Russian gestures

“Dabr o pazh a luvut” “Welcome” How to do it: when shaking hands with or embracing someone, make sure you cross the threshold first. Doing so before you have entered the room is thought to bring bad luck. Illustration: Guardian Photograph: guardian.co.uk “Davai vyp’yem” “Let’s drink” How to do it: flick throat with index finger. Illustration: Guardian Photograph: Guardian “Zachem tak slozhnu?” “Why so complicated?” How to do it: reach behind head and scratch left ear with right hand or vice versa – means that something has been expressed backwards or has been made too complicated. Illustration: Guardian Photograph: guardian.co.uk “Syt(a) pa gorlo” “I’m full up” (male/female) How to do it: draw thumb across throat. Illustration: Guardian Photograph: guardian.co.uk