PSN: Drink Responsibly: We’re Not in ‘Merica Anymore
By Nicole Palmer and Dan Serwon, ED2
Throughout the article, PSN wishes to highlight some cross-cultural differences between Rwanda and the US that can affect our drinking habits, and to propose ideas that hopefully will open a dialogue about ways to best protect ourselves and each other.
RWANDA
Rwanda has a very different drinking culture than we have in America. It is not uncommon to find people drunk midday from urwagwa – banana beer, or see children drinking ikigage – sorghum beer. Unless a woman is married then she does not publically drink at all and men drink most days of the week unless their religion forbids it. Frequently, men will ask me to buy them a beer, or one of them will buy me a bottle.
At times it can be very difficult to get away from this, especially at ceremonies or school meetings; men are generally offended when I turn them down which can guilt bits of my integration complex. PSN came up with a few coping strategies that we’d like to share:
1. Give yourself a curfew
Rather than having a plan to leave after a certain number of drinks (because by the time you finish your beer there is a good chance that the next bottle will already be opened for you), it could be easier for you to leave if you go in to the event with everyone knowing that you have another gahunda (program) at a certain time that they need to respect.
2. Hold your ground
Otherwise, drink your beer slowly and hold your ground. Integration has its limits, especially when it affects your health. Teach them to respect your drinking culture and the badgering will eventually subside.
AMERICA
As Americans, on the other hand, adventures in alcohol consumption are generally a weekend, evening affair. While parties, clubs, and bars can be a part of any American’s social life, irresponsible drinking habits lingering from our university days have a high chance of carrying over into our Peace Corps service. But, we’re not in our freshman dorm room and we’re not at a friend’s apartment.
In Rwanda, when we have the rare chance to get together with our PCV friends and go out on the town, it can feel like we need to “make it count,” which may or may not include drinking. More often than not, though, it does. Disproportionate stress build-up at site due to isolation, loneliness, boredom, or general unhappiness can also exacerbate the drive to release with friends and more than just a few bottles.
To reduce physical, emotional, and administrative risks, PSN suggests that you try to explore alternative, fun, stress relieving activities that also minimize alcohol consumption.
1. Go out to eat – you got to eat and you’re less likely to embarrass yourself with a drink at a “serious” restaurant.
2. Go dancing with the intent to dance – you won’t be drinking as much if you are also dancing; you can of course dance with a bottle, but you’ll be depriving everyone of your best moves.
3. Kigali also offers bowling and movie nights.
4. The Case now has a growing collection of games. Scattergories and Settlers of Catan are two top notch games we recommend.
5. After a regional meeting, channel your inner explorer and discover the more touristy side of the city, which can include visiting hot springs or going caving (Gisenyi).
REDUCING RISKS
Step 1: Imagine a drunk Rwandan male aggressively hitting on a female PCV at a bar. Now, enter a drunken male PCV valiantly trying to help her.
Step 2: Now, imagine the possible outcomes if the male PCV’s patience is already running thin from site, and he and the Rwandan have significantly reduced inhibitions…
But how are these risks any different from America? America is your stomping ground - you know your town and you have an established support system ready to assist you when you need it. You can call a friend to come pick you up in her car at a moment’s notice, or recruit a bouncer to help neutralize unwanted attention. If you’re picked up by police, you know your rights and you may have a general air of trust in the police code of conduct. In extreme events, ambulances and hospitals are reliable if you’ve had too many for the night or found a surprise drug in your drink.
But, here in Rwanda, all we can count on is each other; and, while we all are very capable beings, we’re not nearly as effective as our support system is back home. We must remember that we are still representatives of America and we must abide by the regulations set by Peace Corps administration.
Beyond the occasional parties with friends or colleagues, alcohol can become, or continue as, an unhealthy coping mechanism for boredom, isolation, loneliness, or general unhappiness at site. If we support a culture of binge drinking when we’re together, we can inadvertently support habits of drinking alone unless lines are drawn.
The January/February 2012 edition of Peace Corps Rwanda Newsletter had some startling information. In particular, a single 72 centiliter (standard) Primus bottle is somewhere between two and three servings. This is the weakest beer available, but according to the numbers, you are binge drinking if you have any more than two bottles of your favorite regulated Rwandan beer.
When I arrived in this country, I told the PCMO that I never have too many drinks, that I am very responsible and always drink in moderation. During my IST in Kibuye, I had dinner at the Golf Hotel (which ironically does not have a golf course) with PCV buddies and most of Peace Corps’ staff. During this dinner I had two Rwandan beers, larger than the standard American bottles. The following day, the PCMO wanted to see me. He said that I was being loud and noticed that I was drinking a little more than I had told him that I do at the beginning of PST. I was surprised to hear this from him because I didn’t feel drunk that night. I have several times since starting my service been significantly drunker than what I set out to be. After reading what the newsletter mentioned above, I realized I am more irresponsible than I had originally imagined myself to be. I appreciate the doctor’s comments because, while I haven’t stopped drinking, I am more aware of my behavior and it shows he has our best interest at heart.
There are currently many cultural pressures, Rwandan and PCV, that open opportunities to drink irresponsibly. We cannot change culture; however, we can make positive behavior changes.
Classifying a drinking problem is a very sticky situation. There is a lot of gray area between an umuroko – someone who never drinks, and an umusinzi – an alcoholic. While it is good to remember that what might be too many for one person could be just the beginning of the night for someone else, it is our responsibility to speak up in situations when necessary.
If you are concerned about another PCV then you can:
1. Open a discussion with him/her about the issue.
2. Encourage the PCV to contact a PSN representative or PCMO who will keep the conversation confidential. In some cases the PSN representative may in turn encourage the PCV to contact one of the PCMOs. It is only in extreme cases that a PSN rep will contact a PCMO on a PCV’s behalf (unless the PCV requests the Rep to do so); however, a PSN rep will never do so without informing the PCV first. PSN has been reassured that the PCMO’s are there to help anyone with such concerns, not report them. However, they warn that if incidents related to irresponsible drinking are reported to Admin, the PCMOs hold little to know power over the outcome.
Steps to staying safe:
Never leave a drink unattended, Never leave a drunk unattended.
RWANDA
Rwanda has a very different drinking culture than we have in America. It is not uncommon to find people drunk midday from urwagwa – banana beer, or see children drinking ikigage – sorghum beer. Unless a woman is married then she does not publically drink at all and men drink most days of the week unless their religion forbids it. Frequently, men will ask me to buy them a beer, or one of them will buy me a bottle.
At times it can be very difficult to get away from this, especially at ceremonies or school meetings; men are generally offended when I turn them down which can guilt bits of my integration complex. PSN came up with a few coping strategies that we’d like to share:
1. Give yourself a curfew
Rather than having a plan to leave after a certain number of drinks (because by the time you finish your beer there is a good chance that the next bottle will already be opened for you), it could be easier for you to leave if you go in to the event with everyone knowing that you have another gahunda (program) at a certain time that they need to respect.
2. Hold your ground
Otherwise, drink your beer slowly and hold your ground. Integration has its limits, especially when it affects your health. Teach them to respect your drinking culture and the badgering will eventually subside.
AMERICA
As Americans, on the other hand, adventures in alcohol consumption are generally a weekend, evening affair. While parties, clubs, and bars can be a part of any American’s social life, irresponsible drinking habits lingering from our university days have a high chance of carrying over into our Peace Corps service. But, we’re not in our freshman dorm room and we’re not at a friend’s apartment.
In Rwanda, when we have the rare chance to get together with our PCV friends and go out on the town, it can feel like we need to “make it count,” which may or may not include drinking. More often than not, though, it does. Disproportionate stress build-up at site due to isolation, loneliness, boredom, or general unhappiness can also exacerbate the drive to release with friends and more than just a few bottles.
To reduce physical, emotional, and administrative risks, PSN suggests that you try to explore alternative, fun, stress relieving activities that also minimize alcohol consumption.
1. Go out to eat – you got to eat and you’re less likely to embarrass yourself with a drink at a “serious” restaurant.
2. Go dancing with the intent to dance – you won’t be drinking as much if you are also dancing; you can of course dance with a bottle, but you’ll be depriving everyone of your best moves.
3. Kigali also offers bowling and movie nights.
4. The Case now has a growing collection of games. Scattergories and Settlers of Catan are two top notch games we recommend.
5. After a regional meeting, channel your inner explorer and discover the more touristy side of the city, which can include visiting hot springs or going caving (Gisenyi).
REDUCING RISKS
Step 1: Imagine a drunk Rwandan male aggressively hitting on a female PCV at a bar. Now, enter a drunken male PCV valiantly trying to help her.
Step 2: Now, imagine the possible outcomes if the male PCV’s patience is already running thin from site, and he and the Rwandan have significantly reduced inhibitions…
But how are these risks any different from America? America is your stomping ground - you know your town and you have an established support system ready to assist you when you need it. You can call a friend to come pick you up in her car at a moment’s notice, or recruit a bouncer to help neutralize unwanted attention. If you’re picked up by police, you know your rights and you may have a general air of trust in the police code of conduct. In extreme events, ambulances and hospitals are reliable if you’ve had too many for the night or found a surprise drug in your drink.
But, here in Rwanda, all we can count on is each other; and, while we all are very capable beings, we’re not nearly as effective as our support system is back home. We must remember that we are still representatives of America and we must abide by the regulations set by Peace Corps administration.
Beyond the occasional parties with friends or colleagues, alcohol can become, or continue as, an unhealthy coping mechanism for boredom, isolation, loneliness, or general unhappiness at site. If we support a culture of binge drinking when we’re together, we can inadvertently support habits of drinking alone unless lines are drawn.
The January/February 2012 edition of Peace Corps Rwanda Newsletter had some startling information. In particular, a single 72 centiliter (standard) Primus bottle is somewhere between two and three servings. This is the weakest beer available, but according to the numbers, you are binge drinking if you have any more than two bottles of your favorite regulated Rwandan beer.
When I arrived in this country, I told the PCMO that I never have too many drinks, that I am very responsible and always drink in moderation. During my IST in Kibuye, I had dinner at the Golf Hotel (which ironically does not have a golf course) with PCV buddies and most of Peace Corps’ staff. During this dinner I had two Rwandan beers, larger than the standard American bottles. The following day, the PCMO wanted to see me. He said that I was being loud and noticed that I was drinking a little more than I had told him that I do at the beginning of PST. I was surprised to hear this from him because I didn’t feel drunk that night. I have several times since starting my service been significantly drunker than what I set out to be. After reading what the newsletter mentioned above, I realized I am more irresponsible than I had originally imagined myself to be. I appreciate the doctor’s comments because, while I haven’t stopped drinking, I am more aware of my behavior and it shows he has our best interest at heart.
There are currently many cultural pressures, Rwandan and PCV, that open opportunities to drink irresponsibly. We cannot change culture; however, we can make positive behavior changes.
Classifying a drinking problem is a very sticky situation. There is a lot of gray area between an umuroko – someone who never drinks, and an umusinzi – an alcoholic. While it is good to remember that what might be too many for one person could be just the beginning of the night for someone else, it is our responsibility to speak up in situations when necessary.
If you are concerned about another PCV then you can:
1. Open a discussion with him/her about the issue.
2. Encourage the PCV to contact a PSN representative or PCMO who will keep the conversation confidential. In some cases the PSN representative may in turn encourage the PCV to contact one of the PCMOs. It is only in extreme cases that a PSN rep will contact a PCMO on a PCV’s behalf (unless the PCV requests the Rep to do so); however, a PSN rep will never do so without informing the PCV first. PSN has been reassured that the PCMO’s are there to help anyone with such concerns, not report them. However, they warn that if incidents related to irresponsible drinking are reported to Admin, the PCMOs hold little to know power over the outcome.
Steps to staying safe:
Never leave a drink unattended, Never leave a drunk unattended.