We're here to offer some clarity — and to provide some information on real ways to help
Some governors have banned the sale of Russian-made vodka in their states. Photo: Allison Dinner/Bloomberg via Getty Images Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Americans have scrambled to adjust their … buying behavior, wrongly boycotting products and restaurants they associate with the country of Russia while supporting businesses that make even the smallest of gestures, such as temporarily changing drink menus to rename Moscow Mules as Kyiv Mules.
Well, I just poured out a half-bottle of Smirnoff that I found in the back of my freezer, and now I’m getting ready to order some McDonald’s because they closed all of their restaurants in Russia.Well, this afternoon I plan to write some negative Yelp reviews of various Russian restaurants throughout the city. I really want to stick it to them!
This is a bad idea. For starters, the vodka you dumped is owned by a British company and distilled in Illinois. McDonald’s has nothing to do with this war. And Russian restaurants in the city are often run by people who not only oppose the war, but whose families have been directly affected by the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine.
It’s almost as if people who run small businesses in New York City have nothing at all to do with this war, and it’s completely unfair to hold them responsible for the actions of a government located 4,500 miles away.So I can still drink Smirnoff? I could really go for an espresso martini right now.Drink whatever vodka you want. It makes absolutely no difference.Don’t boycott anything.