Moscow(2) / Russia

The proper way to drink vodka?

Tetsuo Akiyama / Moscow Office

Moscow is the capital of the biggest country in the world. Presently, it can be said to be the liveliest town in the world, having recovered from the turbulent years after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. It has a population of about 9 million. When you hear the name Moscow, what does it bring to mind?

Of course, Cossack dancing, caviar, Russian dolls, ballet and borscht stew. And I suppose you cannot forget vodka, the very soul of Russia.

In Moscow, half the year is enveloped in severe winter. It is natural for there to be various ways to spend the winter days. People love to go to the theater, ski, play tennis and drink vodka at a friend's house. In these ways, the darkness and loneliness of winter can be contrarily enjoyed. The life of the party is probably vodka. You can relax when drinking at a friend's house, unlike when drinking with customers. But vodka is vodka nonetheless. I would like to covertly reveal "my secret for resisting vodka" that I have developed in my own way following a number of disastrous experiences.

(1) When toasting, drink it all down while clutching brown bread placed in front of you!
(If you leave even a little bit, they will complain and fill up another glass to the brim.)
(2) After drinking it up, do not hesitate to inhale the smell of the sour brown bread clutched in your hand till your lungs are full!
(This will neutralize the alcohol (?). That is what local people and I believe and never doubt.)
(3) As Russians tell =anecdotes (entertaining stories and jokes about topics ranging from politics to ordinary life) in rapid succession when they begin to feel the effect of their drink, burst into laughter without delay! If you fail to catch the comedic timing, they will complain, "Isn't it funny?" and then your cup will be filled again. In addition, it is necessary to prepare your own anecdote before visiting your friend as a measure to protect yourself.

Taking such countermeasures, I have survived numerous unrelenting battles with vodka to this day.

If all I talk about is the above, you may think Russians are merciless people. However, it is also proof that they are lovable people that cherish communications with others. When I was walking along a street the other day, a lady around sixty warned me, "Put on a hat! Otherwise, you will catch a cold!"

Like the song of (T.A.T.U) that made a stir in Japan earlier, = Nobody Can Catch Up with Us," Russia will probably continue to grow rapidly at a speed that nobody can catch up with. But I am relieved to learn that Russians themselves continue to remain very human in a good sense.