Heineken x Shentonista: Moderate Drinkers Wanted — Checking In

Pearlyn, Advertising. Top and jeans from Topshop, bag from Balenciaga, necklace from By Invite Only.

Pearlyn works in the China Street area, and is lucky to have a little enclave of restaurants and cosy bars in the shophouses along the street that allow for her and her colleagues to easily grab a post-work drink. For her, drinking is all about the company, and her friends are both her source of joy and control when it comes to knowing when enough is enough. She shares more when we steal a quick moment with her.

Shentonista (S): What’s a regular day at work like for you?

Pearlyn (P): It’s unpredictable in a good way. We juggle many different projects, so jumping from one to another makes my day longer than your average office hours. That said, after a long day, I’m usually ready to unwind and take my mind off the day’s hectic-ness.

S: How often do you go out for drinks after work?

P: Not very often — maybe Fridays, and certain Saturdays.

S: Usually in groups, or solo? With your colleagues or friends outside of work?

P: Groups. I usually enjoy occasions better with quality company, rather than on a larger scale, so I’ll often find myself with close friends or colleagues. Makes it more convenient because there are a lot of bars in our office area.

S: How much do you usually drink?

P: 2 beers or 2 glasses of wine.

S: How do you know what’s your personal limit?

P: It’s tried and tested! Physically, I’ll feel that I won’t be lucid after awhile and may say or do potentially embarrassing things, so that keeps me in check.

S: How do you keep your alcohol intake under control?

P: I usually have the discipline to stop drinking because I get rashes, so I’d stop when I feel a rash coming on, or when my friend says, “Eh, you’re really red. Stop.”

S: How do you stop yourself from drinking too much?

P: I’m more of the lightweight of the group, so it boils down to not wanting to trouble your friends at the end of the day.

S: In our culture where alcohol is easily accessible, do you think it’s important to drink moderately?

P: Yes.

S: What’s your great motivation for drinking moderately?

P: For me, it’s a wellness check. Nowadays, I know a lot of people like me, who are trying to lead more healthy lifestyles, like going to the gym and eating healthy. If you drink alcohol excessively, you undo all the good effort you’ve put in over the week.

S: Poison of choice?

P: Red wine.

S: What are some of your best tips for lasting the night, even without alcohol to have a good time?

P: I think it really depends on the company. With good company, you don’t need alcohol to get high or to party.

S: Besides going out for drinks, what other activities do you enjoy? Any other hobbies?

P: Yoga and boxing. I try to make it to class at least three times a week, ‘try’ being the operative word, because it’s a little difficult to.