2 ms·
This is patently false. You drink at the nomikai because everyone drinks at the nomikai. If you don't join, then you are seen as not being a team player. It's a
by distantaidenn 6y ago
This is patently false. You drink at the nomikai because everyone drinks at the nomikai. If you don't join, then you are seen as not being a team player. It's as simple as that. There is no subterfuge going on. Hell, the boss is usually the one that ends up the most drunk. Yes, perhaps some people may use it as a way to gain some insight, but you can apply that to anything.
And in addition, whatever is said or done at the nomikai stays in the nomikai. It's a way for the team to blow off some steam and be honest with each other. The next day, people carry on as if it never happened. I've been the drunk guy and the sober guy in these situations. You do learn a lot, but it's not the purpose of the gathering.
Source: I've lived and worked in Japan and Korea for over a decade.
- tempestn 6y agoYou open with, "This is patently false," but then don't really seem to contract what the OP said.
- nhlx2 6y agoExactly my confusion!
- unabst 6y agoOP is saying nomikais are about trust. P is saying they are about team, and that they help bring the boss down and lift the workers up. Nomikais are both. If anything it's just an excuse to drink, and each company or team would decide how they drank. It starts in college with bukatsu nomikais. And there are good ones, and the ones where the ring leader is arrested for serial rape. That happened at Todai, and is definitely not normal, but unless you're the leader (there is always a leader) how are you to know until you show up and everyone starts drinking? Much like frat recruiting in the States. My year, someone died (1997 I think it was).
- tempestn 6y agoYeah, it could be both. Also the two are somewhat complementary. Hence my (apparently typo'ed) statement that it didn't contradict the OP's comment.