(no subject)

[padruka1988.livejournal.com]

So I've recently started attending an Orthodox church in our city... It's Greek Orthodox, but because it's the only Orthodox church in our city, there are members from Russia and Ukraine (as well as other countries where Orthodoxy is one of the more common faiths). Anyway, there is a very nice lady (maybe about 60 years old) who is Ukrainian, and she talks to me in the best English that she can. After a bad experience, I'm afraid to ask someone if they speak Russian... And though I know for certain she speaks Russian... I'm afraid to bust out with, "Здрасте :)))" or "Доброе утро!"...

My bad experience = I was at a shop one time when I heard a family speaking in Russian (they were young parents + small child). I said something like, "Вы из России?" in a very nice, friendly way... But also in a very quiet, shy way. The man turned bright red and said in rather good English, "Yes, I suppose you were listening to everything we said?" And I just said, "Oh, no, I'm just studying Russian and I get excited when I hear other people speaking it. ::insert friendly smile::" And he said in a, what I understood as, rather sarcastic tone, "Well, good for you." There have been several instances where I've said, "Вы из России?" to someone, and they are absolutely flattered that an American actually can speak a second language... And we go on to exchange phone numbers and chat in Russian.

Is it offensive to ask someone this? I don't really see why it would be!

Anyway, so when I do get up the courage to speak with her in my quite imperfect Russian... What would be some appropriate "churchy" greetings in Russian? Any phrases for like, "Happy [insert her saint's name] Day!" or any other congratulatory phrases for holidays, feasts, etc... Are much appreciated.

Another similar question to the story listed above... My boyfriend and his family are Russian, and I typically speak to his parents only in Russian ("speak" as hi, how are you, etc...). His mom speaks very, very, very little English... But his stepdad is fluent in English. I speak to him in Russian out of habit... But do you think this would be considered rude? As in, "You can't speak English so let me talk to you in your native language." If someone knew I spoke English and only spoke to me in English (this would happen in a Russian-speaking country), I would be upset because I want to learn Russian and I would feel like they think my Russian isn't adequate enough. OR am I just over-analyzing?