Now that Christmas is over and behind us, the cake has been eaten, the romantic evening is over with, its time to start focusing on the first, or last depending on how to see it, party of the year! That’s right, get your beer mugs out again because its time for a  Shinnenkai  新年会 party.

On New Year’s Day, a Shinnenkai party is traditionally held to welcome the arrival of the new year which is always accompanied by the drinking of alcohol. Lots of alcohol!

A Shinnenkai is generally held among co-workers or friends in early January and is VERY important particularly in business because its often the main opportunity to solidify relationships with clients and co-workers for the new year.

So of course, we here at Japundit are pleased to provide you with a Top Ten ‘How to Survive’ list for the 2006/2007 Shinnenkai season!

10.) If you think you may be slurring your Japanese, then your slurring a lot. If you think your slurring a lot, then you are not speaking Japanese anymore and no one will understand.

9.) Anyone with three or more drinks in his hand has the right of way!

8.) On two different occasions, co-workers and friends of mine stripped their cloths off and wore white loin cloths while singing YATTA at the top of their lungs. Don’t stare with your jaw open, this is not uncommon behaviour!!

7.) Its ok if your offered to join in on the white loin cloth YATTA dance to politely refuse. But if you do join in, you’ll have made the best friends you can imagine… And have some seriously hilarious images for friends back home!

6.) During a Shinnenkai, its very normal for speeches to be made. If you have the honour of being invited to make a speech, for the love of GOD keep it short. They’ll never interrupt you, but be aware they’re not interested in what you think. KISS! (Keep It Short Stupid!)

5.) Rule of Thumb: It is only ok to shout ‘woo-hoo’ if you are doing shots with four or more people!

4.) If there is ever any confusion, the fuller beer belongs to your co-workers. That’s just being polite – Japanese Style!

3.) It’s ok for your boss to do Elvis impersonations at the party. It’s NEVER ok for you to do that!

2.) If you offer a co-worker a drink and they say no, they don’t like you. If you offer a co-worker a drink and they accept they may still not like you. If the co-worker offers YOU a drink, they like you.

1.) Sake makes you mellow, Shōchū makes you silly, beer makes you dramatic, and combining all three makes you felonious!

Have fun and have a GREAT New Years!!

PS: Thanks to Japan Sugoie for the idea of this article!