Today in China

Here are some advices from Beijing United Family Hospital about drinking habits and when too much is really too much…

For BJU, to enjoy alcohol without risking health, men should drink no more than four standard drinks each day; women should have no more than two standard drinks a day. Furthermore, everyone should have at least two alcohol free days a week.

Well, for me, that will be Sunday and Monday!

But what exactly do they mean by standard drinks? Here is the explanation, a standard drink consist of:
    - 10g of alcohol
    - 1 glass (285ml) of full strength beer (I suppose they are talking about Westmalle Tripel…)
    - 2 glasses of light beer (Hoegaarden?)
    - 5 glasses of very light beer (Yanjing?)
    - 1 small glass (100ml) of wine
    - 1 measure (30ml) of spirit
    - 1 small glass (60ml) of fortified wine (sherry or porto)

OK… tonight, I will have 2 Westmalle Tripel, 2 Hoegaarden and a Gin Tonic! With that I would be safe… if I leave my scooter at home!

Indeed, as they say in the brochure, alcohol contributes to many road accident. They explain that in China, it’s illegal to drive with a BAL (blood alcohol level) of more than 0.05 for most drivers. Interestingly, some professional drivers such as taxi drivers have their limit lowered to 0.02.

So, now, if I restrain myself to 4 standard drinks a day, have at least 2 alcohol free days a week and leave my scooter at home… Am I safe? Should I drink less? The brochure finishes with this list of questions:
    - Do you sometimes argue with family or friends because of your drinking?
    - Do you sometimes feel guilty about your drinking or hide your drinking from others?
    - Has your work ever suffered because of your drinking?
    - Do you ever get so drunk that you can’t remember what you did?
    - Do you ever drink to get rid of a hangover?
The advice is that if you answer yes to one or more questions, you should think about reducing the amount you drink.

Well, now that I finished this post, I’ll go to Beer Mania to get my 4 standard drinks of today. See you!