[Lilongyue]

China is the same way, BIG drinking culture, and very hard to do business if you don't drink or smoke.��It's easier to get out of smoking than drinking though.��Feigning a medical condition is also the best way to not drink in China.��Drinking things like tea, coffee and alcohol is forbidden when taking traditional medicine, so you can always say you're sick, and most people will respect it. But you can only use that excuse for so long, haha.

Even what is considered alcoholism is different over here in Asia. In China most men drink beer with lunch. If you walk into the office smelling of alcohol in the middle of the day in the States you'll be in trouble. You can even drink beer with breakfast over here. It might get you a few strange looks, but no one would say you have problem.