My Question is why do Polish people drink a lot of vodka?

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Luinlothana

I assume you ask on religious grounds. And the first thing that is obvious after reading your question is that you don't really know much about Poland and it's culture.

First of all - I'm from Poland and I hate vodka. And I am roman catholic. Just for the record, so you know I'm not that biased in what I write.

Another thing I'd like to point out before I begin a more detailed explanation is that it's just a stereotype that all Poles drink vodka. I'm not saying that there is nothing to it but generalising is never a good thing and can be harmful.

On to the question why so many people in Poland drink vodka even though they are roman catholics.

Now the next thing you need to understand about Poland is that the approach to religion is a lot different here compared to what you can find in States (I assume that's where you are from). It's true that most (89%) Poles declare themselves as roman catholics. And that's it. They don't go to church and they could care less about anything about what it's written in the Bible. The call themselves non-practicing catholics. In other words it's not well socially accepted to be an atheist or an agnostic in some circles. It's much easier to say that they just don't go to church. And arguments that something was writen in the Holy Bible hold about as much power as those stating that it was written in 'Moby Dick'.

Apart from that there is a large gruop of people who declare themselves catholics and are devoted to a certain radical radio station. Those are most of the times elderly people and they trust the priest owning the radio more than they trust anything written in Holy Bible, any encyclics or what is stated as an official aproach of Vatican/Catholic church. I won't hide that I hold this radio in a very low esteem but I still feel a need to point out that morals and Bible quotes are not something you can hear there. After all there is too much risk that people might think on their own or even, God forbid stop sendig money for the radio station. So those are catholics, who listen to this radio do pray all right but for them religion is what it was in middle ages. Crusades included. But for every day purposes they don't see a reason not to drink all too much as long as they don't eat meat on Friday

what is left is a group of about 30% rather than 89% population of Poland. Here amount of alcohol drunk, religious devotion and general care for the words of Holy Bible vary and ironically enough you can find all sorts of combinations there.

Now to the alcohol issue. You have to understand two things. One - Poland has what you may call an interesting history. In other words for most part of it's existance it was either defending it's independence, fighting for it or rebuilding after regaining/ protecting it with an occasional break for a war that had nothing to do with independence. And that went on for over a thousand years. That's not exactly what makes you a cheerful abstinent nation. Imagine how temting a bottle of alcohol can be if you just came from a war, everything you built thoughout your life was reduced to smoking debrils and you have to rebuild quickly hoping that against the experience of centuries another war won't come in a few years to ruin it all again. That's one.

And the second thing - vodka is not the typical alcohol drink of Poland. Mead is. Vodka came to our history a bit later. And in fact for a long time it wasn't all that popular.

As for why drinking became so popular - to cut a long story short - at some point of history the kings of Poland gave propinal prerogative to the nobelty (which in time gained so many rights that kings of Poland had less to say than kings of some modern countries have). Of course the nobelty saw it as an opportunity to earn (who wouldn't). But one can only sell so much. Sometime later paupers gained in Poland personal freedom, which ment they could now earn and, more importantly, spend money. they didn't have the rights to the land - nobelty had. So, since nobelty was practically ruling the country (like I said - the king had practically to no power) it created something called propinal coercion. In other words - you have to buy a certain amount of alcohol every month from the owner of land unless you don't want to live there anymore. Now we have poor, uneducated people who had hardly means to live and on the other hand had a certain amount of alcohol atb their disposal. And no example coming from the nobles who had nothing against having fun which included a large amount of mead in the process. Paupers might not have mead - but all things considereed they all seemed to think that better drink at least the vodka they had than to worry how to get enought foor to go through the month. But that was long ago. Then, while Poles were getting better and better at drowning their sorrows in a bottle Poland lost it's independence for over a century. This ment a few things:
- Russian influence which, among other things got vodka more popular among higher class
- a couple uprisings, when poeple needed something to get warm, soothe pain and forget how awful the situation was, and alcohol was at hand as it was used to clean wounds
- periods just after upraising with many sorrows to drown and repressions to forget about

By the time Poland regained independence drinking was an integral part of it's culture. It didn't help that when the great crisis came vodka was just about only thing people could afford.

Then came the 2WW and illegal producing alcohol was one of the ways to enter the 'underground market' and get some normal food. And of course when times were hard and alcohol availible... And then came the wonderful years of comunism many from the other side of Iron Curtain picture as time with a lot of red flags and a lot of things with sign CCCP. I'm not about to say that it's not true about flags but there is more to that. Comunism was a system where the way of life of lower class was promoted. It didn't help that the country that had the greater impact on our situation and culture was USSR which, let's just say wasn't abstinent either. If you wanted any deal with Russians made you had to drink with them first. And let's just say that quoting Bible as an excuse in a country where atheism is written into constitution is not a good idea. Suffice to say that while Americans also value their Constitution they don't consider freedom of speech just as an interesting philosophical problem. And to add to that secret trade of alcohol if anything got greater value. Especially when all you could find in the shops was vinegar.

That would be the most important points in the origin of alcohol consumtion in Poland. All I think needs to be added it that
a) alcoholism is not only a sin - it's also an illness. Some people started drinking back in time when the cold was was on and they were expecting the western imperialists launch yet another atack at them and can't stop since.
b) overuse of alcohol of any kind in not just a problem of Poland. And to be honest I don't see much diference if you drink yourself to unconsciousness with vodka or with French wine
c) drinking vodka itself, even if it is strong alcohol is nothing bad - as long as you know your limits and don't try to push them. If somebody drinks a sip every few days I don't think it's something you can consider as sin

I hope I helped you satisfy your curiosity

pqrama

I'm Polish and I never drink vodka and what does being Catholic have to do with drinking? Many other countries also drink in access so why don't you pick on them?

alwaysbombed

I've never seen Polish people drink vodka.

Have you been to Poland?

A lot of people do things they shouldn't do, God knows we're sinners and all is forgiven when you believe in Christ.

Why are you judgmental? Only God is the judge, not you.

BeKnown

Visit Poland and see for yourself that polish people don't drink exessive amounts of vodka. It's just a stereotype.

joanna

Why do college students get drunk every weekend??

Polish people use vodka for other things, like sickness, to clean bug bites, sometimes is used in baking as well... etc. So they have vodka at their houses, buit do they drink it all?? NO. Trust me, we have vodka at our house all the time and most it is used for things other than drinking. And Polish people don't "claim to be Cathilics" we ARE Catholics that actually practice our religion, unlike majority of Americans.

Messy_Rosie

I went through Poland when traveling Europe ... and polish vodka is SO TASTEY. I drank and I drank ... so I don't think it's the people who are the problem. I think it's the vodka.

Also, not everyone in Poland drinks! I met alot of people who did not drink. You should go to Poland.

Curious1usa

I am so impressed with the thoughtful and thorough answer by Luinlothana, above, that I had to write, just to say, "Well done!". Incredibly insightful and culturally descriptive.

Marysia

while traveling to and through and living int he US in a Polish area.... I've not seen a Pole excessively drunk. yes every so onften one will fall - including myself, however it's nothing in comparrision to others.

Poles drank vodka for the reasons the french drank wine - becuase it was their norm. ever been to Poland in the winter - ever suffer through an amazingly cold winter -- the vodka keeps them warm - not drunk. when they aresick, it's a healer and helps combat a fever quite well. there are those in various flavors too that are helpful.

the majority ARE Catholic and do not claim to be.... how many American's, especially college kids are having troubles as drunks and binge drinking - this is not a problem in Poland.

Bog Zaplac!

darragh mac

well i aint polish , im irish (dont even think about it). there is tonnes of polish here and i had the pleasure of socialising with quite alot of them and they dont specialise in vodka. they drink just as much as any other nation. they like their beers(very strong at that) maybe they are known to have an unusual tolerance to vodka like some russians but that doesnt mean they drink it all the time.

justyna z

first of all, how much is a lot? I think, we do not drink a lot, if you compare Polish people and English people, they drink A LOT! In Poland I have never seen girls drunk so badly that they lay flat on the street. In England it is like that every Friday. So again, how much is a lot? And please do not be suprestitious.

M N

I noticed you asked this question about Russians too and my intuition tells me you have never visited either of these countries. Why does it matter to you?

~ B ~

As you said yourself - we claim to be Catholic - but if you ask who in Poland really IS Catholic, it might turn out that it's not so straightforward.
And do you really think that the Poles are the only nation in this world which should be taught about not being greedy or thieves?
Besides, the generalisation that Polish people (suggesting all of them) drink vodka is far-fetched. It's like saying that Italian people are loud and cunning, and Nigerians are primitive. The stereotypes are not the best way of perceiving the world.
It might've happened that you've been to Poland and seen drunk people, I wouldn't be surprised. This is a problem - and if you have any answer to this, you are very welcome to present it.

hawndawg

french wine is more costly than russian vodka

shoe s

because the wine is no good

ladylikestoplaygames

They drink a lot of vodka because they are Polish, and they drink it like we drink cokes, pepsi's, water.....etc.

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