In blistering hot Texas, beer drinkers gather in air-conditioned bars, clubs, or cantinas and constantly devour their favorite alcoholic drinks for hours on end while dancing and chatting; and often drive home intoxicated, despite heavy traffic regulations, and wind up in serious accidents, killing or maiming any involved. When people are drunk, they often make poor decisions, regardless of laws. In South Korea, Soju, a distilled rice-liquor not that unlike sweet vodka, is one of the top drinks, primarily due to the cold climate, just as Russia is known for its vodka. Blackouts are popular among South Korean men. To extrapolate, one early morning while on the way to my job I came across a man in a business suit lying face down in a side street. At first I believed him dead. But as I approached I noticed there were no wounds and his steady breathing was indicative of one who was fast asleep. I learned from my Korean colleagues this was normal behavior among Soju drinkers and if you search under “Korean Blackouts” you can find wide-spread images on the internet of this social occurrence. Among my nine Vietnamese brothers-in-law, who live in Dong Nai, drinking beer and rice wine is a natural part of the meal. We gather in a circle on the floor, shirts removed, food in the center, and a shot glass is passed around with a bottle of rice wine. “To not eat,” says my sixth brother-in-law, “is to die.” On many occasions we drink incessantly, welcoming new comers into the fellowship.
During the last visit I noticed many of them had stopped smoking, a shock since cigarette smoking is closely linked with drinking beer and alcohol. Due to the serious health risks associated with tobacco, my relatives decided to abstain from smoking. Perhaps drinking rice wine is next? It should be. Rice wine, especially when it is made illegally in the countryside, can be extremely toxic and, in cases where there is a problem in distillation, deadly.
Teenagers in Vietnam are also raised in the culture of beer. Drinking cases of beer is extremely popular to help blow off steam or to have a good time after school with friends. Nevertheless, the environment of these abuses creates far more serious health issues and long-term deterioration in one’s personal life, and should be avoided by beer or alcohol drinkers of any nationality or of any age. Alcoholism is a disease and should be taken seriously. When beer or alcohol is used in excess, or even constantly abused, as in many cases of Vietnamese beer drinkers, it can lead to addiction. The short term effects of being inebriated include losing one’s judgment and coordination, which are extremely vital for operating a vehicle. I have heard many cases of expatriates becoming seriously injured in Ho Chi Minh City while driving, and most of these cases were due to speeding and being under the influence of alcohol. Brain and liver damage are some of the more serious concerns with extended use of alcohol. Family life can deteriorate as well since many men choose to spend their money on booze rather than necessities for the home. Beer and alcohol advertisers should be more conscientious concerning ads and billboards displayed to the public, which are openly available to readily influence teenagers en masse. Enforcing strict laws for underage drinking should also help deter teenagers from growing into alcoholics when they become adults. As with most substances, eliminating excess and abuse in exchange for moderation, a healthy diet and adequate exercise will lead to a better quality of life.
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