Moving to a new country can turn your world upside down — and sometimes, you pick up habits you never thought you’d follow. Russian expat Anastasia Sharova, now living in India, recently shared an Instagram post listing 11 “strange” habits she adopted after moving here. Some are practical, some are quirky, and one in particular — eating fennel seeds or cardamom after every meal — has left people scratching their heads.
Anastasia’s list ranges from everyday customs to rural surprises. She now beeps (her vehicle) briefly before blind turns, removes shoes before entering small shops, and enjoys hair-oiling rituals with her family. She also smokes the house at 5 PM to ward off mosquitoes, always keeps a jar of pickle on the table, and moves her head slightly while saying “accha!”.
Her habits extend to drinking water without touching the bottle to her lips, folding hands instead of handshakes, and being vigilant about checking for frogs or snakes before stepping into shoes or bathrooms — a rural India reality she humorously notes city dwellers won’t relate to. She also follows the practice of giving and receiving money with the right hand only.
Anastasia explains that while these habits may seem strange to outsiders, they now feel perfectly logical to her. Living in India has reshaped her daily routines in ways that are practical, cultural, and sometimes a little surprising — especially the fennel and cardamom ritual that leaves everyone most amazed.
Internet reacts
Many readers found Anastasia Sharova’s post on Indian habits relatable and endearing. Some loved her mention of the subtle head movement while saying “accha,” calling it a sweet detail. Fans shared personal connections, with one expressing their fondness for Kerala and its people. Others recalled childhood habits, like checking shoes for frogs, and noted how such routines stick even years later. Several appreciated her approach to drinking water and considered namaskar a cleaner, more hygienic way to greet others compared to handshakes.
Anastasia’s list ranges from everyday customs to rural surprises. She now beeps (her vehicle) briefly before blind turns, removes shoes before entering small shops, and enjoys hair-oiling rituals with her family. She also smokes the house at 5 PM to ward off mosquitoes, always keeps a jar of pickle on the table, and moves her head slightly while saying “accha!”.
Her habits extend to drinking water without touching the bottle to her lips, folding hands instead of handshakes, and being vigilant about checking for frogs or snakes before stepping into shoes or bathrooms — a rural India reality she humorously notes city dwellers won’t relate to. She also follows the practice of giving and receiving money with the right hand only.
Anastasia explains that while these habits may seem strange to outsiders, they now feel perfectly logical to her. Living in India has reshaped her daily routines in ways that are practical, cultural, and sometimes a little surprising — especially the fennel and cardamom ritual that leaves everyone most amazed.
Internet reacts
Many readers found Anastasia Sharova’s post on Indian habits relatable and endearing. Some loved her mention of the subtle head movement while saying “accha,” calling it a sweet detail. Fans shared personal connections, with one expressing their fondness for Kerala and its people. Others recalled childhood habits, like checking shoes for frogs, and noted how such routines stick even years later. Several appreciated her approach to drinking water and considered namaskar a cleaner, more hygienic way to greet others compared to handshakes.
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