Korean Job Discussion Forums

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

Out of all the foreigners you've known, how many get drunk at least once a week?

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

All but one or two who were straight-edge. I've also met a fair share of straight-edge bands travelling through the country. But the rest of us more than make up for them.

Kimchi Cha Cha · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: was Suncheon, now Brisbane

I picked the 'I'd say about half' option and estimate around 55-60% of Western foreigners would get drunk at least once a week.

It would be a lot harder to estimate for the total number of foreigners here (including factory workers, diplomats and Korean spouses) from non-Western backgrounds, though I'd guess they wouldn't drink as much.

Out of the Western ex-pat crowd, in terms of drinkers out of the top of my head I'd rank:
1. ESL teachers (heaviest drinkers)
2. US Military
3. Engineers
4. Business people & diplomats
5. Western spouses of a Korean national & others (least drinkers)

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

I wrote about half, but out of my close friends in Korea, probably about 20% get drunk once a week.

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

All the foreigners in my area seem to be alcoholics. Rolling Eyes

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

bosintang · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject:

rawiri · Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.

What of it? This country has it's own fair share of stressers for locals and foreigners alike. A good way to clear the clogs is to get drunk with your mates once or twice a week. It's no big deal for me, so long as you keep it all in check.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

In my area it would be almost everyone but the religious nutters, and they generally haven't worked out here.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

At least once a week? Is that supposed to be heavy drinking?

All of them at least once a week.

About half a lot more than that.

rawiri · Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.

True, thats what not starting work till 3pm can do to you though.

kingtout · Joined: 03 May 2007 Location: ROK...again...

The really really strange foreigners in my area are the ones that never go out to the bars. I've seen these people yelling at random Koreans at E-Mart or on the bus, and they're the ones that will never say "Hi" on the street or even give the little "What's up" fellow-wayguk nod.

ariellowen · Joined: 19 Apr 2006

I despise alcohol as much as I despise drunks. The ex-pat community in Korea is no more alcoholic than much of the rest of the world.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Haven't voted yet. Just too many imponderables.

First, I may know quite a few foreigners living Korea, but there aren't too many I know well enough or am physically around enough to monitor & comment on their weekly drinking habits. And drinking habits can change; age will calm your drinkin' ass down, let me tell you. (And if it doesn't, look out.) The nights I go out drinking with people or have them over might be their one drink-up of the month. Or, they may get hammered at home every night. I just wouldn't know.

And then, how are we defining "drunken"? Is it:

a) the relatively small number of drinks required to put a person over the legally prescribed drunk-driving limit?
b) warm & tipsy?
c) slurring & wobbly?
d) roaring?
e) puking, falling down & blacking out?

If it's a ~ b, then I'd have to say almost every foreigner (and Korean) I know. If it's c, then I would guess fewer than half of the foreigners I know. And as for d & e, well, I suppose we all "know" (as in know their names, met 'em a few times, etc.) the "regulars" getting their five-hour drink on at the pub. The types you see propping up the bar every single time you visit, even though you only make 7 or 8 random visits a year. Not sure they should be included.