To drink or not to drink, what is a gal to do?

Recently we were invited to the Chinese Economic and Commercial Counselor in Israel for dinner and as always the bottles of alcohol (Moutai - Chinese liquor, especially) were being pored lavishly. Having a Chinese dinner is really great fun, meeting new people, eating good food, and drinking. Now, I personally like my occasional glass of wine and alcohol and I might even drink more than one, but even I, who likes to drink, can not totally commit to the expectations of drinking and bonding under Chinese culture.

Drinking in China is a very significant part of bonding; this is a way to check out your partner and to create a strong relationship. The drinking part is actually very clever, only after one takes off their work/professional mask, allowing oneself to be relaxed and truthful, only then, can you really see, who is the person behind the mask. Drunkenness is a kind of a truth serum in which you can measure a man or woman as to there integrity, and see how they behave without keeping up appearances.

To my first question, does a woman have to participate in this custom?
Generally speaking, yes, you should probably agree to at least one drink and make it last for the whole night; this is a matter of curtsy and showing a willingness to cooperate.

I usually stop after the second or third and politely decline additional Gambay (bottoms up), it is usually accepted by my Chinese hosts who then exert more pressure on my male partners (this is one good female perk).

If you really don't like to drink, find yourself chinese female partners, with them this is not a problem, because apparently women all over the world drink less and bonding through drinking is not an issue. (We bond through stories about our children, child raising and occasionally shopping).

In any case when drinking in any circumstance don't forget the usual ratio of 1 small glass alcohol to 1 large glass of water.

The writing is on the wall. Why are Y O U not paying attention!!!!!

• Based on recent growth statistics, China has become the fourth largest economy in the world, trailing only the United States, Japan and Germany and up from the sixth largest in 2004. Some analysts have even estimated that by 2035 China might surpass the United States as the world's largest economy.
• 57% of the leaders of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Asian pacific region believe China will become the world's largest consumer market in 10 years, overtaking the United States ( 2007 Asia Business Monitor).
• China will take the "world's champion exporter" title from Germany as early as 2008 and already this year, China will overtake the United States as the world's number two exporter, (predicted Gerd Herx of the federal foreign trade body BFAI) with an estimated US$1.4 trillion in exports in 2008.
• Stephen S. Roach of Morgan Stanly predicted that by 2025 China will overtake the U.S. as the most influential country in global economic growth. Today Mr. Roach is moving to Hong Kong to become head of Morgan Stanley Asia. This 61 year old veteran businessman has decided to experience the most recent economic revolution in the place where it is happening.
  
  It is mind boggling to me how so many people and businesses worldwide still choose to ignore the Chinese market. The excuses are very common: You can't do business with the Chinese; working in China is too risky; they are not trustworthy, they'll copy your ideas and technology and many more.
  
  You must differentiate between the risk and the enormous opportunity. The world has been given a chance to experience a new revolution. An Industrial/high-tech revolution, much more accelerated than we've ever seen before. How can we choose to ignore this prospect? This is the gold rush of the 21rst century and it's less risky than before. If we examine the actions taken by the Chinese government and Chinese businesses, we can see very clearly how they're moving to implement the Chinese vision of becoming equal global players, rising to the level they are entitled to.
  
  Yes, I grant that it is moving slower than some would like, but one should not expect quick changes, because this could bring on dangers of uncalculated evolvement. Let China Evolve and simultaneously enjoy its fruits, because if you join the wagon from the beginning when it is difficult, you have a better chance to be there when it's easier and ripe.