by Spigzy » Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:47 pm
I never felt compelled to drink with business partners, aside from MoU signing ceremony champagne & that sort of nonsense; even then would have just a mouthful before the event would move on & you could ditch it. I rarely attended any of the chambers of commerce lunches or their evening events, even then just a beer, meet who I want quickly and then get out.
The only time I really drank heavily would be monthly staff 'town hall' gatherings, where a few cans of the local stuff would be necked with my team - staff were always happy to be able to "Jol muoy" their boss & share a beer. Likewise, I never expected any of my staff to drink if they didn't want to; numerous Khmer managers in my team didn't drink at all, and that was never a problem, they just had a coke/soda/water instead.
I'd rather do business with somebody who was able to maintain control of what they want, rather than drinking purely to "fit in". It never caused me any trouble to say no, but likewise could easily say yes if I was parched and a few beers would help.
I never felt compelled to drink with business partners, aside from MoU signing ceremony champagne & that sort of nonsense; even then would have just a mouthful before the event would move on & you could ditch it. I rarely attended any of the chambers of commerce lunches or their evening events, even then just a beer, meet who I want quickly and then get out.
The only time I really drank heavily would be monthly staff 'town hall' gatherings, where a few cans of the local stuff would be necked with my team - staff were always happy to be able to "Jol muoy" their boss & share a beer. Likewise, I never expected any of my staff to drink if they didn't want to; numerous Khmer managers in my team didn't drink at all, and that was never a problem, they just had a coke/soda/water instead.
I'd rather do business with somebody who was able to maintain control of what they want, rather than drinking purely to "fit in". It never caused me any trouble to say no, but likewise could easily say yes if I was parched and a few beers would help.