Job Discussion Forums

[TRUBADOUR]

That's about it people!

I lost any inhibitions regarding drinking alone some time ago, so.. any tips on keeping the price down? A.K.A manage the consequences?

Like, ..where's the cheapest place to buy alcohol?

Any worthy drinking people want to share a habit?

I can't convince myself that drinking is bad, but I need not be convinced it's a bit expensive...

Any tips?

[BigWally]

7/11 is probably the cheapest place to buy beers. $30/can

Or if you want to buy in bulk, then pick up a case at Carrefour or another big box store.

[blackmagicABC]

If you go out for a night, make it a pool (9 ball or 8 ball) place and buy cheap beers and play for a few hours at a very reasonable price. If you are looking to meet girls though you are going to be out of luck.

[TRUBADOUR]

Cheers for the advice and info. Might have to arrange a beer run at some point. I didn't know the 7/11 was cheap. I had assumed they charge a premium for convenience, as they do where I'm from.

One of the strongest arguments for working in China is the price of beer, IMHO. Although it may have gone up considerably relative to wages since I was there a couple of years ago, what with their 10%+ annual inflation rate. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the price is kept down somewhat to keep the masses on side. Works for me!

[forest1979]

Trubadour - So coming to a place like Taiwan or China is not about experiencing a new culture, it's about obtaining cheap beer? If this is your fundamental principle for working overseas can I suggest Albania?

[TRUBADOUR]

forest1979 - Indeed! See you on the wagon!

[foreignertobe]

The last thing Taiwan ESL needs, ANYONE needs really, is another person whose only talent is drinking. Let me guess... your primary interest in life is sports and MOD EDIT

[chienkun]

Do you live in Taipei? I remember buying at "Drinks" - a liquor store franchise with various locations in the city - I could buy a decent bottle of imported bourdon/whisky/vodka for about $400NT. In the grocery stores you can buy local (gov subsidized) rum or vodka for really cheap - it's not bad either - the rum was only $65NT when I was there (a bottle), but moved up to about $180NT around 2001. Good deals can also be found at Welcome supermarkets (more variety of beer than 7-11), and some of those big stores like Carefour. Can't go wrong with 7-11, though - it's just buying in bars that hurts wallet.

[Serious_Fun]

I certainly do enjoy a "good" evening out...BUT: a reminder for TEFLers, and a heads-up for those new to expat life:

do not use drinking as a survival tool/coping strategy if you are isolated or depressed.

there are loads of other activities that can (and will!) help you to feel comfortable in your new surroundings, especially if the activity is familiar to you (such as jogging, kicking around a football, etc.). Never think that "there is nothing else to do". get out! become active!

over indulging can cause your work performance to suffer.

over indulging can cause your personal reputation to sink (stink?), particularly in a smaller community.

drinking can wreck your budget in one night. (a new pair of work shoes or 2 week's worth of groceries or one night of drinking in an overpriced bar?) hmmm....

I am not posting this in order to preach to you! I like going out and drinking a few pints, and sometimes too many pints!

I just wanted to restate an ancient maxim:

Moderation In All Things

[taffer]

A teacher, a human being who is drinking and surviving using the drink as the only way to cope does not need referals to Albania. Nor do they deserve your sarcasm. This is a profound place to find oneself. If you are in this space where you need to drink, then drink. Know this, if you let it get to a point where you are drunk during class time, then buddy, you are not going to last too long. You will skate by...at best. Some day soon however, someone is going to get in your face and tell you to move on. You have got to tone it down. Take it down beer by beer. Can you do it? Can you get it down to just a few brews a night? Good luck. I know what you are going through. Been out here for years.

[TRUBADOUR]

It's interesting how many people recognised my problem. Thank you for your kind, thoughtful replies.

My drinking had been a problem for many years. Although I was drunk in class once, a long time ago, I never repeated the experience. I always drank after hours (usually alone) because I couldn't find any other way of dealing with it, life. A kind of win, lose, lose dependency.

In the end, I phoned AA here in Taiwan and talked to a guy of some years experience. Over the next few weeks, I had to admit that I really wanted to stop, that I was powerless when it came to alcohol and that drinking had made my life unmanageable. Really and truly understanding the meaning and implications of this 'first step' has been the only reason I have been without a single drink for a month now.

I did want to stop drinking for some time and drinking had got me into trouble many times - but I was never able to stop for any significant time before. If I did manage to stop for a few weeks or less, I eventually got back into the swing of things like before. Although drinking was important to me and so I was reluctant to give it up because it was my main source of enjoyment, I knew I needed to. But I was unable to do it by myself. So things kept getting worse.

Thinking about the future without drinking really freaks me out. So I think in terms of one day or even 5 minutes at a time. But at the same time, it is hard to describe this new found strength. I know I couldn't have done it by myself.



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[TaoyuanSteve]