China's alcohol culture

In Western societies, drinking is both convivial and private. But people rarely force others to drain a cup dry again and again.

In China, however, alcohol is often part of its folklore and culture - there exist certain rules of etiquette and behavior that people are expected to observe. These may puzzle many foreigners.

Drinking in China may trace its history to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

In ancient times, alcohol was regarded as sacred liquor, consumed only when people made sacrifices to Heaven and Earth or to their ancestors.

Such religious rituals imbued alcohol with the connotations of luck, health and long life.

Later, when alcohol became an ordinary, widely available drink due to the development of breweries, these associations remained largely the same.

On important occasions such as birthday parties, wedding ceremonies, and banquets to celebrate a festival, alcohol must be the main drink to demonstrate happiness and respect.

Alcohol is also frequently consumed in daily life, as part of business meetings, to maintain good relations between supervisors and employees, promoting camaraderie among colleagues.

"Alcohol has become one of the key tools for socialization in today's China," said Ma Qianfeng, an associate professor at Fudan University's School of Social Development and Public Policy.

"A lot of people judge a person's quality through manners exhibited in drinking alcohol. If the person behaves appropriately, it can help him or her to bond with the others and win their trust."

There is an established etiquette of drinking.

For example, the cup should be filled with alcohol, or the guests will think they are treated without due respect.

The elders and superiors present should always be served first.

A toast represents esteem. If one refuses to participate in a toast, it shows great irreverence and a lack of politeness.

When making a toast, everyone is required to stand up and lightly touch each others' cup. A junior's cup is held lower than that of his or her superior.

The cup should be emptied and inverted to show that not a drop of alcohol remains.

"Drinking with a single draught symbolizes a sincere and brave character. It is also a demonstration of manhood for male drinkers," said Ma.

Now it's easier to understand the embarrassment of the newlyweds.

If they declined the toasts from their friends, it would be equivalent to turning down a lot of good wishes, which might mar a joyous ceremony.

But because they accepted all the toasts and consumed too much alcohol, they became ill and were rushed to the hospital. Although finally both of them recovered from the good wishes, it cast an unpleasant shadow on their wedding ceremony, which should have been ended in their bridal chamber.