很多外籍高管平时喜欢喝一杯红酒或啤酒，但面对中国职场传统的“白酒局”或“敬酒文化”，往往感到压力山大。分享几个在酒桌上既不扫兴、又能保护自己的小经验：
Many foreign executives usually enjoy a glass of red wine or craft beer, but they often feel overwhelmed by the traditional “baijiu gatherings” or “toasting culture” in the Chinese workplace. Here are a few tips to enjoy the dinner without being a killjoy while protecting yourself:
1. 先发制人，提前声明 (Take the initiative and declare in advance)
刚开席、大家还没开始敬酒的时候，直接端起茶杯，笑着说：“我今天身体不太舒服（或者吃了头孢），今天就以茶代酒了，大家随意！”
Right at the beginning of the dinner, before everyone starts toasting, pick up your teacup and smile: “I’m not feeling well today (or taking medicine), I’ll drink tea instead of wine today, everyone drink at your own pace!”
把话说在前面，大家就不会一直盯着你劝酒了。
Say it in advance, and no one will keep pushing you to drink.
2. 寻找“挡箭牌” (Find a “shield”)
如果你实在推脱不掉，可以悄悄和你的本地助理或者关系好的同事使个眼色，让他们帮忙说话：“老板明天一早还有跟总部的跨国会议，今晚不能多喝。”
If you really can’t refuse, you can secretly wink at your local assistant or a close colleague and have them help you speak: “The boss has a cross-border meeting with the headquarters early tomorrow morning, so he can’t drink much tonight.”
本地同事帮你挡酒，比你亲自拒绝有效一百倍。
Local colleagues blocking drinks for you is a hundred times more effective than you refusing personally.
3. 掌握“抿一口”的艺术 (Master the art of “sipping”)
中国酒桌文化讲究的是“敬意”，而不是非得把你灌醉。当别人来敬酒时，你可以真诚地看着对方，说一句“我干了，您随意”，然后用嘴唇轻轻碰一下酒杯（抿一小口）。
Chinese drinking culture emphasizes “respect”, not necessarily getting you drunk. When others come to toast, you can look at them sincerely, say “I’ll finish this, you drink at your own pace”, and then lightly touch the glass with your lips (take a small sip).
只要态度诚恳，没人真的会盯着你的杯子看有没有空。
As long as your attitude is sincere, no one will really stare at your glass to see if it’s empty.