Quick answer
Superstitions matter for learners because they come with fixed phrases. If you know присе́сть на доро́жку and тьфу-тьфу-тьфу, you will understand moments that otherwise look baffling.
Before a journey
Warding off bad luck
Things you do not do
The ones you will actually meet
Someone will announce Дава́йте прися́дем на доро́жку and everybody sits down in silence for a few seconds before leaving. Praise a child’s health and the parent will say тьфу-тьфу-тьфу. Whistle in a kitchen and you will be told to stop.
If you forget something
Going back for a forgotten item is thought to spoil the trip. The fix is to look in a mirror before you leave again — which is why Russian hallways have one.
Typical mistakes
Treating these as jokes.
Playing along costs nothing.
Many people who call themselves unsuperstitious still do them. Sitting down for three seconds is the easy option.
Shaking hands across a doorway.
Step inside or out first.
Greeting over a threshold is considered bad luck, and people will visibly pull their hand back.
Check yourself
What happens when someone says Прися́дем на доро́жку?