Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

Now, more than ever before, it's super-easy to get out of. Because of the recent media-frenzy and police crackdown on drunk-driving (in Japan there's no 0.08 law -- it's zero tolerance)... All what it takes is two magic words: "I'm driving." In the past week they caught over 1,000 drivers driving under the influence and it's still one big media circus over it. Employers are taking it seriously too. Last week even at our school board, we all got hauled into the superintendent's office and read the riot act -- that any one of us caught by the police (regardless of whether you were a Japanese or foreign teacher) for drunk-driving would be IMMEDIATELY terminated. End of discussion.

So far, I have not met anyone ANYWHERE, be it Japan or back in Canada that would dis me for being a DD. Even in Japan, where it's seen in part as a social obligation, excusing yourself from drink because you have to drive later will be respected by everyone but the most beligerant of a**holes.

Every "enkai" I have ever been to has served Oolong tea along with the beer and sake, and I'd say that at least 50% of the people opt for the tea as they need to drive later. Even at enkais where they pick everyone up and drop them off with a chartered shuttle bus (to encourage people to drink and relax more) there's still at least 30% who drink tea anyway.

It's easy. All you have to do is smile, put your hand over the mouth of your glass, bow, apologize and say you are driving. If your Japanese isn't there yet, just do the international sign for "I'm driving" by putting your hands on an imaginary steering wheel in front of you. Works great!

[gaijinalways]

Good point Jim, the rules here for drunk driving are stiff (yet many flout them regularly, even with an announced 1 week crackdown ). I see people drinking tea, but not the 50% that you quote. Living in Tokyo, most people that I work with don't drive, but either way, that's no reason to force someone to drink if they don't want to.

[JimDunlop2]

Drive cars -- not so much. But scooters, motorcycles and even bicycles.

And yes, believe it or not, I've been told repeatedly by all sorts of people (but I still cannot confirm the legality of it) that even when riding a bicycle, the cops CAN and sometimes DO stop people for drunk-driving....

[gaijinalways]

I've heard technically that the police can stop you on a bicycle, but it is rarely enforced unless you are causing injury to others or causing a public nuisance (maybe that's why the police like me, even though I don't have a bike!).

[Topo Gigo]

Just came across this snippet in Nature:

Chemists' nights out

Japanese police have launched a desperate search for three bottles of potentially deadly hydrofluoric acid, after an official from Shimonoseki Mitsui Chemicals who was carrying them one night got so drunk he couldn't remember what he did with them.

[Apsara]

In the area where I live (Tokyo suburb) the police have bicycle checks fairly often- they wait near the parking areas and then stop many of the people going past, whether they are doing something dangerous or not. They radio in the registration number to check whether the bike has been stolen or not. They will also stop you if you are riding at night without a light.[/quote]