Japan has a big drinking culture. Alcohol is considered to be an innate part of the Japanese society. If you want to be successful and climb up the ladder at work, then going out drinking with your colleagues will become a part of your daily life. Japanese workforce socialise only when they go out drinking. Work rules, strict hierarchy and the shyness of Japanese people takes the funny bone out of them. Making a joke about your boss can put you in big trouble, unless the boss is too drunk to remember. If you are invited for one such party then, not going isn’t the best option, as drinking parties are used to enhance bonding and settle differences. (more…)