Job Discussion Forums

Ozzy2 · Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

I appreciate the comments everyone has made on this. They are very useful. Does anyone know similar pressure to what's desribed above exist in Thailand?

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

Yes. I was in Kazakhstan for a while and my not now being a big drinker did result in my being given some strange looks.

I was never ostracized as such by the people I was with but, rather, they looked upon me as being rather a wet blanket when it came to a night out on the town.

Best
Basil Smile

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

A bit like asking for respect because you don't have a degree.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Saying you're taking Chinese medicine, religion prohibits it, are a recovering alcoholic, or that you're pregnant usually works. Usually.

Old Surrender · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:22 am Post subject:

I do drink, but am currently killing off the parasites I picked up in Ecuador. (On pretty heavy meds)

So I'm having a non-drinking period in Korea, and nobody seems to mind.

Best,
Justin

NYCESOL11211 · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 75

Did anyone read River Town: Two Years on the Yangtzee? Shocked

The native-Chinese English professors would call one of the other men (also Chinese) in the English department a sissy-girl when he couldn't keep up with their drinking.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject:

Drinking is a big past-time in Mexico. But if you say you don't drink, that's all there is to it.

Some drunks might feel like turning you into one, but being firm has good results.

Tantris · Joined: 27 Jan 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Madrid, Spain

The only place where this might happen is Russia. If you think it is a problem simply say you are on medication and can't.

lummerlaoshi · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Kunming, China

Japan: politely refuse drinks and it's not an issue.

Thailand: not so much pressure to drink; some ladies may call you a "good man" if you don't drink

China: much more pressure if you are doing business to smoke and drink. I say I'm allergic to alcohol/makes me sick (which is now true).

In all countries, be firm and consistent. If you say you can't drink, but then one time you do, excuses won't work. Most people won't press the issue if you make your refusal firm with a smile.

jasonXkeller · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:55 am Post subject:

I really do worry about this myself. I don't drink and will react negatively if people are persistent. I will be firm but will not make excuses. If they don't like it they can shove it. I don't really like being around people who are drinking anyway. I would like to be sensitive to different cultures, but it's a two way street.

bombay_kitty · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Japan

I'd suggest giving them a reason like "I'm allergic to alcohol" or simply "I can't drink due to health issues". Don't even give them reasons like you're a recovering alcoholic or something because that tells them you CAN drink but that it is a personal decision not to. I've been to China and am currently teaching in Japan, I go out to parties with my co-workers and students but I am notorious amongst them that I will not drink because I simply cannot, unless they so desperately want to see me vomit on them 5 minutes later.

JDYoung · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 157 Location: Dongbei

I'm with lummerlaoshi. Be consistent. No alcohol under any circumstances, even if you're told that you should take a shot after having seafood to kill any bacteria. The day before I left China, for what I thought was the last time, I had one cuba libra while waiting for the rain to clear up before trying for a taxi. I came back to China 4 years later. They remembered that one drink.