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Survey shows 60% see drinking with colleagues as 'unnecessary'

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Then I would compliment them on their use of a spoon. すごいな うまい!

We should start acting surprised whenever we see someone who can use a fork and knife.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Only 11.1 percent said they see drinking with colleagues as "necessary," while 27.1 percent said the practice is "somewhat necessary."

While 90% still participate in it.

Hypocrites.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I’d agee with that although I don’t have to worry, all of the work parties are always for ‘natives only’ even though there’s only one ‘non-native’ working there!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'd rather play squash with the boss and whup his butt. Nothing like watching a 'higher-up' sweat and fail.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Aging made the next morning too much to bear so that ended my, um, social drinking" sessions or Friday "safety meetings" with co-workers. I don't miss it either.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sounds like hell, after a long day “having” to then spend your limited free time in work related environment with or without alcohol. To stay sane you need time to get away from work and time to take your mind off the pressures of the day. If you don’t get that and are hung over from the forced drinks party the night before you are not going to be at your functional best the next day.

From a corporate point of view this has to be one of the worst ideas ever. Far from encouraging it the company HR should be banning it as damaging to productivity.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That’s of course quite a very necessary event. It’s not about drinking, but in fact job securing and a possibility for more free communication without too many consequences, clearing longer disputes or differences, bringing oneself to the company’s visible surface and all such.

In addition you now better take part quickly because that omicron triggered pandemic might lock you in for quite a long time soon. So just only enjoying delicious meals and drinks at a full restaurant for a last time is also an option.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

drinking Without coworkers mandatory!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It’s after hours has nothing to do with productivity is socially awkward, and is an environment fraught with social mistakes. WHY? Just go home after work. If you wanted to get to know that person at the next desk and have been unable to day after day for 10hrs. Get a mirror and question yourself not get drunk and make a decision.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ricky Kaminski13

Agree, totally. Office atmospheres suck in Japan, working in an office where people had previously been on a nomikai is heaps more relaxed, almost enjoyable. The parties are kind of fun, you gotta laugh at old mate singing with a tie around his scone.

Having said that, however. I used to drink at these shindigs so I could justify and abuse the 5-7000 nomihodi price tag. I don't drink that much anymore, so from a non-drinkers POV, 5000 yen is a lot of mediocre sushi I'd have to eat. That tab is a little hard to swallow if you ain't drankin'. Plus I don't suffer drunk fools all that well.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The atmosphere in Japanese offices is so tense and morose combined with strict hierarchies that you never really get to know your colleagues. You work with someone for over 20yrs yet you still have to address him as Watanabe-san. Relationships and communication are too formal and stiff. If Japanese offices were more relaxed and laid back you wouldn't need to go out drinking so often with your colleagues.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

In the west it is usually common for people to become casual friends by going to a pub or bar.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

In other nations people who don't like to drink much or are facing scrutiny can honestly say (or lie), "I only drink socially." Here, these "nominication" or "nomikai" or 10,000 enkais a year plus having to drink with guests to the company, etc., make drinking ANYTHING but actual social enjoyment.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Numan: Train pass for free? Wow - I'm working in the wrong business.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Not to mention, if you do not really want to do it then it is also a waste of money! Mandatory drinking parties need to be paid for by the company just like my train pass.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Good for when you need the ''I was drunk and don't remember anything" defense.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wonder what percent said drinking because of their co-workers is necessary.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I always liked telling people that I took a course in chopsticks and it cost 200,000 yen.

Then I would compliment them on their use of a spoon. すごいな うまい!

Drinking is good, the colleagues are unnecessary.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I will never forget the time when my idiot boss told me, two glasses in and red-faced that I didn't know how to use chopsticks.

I pointed out that a) I did know how to use them, b) had known how to use them since I was 8 years old, and c) was currently using them.

His response was to berate me me, because had I been granted the good fortune to have been born Japanese, I would have been able to use them "more elegantly".

As he said the "g" in "elegantly", a bolus of semi-chewed rice flew from his slavering lips and landed on my trouser leg.

I did not ask for his advice on elegance again, and never spent a single moment longer at a compulsory works event. The colleagues I like, I can go for a beer with anytime, I don't need the company hanko on my expectation for a good night out.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I'd rather be home with my family every night. Going out and being Mr. Drunk Party Animal all the time was cool when I was like 24. Now, not so much.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

The mere fact that they need use alcohol as a vehicle to socialize and bond is a bit sad. Why can't the company organize healthier bonding events like going camping, hiking, wall climbing, mini golf etc.?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Nominication is a total waste of booze.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

helps participants "discover the true feelings" of colleagues

Or

People could cut the crap and just say what they actually mean. Instead of beating around the bush, having “secret” conversations, and never actually telling straight facts.

It would also help if the office was a little more relaxed and sociable, no boss in the room, and people could be themselves from time to time.

Let the drunks drink on their own time. It’s mainly the old stanky dudes that want to do it anyways.

Most of the women can’t wait to get out of there.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I will admit I miss going out with my coworkers after work some just because it is impossible right now, but I don't miss it being a requirement at all. Honestly I might just be missing going out period, not necessarily with coworkers.

It'd be nice for it to be an optional thing but I just don't see how most Japanese companies would be able to wrap their head around that.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

SpeedToday 08:43 am JST

Drinking together should be fun. They've made this all into a chore.

Japanese turn just about everything into a chore.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Like it or not, drinking with colleges is pretty much the only way to make strong bonds and be accepted here. If the younger generation of workers want none of it, I’d be quite happy to step in and take advantage of their distaste for the practice, make those important connections and launch my career on their unwilling backs.

Of course if Japanese people ever decided to drop the awkward stuffiness of the actual time spent in the office, ( you know, your standard role obsessed half wit sitting in his power desk looking for stuff to berate his underlings for,) then people would be able to communicate better at work. I don’t see this happening any day soon though, as communication seems to be frowned upon for some reason between 9-5pm. See how well the “How was your weekend?” Conversation goes on a Monday morning.

Have seen countless examples of those rare coworkers that work well together, enjoy a chat and manage to stay upbeat during the day, only to be separated to across the room come April when the musical chairs games begins. One was even told by his idiot boss not to be so friendly with people from other departments! Work must remain a silent and suffering experience!

No wonder people drink ay!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Being forced to drink with your boss and other co-workers always goes against my grain. I only drink with friends and family.

"My drinks are for my friends."

To be fair, I have occasionally made real friends with co-workers, but it's the exception rather than the rule.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Never been 'forced' to drink with anybody- but there are plenty of colleagues I do enjoy drinking with. Never worked anywhere where its been compulsory.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Being forced to drink with your boss and other co-workers always goes against my grain. I only drink with friends and family.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

participants "discover the true feelings" of colleagues

lame jokes and empty laughter won’t get you “true feelings”.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

I'm pleased I'm closer to retirement than starting out. How dull life is going to be in the future.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

All this company drinking parties is just an opportunity for the older employees to power-harass the younger ones.

12 ( +18 / -6 )

Drinking is unnecessary full stop!

6 ( +16 / -10 )

Double-edge sword. nomucation can be used as a method of utilizing HR functions like networking, bonding, feedback, and conflict resolution without direct involvement from school / work authorities. At the same time, there is always the argument of needing more ways to accomplish these tasks without the variables introduced when adding alcohol consumption and fatigue.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Drinking alone is so much better

11 ( +15 / -4 )

They should just limit these things to three times a year - once at the beginning of the year in spring, one in late summer/early fall and the yearly bon enkai.

Have the dates permanently set so almost everyone will show up since there are only going to be three.

All the other impromptu ones should be completely for those who really want to join in and shouldn't have aura of having to feel like you should or have to go.

Drinking together should be fun. They've made this all into a chore.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

A very Japanese survey and assumption in my opinion.

Its pretty funny that it has to be alcohol and that you couldn’t also bond over absolutely anything else.

But I guess everything from dress code, radio taiso, company culture, and after work drinking has to be now re evaluated.

If alcohol is addicting then its obvious why some want to do it.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Another Japanese custom on the way out, soon be none left

3 ( +14 / -11 )

I only go drinking with colleagues when they pay for it.

-2 ( +15 / -17 )

 so-called "nominication" -- a hybrid of the Japanese word for "drink" and "communication"

thanks for clearing that up, like we couldn't figure it out ourselves..

4 ( +9 / -5 )

I am REALLY surprised this isnt a higher percentage here. Folks just needed an excuse, and everyone else jumped on the "be a part of the group" bandwagon.

Now people have come back to reality and see that they really dont need the alcohol to get their jobs done, and communicate with their coworkers!

16 ( +19 / -3 )

You see them long enough during the day.

22 ( +26 / -4 )

A silver lining from this crisis. Good to see this happening. And drinking out each night adds up. The bubble is long over, baby.

25 ( +28 / -3 )

Necessary for the I WAS DRUNK defense

20 ( +25 / -5 )

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