Từ lâu, nhậu đã trở thành một phong tục giải trí sau những giờ làm việc căng thẳng. Điều này giúp tạo ra sự gắn kết giữa đồng nghiệp và đối tác. Nhậu không chỉ là hành động uống rượu mà còn là cơ hội để tương tác và giao tiếp. Nhưng liệu nhận định này có đúng không?
What makes drinking parties appealing?
Từ xa xưa, người Việt đã có truyền thống mượn rượu làm ấm cơ thể và lấy rượu làm phương tiện giao tiếp. Việc nhậu không chỉ là để thư giãn mà còn là cơ hội để bày tỏ bản lĩnh và tạo sự gắn kết.
Ngày nay, không chỉ nam giới mà cả phụ nữ cũng tham gia vào các buổi nhậu để thể hiện cá tính và sự độc lập. Rượu đã trở thành phương tiện để thể hiện sự tự tin và sự thoải mái.
Cuối cùng, những quán nhậu luôn thu hút đông đảo khách hàng vì đó là nơi mọi người có thể thảo luận tự do và thể hiện bản thân mình một cách tự nhiên. Điều này chứng tỏ rằng nhậu không chỉ là một hình thức giải trí mà còn là một phần của văn hóa giao tiếp hiện đại.
Is “Drinking” a Soft Skill to Have?
It cannot be denied that drinking helps bond colleagues together. Whether it's for fun, to relieve stress, or to celebrate, drinking has gradually become a workplace culture. Some companies even consider this activity as a form of employee welfare, helping them relax and rejuvenate after a long day. This form of entertainment often dominates over many other forms. From old to young, men and women, intellectuals to common people, everyone competes to indulge in drinking.
However, excessively valuing drinking gradually loses its original meaning. This practice is now seen as a ritual for recruiting new 'colleagues,' regardless of the age of the participants. In reality, not everyone can handle alcohol well, and forcing drinking can lead to serious consequences.
Regrettably, there have been unfortunate incidents where excessive drinking led to conflicts or tragic accidents. Borrowing alcohol to incite if one cannot control oneself may result in regrettable conflicts or accidents.

This bad habit arises simply from the desire to prolong the fun. Sometimes, in an attempt to fit in with the crowd, many people try to drink to please everyone but do not know how to set limits for themselves. Regardless of health or alcohol tolerance, they try to integrate with others. This inadvertently distorts the original meaning, putting the burden on the invited drinker – who can only move forward, not backward. Refusing to drink may be seen as disrespectful, spoiling the fun, and failing to create a good impression on the boss or colleagues. This is considered a “deadlock” that new “recruits” cannot escape.
If you are capable of managing the party properly, otherwise, it will lead to unpredictable risks. So, do not try when you are not capable. You need to set limits on your alcohol consumption and know when to refuse. If you cannot maintain sobriety, it will be difficult to control your words. It will be too late to regret when you are sober.
Secrets to Decline at Drinking Sessions
It's difficult to decline when you're in the heat of a drinking session. Especially, you must know how to differentiate between each person at the table to behave appropriately. Knowing when to advance and when to retreat is a sign of intelligence. If your drinking companion is your boss or a business partner, you must remain sober and know how to politely refuse. Your boss might be observing how you handle the situation during the drinking session. Don't tarnish your image for a moment of fun. Let's take a look at some ways to decline drinking below:
Choose a different beverage instead of alcohol: you can switch to soft drinks or water and still enjoy the company of others.
Extend drinking time: even though the fun of drinking is important, you can lift your glass and take a small sip or ask for a break to 'release' to prolong the time.
Introduce drinking games: Proposing games where the loser has to drink helps you limit continuous drinking. This makes the gathering more enjoyable while extending your drinking time.
Give a valid reason: you can try 'Today I'm driving, so I can't drink much' or 'my stomach isn't feeling well,' for example. No one can force you in this situation.
Health is a precious 'asset' for every individual. Don't exceed your limits just for the sake of pleasure or peer pressure. Remember, you have family and relatives behind you.
In reality, drinking is not bad, but excessive abuse not only affects your health but also may tarnish your image in the eyes of others. Many companies and enterprises suffer setbacks because their employees indulge in drinking and forget the way home. Instead of investing in 'drinking skills,' we should strive to learn how to communicate and behave tactfully. This is the secret to maintaining relationships, an important soft skill that everyone should possess.
Even though 'people in the underworld' may be indifferent, don't forget that you are the judge who decides whether to drink or stop. Drink moderately and maintain your dignity in life.
>> Read more: 3 things to learn from introverted people to become a better leader
