Glass of wine anyone? 🍷

Thought I’d drop a small Warning about alcohol for Visitors to #Korea during the #Olympics or well, visiting ever. 😀

Don’t get me wrong, the alcohol in Korea is good. But like #Baijiu in #China – you gotta be careful. One really famous Korean #drink is #Soju (소주) which usually ranges between 20% to 40% alcohol, but can be as much as 50%. 😱 VERY strong. You drink it in shot glasses and moderate the intake. The first time I visited #Seoul, two boys in our group drank it like Beer and were deathly ill the next day (and they weren’t lightweights). It’s fun and a great #Cultural experience, but be warned 😋

If you want a Good drink, but prefer something less likely to sterilize your insides, I recommend one of Korea’s Plum Wines. They are sweet and great to sip & enjoy! 🍾

Tip #1- Asian Culture (Including both #China and #Korea in my experience) is often built around the idea that an empty cup or plate is a sign the host did not provide enough. So if you don’t want them to keep pouring you more alcohol later, leave a medium bit in your glass. They are less likely to add to it. If your glass is mostly empty, thery are inclined to fill it back up.

Tip #2 – The more you drink at the beginning of the night, the more they’ll assume you can hold your alcohol and start encouraging you to drink even more through toasts. If you’re moderating, drink less early in the night. They won’t pressure you as much later.

Tip #3 – A lot of culture guides say you cannot refuse alcohol in cultures like this because it is ‘rude.’ That’s not true. In my experience in Korea, they were always understanding if I said I wasn’t drinking tonight. They usually just assume it’s for religious or health reasons and move on. Though it’s easier for women to avoid than for men.

If you are gonna party hearty, drink responsibly! Bring a friend who can make sure you A) get home, B) don’t accidently get in a fight or trouble, and C) don’t accidently offend the locals around you. 😀