If you prefer not to drink, it is best to firmly, but politely, refuse from the start. This can be seen as an unforgivable cultural offense and is best approached from a health perspective. Many visitors choose to state that they suffer from ulcers in order to avoid drinking.
Hugs, backslapping, kisses on the cheeks and other expansive gestures are common among friends or acquaintances and between members of the same sex. Russians stand close when talking. Putting your thumb through your index and middle fingers or making the "OK" sign are considered very rude gestures in Russia.
Normally, in Russia, toasts are pronounced after every shot with Russian words like 'Za Nas! ' or 'Za zdorovie! ' which means ' to us' and 'to health' The toasts could be words like these or could also end up long.
Drinking in public is forbidden by the federal law and is punishable with a fine of 500 to 1500 rubles. The School in Russia also forbids alcohol consumption during program-sponsored events like travel, city excursions, etc.
At a wake, the first toast is raised to the dead person, and glasses must never be clinked. At birthdays, the first toast is to the health of the celebrator; the second to that of the parents. At weddings, similarly, the first toast is to the newlyweds, the next to their parents.
Russians do smile at people they know. Shop assistants smile at the clients they already know, not necessarily at others. If you smile at a stranger in Russia, he/she can smile back, but it can already mean an invitation to come and talk. Russians take smiling as a sign that the person cares about them.
In Russia, you often drink to your own health and say "Будем здоровы!" [bóo-deem zda-ró-vye"], which can be translated as "To our health!" On special occasions the Russians often hold a long or a short speech giving a good reason for drinking.
Alcoholism has been a problem throughout the country's history because drinking is a pervasive, socially acceptable behaviour in Russian society and alcohol has also been a major source of government revenue for centuries. It has repeatedly been targeted as a major national problem, with mixed results.
Some majority-Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, etc. prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages either entirely or for its Muslim citizens because they are considered haram (forbidden) in Islam.
You might find that some Russians will loudly exhale after toasting before taking a drink. This is a custom that comes from an old adage that exhaling will prevent a hangover.
приветствие {n} salute (also: greeting, salutation, welcome, accost, halloa, hallo)
But according to Ward and her friends, the ritual is not merely medicinal, it also serves a social function; by eating or sniffing bread after the shot, you're demonstrating that you're not just knocking back vodka to get drunk.
Eye Contact: Making eye contact is a show of respect in Russian culture and is highly valued. When conversing to someone, it is considered polite to keep eye contact and direct your look at the other person.
The meaning of hand gestures vary drastically from culture to culture. Flash someone a well-meaning "thumbs up" sign in Russia, and they'll interpret it as a vulgar insult.
Despite the public ban, mat is used by Russians of all ages and nearly all social groups, with particular fervor in the male-dominated military and the structurally similar social strata.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcoholism dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the World Health Organization, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.93 per cent.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
The top 10 countries that consume the least alcohol across the WHO European Region are Tajikistan (0.9 litres), Azerbaijan (1.0), Turkey (1.8), Uzbekistan (2.6), Turkmenistan (3.1), Israel (4.4), Armenia (4.7), Kazakhstan (5.0), Albania (6.8), and North Macedonia (6.4).
According to estimates on RLMS data, the prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption for adults was 27% in 2018. Among men, excessive consumption was noticeably more common (36% of the adult population) than among women (20% of the adult population).
Whilst tap water in large Russian cities is mostly pure, and much of the nation's water meets its drinking standards, it is not advisable to drink tap water in the country. Tap water in different regions often feature different chemicals, sometimes in excess, that may have long-term health effects.
In 2021, 38 percent of Russians reported not drinking alcohol, a share that slightly increased from the previous year. Among the alcohol consuming population, only five percent reported drinking it daily or several times per week.
Ты дурак/дура (Ty durak/dura)
You can use this one while talking to somebody who has disappointed or annoyed you. Here are some Russian angry phrases with similar meanings: Ты невыносим(а) (Ty nevynosim[a]) — “You're impossible.” Ты глуп(а) (Ty glup[a]) — “You're silly.”
Tea. Tea has a significant role in Russian culture. Due to the cold Northern climate, it became the most popular drink, and today is considered a national drink of Russia. Locals love to drink tea always and everywhere!
My parents (which are belarussians) always say "slьokin param" after someone gets out of the shower.