Earlier quoted context omitted.
there are plenty of other beverages that aren't alcoholic/caffeinated than just plain water
There should be a (weak) mushroom tea alternative at such events, I think.
Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
31–40 of 190 posts
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#32Even in the US, in tech firms, it's pretty common to have happy hours where everyone drinks a bit. I don't drink at all due to my sleep apnea, and don't even have caffeine after 1pm for the same reason, so I'm pretty much always in this kind of awkward position of sipping on a water throughout the night while coworkers get more and more inebriated. I don't think it's ever directly hurt my chances of promotion or anyt…
there are plenty of other beverages that aren't alcoholic/caffeinated than just plain water
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#33Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
there are plenty of other beverages that aren't alcoholic/caffeinated than just plain water
Are there really? If we ignore alcohol. We have few groups: 1) Coffee / tea (caffeinated so many cant sleep after them) 2) Yerba mate (isnt it the same group as caffeinated drinks? Also availability is low) 3) sugary drinks (cola, fanta, soda..) - basically liquid diabetes 4) juices (they are sugary again even if other type of sugar) 5) milk (nobody sells / buys milk?) 6) water with lemon So if you want to sleep, don…
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
there are plenty of other beverages that aren't alcoholic/caffeinated than just plain water
Strange but true: I've been to a number of professional happy hours that offered free alcohol, but didn't provide other beverages. It got to the point that I started bringing my own water bottle to networking events, just in case. I'm a big fan of providing other beverage types. Being able to sip a soda etc from the same kind of container as everyone else goes a long way towards blending in.
Failing to provide non-alcoholic drinks would be a faux pas even in Germany. It is indeed strange. I'd go as far as calling it worse than college-party-level planning.
Is nobody expected to drive home after the event?
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
there are plenty of other beverages that aren't alcoholic/caffeinated than just plain water
Are there really? If we ignore alcohol. We have few groups: 1) Coffee / tea (caffeinated so many cant sleep after them) 2) Yerba mate (isnt it the same group as caffeinated drinks? Also availability is low) 3) sugary drinks (cola, fanta, soda..) - basically liquid diabetes 4) juices (they are sugary again even if other type of sugar) 5) milk (nobody sells / buys milk?) 6) water with lemon So if you want to sleep, don…
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#37In its extreme alcohol is a truth serum. The ones who don't drink want to keep their secrets to themselves and can't be trusted.
By that logic, the ones who don't drink should be handed the most secretive, important projects.
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#38Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I don't see how speaking your mind is confrontational or at odds with "collective harmony". Intention is all that matters in my opinion. Even in Western cultures, if you try saying something at odds with the "room" or the current bandwagon, like here on HN for example, you will feel the frowns coming your way.
Meh, different life experiences then. I've never had any trouble with it. Then again I could be autistic and haven't noticed / cared. In a business setting, the room should bend to facts, not group-think.
It should, sometimes, but ...
Different people often have different beliefs about the facts.
Sometimes there are higher priorities than the facts of the immediate issue.
And most of all, in reality it doesn't work that way. Someone who acts as if it does is as incompetent as a developer who insists there's no such thing as platform constraints. We're dealing with humans, which includes all the constructs of human nature, culture, and personality.
Your 'facts' may threaten someone's job, for example, or the CEO's reputation; do you expect they'll just go along with that?
Re: Why do east Asian firms value drinking?
#40In its extreme alcohol is a truth serum. The ones who don't drink want to keep their secrets to themselves and can't be trusted.
As if you never saw someone get drunk and spill their beans.
Alcohol removes inhibitors (at least to some people) from "drunk calling the ex" to "telling the boss that their idea is stupid".