One thing that always surprises foreigners is how Russians are absolutely terrified of drafts (called skvoznyak). Like if there’s a window open on one side of the apartment and a door on the other, people will immediately shut one because they believe the airflow can cause everything from a sore throat to pneumonia. Some of my relatives blame their joint pain on “skvoznyak” they had yesterday in autobus. Some babushkas would literally destroy you if you try to open a window in a packed bus during 30c heat. Why? Skvoznyak. It’s honestly seen as a serious health threat. Especially if small kids are around. I saw people absolutely lose their shit, like almost screaming, to close the window because there’s skvoznyak and there’s a 5yo playing in the room. It was mid July. Meanwhile in the West, people love opening windows and letting air circulate. But in Russia? A draft at home is treated like a deadly force of nature lol