I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down.
We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It’s always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia.
“What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?” I asked. Eager to glean some advice from a (very) seasoned traveler.
His eyes lit up and briefly focused. He thought for a moment, and said, “Don’t take shit. Stand up… For yourself.”
I nodded thoughtfully and encouraged him to go on.
“Two. Laugh… At everything.”
I laughed.
He looked confused and went on.
“Three… I forget… Doesn’t matter.”
“I think that may be your most brilliant rule,” I said.
We laughed, we cheered, and kept drinking.
Bottlecaps & Broken Bits 
Hilarious. Those are rule to live by.
Ho Chi Minh City is place i am living :D. and i like your rule π
The third rule is the best rule ftw
π nice pic
Nice! π
Ooo that IS great advice! Although, I would put #3 first.
hahaha good advice!
The best advice is always the most simple.
Great and simple advice. Traveling for seven years sounds absolutely amazing. I’m sure he has seen a lot and has learned so much.
Drunken rooftop conversations are always so enlightening, aren’t they?
Absolutely.
The only drunk advice I’ve ever gotten started like this: “nnoo, but sssearsly…” Nothing compared to the advice you’ve gotten. I hope to one day meet a wise man as well.
Brilliant post
Awesome post, please check out mine http://www.myroutetohelp.co.uk
hahaaaa i like it! i’m also super jealous of that guy for traveling for seven years. and having the means to do so.
keep drunk, then you are more sane.
[…] I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down. We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It's always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia. "What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?" I aske … Read More […]
βThreeβ¦ I forgetβ¦ Doesnβt matter.β — I love everything about this.
great advice π
Amusing. I’m with Jason. But ssseeearrrsly…
Very TRUE!
Edwin
As simple as they sound, those 3 little rules pretty much cover it all… simple truths usually take less time to tell and they always hit home. Enjoy your travels. (by the way, I have lived in Bkk for 20 years)
It’s special, i think. i don’t know If drunk advice can help me design better in my thiet ke noi that Δep or phong khach than thien
Maybe it’s possible ^^
i think i could agree with both of those… especially to laugh at life…
haha nice.
Haha! Very sound advice!
Why is it that sometimes drunk people make more sense than sober people??
I love that his rule #2 was to laugh at everything and when you did, he was confused…haha. Typical drunk guy.
Great post!
Me to PCC! Exactly how a person is when drunk! π What a fun post that is so true. And our very smart friend Albert E. said “If you can’t state it simply, you don’t understand it thoroughly”. If at only 30 years old he truly already understands all of that, the next phase of his life should be very enjoyable. Congrats on FP!!! AmberLena
Oi! π Very funny but very profound advices.
I wonder if the third piece of advise he forgot was, “Don’t piss in your breakfast cereal.”
This is brilliant. So lucid, even in the face of such inebriation. π
First, congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Second, This is a story that will be passed on in bars in perpetuity.
Third, I forget and it doesn’t matter! π
If he does that well when he is drunk, I’d like to talk to him when he is sober.
A friend of mine went off on his sister’s girl friend while drunk, and told her all
that (I felt) she needed to hear. The woman was living off his sister’s paycheck
as she had been doing with all her previous partners – always finding one excuse
or another not to go out and look for a job. His speech was slurred but possibly
the most eloquent thing I ever heard. The girl friend left that night visibly ashamed
and never so much as called again. Though we heard she had found someone
else to mooch.
really? The folks I drink with are MUCH more profound. I think.
Haha, I wouldn’t doubt it.
So wise. Actually inspiring me to write a post about the positive affects/effects alcohal has had on my life…of course you will be sited!
Haha thanks. Your blog cracks me up, and yes, the positive effects of alcohol always seem to buried under all that alcoholism and death stuff… Everything in moderation, I say.
well put
probably it’s because you dont have any hesitations at all when you’re drunk! lol!
I met two 20-year old Nepali boys at a rooftop bar in Kathmandu last summer. Their English was outstanding and you could tell they were really bright. They kept talking about how they really wanted to get out of Nepal; they wanted to travel, and maybe find a job internationally. Their problem was that they didn’t have any money, and seemed to consider themselves above any of the blue-collar (or the Nepali equivalent thereof) jobs they’d be able to find there in Kathmandu.
At which point I offered what I’ve since considered my best advice: “Sometimes you have to sell out to do the things you love!” Spoken like a true frustrated waitress, fake-smiling through endless shifts to fund her own travels.
Haha, or just get jobs at hostels, bars, and restaurants as you travel, they will at least pay you in free room and board… usually haha.
Best advice ever! And why settle down 30s not that old…is it?
Great post thanks for sharing
Simple and yet inspiring. (:
It’s to-the-point and oh so true. Love it. π
At last call in a nude bar, a lady told me is I wanted to make any money in psychological counseling, I needed a Masters in Social Services. She was right.
I would suggest that you seek advice from a wise person!
Drunken people really do give the best advise. Give me a few shots of Jack Daniels I’ll run circles around Dr. Phil lol. I need to start living by these rules. I follow the first a bit, the second for a good portion, but the third is the anti-me. I need to learn to let go and just say fuck it and keep it moving :). Great short post dude!
how are you think about beer in Vietnam?
^^
very sound advice!
Love it, the first rule is definitely a good one to follow! And the second one I practice every day, laughing at a situation is like instant stress relief. π
Careful. I have read once that alcohol has a relaxing to unleashing the mind effects. It must be true from personal experience of taking drinks. [I occasionally drink , no, not an alcoholic]
A drunk can unleash what’s been ‘sleeping’ in him – fun, anger, violence…… and, yes, some of the best things that normally are kept… depending what’s in him!
Eloquent without being prolix — great job! I think the best part is that it was an inebriated traveller who best condensed all of life’s advice.
Loved it! And drinking makes people very sincere! Sometimes too much π Tomorrow I’m gonna drink and tell my friends how much I love them! Great people! A toast to my friends and to moderate drunk people!
Cheers!
Brilliant.
good stuff! π
[…] I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down. We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It's always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia. "What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?" I aske … Read More […]
Nice one.
This is very good web blog. good design
Great advice, haha. Love Vietnam and Beer Saigon…made me happy to read this!
haha love this π
He definitely knows how to live. π
i LOVEEEEE this post. i love what he said “Donβt take shit. Stand upβ¦ For yourself” & “Laugh at everything.”
laugh… and forget…
Sweet
LOL and the way I was waiting for advice like real guru sounding advice π
Hi. That was good! π
Good advice with the third one complicated.
you’ve got to love ‘alcohol induced moments’ they’re always so ‘real’ π
I would put #3 first.
ha ha good stuff! You’ve gotta love drunk people!
Small and sweet like with a chocolate cramps cookie.
βDonβt take shit. Stand upβ¦ For yourself.β The best advice I’ve ever heard.
nice one..people say that people never lie when they are drunk.
Number 3 rocks…who cares?
number 3 is the best
Love it π
I like that.
Haha lol!! π nyc one!!
Awesome Advice!
hahah.. quite THE advice !
hheheheee :-D.. true words to live by π
My personal favourite: 2nd..
Right to the point! I like the three rules!
In the words of an amazing Vietnamese restaurant owner from my hometown–“Beer is the answer. I forget the question.”
haha, well put.
That’s impressive that he almost thought of 3 things lol
aisiri likey π
perfect advice!
if we could only listen the advices we receive
hah brillaint! Some good advice and i agree drunken advice can sometimes be the best.
Amy.
lol great stuf
and a friend with weed comes up with extra creativity
I need to get drunk and see what I come up with π
Drunk Guy for President! Or you, if you’re heeding that advice…
π
Great ponka……
hahaha!
Laugh is certainly the most important.
ray
Super Like β€
Yes!
Forget, because it doesn’t matter.
Greatest advice ever!
[…] I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down. We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It's always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia. "What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?" I aske … Read More […]
liked the first advice!
[…] I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down. We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It's always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia. "What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?" I aske … Read More […]
Best advice I’ve heard in years! Sharing this on twitter. π
Solid advice. I agree with all three!! It’s amazing how much good advice goes around when you’re in a relaxed atmosphere and drinking. If only I could remember it all… lol
Did he really give you all that advice ? π
Good advice, though !
Sage advice, indeed. Stand up for yourself, don’t take shit . . . and laugh. Wish I would have done more of that in my life. But it’s never too late, eh?
Nope. Never.
I especially agree with point no.2 Laughter is life’s best medicine. I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, no doubt you’ll also find plenty of drunken advice on the rooftop bars here π
Only ever get advice from drunk people. You have more fun that way…except when they try to convince you that it is a great idea to jump in front of a train. Safe to say I learnt from his mistake…
hahah drunken logic is the best logic
I have lived be the first rule scene I was a young lady! Thanks for reminding me;)
-Linda
“βTwo. Laughβ¦ At everything.β
I laughed.”
And I laughed. Haha! And that rule number three is the best rule ever!
Drunk people often have amazing advice without even knowing! Great rules π
[…] I once met a drunken guru named David on a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. He was turning 30, American, and had been traveling since he was 23. This was the last year of his travels, as he had decided long ago that when he reached 30, he would go home, get a job and settle down. We were drinking Beer Saigon — it was happy hour. It's always happy hour somewhere in Southeast Asia. "What is the most life-changing advice you could offer me?" I aske … Read More […]
really drunk camera!
http://rodposse.com/
This my friend, was the advice of a lifetime!!
loved it!! very funny:)
Number 3 is good, But I think number 2 is the best
“Laugh at everything” definitely key for having a happy life.
http://www.thedailyflex.com
That would be the kind of advice I would live by.Nice work!!!
Totally agree that drunk people are quite honest and usually give some wonderful advices.Great story!
This is a great post, and great advice! Congrats on Freshly Pressed π
Thank you, appreciate it.
fun, true and to the point – cheers for this!
best
@bobbygw
great advice!
Its a bonder and a breaker
wise words
[…] Caps and Broken Bits – Check out this brief bit of worldly advice. Simple, but oh, so […]
I wonder what he would say if he was sober.
I like it a lot! I might use this for my next post, I give weekly advice. Check it out and let me know what you think! http://www.adviceyouneed.wordpress.com Keep the posts coming!
Hey Jacob, feel free to repost anytime. Thanks for reading!
nice
Well said, drunk words are sober thoughts…
cityarbiter.wordpress.com
Hi,
I think you are doing a great thing for beer and alcohol trough your blog so congrats for that, my friends(myself included) would love you and thank you for that. I have been exposed to marijuana much the same way. Maybe you might like to have a read.
Ψ¬Ψ§Ω Ψ―Ω
How awesome! I wish I traveled more.
I want to travel the world and get laid, but I’m a Tgirl… π¦