In Russia, bread (Russian khleb) and salt (Russian sol') are not just food stuffs.  To the traditional view of Russians, bread is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, while salt protects human beings from hostile forces and influences.

In the past, Russians used to eat a piece of salted bread prior the main meal, which (reputedly) could bring good luck, and the greeting 'khleb-da-sol' (Russian for 'let bread and salt never leave your home') was commonly used by a guest when he entered a room and saw the hosts during a meal. Servicing a guest bread and salt helped to establish friendly relations, while refusing them was taken by hosts as an insult. The word 'khlebosolny', which is Russian for 'generous', or 'hospitable', is still used as regards people who like to receive guests and who know how to do it well.

Today, the traditional ceremony of meeting guests with bread and salt became a thing of the past, but it can be still watched during a folk show, or a welcome reception arranged for a group of foreign tourists. If you have an occasion to be welcomed by a show girl with an embroidered towel in her hands, and a loaf of bread and a saltcellar placed on the towel, then (even if you are on a diet and reduced your intake of table salt to nil!) tip off, salt and eat a small piece of bread, which will be appreciated by the locals!