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Argo - 27 Sep 2005 19:56 GMT

My sister recently visited China on business. Her words of wisdom?
Watch out for gambe (sp?). This is where you're at a banquet and
anytime someone says "gambe" to you, you have to down your drink. It
means "bottoms up", I guess.

Anyway, the trick to avoiding alcohol poisoning, seems to be to keep
clear of anyone heading toward you with a gleam in his eye. Otherwise,
you may not be particularly functional for business the next (groan)
morning.

Anyone else have pointers on surviving this custom?

Argo
http://greenrealm.blogspot.com

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Spehro Pefhany - 27 Sep 2005 20:28 GMT

>My sister recently visited China on business. Her words of wisdom?
>Watch out for gambe (sp?). This is where you're at a banquet and
>anytime someone says "gambe" to you, you have to down your drink. It
>means "bottoms up", I guess.

gan1 bei1 (cheers).

>Anyway, the trick to avoiding alcohol poisoning, seems to be to keep
>clear of anyone heading toward you with a gleam in his eye. Otherwise,
>you may not be particularly functional for business the next (groan)
>morning.
>
>Anyone else have pointers on surviving this custom?

Something else in the cup, perhaps. Women have an easier time
escaping. A significant fraction of Chinese have trouble metabolizing
alcohol and will turn an unhealthy red after imbibing.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

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MATTI - 27 Sep 2005 22:11 GMT

> gan1 bei1 (cheers).

same as japanese kapai? u can drink or not, its a free world.

/M - prefer sake, at home

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John W. - 27 Sep 2005 22:02 GMT

> My sister recently visited China on business. Her words of wisdom?
> Watch out for gambe (sp?). This is where you're at a banquet and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> you may not be particularly functional for business the next (groan)
> morning.

Honestly that's probably part of the point; kind of a shared experience
sort of thing. I've seen people substitute tea for scotch and get away
with it; to a drunk person they look very similar. You can also water
it down a lot. But a lot depends on the situation.

John W.

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PeterL - 27 Sep 2005 22:12 GMT

> > My sister recently visited China on business. Her words of wisdom?
> > Watch out for gambe (sp?). This is where you're at a banquet and
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> with it; to a drunk person they look very similar. You can also water
> it down a lot. But a lot depends on the situation.

Club soda, Coke, etc.

Stay away from Mao Tai.

> John W.

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Miguel Cruz - 27 Sep 2005 22:49 GMT

> My sister recently visited China on business. Her words of wisdom?
> Watch out for gambe (sp?). This is where you're at a banquet and
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Anyone else have pointers on surviving this custom?

You can't escape it. The most effective tactic seems to be to get someone to
have a word with the waiter, who will then water down your drinks or pour
you smaller ones.

miguel

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oneofcold@yahoo.com - 28 Sep 2005 00:21 GMT

Most 110-pound Western women can drink Asian men under the table.
200-pound Western men won't even get a buzz when the Asians are puking
in the street. Since Asians get drunk so much faster than Westerners,
if you just keep pace with them they won't push you any more.

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Travel Forum / Destinations / Asia / September 2005

watch out