Here, English is spoken only by the elites, making it tough to get around, especially when you can’t make out the Cyrillic street signs and subway maps. A few essential words and phrases will go a long way.
Pack warm
Winter runs a solid six months here, so there’s a good bet there will be a chill in the air when you arrive.
Take the subway
Moscow traffic is legendary (during the workday, it can take hours to travel a few blocks). The metro (the only fast, reliable way to navigate the massive city) runs unimpeded, with wagons coming every few minutes.
Down the hatch
It’s impolite to turn down a toast, and Russians are always looking for an excuse – such as your arrival – to raise a glass.
Load up on caviar
Since it’s currently illegal to export beluga caviar, this is your chance to gorge on the good stuff.
No sneakers
Moscow is a fashion-conscious city, and many establishments will frown upon ripped jeans, sneakers, and the like. Dress up, rather than down, or the doorman may tell you to keep walking.
