In this podcast, I talk about the following differences in Restaurant etiquette between the UK and Kazakhstan.:

• How we address waiters

• How we enter restaurants and sit down

• How do we consider "salad"?

• How often people eat at restaurants.

Oh, and it isn't mentioned... but tipping is not standard in Central Asia. Small tips are accepted, but large tips are not expected and sometimes can be considered confusing. Of course, it can depend on restaurant to restaurant, but generally tipping is not expected!

Useful key words for this podcast: 

вежливо - respectfully

грубо - rudely

общение - communication

есть/поесть - to eat (я ем, ты ешь, он(а) ест, мы едим, вы едите, они едят)

заходить/зайти - to enter (a building or vehicle) and walk towards a seat

садиться/сесть - to settle / to sit down [note that the imperfective is reflexive, the perfective is not!]

гарнир - a side dish

основное блюдо - a main dish

брать/взять с собой - to take away food (UK), to take out food (US)

чаще - more often

реже - more rarely

по особому случаю - for special occasions.

What does it really mean to be a good guest?

In this video, we talk about guest etiquette and everyday customs around visiting friends — and how expectations can be very different depending on the culture.

You’ll learn what is expected when you come over to someone’s place, whether bringing a gift is mandatory or just polite, and why small gestures can be a sign of friendship. We also compare traditions in Central Asia and the UK, including food, drinks, and what hosts usually prepare for their guests.

This video is designed for A1–A2 learners of Russian and focuses on practical, real-life situations you’ll actually encounter. Vocabulary is explained clearly so you can feel more confident and avoid awkward moments — or disappointment!

Key Vocabulary (Russian → English)

разочирование — disappointment

обязательно — mandatory

закуска — snack

взамен — likewise

заметен — noticed

непьющий — non-drinker

хоть бы — at least

приходить в гости — to come over to someone’s place

ожидать — to expect

обычай — custom

признак — a sign (of)

дружба — friendship

ценить — to value

полноценный — full

главный — important

In this episode, we look at food differences in Kazakhstan and the UK - focusing on meat. It’s a big topic, so we focus on the key differences that actually affect daily life, shopping habits, and social expectations.

In Kazakhstan, meat is very popular. Pork is the exception. You can find it, but you may need to search for specific shops. Why is pork not widely eaten? Pause and think about it before listening to the answer. We talk about chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, duck, and of course horse meat. Horse meat is considered a delicacy in Kazakhstan and is central to the national dish beshbarmak. In Kazakh, it’s called қазы.

In the UK, pork is common, especially as bacon or sausages. Minced meat is popular in both countries, usually beef or lamb. Lamb itself is one of the more interesting contrasts. Price perception works differently, and that shapes everyday cuisine more than people expect.

We also explore vegetarianism and veganism. In the UK, there are quite a lot of vegetarians and vegans, and supermarkets usually offer defined plant-based sections. In Kazakhstan, vegetarianism exists but is less widespread, especially outside of large cities.

Finally, halal meat. In Kazakhstan, where there are many Muslims, halal products are widely distributed and clearly labelled. In the UK, halal meat is available, particularly in bigger cities, but you often need to search for certain shops or restaurants.

If you’re preparing to live abroad and want to feel more confident navigating everyday differences like this, this podcast is for you.

различие – difference/distinction

свинина – pork

специальный – special

популярен/на – popular

конина – horse (meat)

колбас(ка) – sausage

фарш – minced/ground meat

дорогой – expensive/dear

дешевле – cheaper

стоит [гл.] – it is worth [verb]

довольно много – quite a lot of

молочные продукты – dairy

распространён/ена – distributed

кухня – cuisine (and kitchen)

вне – outside of [+ gen.]

халяль – halal

мусульманин – a muslim

• много мусульман – many muslims

искать – to search for

определённый – defined/certain

многие [м.ч.] – many people [pl.]