Hmmm... It's difficult, considering you're "foreigner", as you have pointed out one of the most prominent meetup place for expat is always at the bar. And at the bar, the only thing expat do is... Well, to do nothing other than drinking. I'm pretty darn sure the conversation has always been the usual few lines that each of you repeating multiple times over the night towards different people, and the answer doesn't really matter but it leading to a "cheers", either a sip or bottoms up. I don't know, maybe a gym membership can help to curb that loneliness? But then, gym is just a different kind of animal farm. You'll meet a bunch of "serious" guys who say nothing but roar and rep count, or another bunch that will invade your shower curtain to "borrow shampoo".

I don't know. I originally don't feel like commenting, but I also feels like I have to. I gave up drinking since I have stopped smoking. I did went back to the water hole twice since 2020. The first time after the lockdown, I drink 1.5 pint only, I have trouble finding my way home. I think it took me more than an hour wondering around the entire Kuala Lumpur fading in and out of conscious behind the wheel 😅

The second time, the boss called for a drink after we got a small bonus. I took one pint and the next day I had a huge headache whole day in the office.

Since then, the only beverage at the bar I'm getting, is always ice water. What to do if I don't go to a bar? Well, I'm not expat. Some of the weekdays I will send kids to tuition. Some of the day, I am staying at home playing old retro PC games. If there's friend meet up, usually it will end in local indian shops for a masala chai.