Debunking Some Ethnic Myths

American truckers are blessed at least twice: because they do what thay want and because they do it in such a great country. The cultural melting pot of America can be seen literally everywhere, and trucking industry is doubtless one of its brightest examples. There may be only a few truck makes on the road, but if one looks at people who drive these trucks, he will see dozens if not hundreds of ethicities, each one of them is a riddle because of language and cultur barriers, urban legends, and what not. Being a certified Russian driver (certified by life), I can start with myself: no, I do not wear flip-flops with socks, no Adidas pants, no gold chain, and I don't drink vodka. But what most Russian truckers really love and do it a lot - is black tea. Not from a tea bag, god forbid, which is most likely a reused tea, but real loose tea from India, sold in America by Arabs or Slavic people, brewed properly and consumed with sugar. I cannot imagine my day without 5-6 cups of tea...

I LOVE black tea. I don't understand the addiction to coffee. I think black tea does what coffee does and is much cheaper and healthier. I always bring a tea mug to work and I tell my students that drinking tea is the secret to my success. Also, you hit the nail on the head, tea from a tea bag is not real tea and I feel so bad for people who actually think Lipton is real. I'm a huge fan of Akbar Gold 100% Pure Ceylon Tea sold only at local slavic delicatessens. Also, black tea with honey on the side is extremely good.

PS: if you swing by Sacramento CA anytime let me know and I'll take you to some great Russian stores.

We usually buy either Ahmad or some brandless (in the sense that I don't read Arabic) tea, all pure Ceylon, in Middle Eastern stores. For some reason local Russian stores sell the same Ahmad tea but for 3-4 dollars more. As for Lipton, it surprises me too. The only explanation I have is that human taste is formed very early, so eating or drinking something from childhood on is likely to create a feeling that it's good. Like peanut butter with jelly, which I will never be able to enjoy regardless of how tasty it is for other people :-) Lipton has been around for a long time, and more than one generation grew up with it. Or take Hershey - many people truly believe that this chocolate is not only edible, but also the best!

I'm starting to feel personally attacked. I like coffee, peanut butter and jelly and Hershey's

American truckers are blessed at least twice: because they do what thay want and because they do it in such a great country. The cultural melting pot of America can be seen literally everywhere, and trucking industry is doubtless one of its brightest examples. There may be only a few truck makes on the road, but if one looks at people who drive these trucks, he will see dozens if not hundreds of ethicities, each one of them is a riddle because of language and cultur barriers, urban legends, and what not. Being a certified Russian driver (certified by life), I can start with myself: no, I do not wear flip-flops with socks, no Adidas pants, no gold chain, and I don't drink vodka. But what most Russian truckers really love and do it a lot - is black tea. Not from a tea bag, god forbid, which is most likely a reused tea, but real loose tea from India, sold in America by Arabs or Slavic people, brewed properly and consumed with sugar. I cannot imagine my day without 5-6 cups of tea...

Along with Ikra on toast.

I have lived in the states my whole life, one line of my ancestors traves back to Plymouth rock.... But I love tea more than coffee. Black tea is fantastic

How do you brew your tea, Andrey? I'm curious about this. All I know is American Lipton style tea bags. How do you do it with leaves?

It just isn't a good day for me if I don't have my cup of Oolong in the morning and my cup of White Tea at night.

Lets see... ethnic myths.

1. I'm part Sicilian. No, I don't know any mobsters. No, I don't talk with my hands. Yes, I will refuse to go to the Olive Garden with you because it is garbage. Chicago Pizza is not pizza.. its a casserole ;)

2. I'm part Irish. No, I don't have much of a temper. No, I'm not Catholic. Yes, I can drink you under the table and still walk away unscathed (though I don't drink anymore... I am a natural redhead and it takes a lot more for me to get drunk)

I like coffee, peanut butter and jelly and Hershey's

Don't get me wrong, I drink coffee too, not much, maybe once a month, and in a Russian way - pour a big mug and mix with sweetened condensed milk... Any true coffee lover would throw up for sure :-) PBJ is a matter of being raised with it. My American born kids all love this sandwich and always make fun of me :-) Now, talking about chocolate, if you try to blind taste Hershey vs a decent Swiss or some other European chocolate, I am sure you will immediately feel the difference...

How do you brew your tea, Andrey?

Very simple. The best way is to use a brew pot. You put a few tablespoons of tea leaves, add a little bit od boiling water, cover and wait 3-4 minutes. The liquid inside the pot will be very strong, so you need only a small amount of it, then add hot water to achieve your desired strength. Be cautios not to drink it too strong - it will be a completely different drink, commonly used in Russian prisons to get high :-) If you don't have a brewing pot, you can brew in your mug, just make sure to cover it. Tea leaves will eventually set on the bottom. There is no universal formula, you have to experiment to see how much tea leaves per cup of water you need to get it taste right.