In response to Re: Hall of Shame - BRAVO! (Turino)

Respect

can work both ways. You see, I respect all my students, as well as the Chinese teachers and staff, but when it comes to gathering for special occassions such as last week's Christmas party, both Chinese teachers and School admin. staff were persistent that we English, Japanese, and French teachers drank their so-call "wine" toast with them. Now if you have been in China for sometime, you'll discover that Chinese do drink, and each person at a table (offten times 10 or more at a table) goes aroung and you have to drink with them. Now, I don't drink. I did it once, one drink with the boss, it got me sick. So, when I don't drink, they say I am being disrespectful, to them and their culture. Now, you tell me, how do I respond to that!