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This is a problem beyond academia - tech has the same issue too. See this Wired article from a while back: https://www.wired.com/2016/12/techs-alcohol-soaked-cu

This is a problem beyond academia - tech has the same issue too. See this Wired article from a while back: https://www.wired.com/2016/12/techs-alcohol-soaked-culture-isnt-party-everybody/ https://www.wired.com/2016/12/techs-alcohol-soaked-culture-i... I'm going to hazard a guess that any field, at a certain level, has these issues because so much of it all comes down to personal relationships and making deals...which happen over drinks (historically). I'd be curious to learn more about high-functioning organizations without an alcohol culture - what do they do instead?

sokoloff 8y ago
Article> those who don't participate [in drinking alcohol] are de facto excluded Though I do sometimes drink, I've never felt uncomfortable ordering a water, a non-alcoholic beer (more commonly in Europe), a soda, or a coffee at a place where "everyone else" is drinking. That may not seem as comfortable in Japan or China, but in Europe, India, and America, I haven't felt the least bit self-conscious or pressured beyond the occasional "Oh, no beer for you?" "None for me, thanks." interaction.
- orev 8y ago
  And you can order things that appear to contain alcohol if you feel self-conscious about it. With the added benefit that after a few hours you still have a clear head while everyone else is buzzing — a potential advantage for you.
tnolet 8y ago
Not a doctor or expert, but in my experience in tech and startups I noticed a strong difference between (younger) American coworkers and Europeans. Alcohol seemed totally normal to Europeans (and also declining alcohol was never a big deal) whereas with some US expats the “pressure” was more palpable. Some US friends and coworkers openly discussed this “weird relationship” Americans have with alcohol and how it develops during high school onto college. Can’t comment on that but it fits my anecdotal experience.
ericsoderstrom 8y ago
Maybe not cirrhosis specialists Probably the medical industry as a whole has less of this, I'd assume.

sokoloff 8y ago

Article> those who don't participate [in drinking alcohol] are de facto excluded Though I do sometimes drink, I've never felt uncomfortable ordering a water, a non-alcoholic beer (more commonly in Europe), a soda, or a coffee at a place where "everyone else" is drinking. That may not seem as comfortable in Japan or China, but in Europe, India, and America, I haven't felt the least bit self-conscious or pressured beyond the occasional "Oh, no beer for you?" "None for me, thanks." interaction.

orev 8y ago
And you can order things that appear to contain alcohol if you feel self-conscious about it. With the added benefit that after a few hours you still have a clear head while everyone else is buzzing — a potential advantage for you.

tnolet 8y ago

Not a doctor or expert, but in my experience in tech and startups I noticed a strong difference between (younger) American coworkers and Europeans. Alcohol seemed totally normal to Europeans (and also declining alcohol was never a big deal) whereas with some US expats the “pressure” was more palpable. Some US friends and coworkers openly discussed this “weird relationship” Americans have with alcohol and how it develops during high school onto college. Can’t comment on that but it fits my anecdotal experience.

ericsoderstrom 8y ago

Maybe not cirrhosis specialists Probably the medical industry as a whole has less of this, I'd assume.