Drinking in China is very different than in the states. In the states friends can go out grab a drink, drink it and catch up. In China drinking is all business. Friends will go out and drink, but only in the form of drinking games that cause people to drink waaay beyond their ability. The most common source of drinking is a business dinner, wedding party, or banquet. People will cheers a table, or an individual person. First the host will propose a toast to the tables, all the ones that are there. Then the guests will toast their host, either one at a time or a whole table at a time. You can see where it is easy to get very smashed very quickly.
The most striking part of this drinking culture is how early they learn it. At this particular dinner, I was sitting with the teachers and officials of the international department. My friends son, was already well versed in making toasts. He is 8 years old now. He had his glass of pepsi and was cheers with everyone else. The one thing I will say is if you are a woman, it is much easier to get away with drinking juice or tea instead of alcohol. But then the students came in with beer, juice, and pepsi and began to toast their teachers! In the USA this is unacceptable, these students are 15, 16, 17. It was interesting to see the teachers reactions, or lack their of.
Drinking in China can be very fun, but is a completely different animal than in the states.
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