What does the expression «so life wouldn't seem like a raspberry» mean?
A carefree existence unmarred by any troubles is often described as: “Не жизнь, а малина!” (“Ne zhizn, a malina!” or “Not life, but raspberries!”).
In the Russian language and folk tradition, unlike its antagonist, the bitter viburnum berry, the sweet raspberry has always been associated with a carefree life and pleasure. Card sharpers and criminals would call a large win or a den where they met with "colleagues" engaged in shady dealings a ‘raspberry’. Over time, this metaphor migrated into everyday speech, becoming a symbol of all that is most pleasant.
For example, the hero of Anton Chekhov's short story ‘To Paris!’ reflected on the universal attention he received after being bitten by a mongrel. Compassionate acquaintances began offering him money to go to Paris for treatment. "It’s not life, but raspberries! Everyone looks at you with pity, everywhere you go there's snacks and drinks, everyone gives you money."
The expression “Not life, but raspberries!” has its own spin. If someone wanted to make someone else's life difficult, they did it “чтобы жизнь малиной не казалась” (“chtoby zhizn malinoy ne kazalas” or “so life wouldn't seem like a raspberry”). The expression is also used to emphasize that life isn't always carefree; temporary difficulties do happen, so don't relax.
