Sochi Etiquette Adviser: Don't Wear Coats Indoors–Even if Heat Doesn't Work

A travel expert who specializes in Eastern Europe and Russia says that it is bad etiquette to leave your coat on indoors in public areas in Sochi–even if the heat is not working. It’s considered “extremely rude” in Russia. 

Greg Tepper, who has “has spent more than 600 days in Russia in the past 11 years, speaks the language fluently, and has offices in Kiev, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Prague,” gave the “tip” to Conde Nast Traveler:

Don’t wear your coat indoors in public areas. “In Russia it’s considered extremely rude to leave your overcoat on indoors, so try as hard as you can to take it off and hang it up when inside, even if the heat is not working!”

Many arriving in Sochi this week complained that they had no heat in their rooms and hotels, and Americans in Sochi may not mind being looked at as “rude” Americans if they have to wear their coats indoors in hotels that lack sufficient heat.