One of the most prominent
Russian traditions is hard drinking. It
does not mean they all are alcoholics; Russians
are just drinking more alcohol when they
are drinking.
It's applicable more in particular to men
though women also drink much more than it's
accepted on the West. Drinking a bottle
of vodka for three, or a bottle of vine
for each is normal and is not considered
as excessive. Refusing to drink as much
as the rest of the company is considered
as disrespect. The favorite men's drink
is Russian vodka, the favorite women's drink
is Soviet Champagne - a decent Russian sparkling
vine. Russians have poor taste in vines
and prefer sweet vines.
Drinking until one falls is all right. The
parties usually take place in private apartments,
and majority of the guests stay to sleep
overnight occupying all free space on coaches
and the floor. The next morning the party
may continue. Hangover, named in Russian
"pokhmel'ie", is supposed to be
cured by drinking a small amount of alcohol
("opokhmelitsya"). It does provide
some relief but thereafter people usually
can't stop. Small shops on the streets (kiosks)
selling mostly alcohol and chocolate, work
24 hours 7 days a week, and the party can
get extra drinks any time if they think
they did not have enough.
A Russian joke:
(The diary of a foreigner working in Russia)
Friday.
Was drinking with Russians. I think I'd
better die.
Saturday.
In the morning came Russians, and said we
should "opokhmelitsya". I'd better
die yesterday...
Russian drinking traditions are very much
a cultural thing, and the person who drinks
and does not become drunk is always respected.
It's called "he can drink". The
more you drink and don't fall down drunk,
the more your friends will respect you.
Many business deals are solved while drinking
together, it's probably one more reason
why women don't succeed in making careers.
Drinking alone is considered as being an
alcoholic, drinking in company is encouraged.
Russians do not drink without a reason.
It does not mean that they do not drink
just when they want, it means that every
time they want to drink they bring up a
reason. It can be anything - from buying
a new thing (in this case they call it "obmyt"
- in literal translation "to wash"
the new thing) to celebrating the weekend.
The process of drinking is specific. The
glasses of all company members must be full,
then somebody should propose a "toast"
- what for the company is going to drink
this drink. "Toasts" can vary
from trivial "Na zdorovie" or
"Budem zdorovy" ("For our
health") to any other wish or somebody's
desire: "Za udachu" ("For
good luck"), "Na dorozhku"
(before leaving - "For the way"),
"Daj Bog ne v poslednij raz" ("Hopefully
it's not the last time when we drink, with
God's help") etc. After the toast people
clink their glasses with each other and
drink their drinks. Everybody must finish
his drink, otherwise it means that he does
not support the toast. The next toast follows
in 5-10 minutes.
