Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EFLTeacher]

Ok, I know there will be lots of comments making lots of smart remarks...

I just want to know if there are any places where people who don't drink congregate in the Seoul area. I'm moving somewhere in the South Seoul area soon and would like to find other foreign teachers to do things with.

[mateomiguel]

coffee shops. There's a million of 'em.

[Mr. Pink]

Church?

[uberscheisse]

skateboarding.

[Scotticus]

Same kinda stuff you'd do back home. Just like back home, the hardest part isn't finding stuff to do, so much as finding people who don't care that you don't drink. While I've met a few cool drinkers, in general people seem to have a very high school mentality about alcohol consumption here.

[Temporary]

To be honest with you I find most foreigners thats all they can do for fun here.. Drink alcohol.

Foreigner: Let's Go out
Me: Where
Foreigner: Bar
Me: *sigh* Ok

Rinse and repeat..

[the_beaver]

[bassexpander]

Well, you can always ask for something non-alcoholic. That's usually what I do, although I sometimes have a beer to be social. I often choose not to drink mostly because I just don't feel like it. I like having a KGB at home some evenings, though.

If you don't drink because of religious reasons, you have to be careful of appearing self-righteous over it. One of my biggest turn-offs are people who cite religion as a reason why they don't drink. For a short time, I attended a church that was pretty openly against drinking. There is no biblical basis for this, and to me it was merely an example of how some people can use religion to separate themselves from society to the point that they are of no earthly good.

If you don't agree with me, ask yourself why the first miracle Jesus performed was to turn water into wine when his mother ran out of alcohol for guests at their family party. I noted this at the church I spoke of, and the pastor said, "Well, the wine Jesus made had no alcohol in it." That's a total fabrication, and can be disproven by simply reading the passage where it says that the party guests were shocked the good wine had been saved for last. Why? Because, as they pointed out, the good wine is usually served first, and the cruddy wine later (after everyone is good and drunk).

Christ was someone who blended-in and made friends with everyone. He wasn't someone who closed his life off to everyone else. He was popular, and liked by many. He went to the homes of people who were hated and considered sinners (tax collectors). He publically spoke to people who were supposed to be shunned (prostitute at the well). He wasn't stuck-up and closed-minded. He was very social, and the ultimate feminist and radical of the time.

He spoke of the teachers of "the law" as a brood of vipers... snakes that were a burden to the people. Who were these teachers of the law? They were they once who had a strict list of laws/rules that they felt everyone should follow in order to be closer to God, and they loved to appear in public and revered as following them.

Who would Jesus call a brood of vipers today?

[NilesQ]

The great thing about alcohol is that it will let you have a conversation with someone you would normally not like and enjoy yourself. The great social libricant. If you don't drink, the key is finding people you like. Joining things is the best way to do this. Korean classes, hiking club, pick a different city in Korea to visit every weekend, make friends with some USFK people and attend things on base with them, pirate dvd shopping club and exchange. Drinking is a common activity for those who drink. Find your activity.

[blaseblasphemener]

You can join a hiking group. You can get a Korean girlfriend. You can join a Korean language class. You can go to a pub and not drink alcohol. Bowling. Billiards. golf range. Lot's of people in Korea don't drink to excess, or at all. Usually it's the alchies or quite a few people in their 20s who are in to partying. Find an older crowd or an activity-based group.

[uberscheisse]

[EFLTeacher]

I'm a woman and I have a feeling I'll never find a Korean man who would fit my criteria.

My personal beliefs about my own alcohol consumption is not related to my religious convictions. My church is very strict about alcohol, but if you read the old testament you'll see that God even says that people who are sorrowful should drink and forget their cares for awhile. I find no fault in others who drink as long as the actions they take while they drink don't affect my life. I grew up in an alcoholic family, so I've personally chosen not to let alcohol enter my body...sorry if I said too much...just wanted to let bassexpander know that there are Christians out there who aren't among the brood of vipers...

[kentucker4]

[nicholas_chiasson]

[tselem]

Coffee shops. Korean classes (free or hagwon). Cultural classes (i.e., traditional dance, instruments, pottery, etc.). Gym. Martial arts classes. You could try organizing a club. Church.