February 09, 2022

A Not-So Sobering Message


A Not-So Sobering Message

“About the dangers of alcohol, volumes have been written about the benefits of more than a single brochure! From lack of education, we walk for five days and crawl for two! And, on Saturday morning, Russia from space looks like.”

– A homemade sign in the middle of Moscow speaking of the benefits of alcohol

A resident of Moscow happened upon a homemade sign beckoning residents about the dangers of alcohol. The sign, made of brown paper and written with a ball-point pen, declares that due to our lack of education we save alcohol consumption for the weekends, disregarding the rest of the week.

As to whether the anonymous poster was concerned about what Russia looks like from space the morning after an eventful Friday is unknown, but some residents do believe they grasp the meaning behind the cosmic and error-laden message. Some believed the sign is wanting talented writers to explore the benefits of "cultural drinking", this was quickly challenged with one resident chiming in to say that there is no such thing as "cultural drinking" and that the age limit should be 35 for men and 38 for women.

Cultural or not, we suggest that all servings of vodka be reasonable and served Russian-style with a pickle.

 

You Might Also Like

Canning Worth Its Salt
  • October 17, 2021

Canning Worth Its Salt

What better way to celebrate the shifting seasons than with a review of the delicious things you might find stored away in a Russian pantry for colder days. Recipes included!
Tipple Tender Trending
  • February 07, 2022

Tipple Tender Trending

The minimum price of vodka, set by Russia's Ministry of Finance, has been raised. Barely.
Cars, Car Accidents, and Vodka (Unrelated)
  • November 19, 2020

Cars, Car Accidents, and Vodka (Unrelated)

This week is full of surprises: Moscow schools train future journalists; cars branch out into new materials; and vodka exports decline, which is maybe less surprising than you'd think.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

Marooned in Moscow
May 01, 2011

Marooned in Moscow

This gripping autobiography plays out against the backdrop of Russia's bloody Civil War, and was one of the first Western eyewitness accounts of life in post-revolutionary Russia. Marooned in Moscow provides a fascinating account of one woman's entry into war-torn Russia in early 1920, first-person impressions of many in the top Soviet leadership, and accounts of the author's increasingly dangerous work as a journalist and spy, to say nothing of her work on behalf of prisoners, her two arrests, and her eventual ten-month-long imprisonment, including in the infamous Lubyanka prison. It is a veritable encyclopedia of life in Russia in the early 1920s.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955