Here’s the problem for every expat: you look for Moscow’s silence in the parks, but you find it at 7:00 AM, in the granite belly of the Metro. This isn’t the silence of peace. This is the quiet before the battle. The real Moscow magic is knowing when The City pauses. Read why, on an early Saturday morning, the main transport hub becomes the best place for introverts, philosophers, and those who appreciate a damn good cup of strong coffee.
I love watching foreigners in the Moscow metro or in a cafe. They smile at the cashier and get an icy stare in return. They say “thank you” for the fifth time and are met with suspicion. As a sideline observer, I’ll explain why your Western politeness doesn’t work here. Here are 10 gestures that are normal in Toronto but are seen as naive or even provocative in Moscow
Dating in Moscow is not a waltz—it’s a sparring match. I come to start a story, and I get a demand for an oyster voucher. A new post on how to distinguish honesty from cynicism and why paying the bill is your biggest lesson.