- Zero Proof
- Posts
- Don't be a Japanese Salaryman
Don't be a Japanese Salaryman
And why Rob Dyrdek doesn't dabble with discipline


Welcome to Zero Proof, the weekly manifest making it easy to feel good about not drinking.
Your feedback fuels the fun, so click the polls and throw us a cheeky comment.
If you haven’t subscribed, join the community and get weekly Zero Proof here:
As always, don’t borrow from tomorrow.
-Billy & Connor
Here’s what’s on today’s menu:
No Booze News 📈: The world’s highest and lowest drinkers.
They’re one of us 🤝: Rob Dyrdek on discipline, he goes all in.
Wait, but why? 🤔: What’s a salaryman and why do they drink so much?
Healthy Habit 🌱: Grounding? Does it really work?
Product Spotlight 🛒: Atomic Habits: get 1% better every day
Events 👾: Ditch the drinks, embrace the dragons: why VR arcades are the new happy hour
No Booze News 📈:
Taking a look at how much people drink around the world
Who drinks the most? Who drinks the least? Based on where you are and what you are doing in life you may have a super skewed view on this, particularly with all the boozey brand marketing out there..
Luckily the WHO - World Health Organization, not British rock band - conducted an in depth study on how much alcohol people consume on average a year by country, check out the data below.
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita
Based on the image above it’s clear to see that Europeans dominate in drinking, while the Middle East and North Africa prefer a dryer lifestyle (pun intended 🐫)
And to be clear, The World Health Organization recorded each country's alcohol consumption in liters of pure alcohol (not number of drinks) for all beer, wine, spirits, and other alcoholic drinks. For example, one handle of vodka (1.75 liters) contains about 300 milliliters of pure alcohol, and the average 12oz beer or 5oz glass of wine contains roughly 0.6 oz (.0178 liters/17.8 ml) of pure alcohol.
Highest Alcohol Consumpiton![]() *liters pure alcohol per capita | Lowest Alcohol Consumption![]() |
Well what about the US? Not the best at drinking or not drinking it turns out. The US took the 39th highest-spot with annual consumption of 9.97 liters of pure alcohol in 2019. Still high above the woldwide average of 5.8 liters.
For context 9.5 litres of pure alcohol is equivalent to around 190 litres of beer, 80 litres of wine or 24 litres of spirits.
Laws and cultures are what play a big part here, some key things to keep in mind are:
Europeans start drinking young and have a deep culture of alcohol engrained into society - think Belgian Beer, French Wine, Polish Vodka..
Middle eastern countries tend to view alcohol in a negative light tied to religious views
US has a minimum drining age of 21 which is strictly enforced in in most locations
Last hot take is the difference the study showed Men vs. Women drink. This is one stastic that was more consistent around the world with Men tending to drink 3-5x more than Women, yikes!
Sources and further reading:
They’re one of us 🤝:
Rob Dyrdek on how deep discipline = deep happiness

You all likely know this week's fellow Proofer through the lens of at-home videos and skateboarding. However, Rob Dyrdek has many layers beneath his public persona. What you probably wouldn't guess is that he has mastered the art of creating unlimited energy, leading him to immense levels of happiness.
How’s he do it? The answer is simple: deep discipline.
In his podcast, "Build with Rob," he discusses having a deeper and further level of discipline that continuously compounds on itself to the point where "there is no such thing as recovery." He states that "deep discipline starts with diet," and goes on to explain that he hasn't put any sugar, alcohol, or snacks in his body for quite some time.
The result? He says he has never been happier and attributes this to his ability to commit to deep discipline. He has found diet (yes this includes alcohol consumption 😉) to be the starting point and believes it unlocks everything else.
Later in the episode, he highlights something we all are guilty of: dabbling in discipline.
"Dabbling in discipline would always get me. When you dabble in discipline, it just opens the gate for you to be able to slide and find some grey areas inside that."
How does he combat that? By being fully committed to discipline. By going all in.
He says, "Being fully committed is always difficult at first, but over time it gets easier and easier, and then eventually it becomes an entire way of being for yourself. This sort of evolution to this level for me has been many years in the making."
It's this way of thinking that makes Rob a fellow Proofer. He has a deep understanding of discipline, and his account is a true example of what being a Proofer is all about. He has found a way to live life without letting cravings and distractions get in the way of his happiness.
Tune in below if you want to listen to Rob speak about this topic in even more detail.
Wait, but why? 🤔:
Why is drinking such a strong part of Japanese business culture?
It’s been a long week, you’ve been crushed by work, and you need a drink to blow off a little steam. Sound like a familiar narrative?
Well try 100x-ing that. The Japanese Salaryman.
What in the world is a Salaryman you ask?
Well let’s start with the popular Japanese culture of Nomikai - drinking parties typically associated with business and work.
Nomikai are typically held after the workday (think 7-9pm) and when you’re invited by your boss, colleague, or company carry the mandatory optional stamp. You don’t have to go, but you have to go.
A ‘Salaryman’ is the standard salaried white-collar worker who embraces strong loyalty and commitment where they work. With the classic connotation of being overworked and underpaid - sacrificing your own happiness for the good of the company and to support your family.
White collar workers and after work drinks sound typical no? not exactly.
These aren’t light happy hours. Nomikai are more of an extension of work hours, where real business gets discussed and pushed through, which is also why people are pressured to attend.
So the equation looks something like Nomikai culture + Salaryman expectation = extreme business drinking cycle.
An added twist is that Japanese public transport typically stops at 12AM and Nomikai can extend way into the night, which is why it’s very common to see Japanese business people sleeping on the streets after a night out.

And these aren’t one offs, the Japanese Salaryman drinking culture has been called a phenomenon that can be jolting to people not used to seeing the sight of so many drunken corporate workers in the streets after a night of heavy drinking.
As you can imagine there are real issues here, with the salarymen having high rates of depression, exhaustion, even death.
Luckily, there are shifts starting to take place in Japanese culture working against the drunken salaryman cycle → startup companies, health focus, young people drinking less.
Sources and further reading:
Healthy Habit 🌱:
Find Your Center: Why Grounding is the Must-Have Habit You Need Now

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or like you're constantly on the edge? Like you just can’t get back on track and that you are all outta whack? Or maybe like you want a cocktail or a jar of ice cream to help manage the stress? We are very much able to empathize with you on this, so we wanted to give you an awesome tool that help with this feeling of being depleted and disconnected. This powerful tool is called grounding.
Grounding, also known as earthing, involves connecting yourself to the earth's natural energy. Now bear with us… before you go all “this is too woo woo for me”… we swear it works and we are asking you to give it a chance!
Here's why grounding is a must-add habit to your life:
1. Boosts Energy Levels: When we're stressed and anxious, our bodies experience a "fight-or-flight" response, releasing hormones that deplete our energy reserves. Grounding, however, can help counteract this effect. By connecting with the earth's calming energy, we can promote relaxation and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for our "rest and digest" state. This leads to a natural increase in energy levels and a sense of calm.
2. Combats Cravings: Cravings, especially for sugary or unhealthy foods, often stem from stress and emotional imbalance. Grounding can help regulate emotions and reduce stress hormones, making us less susceptible to emotional eating. By focusing on the present moment and connecting with the earth's calming energy, we can gain control over our cravings and make healthier choices.
3. Promotes Overall Well-Being: Grounding isn't just about managing cravings and boosting energy. It also offers a wide range of benefits for our overall well-being. Studies suggest that grounding may help:
Improve sleep quality
Reduce chronic pain
Boost mood and emotional resilience
Lower inflammation in the body
Ready to Get Grounded? Here's how to get started:
Spend time outdoors: Walk barefoot on grass or sand, sit under a tree, or simply soak up the sun.
Practice mindful breathing: Focus on your breath and connect with the present moment.
Try meditation: Guided meditations often incorporate grounding techniques, helping you connect with the earth's energy.
Utilize grounding tools: Consider using grounding mats, socks, or jewelry that claim to promote grounding effects.
Grounding is a simple yet powerful tool that anyone can incorporate into their daily life. Give it a try, feel the difference, and discover a renewed sense of calm, energy, and control over your cravings. Remember, consistency is key! The more you practice grounding, the greater the benefits you'll experience.
Sources and further reading:
Proofer Products 🛒:
Atomic Habits - James Clear
This week we wanted to highlight a product that we think will give you a system to put in your bag and to lean on as it relates to creating great habits in your life. Atomic Habits by James Clear is a New York Times bestseller and a book we believe everyone should read!
In this book you will learn how to:

Part of what we want to give this community is not just some great consumer products to take with them, but also some products that will help you build more skills in your life.
Hope you all like this one!
Suggest a product to be featured on Zero Proof!Let us know about a product you think is perfect for Proofers and we'll give you a shoutout next post |
Event Spotlight 👾:
Ditch the drinks, embrace the dragons: why VR arcades are the new happy hour

Feeling like your social life is stuck on repeat: bar, same jokes, endless small talk about your boss? Level up your fun and ditch the predictable with a trip to a VR arcade!
Think about it: instead of slurring your way through karaoke (again!), you could be:
Saving the world from a robot uprising (pew pew!)
Scaling the highest mountain peak
Defeating a fire-breathing dragon
VR arcades offer endless possibilities for adventure, all without the downsides of a traditional night out of drinking. Plus, you get:
Exercise (kinda): Who needs a dance floor when you can dodge virtual bullets and sword-fight your way to victory?
Social interaction: Bond with your friends over shared experiences, laughter, and maybe a little friendly competition.
Memories (that you'll actually remember): No more blurry nights wondering what you did with your phone (or your dignity).
So next time you're looking for a fun and unique way to spend time with friends, skip the bar and step into the future with VR arcades. You might just discover your new favorite way to unwind and become the hero of your own story!
Suggest an event to be featured on Zero Proof!Let us know about an event you think is perfect for Proofers and we'll give you a shoutout next post |
What did you think of today's edition? |
Share Zero Proof
Stop what you’re doing and tell the person next to you about Zero Proof right now! Too much? Fine. We’ll settle for you just copying and pasting this link to others: