Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 01/04/2009 6:42:50 PM PST by nickcarraway
"Today, Russia doesn't look better or worse than the rest of the world," Evgeny Bryun, Moscow's chief physician, said this week.
Despite statistics that prove otherwise, Bryun said the image of the average Russian man as a vodka-swilling beer lover was simply a myth.
Russians only seriously began drinking after the end of the Second World War – and the party just lasted too long, he said.
"Soldiers got used to drinking at the front, they celebrated the victory, and this celebration lasted for a very long time," Bryun said.
Bryun's flippant comments stand in stark contrast to a state report released last year that documented a sharp rise in Russians' alcohol consumption.
The average Russian now drinks 15 litres of alcohol per year – up from 5.4 litres in 1990, the report by Russia's chief physician, Gennady Onishchenko, found.
In contrast, Brits drink an average of 11.2 litres per year and Americans take in 8.4 litres.
Alcohol causes one in eight deaths in Russia, and contributes heavily to the country's startlingly high mortality rates for men. The average Russian man only lives to the age of 61, while women, whose drinking is on the upswing according to the report, live til 74 on average.
That study found that 1.5 percent of Russia's population can be considered alcoholics, but Bryun himself said the number was likely higher.
Two per cent of the Moscow population could be considered alcoholics, he said, while 10 per cent indulged in drink every day, but hadn't been diagnosed with having a problem.
Drinking often gets worse over Russia's New Year holiday, which lasts a whopping ten days and sees the country shuts down completely. Stock markets are closed, no newspapers are published. Yet most liquor shops remain open, where a bottle of vodka can be
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
My college roommate went to Russia and he said the 16 year old girls could out drink him.
I wish I had those brain cells back.
While we Irish only drink enough to save the world, preserve all worthwhile culture and create new stories and songs, yet look at all the rumors about us.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
“While we Irish only drink enough to save the world, preserve all worthwhile culture and create new stories and songs, yet look at all the rumors about us.”
As old Uncle Patrick used to say, “We have a fondness for spirituous liquors—fermented ones too.” Cheers!
Did they mention the average age at death of a Russian male?
Also, did they happen to mention the abortion rate in Russia?
Did they mention the number of single women raising children in Russia?
Even though I love enjoying my adult beverages, just being able to put away large amounts of alcohol isn’t something to brag about.
I’m enjoying a Deschutes Brewery season beer called “Jubelale” right now. Next up, “Obsidian Stout”.
GOD Created Whiskey to keep the IRISH from taking over the WORLD!!
The Russians are just an AA Meeting looking for a PLACE to Happen!
Been there 6 times... Myth? HAH!
Those people DRINK! They drink HARD! They drink EARLY!!! and, A LOT!!
Oh my... a myth?? BAHAHAHAHA!!!
Back in 1979, while living in Lake Placid, I ended up volunteering as an interpreter for the Russian Bobsled Team. Most called it World something something Competition... I called it my ... LOST WEEKEND!
To this day I still don’t remember MOST of it.
Yeah Tim they DO drink HARD.
You didn’t answer my questions though.
The actual statistics in Russia are frightening. The life expectancy of an average male is dismal, and heavy drinking is one of the biggest reasons.
Read the chapter on Russian in Marc Steyn’s “America Alone.”
Reminds me of the scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" when Karen Allen outdrinks that fat Tibetan or Nepalonese guy.
Having read contemporary Russian, Ukrainian, Polish writers, I’ve got to tell you, outside of their works literary values, what emerges are disgustingly, depressingly alcoholic cultures.
Explaining how Russians manage to put away a couple of litres of Vodka and maintain verticality:
One hour before the party.
1. Eat a couple of boiled potatoes.
2. Drinks one or two raw eggs.
3. Drink one or two table-spoons of olive oil. Sunflower oil will also do.
Thus it’s guaranteed that at the Russian party you will stay sober for at least one bottle of vodka. I’m not kidding. Raw eggs are the most important part of Russian pre-party preparations.
At the party.
1. If you start drinking vodka – drink only vodka. No beer or wine. No water or juice. Carbonated drinks are taboo.
2. Drink vodka only in shots. Never sip.
3. Eat immediately after taking a shot. Russian zakuskis are often translated as appetizers. That’s not quite correct. Zakuskis are something you ‘zakusyvayesh’ with after taking a shot of vodka. They are very important to neutralize alcohol. That’s why they all contain two most important alcohol neutralizers – acid and salt. I recommend taking the following sequence:
- immediately after taking a shot – two slices of lemon;
- then some salted cucumbers, pickles, marinated tomatoes or caviar.
- then something with a lot of oil: herring (traditionally with cold boiled potatoes and onion), sardines, or shproty (small smoked sprats in olive oil);
- then traditional Russian salads, like Oliviye or Herring with boiled beet and mayonnaise. Almost all Russian salads come under heavy mayonnaise dressing. Remember – acid, salt, eggs and oil.
Ukrainians and Southern Russians prefer smoked lard with garlic but it’s a zakuska for professionals.
No wonder Russians are so damn smart. They need a Masters degree to know how to drink!
From the words of Cliff Clavin, It makes you smarter..
I’ve long thought drinking should be an Olympic sport. I spent years training for that day before I quit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.