What's the big deal about drinking?

[Marik2]

This question came from me talking to my friend about what he was going to do during Spring Break he replied "I'm going to throw a Spring Break party at my house with so much alcohol." And I asked "Do you really need alcohol to have fun at a party?" And he replied with a "Of course; you can't have a party without beer." (He's 21 so he can legally drink)

And it got me thinking what's with all the hype about alcohol? Granted I'm 18 and the only alcohol I've had was a Bud Light that an uncle gave me. But when I drank it, it tasted horrible and said "Why do people like this stuff?"

So the question is What's the deal with drinking? Why do people drink at all?

 

[Legion]

The former is usually because some people still think it's "cool", amazingly you will find people in their thirties who still haven't grown out of the phase. Although most who are like that tend to be teens-early twenties.

The latter varies as some do it for the "cool" factor, others because they wish to get drunk for whatever reason, and others actually drink it for the taste (oddly enough this seems to be the smallest group).

I've never seen the big deal either, but then again I went out and got drunk most Fridays at the age of 14 so I "grew out of it" pretty quickly.

 

[Frequen-Z]

Cos being drunk alters your personality, that's the whole idea, having your enlightened bubbly happy personality and being around others who are the same. You do things you normally wouldn't, have a laugh, take loads of photos, and have fun regaining your memories over the next few days.

First got drunk at 15, loved it, loving it ever since.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I drink for enjoyment, I'll buy myself a few bottles of good ale/cider every so often and enjoyment them at my leisure, If I go out with friends, I'll drink to be sociable but I'll stop if I think I've had too many. A trait that alot of people seem to lack for some reason. I don't drink to get drunk, I drink to enjoy the taste, I've only ever got totally pissed off my tits once and I promised myself that I would never do that again.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

No clue, unless it's a mixed drink it tastes aweful to me, and if all you like are mixed drinks just roll with a soda and avoid the price and hangover.

 

[Robert0288]

the big hype is more in american culture where the law bans you from drinking untill the unreasonable age of 21. I've been drinking since I was 16, so there isn't that sence of need alcohol to make a party or any preasure to drink after becomming legal like there is in the US. Although to put this in perspective I'm usually the first guy to sugjest bringing a beer or 2, I just don't get 'wasted'

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Being drunk is just fun and gives people some laughs. I personally enjoy Rum.

 

[SonicKoala]

Seriously, this isn't that complicated. Drinking removes people's inhibitions - it lets them relax, regardless of who they're hanging out with, and really "come out of their shell", so to speak. It makes for a great time - you'll laugh a lot, you'll get pleasantly dizzy, and depending on how much you drink, you may not remember everything.

Seriously, people are such squares on this website when it comes to drinking - if you do it in a safe environment with a bunch of friends, it makes for one hell of a time.

 

[Legion]

Seriously, people are such squares on this website when it comes to drinking - if you do it in a safe environment with a bunch of friends, it makes for one hell of a time.

The issue most people like that have isn't the drinking, but the attitude that you can only have a good time if you drink. If people are only capable of having a good time or be friendly because they ingested what is essentially a poison then there is something wrong with them.

Referring to those who don't drink as "squares" won't help anyone take your side either, as the concept of being "cool" as opposed to "square" is a ridiculously childish concept.

 

[Sakurazaki1023]

While I hate not being in control of my personality, I have been known to occasionally drink. Usually privately with friends in small quantities, and always something good quality. Why drink unless it's the good stuff.

 

[Jensu]

Makes alot of people feel good, it generally makes people more open and sociable at parties and such. Persoanlly i drink quite alot, but dont drink to the point of throwing up. Just enjoy the feeling every now and then. Where i come from (scotland) its pretty much the social norm to drink heavilly.

 

[inpachi]

Robert0 i completely agree... 21 is WAY TO HIGH! Every other country on the planet has 18 or younger.. Except us.. And why is this? Because ignorant house wives wanted it so.. I am 18 i drink one or 2 beers a week.. I have only gotten drunk one time in my entire life.. Drank more than half a 5th of 103 proof bourbon whiskey.. then topped it off with 2 beers and a few shots of Vodka.. I didn't remember that day to say the least.. I don't see the point in getting that drunk.. I just don't.. I did it once to see how it felt i didn't like it so i never did it again.. I did that at 16.. However i do like the taste of alcohal and i like to be tipsy but not drunk.. I am usually a pretty shy man and being slightly tipsy helps me break out of that..

IT SUCKS THO that i cant Legally drink yet.. Really thinking of going to germany for a week just to party my ass off lol!

 

[Harrowdown]

Could we not have the self-righteous nonsense, please? It's fine if you don't drink, but don't condemn others because they do. You sound like one of those 'abstinence is cool' kids. I was gonna say more, but sonickoala pretty much covered everything.

 

[JokerCrowe]

I don't drink, but I can understand the appeal of being drunk. There are really 3 reasons why i don't drink, 1) I hate the taste of alchohol 2) I'm kind of happy all the time really, and i can have fun without "enhancements". And 3) because alchohol is a poison, it kill your braincells and your liver, and I don't hink I would like having a hangover (because of the poison). Especially when I can have just as fun without drinking and feeling like crap the next day. (and yes, i am allowed to drink, drinking age is 18 in Sweden : )
But I digress, that's why I don't drink.
I guess people start to drink because it's cool, and it's fun being drunk, you might work up the courage to tell a girl you like her with a little "encouragement", or just to feel and act like someone else for a few hours. Forgetting the crap at school or at home or at work. And then I think it becomes a habit, I mean why do people eat candy? they might not be alchoholics but it's easier and more comfortable to drink than to not do it. I have no idea why there is such a push, from everywhere to drink, but I guess it's cool and "everyone" else is doing it, and the companies want to sell their product.
That's what I think at least, how 'bout you?

 

[DazZ.]

Get drunk and find out for yourself.
You can't ask "what the hells the point in this?" when you've only had one beer.

That said I've been getting drunk weekly since I was about 16.
Drunken beach parties during GCSEs were the best times of my life (most likely).

 

[SonicKoala]

Seriously, people are such squares on this website when it comes to drinking - if you do it in a safe environment with a bunch of friends, it makes for one hell of a time.

The issue most people like that have isn't the drinking, but the attitude that you can only have a good time if you drink. If people are only capable of having a good time or being friendly because they ingested what is essentially a poison then there is something wrong with them.

Referring to those who don't drink as "squares" won't help anyone take your side either, as the concept of being "cool" as opposed to "square" is a ridiculously childish concept.

I'm not interested in anybody taking my side, thanks (considering how many people drink, I've already got plenty of support). And I don't know anybody who thinks that the only way to enjoy themselves is to get drunk - I personally feel sorry for people like that.

But seriously, people take the whole anti-alcohol thing way too far on this site. Nobody is forcing you to drink, so just relax.

 

[Branbeggr]

As was mentioned earlier, the best sides of drinking flourish in a safe environment in good company. Although I don't mind the heavy beats I tend to avoid clublife, and instead opt for a quieter place with a nice pint of Guinness or the like.

Also, every once in a while my cousin and I bring a couple of pints each when we go for a walk in the forest. A long walk gets a lot less tedious with that little something and we've had our best conversations with a nice beer in our hands. Highly recommended.

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Because Hollywood says "It's what cool people do."

They did the same with cigars/cigarettes.

 

[Ironboot]

I love seeing people act like complete morons at parties, but I would never want to be the moron that people laugh at...

I understand that alcohol makes you more sociable etc, but I just don't feel the need to enhance my personality like that.