Drinking in Russia. Insight info.

[Belvis]

The negative attitude for alcohol drinking is a huge plus in the eyes of RW. Nevertheless you may found youself at a family celebration or holiday feast in company of RM (in Russia). I'll give some subjective insight towards drinking mentality in Russia (or Ukraine).

It seems the RM affection for drinking has ancient roots. When russian king Vladimir decided in 986 to establish state religion over his paganish people the main choice was between Islam and Christianity. Islam (no wine, no pork) was rejected because according Primary Chronicle king Vladimir said: "We can't live without drinking."

Anecdote: A man in russian drunken company has fallen under a table. After he get conscious and open eyes his companions ask him:
- Wanna drink more?
- Hell, NOT!
- Will you?
- Of course, I will!

I'll sketch the general attitude to beverages at celebration events:
1. Beer - out of review. Too vulgar drink at celebrations.
2. Champagne - usually one bottle spent at the beginning. RM tolerate it to demonstrate gallantry to their women. However many of them believe champagne is a kind of coca-cola mixed with alcohol.
3. Wine - for women. If RM drink only wine he is a wine connoisseur, for sure. Or something wrong with him (decadent, gay, mortally sick?).
4. Cognac, brandy, seasoned whisky, rum - for aesthetes. These guys want to show how clever they are, or that they have good income. Nevetheless the number of such suspicious persons is growing up as more and more RM begin to learn this taste.
5. Vodka - still a king. Though there are many trademarks RM specify only two sorts of vodka: good and rubbish. Criterion for good vodka is simple: no headache  the next morning. RM may dislike vodka outside Russia, because this drink requires good friends or relatives around to talk about global problems, discuss intimate things and whatever the soul requires.

Anecdote: After a crash an American, a French guy and a Russian have saved themselves at a desert island. They've found there only a box with whisky bottles. So they start drinking in hope for better future. After the box was near-empty one bottle turned out to be a genie trap. As soon as the genie was out of the bottle he asked the men to fulfil any of their wishes. The American wanted a bag with 10 million bucks and get back home... Done it... The French wanted the Miss World winner become crazy about him and meet her at his home... Done it... The Russian feels so lonely and says to the genie: "Fine, just fine. We were drinking a lot, and not even talk. Get them back."

Etiquette. One can be sober as an ice and play it safe. Little more risky way will advance you in relationship with RW. First, warn your gal that you are set off for breaking language barriers with her relatives. Then, you can afford a few shots of vodka. You better know your limits, just keep them. Choice of vodka will pleased RM, now they respect you as kind of tough guy. Between shots you must talk with sincere face about everything you would not dare otherwise. Actually, nobody really cares after 3-d toast what you're talking about. Impression is what is valued.   So if you behave as a gentleman even in slightly drunk condition you are a trustworthy person, and your sincerity is out of questions.

[steste1122]

Good stuff, but that about for meals? I prefer a dark/brown beer or maybe some white wine if the meal calls for it.

[Misha]

What, no samagon?!?

[OlgaH]

It seems the RM affection for drinking has ancient roots. When russian king Vladimir decided in 986 to establish state religion over his paganish people the main choice was between Islam and Christianity. Islam (no wine, no pork) was rejected because according Primary Chronicle king Vladimir said: "We can't live without drinking."

According to the Primary Chronicle Vladimir had a choice between Islam (Muhammadan Bulgarians), Catholicism (ambassadors of Roman Catholic  Pope), Judaism (Khazar Jews) and Greek Orthodoxy (Greek philosophers)

3 years before the ambassadors of different religions Vladimir ordered to kill a Greek Orthodox philosopher and his son, when the philosopher refused to sacrifice his son to Pagan wooden idols when the lot fell to his son.

According to the Primary Chronicle Vladimir was a bloody thirsty and lascivious Pagan who liked to drink too before his baptizing 

According to the monk Iakov Chernorizets who wrote "Memories and praise to prince Vladimir, how Vladimir baptized himself, his children and all Russian land, and how his grandmother Olga was baptized before Vladimir" and  "Life of prince Vladimir",  Vladimir chose Greek Orthodoxy because he wanted to marry Anna, a sister of Byzantine emperors Basil the Porphyrogenitus Basil II) and  Constantine VII. It was also mentioned in the Primary Chronicle later.

Works of Monk Iakov are earlier sources than the Primary Chronicle.

Below is a painting by Ivan Eggink (1822) "Prince Vladimir chooses a new religion"

A Greek Orthodox philosopher shows a picture of the Judgment day and says "If you want to be with the righteous men, get yourself baptized"

[TwoBitBandit]

What, no samagon?!?

Lol, I've drank samogon multiple times.  I didn't want the Russians to think I was some kind of Californian wuss who only drinks light beer.  It isn't that bad.