Some attribute Russians’ supposed extraordinary ability to drink a lot of vodka to genetics.

However, Russians themselves say that this ability has nothing to do with biology and is in fact rooted in Russian traditions.

“The biggest problem with Europeans, Americans and the Chinese is that they drink and do not take any food immediately after,” says businessman Artyom Minayev. “So after a second or third shot it is no longer possible to talk to them about work!

“When you drink vodka, you should do it with some fatty foods, even if it’s just sour cream. You can have boiled or fried potatoes with it, bread, sausage, cheese, oily fish; there are numerous snacks that are not at all expensive and that will prevent you from getting drunk.”