What's the big deal about drinking?

[Marowit]

To the OP - if all I ever had to drink was a Bud Light I know I wouldn't drink either.

Do yourself a favor, get some nice beer, a nice bottle of wine, or some good liquor (I recommend drinking nice liquor with your pops it's quite the bonding experience) and sit down and enjoy how complex it is.

A good glass of wine can do wonders for a meal that a glass of milk or juice or soda could never do.

Anyway, that's why I enjoy alcohol. If you're only 18 I can understand why it's difficult to see why drinking can be enjoyable. I know when I was 18 all the other 18 year olds around me were only interested in getting shitfaced and puking. Luckily my parents weren't religious conservatives and they brought me up understanding the fact that alcohol isn't for just getting drunk off of.

 

[EeveeElectro]

I was so excited when I got served on my 18th, I was bouncing all over with my red wine. I don't know why I got red wine, I don't like it...
I'm scared in case I turn into an alcoholic, now I can buy, I will. I guess it's 'cool' and sends me round the bend which isn't always good.

 

[Megacherv]

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?

One of my friends keeps saying that he needs to get me wasted. I always reply saying "Good luck with that". I put up a topic on here a week or two ago mentioning this. I find it needless, and I wouldn't care if alcohol was illegalised.

 

[Slipped Mind]

Getting drunk makes for a very happy Bridget. VERY happy.

 

[mrpenguinismyhomeboy]

ALCOHOL IS GROSS.

But I guess people drink it cause it makes them forget stuff.

 

[Eumersian]

It's a personal choice.

I've come across some very intelligent and talented people who drink a bunch, and a lot of stupid people too.

Because I don't drink (I eat enough Swedish Fish and don't need to kill my body any more) I don't feel like I can give an answer besides the idea that kids these days are so out of control. I think it might be the idea of being more "grown up" as well. It might also be like underage smoking.

I have had alcohol before, and it tastes like ass to be sure (except for Bacardi Silver, which tasted like Sprite). The reason may be summed up in one word: Screwdriver.

Vodka and Orange Juice. "Why not just have the orange juice?" I asked my mom. "Because you can't get drunk off of orange juice" she replied.

I don't really understand these things.

 

[molester jester]

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 you are basing your entire opinion on something you sampled a little of once and did not like. kind of like basing your opinion of a book on the fact that another book has a similar cover and you did not like that one . Now i'm not suggesting you go out binge drinking but try a good beer or cider sometime ( not bud lite, that's a beer for old women and toddlers) and see what you think of it.

 

[Captain Awesome]

ALCOHOL IS GROSS.

But I guess people drink it cause it makes them forget stuff.

I drink because being drunk is fun, not because I have things to forget. Are you implying that only unhappy people drink?

 

[mrpenguinismyhomeboy]

ALCOHOL IS GROSS.

But I guess people drink it cause it makes them forget stuff.

I drink because being drunk is fun, not because I have things to forget. Are you implying that only unhappy people drink?

Probably. I'm not against the possibility of being entirely wrong.

 

[Slipped Mind]

I'm a happy drinker. Happyhappyhappy.

 

[Private Custard]

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.

Or you could end the night getting barred from you local pub, kicking in a fence on the way home, vomiting on your front step and then having to spend the next day apologising to everyone for what you may or may not have done.

Scotch........mmmmmmmmm, lovely stuff!

Me, I ued to enjoy a good drink. Found out over time that all spirits except for tequila turn me into the fucking Incredible Hulk on a bad day. I don't have a stomach large enough to keep drinking pints all night and, to be perfectly honest, dislike most of the tossers I'd likely be having to spend time with in the bars and clubs of England. So I've now pretty much stopped.

Art college and the few years after were good times for drinking, but the last ten have left me not caring for much!

 

[DEATHROAD]

Although despite this you cannot drink for 3 more years. The age limit is what causes the phenomenon of binge drinking which is unique to the united states. If you've always been brought up in life that *meh* alcohol is a drink like any other and as a kid you are allowed a glass of wine on occasion with your speghetti, there is no rush to finally become 21 and drink your face off.

Oh man, binge drinking is in no way unique to the United States. I know people from where I live, Ireland (which is currently the highest drinking nation in the world) who've basically been on a binge their whole lives.

Dublin on a Friday night is insane, I've seen people drink more than Oliver Reed.

same down here in wales mate, no chance in hell is binge drinking unique to the US, infact,i do believe theres more binge drinking in britain than in america,statisticly speaking of course.

 

[R Man]

Binge Drinking (note the Binge) is a terrible thing. Binge drinkers are a danger to themselves and to others. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Alcohol was involved in over 2000 deaths (out of 7000). The injury rate of binge drinkers is much higher than for other people and with massive costs to the health service. Alcohol is also implicated in a substantial portion of unwanted sexual behaviour, sometimes even rape. Recently there was even talk of banning glasses in pubs because they were being used as weapons.

Now people say that it brings you out of your shell. This is false. Coming out of your shell is a social interaction with a close friend or loved one based on trust. Excessive alcohol just distorts your personality by impacting higher brain function. In other words the part of you that is you.

Now alcohol does have some very nice benefits. Wine has been shown to lower cholesterol and stimulate brain functions. I also believe it can reduce stress, calm nerves, promote relaxation and is the best thing to have in a cool summer breeze. But these benefits disappear when So, enjoy your drinking in moderation!

OK. Crazy Apocalyptic Propaganda attitude aside while a moderate amount of alcohol is a good thing; far too many people just get plastered, apparently for its own sake, and few recognize the serious consequences that it has. I?m not saying alcohol itself is bad (it?s a chemical and therefore neutral) but excess of it is not a good thing. Especially you can still get most of the benefits without the cost/embarrassment/time in prison by moderating yourself a little.

 

[Marik2]

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 you are basing your entire opinion on something you sampled a little of once and did not like. kind of like basing your opinion of a book on the fact that another book has a similar cover and you did not like that one . Now i'm not suggesting you go out binge drinking but try a good beer or cider sometime ( not bud lite, that's a beer for old women and toddlers) and see what you think of it.

After I made this thread I asked my friend to get some alcohol since a lot of people said I needed to drink some good alcohol. I drank some Jack Daniel's and I hated it, drank some Corona hated that too, and finally I drank some wine (don't know what brand it was)...and hated that too. So in conclusion I don't like alcohol and I don't need it to make me loose in a party since most people say it's a good way to break the ice (when you don't overdue it that is). And I don't look down on others if they choose to drink, alcohol is not for me.

 

[SuperTim]

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.

You are very lucky indeed, pretty much everyone I work with and went to school with did and still do think that way.

To be honest people will take everything too far on this site: Alcohol, marijuana, religion, atheism, [Insert game/culture/belief here] hate.

My issue with it stems from knowing people who abuse it and cannot enjoy themselves without it, I have no issue with those who drink it because they genuinely enjoy it.

I don't think we are taking things "too far" we are just observing and discussing what peoples thoughts and opinions are. if people disagree with them then they have a right to do so politly and visversa. we are creatures of habit and we can all be easily minipulated. per pressure is a VERY powerful thing and much can be done for the good or harm of people. some people like the box its cosy warm and comfertable they can look outside of it but may not nesissarily want to walk out.