This page is equally valuable for all those who are already involved in business in Russia one way or the other, or are only going to open their business in Russia. It would be important for you to bear in mind that "business"and "vodka"are inseparable when you are in Russia! There is a popular anecdote to support this premise:
"What is business a la ruse?" - "It's when you borrow some money to buy a crate of vodka. After you have drunk up all the vodka, you recoup the deposit for the empty bottles, and buy another bottle of vodka for the money raised thereby, etc."

Naturally, it's only a joke, although every joke is known to contain a grain of truth... This "grain of truth" lies in the fact that unless and until you have drunk some vodka with your Russian partner, he will only view you just as a partner. Not more than that... With every bottle of vodka that you have shared, you will gradually become more than a partner to him. Moreover, you will become his close partner… a friend… a buddy… almost a relative… We are not sure how much vodka you need to share with him to achieve this effect. It is highly individual… There is one thing we can tell you for sure, however: the more vodka you have drunk together, the better discounts and privileges you can count on from your Russian counterpart! Although it sounds like a joke, it is very often the way the land lays in Russia!

There is one more secret we want to share, and if you follow it, you will most probably have a disarming effect on your Russian partner at your very first meeting with him. Moreover, you will win his complete and favorable disposition! The secret is very simple: just show him your knowledge of Russian drinking traditions! It isn't really so difficult as it may seem at first glance. So…

So, suppose you find yourself at a banquet, at a special dinner, in a hunter's retreat, etc. surrounded by your Russian friends. Knock down the first glass of vodka bottoms up! After that you can only sip at your vodka, except several imperative toasts. The latter ought to be drunken bottoms up, too. Where is the difference between imperative and "secondary" toasts? It's a hard question to answer... If you don't want to have a faux pas and your state of health allows it, you had better drink all the glasses "bottoms up." As the Russian proverb goes, "you can't spoil cereal with butter"!

Drinking techniques are also very important. Avoid drinking vodka by small gulps. Rather drink it down in one big gulp! Try to limit to a minimum the contact between the vodka and the mucous membrane inside your mouth. You should learn to swill the contents of your glass straight into the throat in one big gulp. If your Russian colleagues see you do it, you will indubitably win their high respect. In addition, you won't get overly drunk. More…

Two other important overtones for you to consider: remember to exhale the air abruptly through your mouth before you drink your vodka (don't do it noisily, and try not to make a show of it: drinking "experts" do it reflectively and almost unnoticeably). Then hold you breath and drink your vodka. The final touch: put your empty glass back on the table, take a piece of rye bread, bring it to your nose (still holding your breath), and slowly inhale through the nose. In Russian, we call this move: "zanyukhat" (sniff it off). Mind it that "sniffing it off" does not fall under the category of exquisite table manners, therefore, we don't recommend that you resort to it during formal functions. In the meantime, it is an exceptionally popular move for informal setting, and it is sure to make a great impression on your Russian colleagues! Chances are, you may be asked by them about your Russian roots... Remember, all this should be done naturally and inconspicuously, and you never make a show of it. We would also advise you to rehearse this move while you are still at home.

Warning: remember to have an ample snack after each glass of vodka!

Finally, your last (but not the least) obligatory piece of advice: try to learn several simple phrases in Russian pertaining to such occasions. They will stand you in good stead and serve you as "open sesame." If you use any of them, your Russian partners will immediately accept you as a close friend, and you can count on their complete confidence thereafter.

So, before drinking your vodka, as you are clinking your glasses with your friends, it would be a good idea to say something like "Nu, budem!" (Let's live!), or "Na zdorovye!" (Here's to your health!), or "Za nas!" (Here's to us!). You can even take the initiative and propose one of these phrases as a full-fledged toast. We assure you, it will be unanimously received with great approval!

After you have had your drink and "caught your breath" (after all, vodka is a strong drink, and you are drinking it by glasses), it could be a good idea to exclaim something line: "Khorosho poshla!" (Feels nice), "Krepka Sovetskaya vlast!" (Soviet Power is damn strong!), "Khorosha Chertovka!" (Damngood drink!), "Krepkaya, zaraza!" (It feels damn strong!).