So: “in Russia, wodka drrriiink you!” is not only an illustration of how to find humour in the darkest moments, it is also a rather fun takedown excessive machismo especially as performed by the Head of State Vladimir Putin—who has put out pictures of himself riding shirtless and if ever there was a reason to laugh, that would be it.
Here’s what I learned from the Russians and their grim jokes: over several eras the humour of the regular populace adapted to react to the difficult circumstances each one presented.
