The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

2017 Composition Contest Winnners 5 peers and especially elders contributes greatly to one’s business career. Presenting oneself as a socially competent businessperson improves one’s chance of achieving a higher position. A way to show that one is socially competent is through drinking etiquettes. As part of the businessman’s tradition, they go on meal outings every week. As part of the meal, they always order alcohol or beer. One of the drinking etiquettes is to finish whatever the elder pours in your cup over the course of the meal. If a businessman rejects the cup that an elderly colleague poured, he is doomed to be the victim of discrimination. In this case of rejection, he not only breaks the friendly atmosphere but also shames the one who offered the cup. Cultural peer pressure does not allow for an easy refusal. An anonymous businessmen in Korea testifies, “It’s really hard to build relationships if you don’t drink.” Such fear of discrimination dictates the prevalence of drinking among Korean businessmen across the country. Even throughout Korean history, fermented beer and alcohol dictated all social events. Alcoholic drinks were counted as an indispensable element of the table—especially the table of guests. The act of pouring liquor into another’s cup was a symbolic action of trust and friendship between the guest and the host. Such social drinking continued over time until today. In fact, an average Korean businessman partakes in social drinking at least once per week (Y. Kim OiSaeng, 2012). As a person who knows the Korean culture, I understand why it is so hard not to gulp that cup of liquor that an elderly offers. However, I also believe that it is necessary to persuade the Korean businessmen to limit their alcohol intake. I am not saying they should give up their culture nor am I renouncing their method of building friendships. But I do stand with a nurse’s viewpoint that regular alcohol consumption will result in complex health issues such as liver cancer. In fact, South Korea ranks the 11th of the world with the number of cases of liver cancer diagnosed per year (Chuang, Lee, Wu, Straif, & Hashibe, 2015). Maintaining one’s relationship with other businessmen is crucial for maintaining the job. However, at the end of the day, what matters—one’s health or the job? No businessmen can work with an IV needle stuck in his arm. Be healthy first, then the job can follow. When there is a disparity between one’s cultural practices and health, one’s physical well-being should take precedence over social well-being. However, at the same time, nurses must approach the cultural practice of