As 2022 ends, most expats are gearing up for the holiday season. What should you look out for if you're away from home? What are the best practices for expats? From local invitations to parties and nightclubs, here are some tips for enjoying the holiday season as an expat.
Keep it sober
We're not necessarily talking about alcohol here (don't worry, we'll get to that); we're really referring to attitude generally. Sometimes, expats tend to feel like they are above the law when they are away from home, and they are often more or less careful during the holiday season. Be reasonably euphoric, especially if you have just arrived in your host country. You may not know your neighborhood well yet, and you may be a little out of touch with the local lifestyle compared to that of your home country. It's, therefore, important to keep it moderate. Avoid following any random person who invites you to a party. You are not the new kid on the block, and you should not act like one. Be respectful of yourself and others.
Be respectful of other cultures
Suppose that you're invited to celebrate holidays with locals and/or other expatriates and are surprised to find that they have uncommon traditions. Swallow your offended looks. Avoid statements like: "That's weird!" or "What a strange practice!". Your astonishment can be considered an offense. Avoid being judgemental and try to learn more instead! Of course, you don't have to agree with everything (for example, certain rituals or customs), but you don't have to criticize either. Remember why you came to this country. The holiday season is a unique opportunity to learn more about others and about yourself.
Eat before the party
You can get ready for the festivities, but don't go party on an empty stomach! Avoid skipping meals a few days before the big event. On D-Day, have a snack about 2 hours before the party, and drink a large glass of water. Don't party on an empty stomach.
Be on time!
If you live in Canada, the United States, or in Japan, and you are invited by locals for the holidays, arrive on time. In these countries, punctuality is very important. Inquire about the best practices to adopt when you are invited to eat at a local's house. Refrain from putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, too as you won't be the first or the last to commit a blunder.
Observe barrier gestures
The Covid pandemic isn't over yet. Keep an eye on the situation and the latest updates in your host country. Don't wait for instructions from the authorities to use common sense. Think of the most vulnerable people (and also of yourself) and bring along several masks. If you are invited to a local's home or are hosting a party at your home, remember the best practices for partying even in COVID times:
- Get tested before the party
- Keep the party small
- Ventilate the room before and after guests arrive and when they are there (ideally, at least once to renew the air).
- Respect the barrier gestures: soap or hydroalcoholic gel, single-use handkerchief. Cough or sneeze into the elbow. Respect social distancing and avoid hugging.
Show self-control
Stay in control if you are invited to a bar or at a nightclub, Indoors or out. Enjoy the moment, but don't overdo it. Stay alert and keep an eye on your drinks. Refrain from following random groups just for the sake of it. Indeed, expatriates sometimes talk about their "crazy adventures" with people they meet on the street. But the exception is not the rule. Of course, this does not mean that you should be paranoid, but more to act with common sense.
Get a grip on your drinking
Where is the party? How will you get there? How will you get back? Are you able to manage on your own in your expat? Do you live alone, or with a roommate, or with your family? How well do you deal with alcohol? To stay on track, take the time to answer these questions. You might be more vulnerable when you live abroad, especially if you are a solo expat. Vulnerability can go up a notch with the holidays without you feeling it. Caught up in the euphoria of the celebrations, you may feel unstoppable.
Don't mix different alcohols or illicit drugs with alcohol. Drink in small amounts and eat accordingly. Take breaks, talk, and move around. Be wary of yourself, especially if you tend to drink too much at night or if you have a history of risky behavior. Don't hesitate to talk to your host before the party. Ideally, don't drink or drink moderately from a legal standpoint, not from the perspective of your tolerance to alcohol. From the very beginning of the party, be sure to know how to get back home. Will you be going home by car, via public transportation, or on foot, or will you be staying with friends or at the host's house? If someone is going to drive you home, they should not have been drinking. If you have decided to drive home, do not drink. Be responsible for yourself and others.
Common sense applies the same way everywhere. Avoid risky behavior. Silence the sense of adventure that sometimes arises at parties abroad. Alcohol (and its excess) are wrongly associated with partying. But it is, of course, possible to drink moderately. In fact, the party will just get better.
