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.
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”.
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.
I’ve long thought drinking should be an Olympic sport. I spent years training for that day before I quit.
This article could only have been written by someone who never had a few drinks with some Russians!
In fact, he prefers to ignore beer and concentrate entirely on vodka.
While this piece says that the average Russian male life expectancy is 61, I have read that it is currently 57 and declining. So much for the golden years.