So you had a bad day...
One of the more amusing parts of Japan for me is the drinking culture here. Or rather, the excess of drinking..
As an Aussie, I’m no stranger to the jiggle juice. I enjoy a good drink and yes, I’ve had moments I’m not really proud of as a direct result of alcohol, and some of these moments have been in Japan. Australians have a problem with drinking and control; we’re notoriously known for binge drinking. It’s apart of our culture, and it’s certainly not a healthy habit, but it’s kind of what we’re used to.
In Japan, the drinking culture is a bit different. For starters, their ability to tolerate alcohol is completely different. I can outdrink a lot of business men here simply because I’m not 100% Asian and I have a bit of meat to my bones. Of course, give me five shots of vodka over 15 minutes and I'll end up on the floor; but over a night of drinking, I could probably outlast many a salaryman here, because most of their mixers are so weak, they don’t deserve to be called cocktails. However, I can't drink beer, and that seems to be the most popular drink of choice here. Alcohol is cheap, and unbelievably accessible. I'm not kidding; it’s not uncommon for my coworkers and I to go for a ‘Cheeky Chuhai’ after work; basically, we go to the nearest convenience store, by a beer or a chuhai (a Japanese alcoholic beverage that can knock me on my ass if I’m not careful) and drink it out the front on the street while we recap our days and do some people watching (an excellent activity, trust me).
This is not unusual, especially in Tokyo. I don’t think many people here have the time to cultivate many friendships because they simply work and work and spend what little free time they have with their families; so, they will socialize with their coworkers after work, even during the week. I will say this for the majority; they work hard, but man do they play hard, too!
I believe they drink to relax; somewhat like self-medicating, though perhaps not quite as dramatic as that sounds. Frequently there are some business fellows who find themselves on the last train in a less than desirable state:
Bless these guys.
So, if you’re having a bad day, just think: at least you're not passed out, sliding down a train seat at 11 pm on a Tuesday night. It could be worse.
I have found myself in such states, and I don’t feel like I can judge them. But I am more careful, and more aware of my limits because when I return to my own country, I know I won’t have the safety that is found here, and I may not be as lucky. The Japanese look after each other when they’re drunk, and they don’t take advantage of those who do find themselves practically catatonic. So, kudos to them!
Mata!
S
xx
