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.

Russian Vodka TimeLine

HISTORY OF VODKA

Russia has a unique and hard culture and history, so it goes the same with vodka.

The Globalization of Vodka through time!

10th-century
St. Vladimir, Grand Duke of Kiev, is quoted as saying, "Drinking is Russia's delight."
1174
The Vyatka Chronicle reports the existence of "a vodka distillery" at Khylnovsk, over 500 miles to the east of Moscow.
1448
Russian distillers discover that the grain used for bread can also be used to produce spirit. The new use of grain produces a unique "bread wine" destined to become Russia's national product.
1470s
Production of alcoholic drinks reaches their highest levels ever. The treasury's interest in this new revenue potential prompts Tsar Ivan III to introduce the first-ever monopoly on the production and sale of grain-based wines, including vodka.
1505
According to chronicles of the day, vodka is first exported to Sweden, the lands of the Livonian Order and the future state of Estonia.
1533
Tsar Ivan IV builds the first kabak—or Tsar's tavern, as they came to be known—for his palace guard. At this time, the vodka trade was concentrated in the hands of the Tsar's administration, with sales to individuals allowed only in the Tsar's taverns.
1540s
The appearance of the word vodka in the annals of Novgorod is the first recognition of vodka as the name given to a medicine. Prior to that Russia's national drink did not have an official name. It was known as "hot wine", "bread wine", "korchma", "green wine" and many other names.
1716
Peter the Great, grandson of Michael Romanov and the first Emperor of all Russia, offers the aristocracy and merchants the exclusive right to produce vodka.
1812
Following years of deregulation, and with vodka production in the hands of some 5,000 private distillers, the government imposes a state monopoly on the industry.
1894
For the first time in history the Russian government decides to put vodka on a scientific footing. It commissions Dmitri Mendeleev, Professor of Chemistry at St. Petersburg University and founder of the Periodic Table of Elements, to conduct revolutionary research into the correlation between alcohol and water present in vodka. He finds that, from the point of view of its organic assimilation, the finest strength of vodka to be 40% by volume, or 80 proof. Mendeleev's recipe is adopted by the government as the absolute standard for Russian vodka.
1924
After a brief ban on vodka, the first Soviet monopoly resumes the spirit's production according to Mendeleev's recipe. As the production of vodka steadily expands, new technologies improve its quality, recipes become unified and varieties increase.
1980s
In an effort to combat drunkenness, the government converts a number of liqueur and vodka distilleries into non-alcoholic production facilities. The resolution is lifted soon after, but the industry faces a crisis as production collapses and product quality drops dramatically.
1998
Russian Standard is launched in Russia signaling the start of the restoration of the reputation and quality of classic Russian vodka. The company's first flagship brand, Russian Standard Original, instantly becomes Russia’s newest premium vodka.
2005
Figures for 2005 show that Russian Standard's global sales pass the 1,000,000 case mark. The brand joins Drinks International magazine's elite club of world premium millionaire brands.

2006
Russian Standard's $60 million state-of-the-art distillery opens in St. Petersburg establishing new benchmarks of technical excellence in the production of vodka.
2007
Russian Standard Original, the number one premium vodka in Russia, rolls out in the U.S. following the 2005 introduction of its sister brand Imperia. The brand continues its rapid worldwide expansion with launches in France and the United Kingdom.
2008
Russian Standard Vodka was ranked fourth among the fastest growing alcohol brands in the world in 2007, according to the respected spirits industry journal Impact. Russian Standard continues to experience extraordinary growth, increasing its volumes in Russia and 48 export markets by 40%, and launching a new brand, Russian Standard Gold.
2009
Russian Standard continues to strengthen its position as Russia’s number one premium vodka and the country’s only truly global vodka brand. In 2009, the brand increased its global volumes by 5% to more than 2.2 million 9L cases across more than 70 export markets. According to the spirits industry magazine Impact, Russian Standard is ranked 42nd among the top 100 spirits brands in the world.

Today vodka is so popular that it has it's own World Cup.

                                         Team USA World Cup 2009

                                                       Vodka World Cup score
                                                       Mixing while jumping from a chopper

Vodka in the 20th Century

These days, the Smirnoff family destillery is considered one of the primary vodka producers around the world. It began in 1918 in Moscow and a year later it was producing one million bottles daily. All this came to a stop when Rudolph Kunitt bought the American rights to the Smirnoff name.  Kunitt opened a distillery in Bethel, Connecticut, but struggled for five years, at best only producing 20 cases a day. For that reason, he sold his business to the Heublein Company in 1939.

Heublein executive John C. Martin discovered that vodka became very popular in California and so he supplied these customers. In 1946, he met the owner of a Los Angeles restaurant called the Cock 'n' Bull, who wanted to try something differente with beverages. Since one of vodka's attributes is its ability to mix with almost anything, they experimented with a vodka and ginger beer concoction. They added a slice of lime and later on they called their invention the "Moscow Mule" .Of course it became to be a great success for the business.

By the 1950s, Vodka was famous in the States. By the end of the decade, a martini was prepared with vodka  rather than gin. At the close of the twentieth century, vodka accounted for 25% of the distilled spirits produced and marketed. From 40,000 cases sold in the United States in 1950, vodka sales jumped to over one million in 1954. The following year, 4.5 million cases were sold. By the mid-1960s, vodka outsold gin; by 1976, it outsold whiskey.

Video: All about Vodka

Why did Russians adopt the vodka tradition.

"Water" or as the Russians call it "Voda" its considered to be an important tradition for all the people living there nowadays. Even though stories tell  of the Mongolians being the ones who discovered the destillation methods for vodka, the Russians adopted the techniques and thats how it became to be what it is later on.

For many reasons, this alcoholic beverage hasn´t only become a common way to celebrate or to get united with friends and family, but an important part of Russian culture. It all started when the Mongolians first attacked Russia, bringing with them the procedures for obtaining the solution from grains.

 It was also believed that the drink contained its own spirit and for that reason, it was used at religious events. A cup would be passed around, sometimes containing more than a gallon of vodka. Those who refused to drink from it would be considered impious.

From the beginning of the seventeenth century it had become a tradition for vodka to be served at Russian Imperial banquets. All meals were begun with bread and vodka.

Have you ever wondered where vodka really came from?

You might think that vodka originated in Russia; however, after checking out some information, our group has found some good information on what has really happened.It would seem that not only Russia is defending the idea that vodka originated there, but Poland has some claim of its own to say that it originated there. In fact,  we even go further back in time and we would find that  the Persians also lay claim to making vodka first.

So, on the next blog we will stablish the data we have found to reintegrate the hipothesis of where it actually originated from and what country has the right to say that vodka belongs to it.

The Polish and Russian's both argue that vodka is their discovery although there are also historical indications that the original Vodka may also have come from Persia.

In the 8th century, the polish left wine out over winter to freeze and discovered strong alcohol. The first identifiable Polish vodkas appeared in the 11th century when they were called 'gorzalka' .It was used as a medicine until the 15th century.

In 1405 the polish declare vodka was originally produced and then distributed to Russia.

Russian's proclaim production of vodka started in the 9th century; however it is not until the 11th century the first recognized Vodka was distilled in Khynovsk.

Until the 15th century distilled liquor was only used for medicinal purposes.

Other sources point out that the first to obtain liquid similar to vodka were doctors in Persia (now Iran) in XI century.