In Korea, when anyone jokes about getting a drink or taking a shot, they click their tongues and gesture shooting alcohol or what they call "one shot."
In Russia, when drinking or taking a shot is mentioned people tap or flick the side of their neck. After the third or fourth time witnessing this, I had to ask.
Turns out, during Ivan the Terrible's reign, the only people allowed to drink were people of authority. That is, people in power under Ivan. To signify their authority, they were branded with tattoos on their neck.
If people wanted to get a drink at the bar, they had to show their tattoo. They would walk in and tap or flick their tattoo to prove they were allowed in to get a drink.
And the habit holds true. I thought it was interesting.
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