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Alcoholism is big in Russia, and it is depressing society.
Even if it is going down today, why has it been such a big problem? And when did it start?
A student at the university where I worked did a research paper on this exact question. It started hundreds of years ago. But you could say the same about Western Europe; there was a time when the water supply wasn't clean in W Europe, so it was common for people to drink beer or other spirits instead.
Actually, we can blame the Georgians for the wine tradition, which goes back something like 7000 years in Georgia. Hospitality was intimately tied in with sharing wine and song. it still is today. From there, viticulture spread throughout Europe and probably into Asia Minor. Grapes grow wild in Georgia. IIRC, it was in 5000 BC that Georgians began making wine.
Russians probably picked the tradition of sharing spirits with guests from the Caucasus.
Alcoholism is big in Russia, and it is depressing society.
Even if it is going down today, why has it been such a big problem? And when did it start?
You won't understand it, unless you are familiar with Russian songs/poetry/literature and history in general.
A lot of pain, oppression, injustice and uncertainty.
That shot of vodka keeps you moving through life in spite of it all, and dulls the pain.
It helps bonding and knowing people better, on whom your life might depend tomorrow.
And of course it helps to keep the party going when the occasion arises.
So there are quite a few reasons why Russians drink of course.
A student at the university where I worked did a research paper on this exact question. It started hundreds of years ago. But you could say the same about Western Europe; there was a time when the water supply wasn't clean in W Europe, so it was common for people to drink beer or other spirits instead.
Actually, we can blame the Georgians for the wine tradition, which goes back something like 7000 years in Georgia. Hospitality was intimately tied in with sharing wine and song. it still is today. From there, viticulture spread throughout Europe and probably into Asia Minor. Grapes grow wild in Georgia. IIRC, it was in 5000 BC that Georgians began making wine.
Russians probably picked the tradition of sharing spirits with guests from the Caucasus.
Ruth, Georgian "drinking culture" is of different nature.
To begin with - they are the Southerners, so the vines ( red vines mostly) is usually their drink of choice.
Their chacha ( vodka) is close to Italian grappa from what I remember.
Russians live in cold climate, so normally they prefer vodka in winter time and cold beer in summer ( I guess.) Of course they have plenty of other drinks available ( it's all individual preference,) but as a rule I think vodka is the drink of choice; it's of the top quality too.
But back to Georgians.
Their drinking is all about "celebrating the life," partying and feasting for hours, honoring guests, the loved ones, the elders, ancestors and so on.
I am sure Russians picked a thing or two from them culturally in this respect, but overall it's still different.
Georgians are more like Meds. (Italians/Spaniards/Portuguese and Greeks come to mind.)
There's link between cold climate and alcoholism since they stay indoors more and the days are shorter. Confinement is a big factor. That's why the Native Americans on reservations have alcohol problem.
Can you provide statistics on domestic violence in Russian families, statistics on abuse (to whom, just a question)? Statistics on the consumption of strong alcohol?
Again, what is domestic violence? Russians and Americans have different notion what mean is domestic violence.. For me, domestic violence is when my wife makes me put dirty socks in the laundry basket, and not where I left them ... For my wife, domestic violence is when I force her to cook borscht instead of broccoli puree soup..brr..
Last edited by Zimogor; 02-11-2021 at 08:59 PM..
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