What topics are considered safe for informal chats with Russians
Safe topics for informal chats with Russians generally include travel, books and films, weather, light family talk, and cultural interests such as art and sports. Russians appreciate meaningful conversations rather than small talk, so showing genuine interest with specific questions about these subjects is welcomed. Avoid topics like politics, religion, personal finances, and intrusive questions about personal problems or therapy, as these are considered private or sensitive. Humor in conversation is often dry, ironic, or dark, and Russians value authenticity over forced cheerfulness. Talking about shared experiences like weather or sports can also help warm up a conversation.
Specifically, good subjects to bring up are:
- Travel experiences, especially within Russia or places visited.
- Books, films, and cultural topics.
- Weather, particularly seasonal changes.
- Family, but only lightly and without prying.
- Sports teams and hobbies.
- Work or studies in a casual way.
Topics to avoid include:
- Money and salaries.
- Politics and controversial current events.
- Religion.
- Personal or emotional problems.
- Excessive compliments or superficial chatter.
Starting with polite introductions and then leading naturally into these safer topics is recommended. Russians tend to skip small talk as seen in Western cultures and prefer conversations to have depth and sincerity.
This guidance is based on Russian cultural norms around informal conversations as of 2025. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6