Destroy the Laowai: On China’s Drinking Culture
One of the less remarked upon aspects of culture is the role played by alcohol. Unless you’re moving to a country where spirits are illegal, there will be a drinking culture that may be very different than what you’re accustomed to back home.
“But I don’t drink at all!”
In that case, it’s even more important to understand foreign drinking cultures — just in case you find yourself in one of those difficult situations where getting loaded isn’t really optional. Knowing how to step back is at least as important as knowing how to join in. It’s a critical lesson to learn should you find yourself in one of those old-school business cultures where people discuss finance over the hard stuff.
China just happens to be one of those countries. As a tourist or a student you might not be exposed much to this part of the culture, but the farther you are inside the business sphere, the more drinking (among other unhealthy behaviors) you’re likely to encounter. Whether or not you partake in the ritual is up to you, but forewarned is forearmed, and knowing what to expect might spare you the toothy hangover that so often follows a round of Destroy the Laowai.
