Funny Feet -- Don't be alarmed if a Russian museum employee stops you at the entrance and makes you put on plastic or felt slippers. Many Russian museums, especially "house museums" or those installed in former palaces, require visitors to cover their shoes to protect wood floors from soggy street shoes. The free slippers (called bakhili) are stored in bins near the coat check, and evoke giggles from most first-time wearers. Tread carefully at first, since some are slippery. Russian visitors don't blink at this practice, since they all keep shoes-free homes, shedding footwear (especially slush-coated winter boots) at the door in favor of house slippers.
