Things to Avoid
1. Tap Water
It is best to avoid the tap water here. Although the authorities claim it is safe, the pipes that carry it are old. It would be better to stick to bottled water, which is widely available. The tap water is fine for showers.
2. Over-drinking
Russians are famed for their drinking and usually drink their vodka straight, in a single gulp. If you decide to get into a drinking session with the locals, follow their example and take a bite to eat after each shot to soak up the alcohol – failure to do so can have dreadful consequences.
3. Getting into Taxis with Extra Passengers
When stopping a private car, make sure that there are no other passengers in it. Some gangs of robbers drive around the city, posing as chastniki. Make sure that the back seat is empty before getting into a car.
4. Gangs of Beggars
Gangs of beggars roam the main tourist areas. Many of them, usually children, can be very difficult to shake off if you give them money. The best thing, unfortunately, is just to ignore them. If you really want to hand over some cash, make absolutely sure they are alone.
5. Getting Stranded Due to Raised Bridges
During the summer, the city’s many bridges are raised between 2–5am to allow ships to pass. This can lead to problems. It is easy to get stranded coming home late at night, particularly if you are staying on the outskirts of the city. Consult the website for details.
www.razvodkamostov.ru
6. Police “Spot-checks”
The police supplement their meagre salaries by stopping passersby, demanding to see passports and registration documents. They often claim there is some “irregularity” – one that is usually non-existent – and demand payment of an on-the-spot fine, but no receipts are offered. If you are sure there is nothing wrong with your documents and do not want to pay $10–20, simply refuse and they will, eventually, go away. Of course, this works better if you speak Russian confidently.
7. Skinheads
The city has a reputation as the centre of right-wing extremism in Russia. Skinhead gangs have been known to attack non-caucasian residents and visitors. To avoid any such incident, it is best not to linger at the metro at night and to be aware of your surroundings at all times. That said, however, the threat is exaggerated by the media and there is little point in getting unduly paranoid.
8. The “Dropped Wallet” Scam
One of the most popular cons starts with a wallet being dropped. When a helpful tourist picks it up, the person who dropped it, at first grateful, then accuses the tourist of having lifted some cash. The rest varies, almost always ending with the tourist out of pocket. Avoid dropped wallets like the plague!
9. Fake Soviet Memorabilia
The demand for Soviet memorabilia far outstrips the supply and many of the goods will have been produced especially for the tourist market.
10. “Bad” Vodka
Cheap, even poisonous, vodka has been a problem in Russia ever since Mikhail Gorbachev’s “dry law” saw Russians mass-produce bootleg alcohol. There are many deaths every year due to drinking “bad” vodka. As a rule, the more expensive the vodka is, and the more respectable the shop, the more likely a bottle is to be safe and genuine.
