Men, don't mess with the Russian.

Ten Things Never to Say or Do in Russia

Don't come to visit empty-handed

If you're invited over for dinner, or just for a visit, don't come to a Russian house with nothing. What you bring doesn't really matter — a box of chocolates, flowers, or a small toy for a child. Russian hosts prepare for company by cooking their best dishes and buying delicacies that they normally wouldn't for themselves. If, after all this effort, a guest shows up without even a flower, Russians believe he doesn't care.

Don't leave your shoes on in someone's home

Russian apartments are covered in rugs. Often, they're expensive Persian rugs with intricate designs, which aren't cleaned as easily as traditional American carpeting. Besides, Russians walk a lot through dusty streets, instead of just stepping from the car directly into the home. For these reasons, and also because this tradition has gone on for centuries, Russians take off their street shoes when they enter private residencies. The host usually offers a pair of tapochki (tah-puhch-kee; slippers); if you go to a party, women usually bring a pair of nice shoes to wear inside. And again, if you fail to take your shoes off, nobody will say anything. But sneak a peek: Are you the only person wearing your snow-covered boots at the dinner table?

Don't joke about the parents

Russians aren't politically correct. Go ahead and tell an anyekdot (uh-neek-doht; joke) based on ethnicity, appearance, or gender stereotypes; just steer clear of jokes about somebody's mother or father. You won't be understood.

Don't toast with "Na Zdorov'ye!"

People who don't speak Russian usually think that they know one Russian phrase: a toast, Na Zdorov'ye! Little do they know that Na Zdorov'ye! (nuh zdah-rohv'-ee; for health) is what Russians say when somebody thanks them for a meal. In Polish, indeed, Na Zdorov'ye! or something close to it, is a traditional toast. Russians, on the other hand, like to make up something long and complex, such as, Za druzhbu myezhdu narodami! (zah droozh-boo myezh-doo nuh-roh-duh-mee; To friendship between nations!) If you want a more generic Russian toast, go with Za Vas! (zuh vahs; To you!)

Don't take the last shirt

A Russian saying, otdat' poslyednyuyu rubashku (aht-daht' pahs-lyed-nyu-yu roo-bahsh-koo; to give away one's last shirt), makes the point that you have to be giving, no matter what the expense for yourself. In Russia, offering guests whatever they want is considered polite. Those wants don't just include food or accommodations; old-school Russians offer you whatever possessions you comment on, like a picture on the wall, a vase, or a sweater.
Now, being offered something doesn't necessarily mean you should take it. Russians aren't offering something because they want to get rid of it; they're offering because they want to do something nice for you. So, unless you feel that plundering their home is a good idea, don't just take things offered to you and leave. Refuse first, and do so a couple of times, because your hosts will insist. And only accept the gift if you really want this special something, but then return the favor and give your hosts something nice, as well.

Don't underdress

Russians dress up on more occasions than Americans do. Even to go for a casual walk, a Russian woman may wear high heels and a nice dress. A hardcore feminist may say women do this because they're victimized and oppressed. But Russian women themselves explain it this way, "We only live once; I want to look and feel my best."
On some occasions, all foreigners, regardless of gender, run the risk of being the most underdressed person in the room. These occasions include dinner parties and trips to the theater. Going to a restaurant is also considered a festive occasion, and you don't want to show up in your jeans and T-shirt, no matter how informal you think the restaurant may be. In any case, checking on the dress code before going out somewhere is a good idea.

Don't go dutch

Here's where Russians differ strikingly from Western Europeans. They don't go Dutch. So, if you ask a lady out, don't expect her to pay for herself, not at a restaurant or anywhere else. You can, of course, suggest that she pay, but that usually rules out the possibility of seeing her again. She may not even have money on her. Unless they expect to run into a maniac and have to escape through the back exit, Russian women wouldn't think of bringing money when going out with a man.

Don't let a woman carry something heavy

This rule may make politically correct people cringe, but Russians believe that a man is physically stronger than a woman. Therefore, they believe a man who watches a woman carry something heavy without helping her is impolite.

Don't overlook the elderly on public transportation

When Russians come to America and ride public transportation, they're very confused to see young people sitting when an elderly person is standing nearby. They don't understand that in America, an elderly person may be offended when offered a seat. In Russia, if you don't offer the elderly and pregnant women a seat on a bus, the entire bus looks at you as if you're a criminal. Women, even (or especially) young ones, are also offered seats on public transportation. But that's optional. Getting up and offering a seat to an elderly person, on the other hand, is a must.

Don't burp in public

Bodily functions are considered extremely impolite in public, even if the sound is especially long and expressive, and the author is proud of it.
Moreover, if the incident happens (we're all human), don't apologize. By apologizing, you acknowledge your authorship, and attract more attention to the fact. Meanwhile, Russians, terrified by what just happened, pretend they didn't notice, or silently blame it on the dog. Obviously, these people are in denial. But if you don't want to be remembered predominantly for this incident, steer clear of natural bodily functions in public.

México and Russia

México and Russian people have a lot in common, so much things that are so obvious that are invisible to the common way of thinking.
Mexico (VIVA MÉXICO!!! X3) its a country full of pride, full of people that has been through revolutions, economic issues, corruption, natural disasters, crime, and yet, we can smile and tell the world we are proudly Mexican.
On the other hand, Russia's history is not quite different; this frozen country has been and it's still in the same conditions as our motherland, it is so funny how it works; We've had, revolutions, wars, and Salinas, thei've got, a world war, govermment transitions, and stalin lol.
They've got family structure tradition, and so we have, they celebrate friendship, commadership and patriotism. We're so diferent and yet so similar.
That was one of the reasons we took this subject, cause of our familiarity (or maybe our love of alcohol of course X3), and cause it's fun to learn about cultures.

                                                                    Similarities

Family comes first! (then the shirt ¬¬ lol)

                   



Sport is the way we show the world what are we made of, we have Heroes, figures who will remain in the thoughts of people.

Pride can be seen without words, just by being next to our motherland's flag.

We both think, "nobody can take me on with my Buzz"

In the End everybody's the same : D

Let's toast to...!

In Russia, vodka is a national treasure. And so when we drink, It is not about mere consumption but commemmoration.
After all, a toast is a moment of communion, bringing people together, looking at the person in front of you. That is why we look in each other’s eyes when toasting. When you look someone in the eyes, you are looking into the Russian soul: a compelling, mysterious part of Russian culture that has been the driving force behind many a great 
(if long) novel, and many a great (if longer) night.

Until the End! (The heroic, shots taken in one go)
To soldiers, to friends, to Victory!!!...well you get the idea.

To our get together!
Because of the dangers of war times, going even a 100 mts on the street, was a life or death matter.
This is a toast to celebrate the importance of friendship and companionship no matter the distance that may come between you.

To Lovely Ladies!
When life shows you all the beautifull women in the world, it's only natural to raise a glass to this shocking  sex every time in a while.

To your Healt!
It is think that vodka can be use for medical porpuses, it is said that 50ml of vodka per day benefits blood circulation.

Let's drink to love!
What can I say? Russians are romantic to.

Vodka Cocktails

Sex!!!!! on the Beach!!!!
Nop...sadly is not what your thinking.
This is a cocktail that includes vodka  made with peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. This is an International Bartenders Association Official Cocktail. 

The White Adame...i mean  Russian

A White Russian is a sweet cocktail made from vodka, coffee liqueur and cream served in an old-fashioned glass with ice.

SunDowner

In Colloquial British English, is an alcoholic drink taken after completing the day's work, usually at sundown.

This sweet drink contains Malibu Rum, Pineapple juice and 2 dasehes of Angostura Bitters.

      

Zakuskis for my Russian friend

Pair our vodkas with Zakuskis, savory bites that brighten the party and bring out the best of each blend.

Vodka is to the Russians what wine is to the French, or whiskey to the Scots and Irish, a spirit that touches on hundreds of years of history, rituals, culture and cuisine. 

  
Appetizers, amuse-bouches, starters, snacks, tapas, hors d'oeuvres, canapés, small plates—Russians, strong believers that brevity is the soul of wit, have given them but one name: zakuskis.
  
A central part of any Russian gathering, these delicate, colorful bites are often piled so high that tables groan beneath their sheer quantity and variety, demonstrating the sheer expanse of the country with influences from all corners of what was once Imperial Russia, then the Soviet Union, and today the Russian Federation.
  
A kaleidoscope of Russian culinary traditions, zakuskis might include jewel-bright salad, cured meats, smoked fish, tiny sandwiches, airy dumplings, fluffy pastries, wild mushrooms and cucumbers pickled to perfection—and, with premium vodkas by Russian Standard, plenty of caviar, which can be eaten piled atop blini and garnished with hard-boiled eggs, sour cream and chopped onion, or, as the real decadents do, straight off an ivory spoon.
  
It's a tradition that brings all the glory of yesterday to modern-day, international induldence—and one that can keep any evening celebration going strong into the next day.

The voda born from water

The largest lake in Europe and a natural landmark unto itself, Lake Ladoga spans more than 17,000 square kilometers, and about 219 km in length from north to south. The history of this lake could be said to be a crystallized form of Russia's own history: some historians even consider a town on the southern estuary of the lake, Staraya Ladoga (Old Ladoga) to be the first capital of ancient Russia.
Home to some of the softest water on Earth, Lake Ladoga is the source of water for all Russian Standard vodkas.
Located in the glacial north of Russia, Lake Ladoga is only a 40 minute drive from St. Petersburg. But try to get across it in the winter and you could be in for a long haul. In the winter, the lake freezes over and becomes a pristine spot of white-on-white beauty. One reason for Lake Ladoga exceptional purity is its remoteness. Sometimes, it turns out, preservation is as simple as being out of man's reach.

The Russian dude behind Russian Vodka destilation

Dmitri Mendeleev
He was a Russian chemistry, renowned to be the creator of the Periodic Table and publisher of the History of Chemistry...and...it's most important work, vodka destilation.

It was in the 14th century that vodka was first described as "Russia's national drink".
Some 500 years later, in 1894, after centuries of unregulated production, Dmitri Mendeleev, Professor of Chemistry at St. Petersburg University and creator of the Periodic Table of Elements, established the absolute standard for vodka distillation.
Mendeleev's perfect balance of 40% alcohol by volume gave Russian vodka a precise formula for what had been, until then, a process closer to alchemy than chemistry.
Today, Russian Standard vodkas take Mendeleev's 19th century ideas and distillation to 21st century levels of quality by combining the finest hand-selected wheat from the black soil of the Russian steppes with the pure, soft waters of Lake Ladoga to create a classic Russian spirit with an exceptionally pure, smooth taste.