Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pyongshin Sangja]

you gotta get a new hat too man.

[TJ]

I have been here for 3 years and found that the best way to avoid drinking is to have a medical reason. I say that alcohol is bad for my stomach. Koreans seem to understand and accept that much better than if you say "I don't drink".

Only once have I had any problems with my alcohol free life. A Korean 'friend' tried to spike my drink (orange juice) with soju. Fortunately my wife saw him do it and warned me.

[Teebird]

I am not into drinking, and like I've read most others are pretty cool if you don't want to drink. But for some strange reason my director and manager feel it is rude to decline so-ju. So basically they make me feel bad for not drinking....My solution, no more dinners with the boss.

[Harpeau]

I enjoy drinking in moderation. If I'm out with friends and some of them don't drink- that's cool. Some Koreans tend to react a bit strange. I, myself will always defend the person that wants to remain totally sober.

My wife and I have parties at our place about once per month (live folk-music/BBQ) and about 1/4 of the people don't drink and that's awesome! (The last one, I had one glass of wine and one red needle- otherwise, I only had cranberry juice.)

I have a couple friends who don't drink and they really can't stand being around those who do. They get together with their AA friends and they're a wonderful community.

One place to meet some awesome sober people is Macondo's Latin bar. Many of these dancers drink water because they're dancing and sweating up a storm. Many of them take their dancing very seriously and need to be sober in order to do their salsa turns, etc.

A few ideas. Their is life outside drinking in Korea. I just need to stay away from Jameson's for a little while.

Harpeau

[The Bobster]

I meet a lot of Koreans who don't drink and they have it worse than any of us might as far as losing a social life. Find these people and hang out with them. End of problem.

[crazylemongirl]

I used to have a major problem with booze and gave it a few years back. I find being here my alcohol intake has gone up, from only when on holiday (which was once every 6 months) to once every few days. But it's not to the point where I need a drink to get going in the morning (although I'm drinking more at night if I've had a bad day/week).

I think that you have to make sure that your social scene doesn't only revolve around bars. There are other things to do here. Seeing the sights, reading, watching tv etc.

CLG