[gaijzilla]

The attitude towards drinking is really different here than a lot of places I've been. It's perfectly legal to drink on the street. There are alcohol vending machines in easily accesible public places. And... you're supposed to drink with the people you work with. This does't sound nearly as weird as it actually is. You're not just catching drinks with friendly colleagues after work. There are actually designated drinking parties (All You Can Drink!) that you're expected to go to and get wasted with your coworkers. This includes your boss. In fact, your boss will probably be the drunkest one there. In my case, my boss is the principal of a school.
This might sound cool, but I just can't get myself to relax and enjoy it. I'm still under the influence of the cultural rule that you're never supposed to be intoxicated in front of your coworkers and supervisors.