Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mslaoshi]

Sorry for those who have already read this, but I wanted to get responses from as many people as possible.

Is there anyone out there who is sober in Korea? I have been having trouble mixing with my fellow teachers/Koreans because I don't drink. They think it is the weirdest thing...some feel uncomfortable because I am not drinking alcohol. then I feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.

I have been to parties before where I felt comfortable because people were drinking socially/smoking pot socially but you could tell it was not the main reason for the get-together. It is different than just getting together to get "f--ed up" with that being the main goal. The difference is between substantial conversations with alert individuals and drunks who wish to be unconscious after work.
It feels like such a waste to me. Plus, it is boring for me.

If there is a group out there that does fun things without needing to get smashed...let me know. In the meantime...I will be wandering around Seoul solo.

mslaoshi

I'm sure I'll get a lot of negative responses from this post...sorry if this sounds judgemental but it is just my preference speaking and frustration.

[marista99]

I don't drink and I'm in Korea (I'm Mormon). I don't know where you are, but we can get together sometime if you want I haven't even met any other foreigners here at all yet, let alone foreigners who don't drink, so life's rather boring at the moment.

[Ilsanman]

Sober in Korea? I don't like this subject...........

just joking. After summer died down last year, I cut my drinking to a minimum, and only drank socially. One or two beers here and there.

There are many people that live like that, but as to being 100% dry, I think it's quite rare.

[the_beaver]

Welcome to Korea.

I don't drink. I get by. You can too.

[SuperHero]

1 maybe 2 beers in a month... Getting drunk is just not worth it. I have better things to do with my time.

[manlyboy]

I went for a physical recently and the doctor asked how often I drank. I said only once a week for the last few months but more regularly before that. He asked why I decided to cut back. My answer - "I got married". The doctor looked at the floor pensively and remarked slowly "yep, that'll do it".
I actually get crap from my Korean friends because I won't drink soju. Three pitchers of beer down the hatch just isn't good enough for some people!
O.P, I don't think you're being judgemental. Don't know of any "sober" groups but know plenty of sober people are out there. Seek and ye shall find I reckon.

[mslaoshi]

It has actually gotten way better. I am starting to find a group of friends within my work place who are not heavy drinkers. Now I know the group to hang with and the group not to. It is hard just coming here for the first time...especially with heavy drinking being an integral part of the culture. I actually have found three Korean staff that either don't drink or one that drinks very little. The rest are mostly okay...I just have to give myself the permission to excuse myself when things get stupid.

I apprieciate the supportive comments.

mslaoshi

[Ryst Helmut]

MsLao,

You know, I am a person that has partook (is that a word?) in said activities around non-consumers.....never ever ever was an issue. Even when I had parties at my flat, I made sure there was enough non-alchy drinks about.

Not sure why you feel uncomfortable around those that imbibe or dub-up. I believe it'd have to be one of two things...your imagination, or that lot.... 'cause it's not an issue for us (the group I hung with).

Party on, responsibly!

!shoosh

Ryst

[Demophobe]

There is no need to drink. It doesn't make one happier, it doesn't make friends, it isn't a useful way to spend the time, it's not condusive to saving money, it's not good for your health..

There is a long list of reasons not to drink, but a very short one for reasons to drink.

You got stress? So getting drunk helps? You wake up poorer, perhaps can't remember what you did the night before and you feel like crap.

If it's a way to meet your friends, or rather something to do with your friends, can't one be more creative? Play some sports together, organize a LAN party for a game, go hiking, climb, explore the city together, learn Korean together....

I guess it's a kind of human nature to want to get "out of it" sometimes, but I think we have to find a more constructive way to alter our mind.

Oh....I don't drink.

If you want to see another reason not to drink, and for me this is the best way to turn away from the sauce...just watch drunk people. It never ceases to amaze me how utterly ridiculous inebriated people look. I don't want to look like that.....ever.

[Ryst Helmut]

[ladyandthetramp]

[deeluvskitties]

well, i don't really drink much. i maybe get tipsey-giggley-drunk every few months. i like the social aspect, but it isn't necessary to drink to have fun (haha, cliche!)

i don't think i've ever made anyone feel left out when i drink, i have had a friend who didn't drink and it wasn't an issue. i don't smoke up, so sometimes i feel like everyone thinks im a bit of a square, but then again, i dont really care.

so, i don't think you'll find much trouble - maybe from koreans, but whatevs...

if you want to get together for a tea or lemonade, i'm game!
message me! i'm looking to meet new peeps - dry or wet!
- dee

[jajdude]

The pain may outwiegh the pleasure in the long run for those who drink a lot. But to have a little fun and escape boredom, it is fun getting drunk. And for us poor social morons alcohol does disinhibit us.

[Aidge]

Hey - stick to your principles! There's a lot more to having fun than depending on a substance. I'm coming in a few days, and I'm not planning on getting drunk...So if you or the Mormon person want to hang out, I'll be in Suji!

[Demophobe]