What's the big deal about drinking?

[Fellwarden]

I only drink for the taste, though I know several people that laugh at me because I drink so slowly (in other words, don't chug down the drink to get drunk as quick as possible).

It's called being a grown up. Let your friends laugh at you, when they mature past the mental age of 13, maybe they'll understand. Drinking to get drunk as fast as you can is what teenagers do, not adults.

You speak true, my good person (seeing as "man" would be politically incorrect). Unfortunately I know too many people who drink for the sole purpose of getting wasted, even though they dislike the taste of most alcoholic beverages, and then brag about how stupid they acted while drunk. I'm truly grateful that I was born with a little more sense than that.

 

[alex1314159]

I'm 21 and don't drink, partly because of the taste, but mostly because I've seen how much it changes people's personalities, and also how addicting it can become. I've never seen the big deal though. "Hey, let's drink something that'll make us act like idiots and wipe the memory of said idiocy from our minds!" No thank you, sir. Also, if you have to have alcohol at a party to have a good time, you need to rethink your social circle.

EDIT: Not that I'm trying to sound all self-righteous or thinking I'm holier than thou just because I don't drink. Do what you gotta do, but don't drag me into it.

you basically summed up my thoughts better than I ever could, so I'll leave it at that

 

[Aunel]

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.

whoohoo!
I'm in the minority again

OT: I don't drink often, because when I do, I oddly do not feel like playing bass.

 

[elemenetal150]

Wanting to change one's state of mind is natural...it happens in the animal kingdom too

Drug and alcohol are not he only way to change one's state of mind but they are the most popular....

I personally like alcohol although I do not drink that often at all anymore now that I have graduated from University....

 

[Brandon237]

Personally, the only alcohol I can ingest without feeling the need to hurl liquid bricks is champagne. I have friends who will down Smirnoff spin's and brutal fruits in Frikkin seconds. But I agree, I do not see the point in drinking a lot, hell, Coca-Cola works fine for me and doesn't cause liver failure.

Coke 2
Alcohol 0

 

[Weaver]

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.

I'm a taste guy. My friends always criticize me for buying fancy imported or premium brand beer, but fuck them, it tastes good.

The other reason I drink is to momentarily escape the sucking abyss of crap that is my lonely, depressing and stressful life.

 

[dex-dex]

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

do you turn into a pirate?

the drinking age in my province is 19 but in the province nest to us is 18. yet i have been getting drunk since i was sixteen. when i turned eighteen we went on a quick train ride and got drunk silly and nothing is funnier than listening to Quebecers try and talk. so for me the novelty has worn off but once in a while with some friends i enjoy shots.

 

[Sronpop]

After reading a lot of the comments it seems that a lot of the non-drinks don't distinguish passed-out/forget-what-you-did-last night drunk with just casual drinking. Not every drinker gets blind drunk, for someone who abstains from something a few of you can't really comprehend the 'levels' of being drunk. Not everyone who goes to a bar and drinks a substantial amount has a staggered walk or slurred words. Most nights I could leave bars having had 8 beers and be almost completely fine. Would say about 80% of people who go to bars and drink are the exact same as me, with the remaining 15% being visibly drunk and the other 5% being overboard.

There are ALWAYS people who take things too far, if your only perception of drinking and getting drunk is people passed out on streets then I am afraid your view is extremely warped as the reality is never as bad as that. Its the age of method of a select few ruining things when the majority are normal.

 

[Tharwen]

The reason (I think) that I don't know many people is that I don't talk enough. Alcohol fixes that. It's not that bad, even if it is poison. I don't know why anyone would voluntarily drink spirits, though. Your tongue is there to tell you if what you're putting in your mouth is dangerous, and there is exactly one message it tries to tell you with spirits.

 

[dstryfe]

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.

This. Excepting the hangover bit...never had one.

I think it's mostly about being an idiot without having to worry about looking like one. That's what I can gather from the drunken idiots around me anyway. Point to note: drunken stories are best when they're about other people's fuckups.

 

[vamp rocks]

because, like any drug, it offers you an escape from reality and some relaxation...

i remember when i was a kid i would always say i would never drink or smoke or do drugs....

i used to smoke cigars... no longer.. i drink a fair amount and i smoke a lot of weed

 

[Firia]

I'm a social drinker. When I drink, it's cause I'm out with friends. I'm also 28, and "Cool" has long since been dropped from the equation of drinking. It's a social thing. When you drink, inhibitions fade away, and it's easier to loosen up to have a good time. Drinking to excess is a waste, in my opinion. At that state on mind, you have no inhibitions, but no ability to self manage.

I don't drink to excess. I have a few drinks to loosen up, and have a good time. Works quite well for me.

 

[Slaanax]

I like to drink different beers, I love trying a new beer. I get drunk rather easily so when I go out I like to drink more expensive beers.

 

[lumenadducere]

Alcohol is an acquired taste - until you get used to it, it's all going to taste like crap unless you're having a fruity mixed drink. Once you do get used to it, though, a good beer or some good wine can be really enjoyable. A good cold beer on a Summer night, or a good wine with some strong cheese is one of life's simple pleasures for me.

That being said, yes, you can take it too far, and I definitely have before (and will in the future). Being inebriated is a nice feeling, but I would disagree with the attitude that it's a must to have a good time. If you're with good company, though, a pleasant buzz can make things just that much better. Heck, it can make things better if you're with bad company, too. But it is by no means necessary, and those who have a reliance on it should probably work on it for their sakes.

 

[Sronpop]

The reason (I think) that I don't know many people is that I don't talk enough. Alcohol fixes that. It's not that bad, even if it is poison. I don't know why anyone would voluntarily drink spirits, though. Your tongue is there to tell you if what you're putting in your mouth is dangerous, and there is exactly one message it tries to tell you with spirits.

Some spirits are absolutely delicious though! A really good vodka is almost like water, its suppose to be colour-less, smell-less, and virtually taste-less apart from the hints of flavours they leave in. Cheap vodkas are none of the above. Baileys on ice tastes of just like ice-cream! And Whiskey, don't get me started on that stuff. Tasty, classy, and its will but I fire in your heart that's exactly what you need sometimes.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I like the taste, the effect's quite fun too.

If other people drink then they think I'm attractive, that's also a plus.

 

[AWAR]

Get drunk. You will understand.

 

[Ekonk]

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?

I do pity you. You live in a country where driving and guns are allowed from 16 years of age, but alcohol only from 21 years.

Here in Holland it's guns = illegal, driving = 18 yrs, and alcohol = 16 yrs. Let's just say that alcohol just lightens the mood. Drunk people have fun. (Most of the time. A friend of mine lost his sister in a car crash and everytime he gets drunk he doesn't only get REALLY drunk, but also really depressed.)

Besides, experiencing the decay of human society first-hand is fun!

 

[xXGeckoXx]

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.

My answer. Exactly my answer.

 

[NUMAN01D]

I remember my grandad letting me have a Fosters once, and it was awful. But nowadays it's my choice of poison when having a meal, or just with friends. I've actually come to like the taste of most beers.

I can appreciate people avoiding drink; I've had a couple of bad nights on the spirits. But beer puts me in a much warmer, open mood perfect for socialising with current friends and meeting new ones.