Proposal for a Russian restaurant in Cuba

Summary

In Cuba a great diversity of tourist products is developed such as Conventional Tourism (Sun and Beach), Nature Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Convention and Business Tourism, Incentive Tourism, Health Tourism and Sports Tourism; They are coupled with a great infrastructure that allows the well-being and enjoyment of visitors, including restaurants, hotels, transportation, historical and natural places of interest, sports complexes, conference rooms, among others. At the core of these offers are the entities, companies and institutions defined and grouped according to their corporate purpose. Our tourism product has strong competition in the Caribbean area and it is necessary to be attentive to current trends to apply them in our sector,Within them is the theming of tourist products, including thematic restaurants, which are located in cities with a very dynamic tourist offer, preferably in central areas, representing an experience capable of meeting leisure needs.

The Russian market in our country has undergone considerable development but there is currently a lack of products aimed especially at it, the ministry of tourism as well as the tourist observatory of our country are making great efforts to generate products that satisfy and make Cuba is an area of great motivation for this market. The proposal of a Russian themed restaurant for the extra-hotel network of the Varadero tourist center is an initiative for the diversification of our offers aimed especially at the satisfaction of the Russian market.

Introduction

The economic development achieved in the 20th century has been characterized by the growth of the tertiary sector of the economy. Since the 1950s, tourism has increased worldwide, favored by the modernization of means of transport and communications in In general, this sector became one of the fastest growing in a large number of countries.

At the beginning of the 90s, Cuba was forced to redefine its development strategy, explicitly considering in the Economic Resolution approved by the V Congress of the PCC, the need to exploit those sectors capable of quickly generating fresh foreign exchange, which would serve based on the immediate support and further development of the entire economy.

The importance of tourism today, the accelerated growth in the demand for travel on a global scale and consequently in the supply of tourist services, constitutes an essential factor for our country in the search for initiatives for the diversification of our product, both in In the academic and political spheres, this issue has become very important responding to the needs and motivations of our visitors, based on a sustainable approach to the activity.

The development of tourism projects must consider, in addition to the economic benefits and the rational use of resources, the approach to new trends in order to compete in the Caribbean area.

Within the document issued at the VI Congress of the Party is guideline No. 260, which summarizes the above.

260. Create, diversify and consolidate in an accelerated manner complementary services and offers to accommodation that distinguish the country, prioritizing the development of the modalities: health tourism, marine and nautical, golf and real estate, adventure and nature tourism, theme parks, cruising, history, culture and heritage, conventions, congresses, fairs, among others.

According to statistics provided by the UNWTO, the American continent is the second most visited tourist destination after Europe, with a total of almost 200 million arrivals.

In our country, tourism can be classified as the most dynamic sector of the economy, it has emerged as the basic strategy to achieve economic development, it currently represents the main source of foreign exchange income and the fastest growing and largest sector potential of the economy, and it is estimated that this should be maintained. Among the main source markets of our country are Canada, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Latin America.

The Russian market was positioned years ago as the issuing market with the highest growth percentage in Cuba, everything seems to indicate that it will continue to increase in the coming years 2014.

The increase for 3 consecutive years of this market on our island is exultant, which is due to different actions, including the promotion carried out in the market, with external media, billboards, word of mouth promotion, presentations in public institutions, one more relationship close with tour operators and the recruitment of new ones, he pointed out. To this was added the increase in flight frequencies and the coordinated work of this office with all the actors in this scenario. At the moment Cuba has a greater number of departures with five weekly frequencies from Aeroflot to Havana, and from Transaero to Varadero, from Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

In addition to breaking Russian records, there were also growth in the markets of Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan.

The world of the hotel industry in its constant change to achieve diversity for a better position and sale within the competition has been developing the concept of products, enriching them and meeting the demands, tastes and preferences of the issuing markets and that is where they enter thematic tourist products, which become very diverse, such as theme bars, theme restaurants, theme parks that address and recreate concepts from cinema, country customs, literature, among others.

The present work is carried out taking into account the lack of thematic tourism products aimed at a developing and growing market such as the Russian market.

Problem to solve: Deficit of thematic bars that contribute to the strengthening of tourist offers that encourage the Russian tourist market

General objective

Propose essential elements for the design of a Russian themed Bar in the tourist destination of Varadero.

Specific objectives

Characterize the socio-psychological profile of the Russian issuing market Explain the main elements to take into account in the design of a thematic bar.

The dissertation is structured as follows.

Chapter I. Generalities of tourism in Cuba and tourist products by themes, and a Chapter II where the socio-psychological profile of the Russian issuing market and the proposal for a Russian themed bar product design are analyzed.

The results of this research, as well as any information in this regard, is valuable for contributing to the diversification of the Cuban tourism product and promoting more tempting proposals for the Russian market.

Chapter: I General

1.1- Characterization of tourism in Cuba

Tourism activity is one of the first with which the association with foreign capitals in the Cuban economy begins. In 1987 the Grupo Corporativo Cubanacán SA was created, one of whose missions was to form this type of association. The sector's development organization process is strengthened with the creation of the Ministry of Tourism in 1994 and the approval by the National Assembly of Law No. 77 of 1995 for Foreign Investment.

The Ministry of Tourism has the mission of designing and executing the tourist policy, in such a way, to direct its development process, achieving global competitiveness for this sector, guaranteeing its profitability and sustainability over time and its constant link with the elevation of the level and quality of life of the country's citizens.

As is known, there are no tourist activities by nature, but products that become tourist by their destination, in a general sense, companies and institutions related to accommodation services and other related entertainment services are accepted as the basic nucleus of these activities. to this type of demand, which are gathered around the MINTUR (governing body) called Tourist Chains, the main providers of services related to recreation and the enjoyment of free time, which include joint ventures and international economic association contracts.

A fundamental result achieved with the introduction of tourism in the Cuban economy is its impact on the increase in employment. It is already known that, on the one hand, tourism is an intensive sector in the use of the labor force and also with the possibility of reviving other sectors and providing jobs also indirectly.

Cuban tourist product

Below are the different Cuban tourism products, which are accompanied by a network of restaurants, travel agencies, carriers, nightclubs that accompany these products, allowing them to attract different market segments.

The classic sand, sun and sea, which in addition to being one of our natural advantages, is still attractive to achieve the greatest weight in the percentage of tourists (despite the new trends in this market that promote a slow distancing from standardized mass tourism). Among the places with the greatest attraction are: Varadero, which receives 20% of total tourism, located in the western area, Cayo Largo del Sur in the southwest of the country and Cayo Coco, located in the central area, Playa de Santa Lucia, the second coral reef in the world, in the province of Camagüey and Guardalavaca Beach, in the eastern part of the country. Culture, history and traditions, aimed at a segment with more information and that demands greater variety, quality and flexibility, accompanied by a more personalized approach.Main examples of this practice are in the field of culture, the Festival of New Latin American Cinema (annual), the International Guitar Festival, the International Book Fair, the "Boleros de Oro" Music Festival, the International Ballet Festival of Havana and the International Festival of Caribbean Culture «Carifesta». On the other hand, there are visits to the City of Havana, the main tourist destination in the country, which among other attractions has Old Havana a World Heritage Site, a rich cultural life, the center of numerous events, conferences, fairs and exhibitions, as well as beaches and multiple recreational options. Another important destination is Santiago de Cuba, second city in importance, historical, cultural and recreational center, with a varied and rich mountainous landscape.The cities of Trinidad, significant for its historical richness, and Cienfuegos, with beaches, museums, water sports and active cultural life, also receive numerous tourism. Scientific tourism, which includes the organization of events and conferences supported by a complex device that guarantees the most diverse details. In this sense, it is worth mentioning among the main events that have already been regularized: International Congress of Pedagogy, annually, Congress of Medicine, Tourism Convention and the International Event of Linguistics "Expolengua". Business, aimed at a more elitist segment of high prices and demanding high quality service.In this direction, it is worth mentioning the International Fair of Havana "FIHAV" which has already become a must for numerous businessmen from different latitudes. Health Tourism, having qualified human resources and a recognized international prestige in medical sciences, has allowed us to access this route, which is part, in addition to the financing strategy of our public health, to maintain the best possible level of care for our population and gives us a competitive advantage in the area. The main exponents of this tourist aspect is the Servimed Company belonging to the Grupo Corporativo Cubanacán SA, the Center for Neurological Restoration and the Center for Retinitis Pigmentosa and other medical institutions with recognized scientific endorsement at an international level.created a specialized group to promote the different offers of Cuban higher education centers, developing each year numerous summer courses on our different specialties and promoting the study of the Spanish language, these activities are not limited only to the capital, but are present in other universities in the country, which have interesting programs for undergraduate and graduate students from first world countries. Sports, Every year different tournaments and sports competitions are organized that increasingly gain more fans in the international market, such as the The case of the Ernest Hemingway Needle Tournament and the Giraldo Córdoba Cardín International Boxing Championship. Ecotourism, a series of destinations are promoted that take into account,that tourists are increasingly aware of the limits of social and environmental capacity and want to enjoy a new type of offer, as typical examples of this modality we can cite the Viñales Valley, the Sierra del Rosario, the Ciénaga de Zapata, Baconao Park, Cuchillas del Toa and the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, many of them a biosphere reserve.

1.2- Thematic tourist products. Generation of experiences

Catering, like other sectors of tourist activity, requires modern management to remain competitive and in a position to satisfy the customer. One of the great challenges of gastronomic restoration is the design of emotions and feelings that engages consumers with current products and services. For this reason, the generation of consumer experiences for customers has become key, and this can be achieved through the conceptualization of thematic tourism products such as thematic restaurants.

Through this Russian themed restaurant we want to ensure that consumers, through their experience, appeal to their perception and therefore, to their memory, taking into account their needs and expectations, creating a unique value offer proposals to retain customers, in addition to publicizing the Russian culinary culture or other clients who do not know it and are interested in it.

Essential elements in the design of a themed restaurant

The management of a thematic restaurant where the client lives and enjoys an unforgettable experience must include several elements, such as analyzing the world of the client's experience.

The possibility of identifying the main characteristics, their interests, opinions, attitudes and eating habits. Second, to thematize the experience, designing the brand experience, so that the restaurant becomes a clear and unique concept for customers, for this it is necessary to define the central axis, the expressed need. Example of brands The Hard Rock Café where the central axis is rock music as an experience, Others: Jamba Juices, a fun and healthy experience. I will kill you Ramírez, a theme restaurant that bets on the aphrodisiac food experience.

Another element is to build the platform of the themed restaurant based on the promise of experiential value by appealing to the 5 senses: taste, smell, sight, palate and hearing. Perceptions based on feeling and thought. This can be related to the design of the restaurant itself, the style, the setting, the colors, the graphic and communication elements. The use of lighting and colors, candles, music and smells create strong emotions such as: love, joy, sadness, euphoria, pride and humility that generate feelings and reflections in customers.

Do not forget that the experience that a thematic restaurant proposes to its clients has to be adapted to the elements of identity, gastronomic proposal, design and decoration, and above all else the quality of service. It is essential to know how to transmit a warm welcome to the client when we receive him, we speak to him, the attitude when serving him. You should avoid transferring negative messages that break with the concept you want to sell. In short, turning the visit into a memorable event is to make you remember it and want to go through it again. And that is exactly the key to success.

Themed restaurants have become popular in the world, both in industrialized and developing countries, because they attract large numbers of tourists, they are an opportunity to create environments that recreate topics of interest to visitors, and if it is directed A specific country contributes to its customs and habits being known, in addition to the fact that the visitor feels reflected within the region's tourist proposals.

Episode 2

2.1-Russian Tourism in Cuba

Historically, and especially since the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, the people of Russia and Cuba have maintained fraternal ties of brotherhood. The most critical moment in official relations between the two countries was due to the fall of the socialist camp and the decomposition of the USSR. However, for years the relations between the former socialist republics and Cuba have been increasing satisfactorily, particularly with Russia.

With an exchange that reached 363 million dollars last year, Russia is the tenth commercial partner of Cuba and also an important source of tourists to our island. Therefore, the Russian market is a priority for Cuba, which increases the number of visitors from Europe and Asia.

For some years now, Cuban tour operators, together with the office of the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba in Russia, have been developing strategies to attract a greater number of visitors. Likewise, activities and events have been carried out to promote tourist offers on the island, where contracts were signed with large tour operators of Aeroflot (Russia's largest national airline), which decided to work the Cuban market and weekly direct flights have been gradually increased since Moscow to Cuba.

To this should be added that in 2005, for being the best destination in the Caribbean, the Varadero resort received the "Star 2005" award from the Russian portal Travel.ru, during that year's Tourism Fair in Moscow.

In 2011, Cuba received a total of 213,881 Russian tourists. In the period from January to October 2012, a total of 320,523 visited the country, which represents a significant growth when comparing one year to another. Table 1 presents the values according to which the arrival of tourists from this origin has behaved. Only until the end of October did growth behave at 1.5%. Figures 1, 2 and 3 present a better visualization of the aforementioned aspects.

Issuing country R usia	Year 2011	Year 2012
January	26743	28679
February	15936	45284
March	15930	52433
April	18768	39169
May	17863	29294
June	18626	29369
July	18091	27715
August	22945	29123
September	14458	19696
October	14676	19761
November	14780
December	15065
total	213881	320523

Table 1. Behavior of Russian tourist arrivals during the years 2011 and 2012.

Representation of Russian visitors by months of the year.

Fig. 1. Representation of Russian visitors by months of the year.

Representation of Russian visitors in the years 2010, 2011.

Fig. 2. Representation of Russian visitors in the years 2010, 2011.

Representation of the% occupancy of Russian visitors. Comparison years 2010-2011.

Fig. 3. Representation of the% occupancy of Russian visitors. Comparison years 2010-2011.

Based on the foregoing, it is estimated that the number of Russian visitors to the country will continue to increase and it can be predicted that in the coming years there will be a significant growth of Russian visitors to Varadero, as this is the main tourist destination in Cuba. (esquijerroza 2011).

2.2- Sociopsychological profile of the Russian Market

Russian Federation

Russia (official name, Rossijskaja Federačija, Russian Federation), a republic that spans Eastern Europe and North Asia, established in December 1991, comprising 20 ethnically-based federated republics, 10 autonomous constituencies (okrugs) of ethnic base, 49 administrative regions (oblasts), one ethnic-based autonomous region, six administrative territories (krajs) and the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, which have federal rank.

In terms of geographical extension, it is the largest country in the world, with an area of 17,075,200 km², or what is the same, more than a ninth of the surface of the planet. From north to south, it spans more than 4,000 km from the southern border, along the Caucasus mountain range, to the Arctic islands in the Barents Sea. From east to west, the maximum distance is almost 10,000 km, measured from the western coast of the Baltic Sea to the island of Ratmanov (also known as Great Diomedes), in the Bering Strait.

The economic growth of Russia in 2011 (4%) together with the increase in oil exports, make Russia one of the most internationally consolidated emerging countries.

The year 2011 was characterized by the definitive entry of the large European tour operators into the Russian market. Intourist-Thomas Cook has a share of 11.6% being the leader; Oti Rossia is second (with brands such as Coral Travel or Blue Ski) with 10.2%; followed by Natalie Tours with 8.6%; TUI-VKO with 7.1%, Neva with 6.6%; and S7 Tour with 5.9%.

Source: http://www.gestiopolis.com/aproximacion-perfil-turistas-rusos-chinos-japoneses-visitan-cuba/. Author: MSc. Rosendo Bermúdez Prieto

Profile of the Russian tourist

They are tourists with more economic resources than the average of other European countries. They have a profile of medium to high economic level, so they have a high purchasing power. A population traveling abroad of 12.6 million, with great purchasing power. The presence of young people is increasing. In recent years the Russian tourist has set a trend, raise the category of hotels where they stay and expand the geography of their stay. Russian tourists often travel in search of the sun and beach product and choose to stay in hotel establishments and are large consumers of excursions. They prefer the average pension and show interest in the climate, the quality of the environment, the safety of the destination and shopping.He is a very demanding tourist, he likes to wonder where his money was spent,Therefore, the quality of the product will be very present. Although the arrivals of Russian travelers are very limited to Latin American countries, sun and beach destinations stand out in the region; especially the Dominican Republic and Cuba in the Caribbean. At the beginning of 2007, the number of Internet users was estimated at 23.7 million people, representing 16.5% of the population of Russia. Today Russia occupies the fourth position among the European countries with the largest number of Internet users. In September 2009, the number of users represented 32.32% of the population. In 2010, 42.8% of the Russian population were Internet users, which represents 12.6% of the European population and 3% of the world population. Only 10% of Russian tourists book online,Despite being the second European country with the highest number of Internet users, the Internet user profile is mostly male of adult age between 18 and 24 years old. They mainly use the Internet at home. 6% access it daily while 16% access it one or more times a week. Recommendations from family and friends are the preferred method of obtaining travel information among Russian Internet users, followed by Russian Internet users. Internet searches (59% and 37% respectively).followed by Internet searches (59% and 37% respectively).followed by Internet searches (59% and 37% respectively).

Other characteristics of those who visit Cuba

They like to drink a lot until they get drunk and some are very boisterous. Very few speak English, most speak only Russian, so they appreciate being spoken in their language. Generally they do not come with a guide or tour leader, they usually do not move in groups.The average stay at the destination is 14 days. Men shake hands strongly when greeting each other; on the contrary, women who do not live in cities and who do not practice a profession are usually less likely to do so. In privacy, with friends and family, she kisses on the cheeks. The greetings of the type Zdravstvuyte (Hello), Dobry dien (Good morning), Privet (a colloquial "Hello") and the question Kak de la? (How are you?), Used in informal situations. Russians respond to the latter carefully, as not getting a lengthy response is considered impolite.Titles and last names are used in formal meetings. However, nicknames are used between friends, relatives or peers. In Russia close friends and family often make unannounced visits and spend their time chatting around the kitchen table. With new friends there is more formality. Russians take off their shoes when entering houses. The hosts offer refreshments, but it is not rude to refuse them. It is common for guests to give their hosts flowers, food or vodka. The favorite sport is soccer, although others, especially winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey and cross-country skiing, are also popular.In Russia close friends and family often make unannounced visits and spend their time chatting around the kitchen table. With new friends there is more formality. Russians take off their shoes when entering houses. The hosts offer refreshments, but it is not rude to refuse them. It is common for guests to give their hosts flowers, food or vodka. The favorite sport is soccer, although others, especially winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey and cross-country skiing, are also popular.In Russia close friends and family often make unannounced visits and spend their time chatting around the kitchen table. With new friends there is more formality. Russians take off their shoes when entering houses. The hosts offer refreshments, but it is not rude to refuse them. It is common for guests to give their hosts flowers, food or vodka. The favorite sport is soccer, although others, especially winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey and cross-country skiing, are also popular.It is common for guests to give their hosts flowers, food or vodka. The favorite sport is soccer, although others, especially winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey and cross-country skiing, are also popular.It is common for guests to give their hosts flowers, food or vodka. The favorite sport is soccer, although others, especially winter sports, such as skating and ice hockey and cross-country skiing, are also popular.

The Latin American destinations preferred by Russians are, in this order, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela, the number of Russian tourists traveling to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia is also significant.

Of the Central American countries, Costa Rica is the most popular, followed by Panama and Guatemala. It is important to highlight that during the current year there have been some very notable increases in all of them.

For Russians, visas are still one of the most important factors when choosing a destination, our country as it is already known does not require any visa procedures for Russian tourists, which has had a positive impact on the growth of this market to the island.

Tourist Observatory of the Community of Valencia. Report of the Russian issuing market, March 2013.06.09.

Indispensable elements for the design of a Russian restaurant.

Eating habits and customs

Russian cuisine derives from an innumerable wealth of dishes, due firstly to the multicultural character and secondly to the vast geographical extension of the country. Its gastronomic foundations are based on the peasant food of rural populations located in places characterized by an extremely cold climate. In this gastronomy there is an abundance of fish (generally smoked), poultry, fallow deer, mushrooms, berries and honey. Abundant flakes of rye, wheat, barley and millet, all of them widely used in an abundant variety of breads, crepes, cereals, kvass, beer, and the very famous vodka. There are many different forms of soups and stews with different aromas and flavors, all of them made with meat and fish. In the gastronomy of Russia there are elements of French cuisine,as well as the countries of the former Russian Empire and other peoples of Russia.

The dishes of typical Russian cuisine are very rich, but they also have quite a few calories, because in winter more energy is needed (that is why soups are very popular). They resemble dishes from Scandinavia and dishes from other Slavic and nearby countries. You will find many places in the city to try Russian cuisine, accessible to any budget, from inexpensive “bistros”, Russian fast food places and “blinis” (crepes) places to expensive and exclusive restaurants.

The most typical and recommended Russian specialties are:

The most typical soup is Schi (Щи), made of potato, cabbage (which can be replaced by sauerkraut or sorrel) and meat. The typical Ukrainian soup, called Borsch (Борщ) is similar to Schi with the main difference being beets, and it is very popular in Russia. Also no less popular is the Solianka soup or the Ujá (fish soup). In Russia, unlike Spain where hot soups are eaten in winter, soups are eaten all year round. In summer cold soups are added ("Cold Borsch", "Okroshka"). In Russian households, it is considered healthy to eat soup every day as the first course of the meal.

Also, as a starter you can find many salads. «Russian salad» in Russia exists as «Olivié salad», and it is very popular and traditional, it is considered to be an invention of a French chef with this name. This salad is somewhat similar to what is known as "Russian salad", but has different ingredients (potato, peas and mayonnaise coincide). Olivié cannot be missed at any Russian party, especially it is typical to eat it on New Year's Eve.

Another well-known salad called "Herring under the coat" is made with herring covered with potatoes, beets, carrots (all cooked vegetables), egg, mayonnaise.

As a second course, different meat dishes are offered, for example Stroganoff, or Shashlik (skewers), different fillets and stuffed meat, chicken (a la Kiev). You will also find fish (salmon, trout, sturgeon, cod).

Another traditional dish of Russian food is called "pelmeni" and it resembles "ravioli", which are eaten with "smetana", butter or ketchup. It is a dish of Siberian origin, since Siberia may have come from China. The other version of «pelmeni» is «varéniki» - they are larger and with other fillings: potato, cabbage, sweet cottage cheese, cherries. Another quite popular dish that you may find is "golubzí" (cabbage leaves stuffed with meat with rice).

A lot of potatoes are eaten from vegetables and as a garnish in Russia, prepared in different ways (boiled, fried, mashed, etc.). Sour cream - "smetana" is added to many dishes (soups, salads, potatoes) when serving, which is a very typical Russian thing.

There is a great variety and tradition of eating dairy products, many of these Russian products are not known in other countries. In stores you can buy many kinds of cottage cheese «tórog», «kefir» - a drink similar to yogurt. I recommend you to try "Sirok v shokolade" - a sweet and thin dough of cottage cheese, dipped in chocolate, there are varieties of this with almonds, jam inside. It is sold in food stores and is very cheap (0.2 Euro). This product is loved by children.

Also, dough dishes are very popular, for example, empanadas. Pirozhkí and Pirogí (dumplings and empanadas) are the best in Russian cuisine, when they are well done, of course. The patties can be stuffed with cabbage, meat, fish, potatoes, lemon, jam, cottage cheese, apricots and other things. There are also «Pirozhkí» - dumplings with different fillings, there are many kinds of them and «Vatrushka» (a round, open dumpling made with sweet cottage cheese («tvórog» in Russian) or jam. There are many kinds of pastries for tea, cakes and pastries To try these Russian cuisine specialties, it is not necessary to go to a restaurant or cafe, they are sold in shops or in many kiosks and are very cheap.

The famous "Blini" (crepes) are very popular in St. Petersburg, it can be said that they are an alternative to hamburgers and sandwiches in other countries. Blini is a very traditional and old Russian folk dish, it is related to many popular traditions and festivals. There are many places, called "Blínnaya" (creperie) where this dish is a specialty. The blinis are served with butter, smetana (sour cream), jam, honey, red and black caviar or with different fillings, with meat, chicken, sweet ham, cheese, potato, mushrooms, cottage cheese (sweet), apple, strawberry, or mixes of various ingredients. These blinis places are very popular with the inhabitants of Saint Petersburg.

Russian caviar: there are 2 types of caviar: red (from salmon) and black (from beluga, sturgeon, sevruga - comes from the Caspian Sea). Of the black caviar, the most valuable is beluga (blue can), and it is also the most expensive, you can try it only in luxury restaurants, or buy in cans in some stores. Red caviar is inexpensive and dishes with it are served in many places. Usually, they are the "blinis" with caviar. At home, the most popular Russian way to eat caviar is to put it on top of a thin slice of white bread, with butter, or with blinis. They also sometimes put it on top of a boiled egg, cut in half. How and where in St. Petersburg you can buy caviar in cans, you can read on the shopping page in St. Petersburg.

Russian bread: there are several types, the most typical is black bread - (cherny jleb), made from rye flour, there are many types of this bread and it is very healthy, it has few calories. There is also regular bread called "bely jleb" white bread.

In Russia there is a great tradition of preserving at home in summer, of fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Compotes and jams are made from fruits and berries or berries - strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and others. In some houses there may be entire cabinets of these preserves and people share the recipes and tricks of their preparation.

The traditional drinks in Russia are tea, which is drunk at any time of the day, it is usually black tea with sugar and lemon, but without milk, always hot. Lately, green tea, fruit tea, etc. are also in fashion. There is a whole tradition of drinking tea (this ritual is called Chaepítie and the same tea is called Chai in Russian). Tea is usually accompanied with all kinds of sweets, pastries, dumplings, chocolates. If you are invited to "Chaepitie," it is customary to bring something to accompany the banquet. In general, Russians have a sweet tooth (much more than, for example, Spaniards) and they eat a lot of sweets, pastries, chocolate.

Other popular drinks are beer (the most famous is "Baltic"), vodka, there are also good Georgian wines, many are quite sweet (in general, Russians like sweet wines). Cheap Crimean and Moldavian wines are also sold, but these wines are often of very poor quality. For your curiosity, you can visit any food store in St. Petersburg, and you will see 50-80 brands of vodka (they say the best vodka is «Russki Standart», also «Sankt-Peterburg» and others from the local factory, which is called «LIVIZ», you can also ask the seller for advice if you can understand him), and 20-40 kinds of beer. Cheap vodka is not of good quality and it is better not to buy it, even though the bottle may be very pretty. Imported wines are generally a few times more expensive than in their country of origin.The old traditional non-alcoholic drink is Kvas, but nowadays it is not as popular as before, due to the arrival of Coca-Cola type soft drinks, but it is also possible to find Kvas in stores or restaurants. By the way, soft drinks are usually served without ice, if you want it, order it separately.

The Russian way of drinking vodka is: 1). Vodka never mixes with other beverages. two). No ice is put in, the bottle cools the whole. 3). Vodka is not drunk before or after eating, but is accompanied by "zakuski" - hors d'oeuvres. 4). Many toasts are given (in Russian - "tost"), the most famous being "Nazdoróvie" (Cheers!).

Almost all original Russian drinks are not present in other national cultures. Such are sbiten ', kvass, medok, mors, kisel' (gelatinous sweet drink), kompot, ice with fermented raisins, and boiled cabbage juice. Some of these drinks are no longer frequent.

The most complete of Russian meals:

1. First course - hors d'oeuvres ("zakuski"), which can be of all kinds (salads, hot or cold dishes), or a hot soup, or, in summer, it can be cold. It can also be these two dishes (hors d'oeuvres and soup). 2. Main course - a hot and strong dish, for example meat or chicken with garnish. 3. Coffee or tea always along with dessert. Russians do not have a separate dessert and then a coffee or tea, these are always taken together (without the dessert it is not an ice cream, of course), this is the difference with European customs, where you have a dessert first and then the drink. Russians are used to accompanying dessert with tea and tea with something sweet. The tea is taken from large cups and can be several cups.

This does not mean that all people have this order of food (which is a lot). Most people who eat at home will start straight with a soup and then eat a second course, or they will only eat 1 large plate. Therefore, food at home differs from food in restaurants and cafes

Russian superstitions

Russians are quite superstitious and that is why there are many "strange" traditions and rituals for a foreigner that are necessary to know when training the personnel who will work with this market so that they do not make any mistake that may cause discomfort. Among the most popular superstitions are

Step on the foot. If one accidentally steps on someone's foot, another person must also step on the foot of the one who has stepped on, weakly. If you don't, it is thought that these people will argue. It is a very typical superstition.

Going back is a bad omen. If you leave home, and remember that you have forgotten something, you should not return, this will bring bad luck. But if you want to go back at all costs, you have to look at yourself in the mirror at home, before you go out again. This tradition is very common. Greetings. It is not possible to greet or say goodbye with the hand when 2 people are located between the frame of a door, that is, one inside and the other in the corridor. You cannot pass money directly from hand to hand, to have money in the future. You have to put it somewhere and the other person will take it from there. By the way, in Russian stores in the boxes there is a special saucer to put the money and the cashier picks it up from the saucer and also puts the change in. You cannot whistle inside the house or a closed place, because if this is done There will be no money in this house, at meetings or mealsa girl doesn't have to sit on the corner of a table. Otherwise, you will not marry for 7 years. Spilled salt will cause a scandal in the family. This tradition comes from very ancient times, when salt was very scarce and expensive and its spillage for peasant families meant a financial blow. If a woman has put too much salt cooking a dish - she is in love. If the dishes break - bring luck and therefore applaud. If you have hiccups - someone is remembering you. You cannot leave empty bottles on the table At a meal, when a bottle runs out, it is immediately removed from the table. A black cat crosses the path - a very bad omen, if you are explaining that someone else has had a trauma (for example, a broken arm), you do not have to teach it about your own body,so that this does not happen to him. If you happen to do it, others will tell you: don't teach it about yourself! If one happens to find himself between two namesakes, he can make a wish. If one passes under a bridge the moment he is on top of this bridge A train passes, you can make a wish. Before making a long trip, to make it go well, everyone sits down for a moment (it is called "we sit before the road"). In other countries (Spain included) there is a superstition of that opening an umbrella inside the house (shop, office, closed place) brings bad luck, in Russia this superstition does not exist.If one passes under a bridge at the time a train passes over this bridge, one can make a wish. Before making a long journey, for it to go well, everyone sits down for a moment (it is called «we sit down before the road. ”) In other countries (Spain included) there is a superstition that opening an umbrella inside the house (shop, office, closed place) brings bad luck, in Russia this superstition does not exist.If one passes under a bridge the moment a train passes over the bridge, one can make a wish. Before making a long journey, for it to go well, everyone sits down for a moment (it is called «we sit before the road. ”) In other countries (Spain included) there is a superstition that opening an umbrella inside the house (shop, office, closed place) brings bad luck, in Russia this superstition does not exist.