ESCAPE BLOG

If you could get away with binge-drinking during Spring Break, along with all the other college students who were doing the same, it would be best to have a different set of standards when you are off drinking in another country. Whether you are in a local bar or somewhere in Timbuktu, you should always be conscious of your behaviour.

We all know that having one drink too many could result in trouble.

Nah, Ms. Goody Two Shoes here does not plan on discussing how much you should and can drink when in other countries. I just thought that a “little reminder” is called for as an introduction since the topic is alcohol.

Anyway…

Here are just a few trivia about drinking alcohol in other countries:

• Keep in mind that Whisky is to Scotland as WhiskEy is to Ireland.
• And when in Scotland, do NOT order your Scotch “on the rocks” as you do at home. Instead, order it with a side of water.
• In countries like Germany, it is normal to take alcoholic beverages with your major daily meal.
• In Austria and Germany, when making a toast, make sure you look in the eyes of the person you are saying “Prost” to.
• In Korea, when someone treats you for a drink, you have to return the favour later.
• In Poland, wine is regarded as high-status, middle class drink. Beers and Vodkas, on the other hand, are ordinary or for the working class.
• In France, never bring a bottle of wine when you are invited for dinner at someone’s house. It’s insulting.

If you are visiting Islamic countries, try to avoid drinking. You will definitely get in trouble since consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden.

P.S. Not in all Islamic countries, though.

photo credits