Russian Vodka is one of the most famous symbols of the nation of Russia. You can’t miss it if you travel to the country. Russians may be slowly embracing new attitudes to wildlife conservation nowadays, but they haven’t shrugged off their traditional love for vodka. The Russian hospitality and vodka are inseparable. Every family in the village keeps one bottle of the local brew under the table.
Russian drinking lore dictates that you can just sip your drinks. Russians are expected to kill the shot in one, though foreigners can take a rain check if need be. Having alcohol must be a accompanied by a toast, which should be a witty compliment or a sincere wish for those around you. So charge your glasses, and get started…
Toast 1, “Za vstrechi!” It means “to our meet-up”. If everyone already knows each other, you can then skip this.
Toast 2, “Za zdorovie!” The phrase refers to “here’s to health!” It’s is a little bit dull. But if you are still beginers in learning Russian, it will do fine.
Toast 3, “Lyubov!” This is always to love. Usually it’s proposed by men to the ladies present, with suitable compliments on their beauty and charm. But the ladies can seize the initiative and make the toast if they wish.
Toast 4, from here on, things will be less formalized, and the best toasts are impromptu thoughts that arise out of the conversation. A popular toast could be “to our parents”. However, don’t chink glasses for this, if it’s a birthday party and the parents of the birthday girl or boy are no longer with us.
Toast 5, you’re on your own now. Anyone who missed the opportunities to make easy-to-say toasts earlier is now obliged to come up with something either poetic or witty, or both. Possible include whatever event that’s brought you together, such as “May it succeed and thrive” etc., or the generosity of the host, success for the national team in a forthcoming match, or anything the previous shots have inspired you to speak about.
Toast 6+, the last toast is always “passashok”, which means “one for the road”. In old Russia you’d drink this one at the doorway, accompanied by a kiss from the hostess.
Last hints: lay off politics or anything controversial or depressing.
Have fun drinking in Russia! You might feel your brain swoop on a rollercoaster ride in your head after sips.