Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MaestroCantus]

Hello Everyone,

I'm considering going to Korea to teach English next year, but (unlike the majority of postings I've heard about consuming tons of alcohol) I do not enjoy getting drunk -- plus, I'd feel that drinking would make me more susceptible to being taken advantage of or even a victim of crime.

I don't have anything against a drink once in a while (maybe 1, or 2 drinks maximum), but I would prefer to avoid basing my social experiences on Alcohol.

I've heard from someone that alcohol is a large part of Korean culture, but would I be bored and lonely if I tried to avoid drinking alcohol socially?

[Tony_Balony]

You'll be leaned on a bit but you can avoid it.

[Tony_Balony]

[Harpeau]

Things are mellowing out more and more. Just tell people that you'd rather not drink (much). Your liver will thank you.

[MANDRL]

This has never been a problem for me or my fiancee. We have never been pressured to drink, not once. I have actually cut back my drinking by about 80% since living here and my fiancee who is not a big drinker anyway has had maybe 5 drinks in 7 months living here. Don't get me wrong though, they can drink like nobody's business over here. One of our female coworkers who probably weighs 100 pounds can drink more than a 20 year old frat boy during rush week. We never have problems being forced to drink though, hope this helps.

[IncognitoHFX]

[jajdude]

Of course it is possible. Some people drink a lot, some not. Hang out with the people you prefer.

[laogaiguk]

Yes, but you have to be firm. If you want, you can just pour soju out into bowls of stuff. I see the younger generation of Koreans do this all the time

[jaganath69]

I tried to avoid it, but it didn't avoid me tonight.

[Spanishnative]

It can be avoided easily depending on your lifestyle. I went months without a drink. You may want to do other activities though. I usually went mountain climbing around Seoul on the weekends. Hang out with non-drinking buddies, do photography around the city. Or get out of the city to explore a town next door. Basically, it's just like back home. It's just that so many foreigners drink and are at bars that you may be tempted to drink to improve your social situation when you get here. I don't think that's necessary though. Im thinking of taking Gumdo during the week.

[Qinella]

Be advised: there is no weed here.

Now reconsider your beliefs on alcohol. Go ahead.

[mrsquirrel]

It can be done.

Hard work though.

I relapsed on my teachers night away and kept myself, the missus and my co-teacher out drinking on the beach until 4am when the head teacher eventually got stressed out and sent a rescue party to the beach to bring us home.

I had previously warned them that once I start I can't stop, I think they have learnt their lesson and keep me away from alcohol now.

[wylies99]

OP- It is hard to avoid drinking in Korea and it is impossible to avoid drunkards. Impossible. They're everywhere.

[beachbumNC]

[wylies99]