In Russia, you often drink to your own health and say "Будем здоровы!" [bóo-deem zda-ró-vye"], which can be translated as "To our health!" On special occasions the Russians often hold a long or a short speech giving a good reason for drinking.
Normally, in Russia, toasts are pronounced after every shot with Russian words like 'Za Nas! ' or 'Za zdorovie! ' which means ' to us' and 'to health' The toasts could be words like these or could also end up long.
“Nostrovia” is the English mispronunciation of the Russian word, "Na Zdorovie", meaning "cheers". Nostrovia is now used as English slang for “let's get drunk” and as a common drinking toast.
The Russian equivalent for Cheers! is За здоровье! [za zda-ró-vye]. Literally it means: "To your health!". The Russian word for'health' is 'здоровье' [zda-ró-vye].
“Don't dig a hole for someone else or you will fall into it yourself.” “The best offense is a good defense.” “It's better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles.” “Nothing will happen in your life unless you try something.”
You might find that some Russians will loudly exhale after toasting before taking a drink. This is a custom that comes from an old adage that exhaling will prevent a hangover.
Ты дурак/дура (Ty durak/dura)
You can use this one while talking to somebody who has disappointed or annoyed you. Here are some Russian angry phrases with similar meanings: Ты невыносим(а) (Ty nevynosim[a]) — “You're impossible.” Ты глуп(а) (Ty glup[a]) — “You're silly.”
People give the appropriate formal greeting depending on what time of day it is: “Dobroe utro” (Good morning), “Dobriy den” (Good afternoon) or “Dobriy vecher” (Good evening). A more casual greeting is “Privet” (Hi).
Zapoy or zapoi (Russian: запой) is a term used in Russia and other post-Soviet states to describe alcohol abuse behavior resulting in two or more days of continuous drunkenness.
Congratulating each other after a bath/shower
“S legkim parom!” If you hear this phrase it means a Russian wants to congratulate you for taking a shower or a bath. Literally it means “with light steam” but its roots – and meaning – go back to antiquity.
Russia: Raw Eggs and Salty Water
Have you ever wondered how Russians are still alive after drinking so much vodka? Apparently, their biggest secret is eating a raw egg before getting their booze on. Eggs contain the amino acid cysteine, which your liver uses to process byproducts once alcohol has been metabolized.
But according to Ward and her friends, the ritual is not merely medicinal, it also serves a social function; by eating or sniffing bread after the shot, you're demonstrating that you're not just knocking back vodka to get drunk.
Glasses were broken after especially important toasts or just during the especially cheerful parties. Russian restaurants even held a special prices for breaking the glasses. Breaking of drinkware, or, in wider context, any tableware, is believed in Russia to bring luck and happiness.
Despite the public ban, mat is used by Russians of all ages and nearly all social groups, with particular fervor in the male-dominated military and the structurally similar social strata.
Пока (Paka) - “Bye” in Russian.
приветствие {n} salute (also: greeting, salutation, welcome, accost, halloa, hallo)