What's the big deal about drinking?

[Alex The Rat]

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?"

I found your problem, that stuff is gross!!! Some DECENT beer or wine is really the way to go, in my opinion. And in reasonable amounts alcohol does simply have a relaxing buzz effect that's quite nice, but getting completely smashed is somewhat overrated in my opinion as well.

 

[Daveman]

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?

Well, the Bud line there explains this... though I very much doubt I'm the first person to say this.

Here in the UK kids start drinking about 13, for most people, though I held off til I was about 16. I have to admit, I do enjoy myself more when I'm drunk, mostly because nobody normally enjoys dance music. The thing is, alcohol makes your emotions more accentuated. If you are happy, it makes you happier and vice versa. So a good party becomes a great party. That's why you have it at parties.

 

[kingcat1]

21 is un reasonable since by law you are an adult by age 18.
By age 18 you can legally decide the fate of your country
By age 18 you can be sent off to war
By age 18 you can be drafted to fight for your country

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.

yes because minors would never break the law ¬¬

 

[Agrael]

Poor, poor Americans (and other citizens of other countries where the alcohol age is 21).

Drinking, is fun.
I have done it.. well..more than I should.

And you Americans have poor beer - but, I admit.. I lovey you for the following:

Jack Daniels - Bring it on...
Jim Beam - Bring it on...

That would be it.

 

[Sronpop]

My friend was telling me that my fav bar in Dublin, Fibber McGee's(a dive bar that plays metal) did a special promotion one night, 50 euro in and free drink once you are inside, and only one drink at a time. Now this particular friend doesn't drink much but he said he was talking to the owner at the end of the night and the owner said he would never do it again as the lost THOUSANDS, and the place was nearly drunk dry. The really insane part? People still snuck bottles of vodka and whiskey in so they wouldn't have to queue or have any limits on their drinking. I have yet to hear of any country's who can match that amount of epic drinking. I mean come on, drinking 10 beers is one thing, but drinking an Irish bar dry of booze is a whole other level. If only I was there, grrr.

 

[OpiateChicken]

Same answer as most others here I assume: to become temporarily extroverted.

It's fun to be able to let go of cynicism sometimes, and everything seems funny for a while.

 

[Rickyvantof]

Beer is one of the things you have to learn to drink. Just like wine, whiskey, even coffee.
Once you're past the "ew gross" phase, you're actually gonna start to really like it.
And it gets you drunk. Being drunk is pretty sweet. Other people being drunk is even better. Not to mention girls :>

 

[JWAN]

for the record, if your under 18 and you drink or if you drink for the first time your going to do something retarded or somebody is going to do something retarded in your general vicinity and probably get you injured.

no exceptions^

I'm not stating it as a singular age limit as much as the younger people are the more likely they are to be or be around fuckups.
dont
drink
around (or be a)
fuckup

 

[Chris^^]

Bud is foul

party's are far more fun when everyone is pissed I must admit, its far easier to get along with everyone since the alcohol makes people less shy I find, it also makes people less critical so one can unashamely make an arse of oneself and general do whatever one so desires...

i guess what im trying to say is alcohol creates a more laidback atmosphere to a party

mind you.. you're american correct? the laws on booze are so stupid stateside, go to a drunken paarty, get trashed and youll understand.

 

[Chris^^]

21 is un reasonable since by law you are an adult by age 18.
By age 18 you can legally decide the fate of your country
By age 18 you can be sent off to war
By age 18 you can be drafted to fight for your country

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.

yes because minors would never break the law ¬¬

thats not what he's saying.. having a lower age of drinking like on the continent drastically reduces the ammount of drink related crime.. being raised to not see alcohol as that big a deal really does stop people craving to drink it to excess..

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

The big deal about drinking? Well it's fun and it tastes good, plus unless you get really, really drunk you don't get noticeable hangovers.

Yep, that's pretty much it right there.

 

[alex1314159]

21 is un reasonable since by law you are an adult by age 18.
By age 18 you can legally decide the fate of your country
By age 18 you can be sent off to war
By age 18 you can be drafted to fight for your country

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.

not unique to the US, My fisrt time drinking here in the UK, I downed 12 beers in under an hour.

 

[RIOgreatescapist]

"you can't have a party without beer."

 

[iTeamKill]

Bud Light

That is why you don't like alcohol.

But seriously, invite 30 people to your house. get everyone drunk. impress girls with some talent. (I use the drums) Occupy everyone else with a game like beer pong, rock band, apples to apples, or if all the girls are taken, get someone else to join in with your talent. (I have a spare guitar and amp, Play pink floyd till everyone leaves)

 

[escapistraptor]

Everything I could say has been said here already. The age restriction in America has made it cool for underage kids which is dumb. People who need to drink to have a good time are pathetic. It IS genuinely fun to drink socially and responsibly though. Really, really fun.

OP (and many others here), I was definitely in your shoes once and know plenty of people IRL that are underage and feel the same. Then I turned 21 just in time for senior year of undergrad. Those weekends out with massive amounts of friends and friends of friends at the bar and having adventures was definitely the highlight of my life so far. And nothing makes D&D on a Tuesday night more fun then drinking copious amounts of cheap beer, eating whatever we could find in the apartment, and making drunken mistakes that got us into really bad fictional situations.

I can sort of get the attraction, but I have better things to abuse. Something that doesn't taste like paint stripper to me.

If taste is the main thing holding you back (which I'm sure it isn't), you just need to try a variety of alcohol. Guinness does taste like paint stripper, and while lagers are really popular here in America I think they taste like shit. I prefer wheat ales for my beer, and cordials like Bailey's, Kahlua, Grand Mariner, Amaretto, etc. for my liqueur. Nothing is better then finding an alcoholic drink that actually fits YOUR tastebuds.

 

[nick n stuff]

i drink but i have never been drunk. fear of what i might do or say...and vomit, gotta hate vomit.

 

[SmartIdiot]

I was at a party last night. I'm rather hungover today. So I can safely say I haven't got the faintest fucking clue why drinking is so attractive when it makes you feel like this.

 

[escapistraptor]

for the record, if your under 18 and you drink or if you drink for the first time your going to do something retarded or somebody is going to do something retarded in your general vicinity and probably get you injured.

no exceptions^

Well that's a little exaggerated. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of underage people or first drinkers who don't have a terrible, accident-ridden experience.

dont
drink
around (or be a)
fuckup

This however, is sound advice.