Raoul's China Saloon (V5.0) Beta

The Bar Room => The Bar (ON-TOPIC) => Topic started by: Borkya on February 24, 2009, 04:45:29 PM

Title: Drinking in China
Post by: Borkya on February 24, 2009, 04:45:29 PM: So here's the deal. I'm not a drinker. I've been "straight-edge" (no drinking or drugs) for pretty much the last 15 years. I'm not against drinking for cultural reasons (ie: respect of your hosts) but to be honest I really can't stomach much liquor at this point. Am I going to have trouble when I go to China? I've heard a lot of stories of banquets and liquor and toasts. Luckily my husband will be with me, and he's a drinker, but what do you think?

(By the way, I thought "the bar" was the appropriate place for this topic. :alcoholic: )
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: china-matt on February 24, 2009, 04:51:05 PM: If you simply tell your hosts that you don't drink, you won't have a problem (as long as they never see you drinking). And they usually don't pressure women to drink anyway.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Lotus Eater on February 24, 2009, 05:08:43 PM: If you absolutely do not drink at all, no worries. However, if you are seen drinking for a wedding anniversary or something you consider special enough to have one glass for, then you may have problems and be seen as rude or unfriendly.

Husband will be fine.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Stil on February 24, 2009, 06:23:36 PM: It's not a problem. You might get some light arm twisting at first but just politely decline and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: The Local Dialect on February 24, 2009, 06:34:34 PM: Yeah, you're a woman, you won't have any problems. Chinese people completely accept "I don't drink" from women. Guys are more likely to get pressured. As a woman, they'll really only pressure you if they know you drink and feel like you're just holding out on them. A blanket no drinks policy will be fine.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: AMonk on February 24, 2009, 06:55:08 PM: There are plenty of teas of all types available everywhere. If you stick to them, you'll be fine. My favourites are jasmine and/or chrysanthemum.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Spaghetti on February 24, 2009, 07:13:21 PM: Quote from: The Local Dialect on February 24, 2009, 06:34:34 PM
Guys are more likely to get pressured. As a woman, they'll really only pressure you if they know you drink and feel like you're just holding out on them.

That's when you jump up on the table, shoving liquor onto the floor, grab the biggest guy you can find, punch him square in the face, and then shout, "I am the alpha male! Who's next? The bottle of whoop ass is open and it's looking for a crimson chaser!"

That usually works, too. ababababab
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Raoul F. Duke on February 24, 2009, 08:20:31 PM: Yes, as indicated, you can do fine in China without drinking or drugs.
But thank God you don't have to. agagagagag

If pressured too much, making it known that you can't drink for health reasons usually does the trick.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Borkya on February 25, 2009, 01:50:28 AM: Phew! Good to know! Thanks guys!

agagagagag
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: babala on February 25, 2009, 08:26:10 AM: As LD said, as a woman you will have no problem. Most of the women at a dinner will only be drinking tea or juice. When I first moved to China, our problem was getting them to GIVE us the booze :alcoholic:
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: BrandeX on February 25, 2009, 06:00:49 PM: I've seen the opposite more often than not, where Chinese people with me refuse alcohol. Those that do drink are usually red faced and slurring after the first bottle of beer.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Nolefan on February 25, 2009, 07:06:03 PM: I've also noticed this new trend with locals not drinking at certain events, including business dinners aoaoaoaoao aoaoaoaoao I mean what's the world coming down to if there is no more baijiu at a Chinese business dinner???
Another trend is that of red wine showing up at dinners more and more often which is kinda nice, until they put ice or sprite in a 1998 Bordeaux bibibibibi bibibibibi or try to ganbei it.

Anyways, just remember that if you say you don't drink, never ever let them see you drinking after that.. kkkkkkkkkk
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Ruth on February 26, 2009, 11:41:06 PM: Yeah, the ganbei-ing wine gets me. It just ain't right.

It might be the people I've associated with, but I noticed drinking was much more prevalent, and expected, when I lived in the north east than here in the south. There, even non-drinkers were expected to drink on occasion (heavy pressure from the principal). I was kind of exempt (sipping was ok), but my husband was expected to (and did!) keep up. In the south, it seems like tea or juice are just as accepted for toasting and people accept the 'not tonight, thanks' even if you drank with them before.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Escaped Lunatic on February 27, 2009, 03:43:40 AM: Had my first round of baijiu since getting back a couple of days ago. I impressed a friend's father by ganbei-ing him a couple of times.
agagagagag
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Schnerby on February 27, 2009, 10:01:02 PM: I just went to a baijiu fuelled lunch and most of the female teachers were rather restrained, sticking to the red wine.

I kept to my juice, and another two FTs who don't drink did the same. The one poor FT (new here as well) who did hit the booze got hit hard on the rst of our behalf. I think he is going home now to crawl into bed.

He did promise to help me move my bed to another room so I hope he still drops by.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Spaghetti on February 27, 2009, 10:40:26 PM: Quote from: Schnerby on February 27, 2009, 10:01:02 PM
He did promise to help me move my bed to another room so I hope he still drops by.

Be careful of what you wish for: it might come true!

Depending on their size, it might be easier to move the bed on your own than to revive a passed out colleague! agagagagag
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Stil on February 27, 2009, 11:25:40 PM: 3 out of 4 foreigners at your school don't drink? kkkkkkkkkk
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Schnerby on February 28, 2009, 12:10:00 AM: It's a double bed but it moves in two halves. He hasn't returned so I guess he is asleep. I will go fetch someone else to help.

There are other FTs here, but I haven't met them yet.

I also east VERY little meat and there are vegans here. Imagine, a meat and booze free meal！ My idea of heaven, most will disagree.

ｃａｎ”ｔtypeｍｏｒｅ〉
chineseｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒs are　ｓｔｕｃｋ on

EDIT: Will continue where I left off.
There was no pressure put on anyone to drink who didn't want to. The other FTs said this may not always be the case, particularly for men or on special holidays.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: DaDan on February 28, 2009, 02:56:36 AM: Quote from: Schnerby on February 27, 2009, 10:01:02 PM
I just went to a baijiu fuelled lunch>>
one poor FT (new here as well) who did hit the booze got hit hard>>
He did promise to help me move my bed to another room so I hope he still drops by.

Hmmm...
afafafafaf

Quote
ｃａｎ”ｔtypeｍｏｒｅ〉
chineseｃｈａｒａｃｈｔｅｒ are　ｓｔｕｃｋ on

seems he may have shown up after all...
bhbhbhbhbh

bfbfbfbfbf
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Schnerby on February 28, 2009, 01:27:42 PM: Yes he did show up.
Helped me move the furniture and left.

Sorry, I know you would have preferred a scandal.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Lotus Eater on February 28, 2009, 04:42:03 PM: A gentleman. Nice to have one around, even if he did fall for the oldest Chinese trick in the book!
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Spaghetti on February 28, 2009, 05:01:58 PM: Quote from: Schnerby on February 28, 2009, 01:27:42 PM
Sorry, I know you would have preferred a scandal.

Nope. Just a funny story.
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Schnerby on February 28, 2009, 08:27:52 PM: Quote from: Lotus Eater on February 28, 2009, 04:42:03 PM
A gentleman. Nice to have one around, even if he did fall for the oldest Chinese trick in the book!

Hey, we moved a cupboard too! That's no scandal...
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Con ate dog on March 02, 2009, 11:12:09 PM: Quote from: Schnerby on February 28, 2009, 08:27:52 PM

Hey, we moved a cupboard too!

Is that what you call it? afafafafaf
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: zak101 on March 03, 2009, 11:51:14 PM: Went to an annual company conference a few years ago. Management told me I was to mentor a junior software developer for the duration of a project, and he was a BIG Maori (Native New Zealand/Samoa).

Anyway, we all finished the lavish Company buffet and Moulin Rouge song and dance gig at the Sheraton, in Perth - Western Australia. Suitably boozed up, I decided to return to the 5 star for a nice deep relaxing bath.

No Prince Poata Akarana. He's out, playing. A 6 foot 4,25 y.o. 120 kg Maori (after he'd lost some weight) is someone you have to be "nice" with !

Anyway, Po comes back at 4 am, staggering and slurring,slams the door, mumbles, collapses on his bed fully clothed (shared room) and starts sleeping and snoring.

Sigh. I get up. Take off his shoes, roll him over, take off his jacket and tie, undo the top button on his shirt and pull a blanket over him, lift his head and slide the pillow under, coma position turning a big Maori. Then I'm back to bed.

Next day, 1 pm his mobile phone is ringing in his jacket - in the wardrobe. I pull the phone out and answer. It's his wife. Where's Poata ? Who are you ? "I'm Zak, I work with him". Oh, OK, he told me about you.

I explain what happened, and we have to check out before 1 pm or charges apply. Groan. Get dressed and go down to reception, explain the matter and ask for a checkout extension without charges. No problem, give you until 3 pm.

An hour later, 2 very large Samoans (cousins) knock on the door. Open up. Hi ! greeting from both the mobile Easter Island statues. Po - Get up, get your sh*t together, we're taking you home.

I gather my stuff, put it in the suitcase, close the door and join the statues dragging Poata into the lift.

Hang on boys, we have to check out of the hotel. I front the reception girlie and sign out with Larry, Moe and Curly staggering, supported by statues behind me.

Whew, what a night/day.

Never drink with a Maori. They are usually quite benign but don't provoke them !

I wonder if you've had this kind of experience in China ?

Zak
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Schnerby on March 04, 2009, 12:34:14 AM: Thank you for bringing this back on topic, Zak!
Title: Re: Drinking in China
Post by: Stil on March 04, 2009, 12:50:30 AM: Quote from: Schnerby on March 04, 2009, 12:34:14 AM
Thank you for bringing this back on topic, Zak!

That's right!!!

So Schnerbs,

Ever have a Maori move your cupboards?