Turning 18 and you (An angsty Australian kids question for you)

[Sunrider]

So I turned 18 today, which is like the 'manhood starting' age here (21 in 'merica) and everyone is making a big deal about it. Now don't get me wrong, I love being able to buy my own alcohol and go to clubs and such, but is it really that big a deal? I mean, are there any major maturity events that happen in my body around this time? Am I being a little *****? Thoughts?

Also, what was your just turned 18/21 experience like? Was it bitchen?

I cared a lot about turning 18, since we're allowed to get our license here at 18. Growing up where I did, you NEED a car. And cars are fun!
Other than that, I didn't give two shits. I rarely drink and I don't smoke, so nothing really changed.
Getting a job and having a lot of money all of a sudden? Like someone before me said, THAT is where you get your freedom and where the fun really begins, unless you happen to be born into a very rich family or something.

 

[Danish_4116]

When I turned 18, I had dinner with a few mates, went to a club, decided I hate clubs within 30 seconds of walking into one, went home drank a beer and went to sleep. The most exciting thing that happened was that my pay went up about $4.00 an hour. Woooo.

 

[PlowmanMk]

Im Australian. I was brewing beer throughout high school. When I turned 18, I stopped drinking. lol
The only thing of any worth to me is being of legal age to drive.


My birthday was around yr12 exam time, so I didn't celebrate either. Too busy drinking myself stupid before my birthday

 

[sheah1]

I have yet to turn 18 and I'm not really looking forward to it;
I don't drink, don't smoke, I ain't that promiscuous (although I am of the age of consent, not that that's ever stopped anyone ever) and I have no interest in driving. Hell, the only thing that'll change is that people will be on my ass about "growing up", which is gonna be so much fun.

 

[Joccaren]

Hahaha, try being an 18 year old Australian who doesn't drink and hates clubs. It is even less eventful. (BTW, you can vote now, so hurry up and register slacker!!!)

Tell me about it. Even going to parties is... Eh.
'Do you want a drink?'
'Nah, I don't do Alcohol'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to'
'Is it because you're scared of the health risks?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'Your scared you'll do something stupid?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You just don't want a hangover tomorrow morning?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You want to maintain your dignity? I can respect that'
'FFS, its because I don't want to do alcohol ok?'

Few people seem to get that not everyone wants to do alcohol. It ain't necessary for daily life. Whilst some of what they put forward is valid, its not so much of a concern for me as that I see no gain in drinking alcohol. I can get a lot of entertainment out of watching drunk chicks say 'No Bingo' over and over again for half an our at night because they got so smashed they can't even think anymore. Alcohol is not needed for a good time.

 

[sheah1]

Hahaha, try being an 18 year old Australian who doesn't drink and hates clubs. It is even less eventful. (BTW, you can vote now, so hurry up and register slacker!!!)

Tell me about it. Even going to parties is... Eh.
'Do you want a drink?'
'Nah, I don't do Alcohol'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to'
'Is it because you're scared of the health risks?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'Your scared you'll do something stupid?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You just don't want a hangover tomorrow morning?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You want to maintain your dignity? I can respect that'
'FFS, its because I don't want to do alcohol ok?'

Few people seem to get that not everyone wants to do alcohol. It ain't necessary for daily life. Whilst some of what they put forward is valid, its not so much of a concern for me as that I see no gain in drinking alcohol. I can get a lot of entertainment out of watching drunk chicks say 'No Bingo' over and over again for half an our at night because they got so smashed they can't even think anymore. Alcohol is not needed for a good time.

The worst is the "friends" who try to force you to drink, but somehow freak out if you try and take care of them by giving them a water bottle when they can't stand up.

 

[Sectan]

Like the C.S. Lewis quote that "some people" always like to quote... You're an adult when you stop identifying behaviors as adult or childish.

Also, Nobody really grows up, they just learn how to act in public.*

(*Is that a Batman quote? Don't know if it is, I just saw Batman's picture behind it when I ran into it...)

 

[CrazyJew]

Well,I live in Israel, so for me it is officially becoming property of the military.

 

[Magicduck]

I was in same boat about 3 months ago. And yeah I agree bars/clubs are overrated, I prefer house parties/gatherings, less money to be spent that way . Other then that no real difference; My stereotypical Aussie Dad always supplies me with free beers and I still say my birthday is 1/1/1945 on sites which require 18+ people. Also I've been very disappointed with Uni social life, stupid American movies making it seem like there's a party everyday.

 

[StormShaun]

Meanwhile in Western Australia.

"Ugh, I don't really care about being 18, but I'll finally be able to buy a sword and decommissioned gun, thats the only thing I'm looking forward to, nothing else.

 

[DugMachine]

Mmmm when I turned 18 I was happy that I could buy my smokes without having people buy them for me. Then when I turned 21, I didn't bother with the drinking cause I don't like alcohol that much sooooo no nothing really changes.

 

[SadisticBrownie]

Meh, just have fun, do all the things you're now able to do before you get bored of them.

 

[Navvan]

Hahaha, try being an 18 year old Australian who doesn't drink and hates clubs. It is even less eventful. (BTW, you can vote now, so hurry up and register slacker!!!)

Tell me about it. Even going to parties is... Eh.
'Do you want a drink?'
'Nah, I don't do Alcohol'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to'
'Is it because you're scared of the health risks?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'Your scared you'll do something stupid?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You just don't want a hangover tomorrow morning?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You want to maintain your dignity? I can respect that'
'FFS, its because I don't want to do alcohol ok?'

Few people seem to get that not everyone wants to do alcohol. It ain't necessary for daily life. Whilst some of what they put forward is valid, its not so much of a concern for me as that I see no gain in drinking alcohol. I can get a lot of entertainment out of watching drunk chicks say 'No Bingo' over and over again for half an our at night because they got so smashed they can't even think anymore. Alcohol is not needed for a good time.

Those conversations always annoyed the hell out of me. People behaved like it was some sort of complex mystery as to why somebody didn't want to drink. For me it was really just not something I felt like doing.

The worst is the "friends" who try to force you to drink, but somehow freak out if you try and take care of them by giving them a water bottle when they can't stand up.

Amusing flip to that: I once had my drunk roommate try to take care of me when I was completely sober (I literally had nothing to drink) and he was bordering on passing out. It was a bit insulting (I'm both older and a more responsible drinker), but amusing at the same time.

 

[madster11]

I turned 18 in October last year.

Basically nothing changed. Got my car loan in my name instead of my parents and i occasionally drink with my mates, but my normal life hasn't really changed much since i turned 17. Still chill at home on the internet and read a ton of books, only difference is dropping my work from full time to part time so i can do my HSC at TAFE.

Biggest change would be those delicious green P-Plates and the ability to sit at 109km/h on the freeway without having to worry about cops.


Oh, also, gun license. Can finally legit buy a .308 lever action.

 

[EvilMaggot]

changed nothing at all in my life.. turning 18.. so.. meh

 

[zehydra]

Nah, 18 is a big deal in America too, the only difference is alcohol at 21.

 

[Bernzz]

Hahaha, try being an 18 year old Australian who doesn't drink and hates clubs. It is even less eventful. (BTW, you can vote now, so hurry up and register slacker!!!)

Tell me about it. Even going to parties is... Eh.
'Do you want a drink?'
'Nah, I don't do Alcohol'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to'
'Is it because you're scared of the health risks?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'Your scared you'll do something stupid?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You just don't want a hangover tomorrow morning?'
'Its because I don't want to'
'You want to maintain your dignity? I can respect that'
'FFS, its because I don't want to do alcohol ok?'

Few people seem to get that not everyone wants to do alcohol. It ain't necessary for daily life. Whilst some of what they put forward is valid, its not so much of a concern for me as that I see no gain in drinking alcohol. I can get a lot of entertainment out of watching drunk chicks say 'No Bingo' over and over again for half an our at night because they got so smashed they can't even think anymore. Alcohol is not needed for a good time.

Oh.

My.

God.

YES!

I don't drink very often, and parties are meh because they exist for people to get drunk. Meaning I'm not really getting involved because I don't feel like it. And if someone offers me a drink and I decline, it's always "Why?"

Because I don't want to. You wouldn't ask why if I declined a glass of Coke, would you?

OT: When I turned 18, there was absolutely zero change from when I was 17. Drinking mattered little to me. Hell, I didn't even go to any clubs until my girlfriend turned 18 and dragged me there.

 

[Hazy992]

Nothing changed for me really. I was a pathetic loser at 17, I was a pathetic loser at 18 and I'm a pathetic loser at 19.

Captcha: 'rack and ruin' how fitting

 

[Daryl Findlay]

im 21 now but i've been going out to clubs/bars since i've been about 16/17 so the 18 and 21 marks wern't such a big deal.

They're a great excuse to through a big party and messed up