Drinking vodka, like many other social rituals of people coming together to celebrate, brings with it an undercurrent of a long and rich history and numerous traditions that have been handed down to us through the generations. The accepted rituals of toasting with vodka are rooted in Russian culture, history and traditions, although it has taken on a more international character in this global age. Vodka remains a huge part of Russia’s social fabric and interpersonal interactions, and is packed with numerous conventions.
vodka label
Generally, both in Russia and in the West, drinking vodka is a group activity. Groups of people indulge in vodka when they get together to party, socialize or hang out; when they celebrate a life event such as a birth, death or wedding. Copious consumption in numerous rounds is common in most of these gatherings. You might see people drinking vodka, neat, as shots, at traditional Russian gatherings, while most people mix it with something like tonic water or fresh juices.
Make a toast with vodka
In the Western world, we suffer from the misconception that the proper toast when drinking vodka is na zdorovie. This is not really a proper toast in Russian. It doesn’t actually mean “for your health,” as you may have often heard. Instead, try something like za milyh dam, which means for lovely ladies, or vashe zdorovie, which means for your health.
Vodka toast for occasions
The nature of the occasion calls for a particular type of toast, regardless of whether the drink is vodka or a bottle of champagne. Weddings, for example, call for toasts to love, happy endings, and many years of marital bliss for the new couple. Instead, when toasting a new baby, it is more appropriate to toast her health and long life, and the happiness she will bring to her parents’ lives. When toasting a new business, a new home, or some other live event, the occasion will similarly give you a clue as to possible and appropriate toasts. For example, at a wake, the deceased should be toasted as the first toast, but glasses should not be clinked. On birthdays, toast first to the birthday boy or girl and then to their parents. The wedding toasts would be for the couple, then for their parents, moving on to other topics such as love, happy life, etc.
A sequence of toasts with vodka
Over the course of a night, hardcore vodka drinkers can progress through a series of toasts. If you’re in Russia, drinking vodka with a room full of Russians, the evening can progress through a few common steps. The first toast, made by you or another guest, would be to propose a drink to the host of your party. Usually this will be the first in a series of toasts, from noble ancestors, to guest/host children, company women, and abstract concepts such as honor, pride, country, etc.
Tips and Warnings
Always keep basic etiquette and polite manners in mind, as well as the occasion.
It is better to appear uninformed than to appear rude or risk insulting the host or other guests.
When in doubt about what to say, it is better to say nothing, or wait and watch and take cues from what others say and how it is received.
