한국국제교류재단

"Did you say you are from Russia? You must drink a lot!" I have often heard this kind of comment from strangers in many places since I came to Korea last fall to study at the invitation of the Korea Foundation. In fact, this is nothing but a deep-rooted misconception of Russians, as is the one that all Koreans enjoy dog meat. The stark reality is that Russians are ranked first in the world in terms of drinking. It is also true that Koreans take second place after Russians. Originally, drinking was limited to males. The way Korean and Russian men drink alcoholic beverages indicates that they share many similar characteristics in drinking.

Difference between Drinking Culture and Habit

Why is it that so many Koreans and Russians are eager to get intoxicated? In order to find out the answer to this question, the differences between "culture" and "habit" should be clarified. Culture is deeply rooted in society, while habits can be defined as individual traits. If drinking manners are defined as drinking culture, I am inclined to describe excessive drinking and subsequent aberrations as habits, because while habits can vary from person to person, culture is something that is shared and honored by members of society.

If a drinking habit evolves from a wish to be quickly intoxicated, what is the cause of drinking culture? In my view, enjoying a drink in a group is mainly attributable to mass psychology. If not considered to be good manners in Korea, individualism is frowned upon in Russia as well. In this regard, drinking is an ideal way for new members of organizations to get used to their workplace environment quickly. Also, a person can break the ice with a stranger by sharing a real story while drinking together regardless of gender.

Let's discuss another reason for drinking culture. Members of the Russian Orthodox Church often say: "We cannot be penitent if we commit no crime. It is impossible to realize resurrection unless we confess our sins." This is not a defense of crime but an effort intended to secure resurrection through penitence. The way of observing the world like this is reflected in a nonbeliever's outlook on the world. That is, persons having weakness and frailties are considered more humane. From what I hear, Koreans tend to have little affection for persons who appear 100% perfect with no personal weaknesses. So it seems to me in order to understand why many Koreans love to drink, one has to understand their drinking culture. The backgrounds of drinking cultures in Korea and Russia appear to be similar. But while their drinking cultures have many similarities, they also exhibit numerous differences.

Difference in Choosing the Places to Drink

Now, let me talk about the peculiarities of drinking cultures in both countries. "Let's go for booze! Where shall we go?" The most prominent difference between Russia and Korea is the place of drinking. In Russia, people usually invite guests to their home, although some people frequent pubs like Koreans. Students usually drink in their dormitories. Many Russians drink during picnics or local tours. And quite a number of urbanites own their villas and drink with their friends there. They usually booze at one place, which is unlike the Koreans, and rarely change their drinking venue.

Many Russians drink well into the night and usually they go out with their friends, but sometimes acquaintances only are invited. In this case, a guest who does not have a close relationship with the host tends to leave earlier as it is deemed improper for acquaintances to stay longer.

When a guest, who is close to his or her host, cannot drink anymore, he or she may sleep at the house. After experiencing drinking culture in Korea myself, I became aware of the benefit of changing drinking venues. It is very convenient for a person who is not close to his or her companions, or who is easily intoxicated, to part with his drinking partners after the first round of imbibing.

Drinking Etiquettes of the Two Countries

In Russia, people usually do not hold the bottle with both hands when pouring drinks. Like Koreans, they put their palms under the bottle, while touching its label. Alcoholic drinks are poured into glasses in an orderly manner in Russia. Women and elderly people are given priority, and the serving man or woman will fill his or her glass last. In the case of wine, the host makes it a rule to pour a little in their glass first; they then fill their guests?glasses and finally their own.

Drinking partners may or may not raise their glasses. Russians pass out their glasses to others once while playing a game, but unlike Korean drinkers, they normally don? behave that way.

"You have got the glass? Why do you hesitate? Quickly drink!" "It is not good to drink without a toast!"

Russians enjoy drinking after a toast. In Russia, drinkers say 'cheers' but more frequently use the phrase, "For your health." At birthday parties, there are toasts not only persons who celebrate their birthdays but also for their parents. When only men drink, their toasts become somewhat dirty, mostly relating to women. In some cases, they toast for the wives of their hosts. Russian toasts vary depending on circumstances. When they drink in memory of the deceased, they make little noise as they refrain from clicking each other? glasses.

"We have finished one bottle already. Let's get rid of the empty one and open a new bottle. "Russians usually put away empty bottles, while Koreans leave them on the table. The host will make a bad impression on his guests if he leaves the empty bottle on the table as it indicates that the bottle is the last and that no more alcohol will be served. I have heard that lines of empty bottles suggest that we drank many bottles." Russian drinkers are proud of their heavy drinking, but empty bottles, evidence of their drinking capacity, are usually placed along the wall beside the drinking table.

'One Shot' and 'Want-shot'

"Hey, we're in good spirits today. Let's go for another glass!" "Yeah, let's drink to death!" "Let's drink as if we're going to die! One shot!!" This seems to be a common trait that both Korean and Russian drinkers share. But Russians rarely imbibe this way. They go to extremes only when they drink vodka. I have never seen Russians drink beer in this manner. We drink vodka as soon as it is poured into the glass, but if we can no longer drink a full glass of vodka, we are free to order a half glass. This etiquette is just for men. Women can have 'want-shot'(the amount she wants to drink) or 'one-shot'if they choose.

"Are you here to drink or eat? Why are you eating side dishes?" "I can't drink anymore." "What do you mean? Don't you have any respect for me?" "Sorry, I didn't mean that. bottoms up!"

Like Koreans, some Russians try to force their friends or associates to drink. Persons who gulp down side dishes can be teased. The old saying, "Keep up with other people even when you are boozing," is often heard both in Russia and Korea. "We don't need to open another bottle. We have to finish this one first." It is understood that young Koreans tend to leave bottles unfinished these days, but in Russia, even young people consider alcohol to be as valuable as blood, and believe no bottle should be left unfinished.

From Culture to Habits

"I have a headache and feel like vomiting. What on earth did I have yesterday? What did I do? I wish I could remember where and with whom I drank last night."

A hangover results from excessive drinking, and a person who suffers from it is usually unable to remember what happened. People suffering from a hangover sometimes drink in the morning to relieve their hangover. This seems to me to be a habit, not culture.

On the surface, Koreans and Russian have many similarities as far as drinking culture is concerned. However, both Korean and Russian societies are now undergoing significant transformations in this age of globalization.

Drinking culture, like other culture, is evolving. While vodka, like soju (rice wine), is more popular with older people and rural residents, young people and city dwellers generally prefer beer and western liquors. I'm afraid that the drinking peculiarities I have mentioned may disappear gradually, and frankly it seems that the drinking cultures of the two countries are already disappearing. Even if their cultures become a thing of the past, however, old habits do die hard.