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Peril of the Ruble Posted by Jenya on Dec 23, 2014
Many of you have likely noticed that the Russian ruble has been in the news lately. The ruble decreased in value by 11 percent against the U.S. dollar on Monday, 15 December. In a matter of weeks it has dropped over 40 percent. According to the Moscow Times on Monday, the ruble is the world’s…
How to Give a Gift to Russians Posted by Jenya on Dec 16, 2014
With the holiday season upon us, many of us have already begun to purchase gifts for our family and friends. Exchanging gifts can certainly be exciting – provided you know the kinds of things the other person likes. Some of you may find yourself in the position of having to give a gift to a…
Christmas is not Russia’s Main Winter Holiday Posted by Jenya on Dec 10, 2014
Since the beginning of December every minute of every hour brings us closer to the crazy, stressful, yet long anticipated, and magical winter holidays. Some of you may think I am being politically correct by not saying “Christmas” and using “winter holidays” instead. Let me assure you this is not the case. A lot of…
How to Drink Vodka with Russians Posted by Jenya on Dec 3, 2014
Because the holiday season is upon us, more and more alcohol will likely be consumed. Given that many people associate vodka with Russian people and culture, it seems like a good idea to say a little bit about it. This is my second blog this week about beer and spirits and it should be noted…
Baltika: a Taste of Home Whilst Abroad Posted by Jenya on Dec 2, 2014
During my tenure in America I have sampled many different types of beer ranging from the mega brands like Budweiser to many specialty and regional beers made in micro breweries. It may sound like I may be a connoisseur of sorts – not true. Nevertheless, there is one brand of beer that I really enjoy…
Want to cook a Russian dish? Try Vinegret! Posted by Jenya on Nov 26, 2014
Vegetarians, vegans and healthy eaters rejoice! This recipe is among my favorites because it is nutritious, delicious, and fairly hard to mess up. You can either serve it by itself, use it as a salad, or even a side dish with any meat or fish. There is no consensus on the internet regarding the origins…
Odd Russian Behavior? Nyet Posted by Jenya on Nov 25, 2014
I suppose it can be said that every culture has its share of idiosyncrasies, and Russians are no exception. What follows are examples of how some Russian behaviors may seem odd to people elsewhere. I have been caught exhibiting some of these behaviors myself. What can I say?…You can take a girl out of Russia…