Alcohol as a Means for Breaking Down Social Reserve
In Sweden, ”alcohol is nearly considered an officially acknowledged symbol for breaking down the borders between the private and the public spheres. In Sweden. if you are intoxicated, you are allowed to do things for which you would otherwise lose face, that is, make a fool of yourself” (Allwood 1981:44). What is interesting is that this behaviour is to an insignificant extent psychologically induced, and that Swedes under these circumstances, change their behaviour to such a great extent, compared with many other people (Löfgren 1970:145). The type of behaviour which is expected culturally in public surroundings - to speak in a low voice and withoutaffection, to appear serious, to not behave aggressively - is replaced by the opposite behaviour. Swedes’ behaviour after drinking alcohol is characterized by louder voices, greater show of emotion - joy, flowing sentimentality, tears - as well as aggression in discussions. There is great variety related to individuality and class, but in general, ”the tongue is loosened”, and Swedes display those characteristics of personality which they are otherwise well-known for lacking.
The same applies to Japanese. Even in groups of workmates and friends, Japanese people are more or less formal and are careful about what they say and do. How you conduct yourself depends, however, a lot on the situation, but in many situations, the important thing is to not ”lose face” (Lebra 1982:121). At a seminar at the Linguistic Institute, at Japan Women’s University in October 1984, when I outlined social expectations which Swedes have of each other and of themselves, and how these restrictions are lessened and nearly forgotten when drinking together, smiles of recognition broke out on people’s faces. On many occasions during my visit in Japan, it was pointed out to me: when Japanese men go out after work for a drink together, their behaviour changes dramatically. They become spontaneous, talkative and informal, and are allowed to say what they want, without having to later be held responsible for what they said.
In a sober state, the Japanese are like the Swedes, in the sense that it is not easy for them to improvise, a comparsion which the English journalist, Paul Britten Austin makes in his book On Being Swedish: ”The Swede, individually and corporately, hates to improvise. As Ruth Benedict said of the Japanese, ’he likes to live in a thoroughly known world’”(1968:48).
