Yet Another Vodka Article…

Traditional Russian zakuski and vodka. Zakuski is a collection of different items that you eat when you are drinking vodka. It can be salted fish, tomatoes (I like pickled ones), cucumbers (with dill), chicken, mushrooms or maybe salads. But don't expect to be able to sip your vodka while eating. The rule is to drink the entire glass at once and to eat some zakuski after it. Don't try to drink only half of the glass – your fellow Russian friends will let you know that the glass must go down in its entirety, or you're disrespecting them.

When the glasses are empty, they are immediately filled up for the next toast which is never ending. There is a toast for everything…

Be prepared to go the long haul. Something I have learned about Russians is that drinking vodka seems to be in their genes. They will almost always out drink you, so don't be offended if you find that you were the first to pass out!