Russia may be the world's leader in alcohol consumption -- drinking nearly 4.75 gallons of alcohol per person each year -- but this title is nothing Russian politicians brag about.
Recently, Russia's penchant for the bottle has been given a great deal of attention in both American news and Russian political agendas. The New York Times ran an article last week faulting alcohol for Russia's struggle to keep up in a competitive global marketplace. President Medvedev has called alcohol abuse a serious problem, likening its crippling effects to that of a national disaster.
The New York Times article I mentioned earlier, calls drinking "A mainstay of Russian life, both a beloved social lubricant and a ready means for escaping everyday hardship." While this statement represents elements of truth about alcohol consumption and abuse in Russia, it hardly takes into account the many traditions that inform drinking practices.
Undoubtedly, the alcoholization of the Russian population is cause for concern, but let's take a moment to consider Russia's drinking customs and habits. Russians -- as we all know -- like to drink hard liquor, namely vodka. In most Russian homes, it is customary to polish off a bottle of vodka once it has been opened, if for no other reason than to be polite to your host.
In the usual drinking ritual, the glasses of everyone present must be full and a member of the party must propose a toast such as "Za zdarovie!" meaning "Here's to health!" or "Za schastie!" meaning "Here's to happiness!" Everyone present must drain their glasses in the spirit of solidarity, otherwise they do not support the toast.
These rites call on feelings of friendship, hospitality, honor and trust. They foster community. Heavy drinking is socially acceptable in Russia, but the alcoholism that plagues Russians today is not a necessary function of such customs. More likely, it is reflective of pervasive poverty and desperation.
In the long run, alcohol abuse can be effectively controlled only by improving the living conditions of Russian citizens.
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