Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Omkara]

During my one year in Korea, I found that much of the social life was in the bars. Then, though I didn't drink much, I didn't mind going out to the bars on the weekends, save for the heavy smoke in the air.

Now, I've cut drinking out of my life and really enjoy the health. When I think of going back to Korea, I think that I'd be isolated owing to the fact that I have no desire to drink anymore.

So then, do any of you find that you can keep an active social life without drinking?

[seoulshock]

find like-minded people. i used to drink and smoke a lot, but after cutting down on that, i have a lot more money and i feel a lot better.

there are otehrs out there who don't like to drink either. usually i hang out at a restaurant, eating 3gyeopsal or kalbi... and chatting w/ friends there.

..and since i dont drink sodas (due to sugar, caffeine, or aspartame in diet sodas) or consume caffeine we don't go to cafe's either.

so i'm limited to:

1) restaurants
2) arcades (rarely)
3) noraebang
4) pc bang
5) hangang river

btw, i can still go to bars, but i just drink water, or maybe a caffeine-free herbal tea... which is rare.

[SuperHero]

This has come up over and over here. There are many users on Daves who don't drink, including myself. Don't worry about it, you'll keep your self busy and entertained.

[jlb]

I don't drink or go to the bars and have found it easy enough to keep busy. The nice people of Cheonan usually do some activity first and then go out drinking so I just do the activity. Wednesday is pool night, Friday poker night, bowling and hiking or some other fun once in a while. I just stay for the first part and then when the group heads to the bar I go home. Staying out to 6:00 am isn't really my thing either.

Because I head home early, I have my days free as well to go do stuff. I make an effort to become friends with Koreans as well who take me around and hang out.

Church is a good place to meet a non-drinking crowd as well, if you're into that sort of thing.

[crazylemongirl]

I rarely drink these days and still have a great time over here. Plenty of stuff to do if you know to where to look and are willing to put yourself out there.

[animalbirdfish]

Think of all the things you'd do with yourself in your home country if you didn't want to hit the bars. Most of those same activities are available in Korea. If you can't find them, put a post up on this board and I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction. Fact is, non-drinking options probably outnumber activities that involve drinking, but you'll have to look a little harder to find them.

[Hater Depot]

Plenty of museums, parks, odd tourist attractions, restaurants to try. The Korea Herald always writes up some decent articles about the new exhibits coming into Seoul and surrounding cities.

Develop some new interests -- Korean, Chinese, calligraphy, taekwondo...

[animalbirdfish]

What he said.

Additionally, be sure to pick up the International Herald-Tribune on Fridays. The Joong-Ang Ilbo insert always has a 'Weekend' section that has listings and feature articles for all manner of activities in the Seoul area.

[heydelores]

I don't drink and am never at a loss for things to do. Like other people have said--museums, sightseeing, hiking, cafes, restaurants, theater . . . the list goes on and on. I haven't had trouble meeting people who don't drink either, and my friends who do drink respect that I don't. It really isn't an issue.

[Homer]

[Omkara]

No, not kidding. I just found the last time I was there that nearly all of the ex-pats spent a good amount of time in the bars. I did find some things to do, but I met far more people if I went to the bars. Yet, I didn't really try to stay away from the bars then.

Of course, a little creativity is what's needed. I was just wondering if any of you had much success, and if you've had a good experience in general. It's one thing to know that all that's needed is a little creativity; it's another to hear it from some who've found success.

Anyway, thanks all.

[Hapkido-In]

You could get into martial arts. There's a style for everyone and there's plenty of different styles easy to find here.

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

_*_

[Captain Corea]

Another one here who rarely drinks.

[the_beaver]

Don't drink at all. Rarely go to bars. Never bored.