Thread: выпим тут, может быть там не дадут

When I mentioned the problem of drinking vodka and moonshine in Russia with some Russians, I received quite strong reactions. I was accused of defaming Russians and frowned upon because of believing reporters who just want to vilify Russia. The people got quite angry, although my purpose was not to criticize at all. What's the problem here? Excess drinking is a problem in Russia, that's a fact, and Russians know it themselves. One of the subjects which should not be discussed with Russians?

I don't drink vodka, wine, cognac, anything stronger than beer.
I drink beer very rarely.
I drink cola, kvas, tea, juice.
Who am I?

выпьем тут, может быть, там не дадут

Originally Posted by paasikivi

When I mentioned the problem of drinking vodka and moonshine in Russia with some Russians, I received quite strong reactions. I was accused of defaming Russians and frowned upon because of believing reporters who just want to vilify Russia. The people got quite angry, although my purpose was not to criticize at all. What's the problem here? Excess drinking is a problem in Russia, that's a fact, and Russians know it themselves. One of the subjects which should not be discussed with Russians?

That is the problem of audience which you say it. You deal probably mainly with educated people who have not such problems and don't really understand what the hell do you worry about it. Especially because it is well known in Russia that Finnish people are anybody but abstainers themselves. Btw, is there still prohibition in Finland? Nevertheless, I have to admit, that the problem exist, and it is big, espacially in villages. But I am not sure, that it is all concern of foreigners.

PS. I personally drink red wine only.

Originally Posted by Guin

That is the problem of audience which you say it. You deal probably mainly with educated people who have not such problems and don't really understand what the hell do you worry about it. Especially because it is well known in Russia that Finnish people are anybody but abstainers themselves. Btw, is there still prohibition in Finland? Nevertheless, I have to admit, that the problem exist, and it is big, espacially in villages. But I am not sure, that it is all concern of foreigners.

I'm sure also educated people read papers and know the situation in their country even better than foreigners.

Finns drink quite a lot too, but of course that doesn't reduce the problem in Russia. The prohibition was ended in 1932 after a referendum.

Thanks for correcting me Olga!

I'm sure also educated people read papers and know the situation in their country even better than foreigners.

Russians aren't the worst drunkards in the world. I guess French are according to some studies I read a long ago. In the countryside, ok, yeah, I admit. And you know what? When Finns or Englishmen or Aussies or Americans come to us, they drink really HARD. They're very funny to look at. A fine-looking gentleman from the UK turns into something indescribable. Russians don't drink that much

in my girlfriends home town she said a lot of them drink samogon because its cheaper and apparently their recipes aren't so bad. still, whenever i hear samogon i just imagine some dirty bomsh completely wasted. although, down there alcoholism is massive, its like there's nothing to do but drink, its a shame really

Degtinė, Ei, mums patinka gerti degtinę! hehe
Vodka, Oh we like to drink vodka!

You guys are totally missing the point and it is due to culture differences. Here are a few points:

- Samogon is NOT moonshine in the Western sense. It is home-made vodka and can be much better than what you buy in the store. You go to a village, and every household has their own recipe and apparatus. There is nothing dirty about it.
- When Russians drink, they drink properly. They eat with every drink and that dilutes the effect of alcohol. Unless there is a good reason, the vast majority of the "drinkers" do not drink themselves to a stupor at every opportunity. I have been blessed with inside knoweldge of village life. Even though everybody drinks, some even for breakfast (!), they don't go around raving drunk all day. They actually pace themselves. And always EAT eat eat. Dinners can last for several hours, where they are doing shots left and right, but they do not get drunk! Because they eat! And they pace themselves!
- In the Western idea (I don't want to pick on anybody, I have been most places) is that you drink every day - you are an alcoholic. Listen up, the French aren't alcoholics, although they have a glass of wine for dinner every day. You have a beer for dinner every day, you aren't an alcoholic. It is the second and third glass that is what gets you.
- When foreigners go to the "east" (slavic countries) they expect drinking binges and wild parties, well I tell you, you have to look for it. Most of my russian friends don't touch the stuff and the people raving in the street are mostly foreigners. And you have the impression that all Russians are drunks? What do you think the Russians think of you!

My thoughts on the matter!

Probably foreighners think all Russians are drunkards because they see a lot of people drinking in the streets (mostly beer). Well, Russians like to drink outdoors, closer to nature, so to speak. It doesn't mean they drink all the time.
Sometimes I don't drink at all for months but when I do I prefer to do it outdoors especially if the weather is fine. (I'm not talking here about "great celebrations" like birthday party or New Year celebration ).

Мы с братом иногда делали самогонку: сахар, свежие дрожжи и кипячённая, отстоянная вода в большой эмалированной выварке. Это было в городе, в доме на четвёртом этаже. После трёх недель (не помню точно) брожения брага варилась, конденсат медленно процеживался через порошок активированного угля. Получался ооочень крепкий алкоголь. Запах перебивался растворимым кофе или калиновой настойкой. Мы часто ездили в походы на выходные и самогонкой экономили деньги. Вино, конечно, покупали.

Originally Posted by Lampada

Мы с братом иногда делали самогонку: сахар, свежие дрожжи и кипячённая, отстоянная вода в большой эмалированной выварке. Это было в городе, в доме на четвёртом этаже. После трёх недель (не помню точно) брожения брага варилась, конденсат медленно процеживался через порошок активированного угля. Получался ооочень крепкий алкоголь. Запах перебивался растворимым кофе или калиновой настойкой. Мы часто ездили в походы на выходные и самогонкой экономили деньги. Вино, конечно, покупали.

Вот ведь, русские! Любой серьёзный разговор на выпивку сведут.

Originally Posted by paasikivi

Excess drinking is a problem in Russia

It’s not a problem, it’s a solution.

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

- When Russians drink, they drink properly. They eat with every drink and that dilutes the effect of alcohol.

I think eating merely slows down the rate at which alcohol acts upon the body but eventually it will act. Eating cannot help against for example liver problems.

Originally Posted by paasikivi

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

- When Russians drink, they drink properly. They eat with every drink and that dilutes the effect of alcohol.

I think eating merely slows down the rate at which alcohol acts upon the body but eventually it will act. Eating cannot help against for example liver problems.

That be true. The health effects from drinking can not be solved by eating. I was merely explaining the drunkeness part.

Originally Posted by paasikivi

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

- When Russians drink, they drink properly. They eat with every drink and that dilutes the effect of alcohol.

I think eating merely slows down the rate at which alcohol acts upon the body but eventually it will act. Eating cannot help against for example liver problems.

That's why people get angry - you try to involve them in talks on problems they do not have. No wonder.

Originally Posted by DagothWarez

Originally Posted by paasikivi

Excess drinking is a problem in Russia

It’s not a problem, it’s a solution.

I appreciate your humor, DagothWarez, but too many people really think so...

I myself have understood that the Russian population is diminishing because of tuberculosis and excessive drinking. Us Finns aren't really the best people to judge anyone, though. I don't know where being drunk and noisy in public places is more common or more widely accepted.

s diminishing because of tuberculosis and excessive drinking

Because of low birth rate, I'd say.

Originally Posted by Vincent Tailors

s diminishing because of tuberculosis and excessive drinking

Because of low birth rate, I'd say.

Your point being that Russians aren't replacing turbocolsis victims and alcohol related deaths fast enough?