literally “the first” (пе́рвое) and the main course “the second” (второ́е).
- 1 za-KUS-ki starters Salads, pickles, herring, cold meats and bread, all on the table at once when guests arrive.
- 2 PYER-va-ye soup (“the first”) Borscht, shchi or solyanka, served hot. At festive dinners it is often skipped.
- 3 fta-RO-ye main course (“the second”) Meat or fish with a side dish (гарни́р): potatoes, buckwheat or rice.
- 4 SLAT-ka-ye dessert (“the sweet”) Cake, pastries or jam, always with tea. Fruit drink (компо́т) is common at family meals.
Being a guest
An invitation to a Russian home follows a familiar script. Six customs, in the order you will meet them.
- 1 · Bring somethingNever arrive empty-handed: bring a cake, chocolates or wine. Flowers for the hostess must be an odd number; even numbers are for funerals. E-ta k CHA-yuЭ́тоthisкforча́юteaThis is for tea.
- 2 · Shoes offGuests take their shoes off in the hall and are offered slippers (та́почки). vot TA-pach-kiВотhere areта́почкиslippersHere are some slippers.
- 3 · Don’t shake hands over the thresholdGreeting across a doorway is thought to bring a quarrel. Step inside first. pra-kha-DEE-tyeПроходи́теcome inCome in, come in!
- 4 · Accept secondsHosts offer more food several times. Refusing the first offer is polite; the host will insist. i-SHCHO ni-MNOSH-kaЕщёmoreнемно́жкоa littleA little more?
- 5 · Praise the foodCompliment the cook, ideally more than once and specifically. fsyo O-chin’ FKUS-naВсёeverythingо́ченьveryвку́сноtastyEverything is delicious!
- 6 · Linger at the endLeaving straight after the meal is rude. Tea and conversation can last hours, and the host walks guests to the door. spa-SEE-ba za gas-ti-pri-EEM-stvaСпаси́боthanksзаforгостеприи́мствоhospitalityThank you for your hospitality!
Phrases at the table
What hosts say, and how guests answer. Note the reply to “thank you for the meal”: на здоро́вье, which in Russian is not a toast.
| Who | Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Host | sa-DEE-tis’ za stolСади́тесьsitзаatстолtable | Please come to the table!за стол with the accusative: movement towards the table. |
| Host | u-ga-SHCHAY-tis’Угоща́йтесьhelp yourselves | Help yourselves!The standard invitation to start eating. |
| Everyone | pri-YAT-na-va a-pi-TEE-taПрия́тногоpleasantаппети́таappetite | Enjoy your meal!Genitive: “(I wish you) a pleasant appetite”. |
| Host | bi-REE-tye i-SHCHOБери́теtakeещёmore | Have some more!Expect to hear this many times. |
| Guest | spa-SEE-ba, ya sytСпаси́боthanksяIсытfull | Thank you, I’m full.A woman says сыта́. Expect one more offer anyway. |
| Guest | MOZH-na ri-TSEPTМо́жноmay Iреце́птrecipe | Could I have the recipe?The highest compliment you can pay the cook. |
| Guest | spa-SEE-ba, fsyo BY-la O-chin’ FKUS-naСпаси́боthanksвсёeverythingбы́лоwasо́ченьveryвку́сноtasty | Thank you, everything was delicious.Said when getting up from the table. |
| Host | na zda-RO-v’yeНаtoздоро́вьеhealth | You’re very welcome!The reply to thanks for food. Not used as a toast in Russian. |
Toasts
At a festive table, nobody drinks without a toast (тост). The host or a chosen тамада́ (toastmaster) leads; each toast can be a short speech. They follow a loose order.
Tea
Every visit ends with tea, and an invitation “for tea” (на чай) means a visit with cake and conversation. Tea is served black, strong, and with something sweet on the side, often home-made jam eaten from a small dish with a spoon.
The New Year table
New Year’s Eve is the biggest meal of the Russian year. The same dishes appear on almost every table, along with mandarins and champagne at midnight.