Poll: Drinking and social acceptance.

[simmeh]

So, I'm 21. I've been legal to drink here in Canada for almost two and a half years. However, I don't drink.

When I say I don't drink, I really mean it. I don't drink alcohol ever. Not at parties, not casually, not with dinner, not ever. If you were to take the sum total of the alcohol I've had in my life, it probably wouldn't be enough to get me drunk even once.

I go to university, where I'd estimate ~95% of the students drink at least casually - and most of them far more than casually. This is fine with me. Their bodies, their choices. I take exception when people start acting absurdly stupid, but I generally just live with it.

My friends have long since given up on trying to pressure me into drinking. As for random people I meet at parties, I generally try not to wear my habits on my sleeve. If I'm asked why I don't have a Dixie cup, I'll respond that I'm not drinking. If pressed, I'll elaborate. Most of the time when it comes to this, the person will tell me one of four things:

1) That they totally respect my choice and/or they wish they could be like me
2) That it's "cool", in a condescending way
3) That they're going to get me totally wasted on "brewskies"
4) That they don't believe me because no one my age is a teetotaller

For the most part, it's #1, though I suspect there's more to it than that.

So, I'm fine where I am, but what's the rest of the world like? I know it's customary to get wine when going to a fancy restaurant, but is it required? Beer is often a part of cottage trips and sports events, but is it necessary?

 

[bmf185]

People like to not be themselves for a while.

I didn't drink in high school when everyone I knew was getting into it, and I would get those same responses. Thankfully I was in a band with some really good friends who really didn't care about getting hammered either. I drink here and there now, but it's not a big part of my life and I respect those who don't partake.

 

[Lord George]

I usually drink with friends because I enjoy it but I know my limit, unlike most of my friends, I enjoy being mean to them when their drunk. But yeah Alcohol is pretty much engrained into British society, I've been causally drinking since 15 and its never affected me.

 

[JemJar]

If you need to, claim to have allergic reactions to alcohol in your bloodstream.

You're no more required to drink alcohol than you are to eat cake. But if you could send your share of both cake and beer my way I'd be much obliged.

 

[ace_of_something]

I am 29 years (and 6 days) old. I have never drank outside of my grandfather and uncles wake (even than is was Mead). I have many friends and have never had a problem socializing. People still to this day ask me why I don't drink and I tell them one of two things the short truth and the long truth

short) Because I don't like it; I'm a control freak. I spend the extra money on cool shit.
long) because I can enjoy myself on my own without chemical assistance. Also my parents didn't drink and their parents didn't and so on. It's just family tradition. I also use the extra money on cool shit. Oh and if i don't drink I'm more likely to date a woman who doesn't drink and therefor is less likely to be a whore

 

[Jimmydanger]

I don't drink much anymore (less than once a month) but when I do I hassle the people who aren't drinking, but I imagine that's more because they're no fun at all not because they're sober. I think it's just fine to be sober at a party full of drunks as long as you're not being a buzzkill about it.

 

[Antidamacus]

I haven't had any alcohol ever. I'm 27.

If people look down on your because you won't get drunk with them, they're morons. They either like your company or they don't.

 

[DannyBoy451]

If someone feels they have to drink to be accepted by their friends then they're either an idiot or their friends are idiots, I have infinitly more respect for someone who decides to not drink at a social gathering than some prat who gets wasted, throws up everywhere and cries.

 

[zirnitra]

I drink a fair amount and never have I had more fun than I have when I'm wasted. I don't really get on with people who don't drink because for the most part they're really really boring to talk to and live dull lives.

for the most part the people who don't like drinking have never drunken much, which shows that they are just scared of living.

those were generalisations but true for most of my observations and I may be biased as I've always been the smokey drinkey unhealthy type.

it's not necessary too drink and I'm sure many people live fulfilling lives with out ever drinking but depending on culture it may be hard to 'fit in' as it would be for a complete alcoholic.

 

[MoganFreeman]

It's your body, if you don't want to drink, don't.

If you are sick of the questions at parties just fill a red cup with Coke and tell anyone who asks that there is rum in it.

 

[Antidamacus]

I drink a fair amount and never have I had more fun than I have when I'm wasted. I don't really get on with people who don't drink because for the most part they're really really boring to talk to and live dull lives.

for the most part the people who don't like drinking have never drunken much, which shows that they are just scared of living.

those were generalisations but true for most of my observations and I may be biased as I've always been the smokey drinkey unhealthy type.

it's not necessary too drink and I'm sure many people live fulfilling lives with out ever drinking but depending on culture it may be hard to 'fit in' as it would be for a complete alcoholic.

I'm curious how alcohol fills your life with amazing things that can't be found without it?

 

[Yegargeburble]

I have tried to drink. I couldn't. This is not due to any aversion to drinking on its own, but because I just do not like the taste of alcohol.

More on topic, though: Drinking and social acceptance are two entirely different things. You never have to drink to be accepted, and if people try to force you to drink, do you really want to be near them?

 

[TheCheryl]

Oh gosh that was an issue I had with my ex. He never had a drop in his life. I had drank before. It wasn't about getting drunk, I promote responsible drinking. I wanted him to at least try it. Bars are social. He was a socially retarded individual. I'm not exaggerating either. We could have gone to the bar and had fun, hang out, and have a few drinks. He looked down on the very act and in ways; me through extension. Bugged the snot outta me.

Guess what I'm saying is don't close your mind to it, be responsible and drinks are fine. Nothing says you have to get drunk just because you drink alcohol. It's often thrown in social situations but it on itself isn't social.

 

[Symp4thy]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with not drinking. Personally, I very much enjoy the booze, but completely respect those who don't. The only two problems I would ever have are with:
a) as a previous poster said, someone at a party who is being a buzzkill.
b) someone who doesn't drink and acts like they are better than those who do.

 

[zirnitra]

I drink a fair amount and never have I had more fun than I have when I'm wasted. I don't really get on with people who don't drink because for the most part they're really really boring to talk to and live dull lives.

for the most part the people who don't like drinking have never drunken much, which shows that they are just scared of living.

those were generalisations but true for most of my observations and I may be biased as I've always been the smokey drinkey unhealthy type.

it's not necessary too drink and I'm sure many people live fulfilling lives with out ever drinking but depending on culture it may be hard to 'fit in' as it would be for a complete alcoholic.

I'm curious how alcohol fills your life with amazing things that can't be found without it?

being drunk just feels really good. and if you don't you just miss out on that part of life. I mean yeah you can feel really good with out drinking but I've never had as much fun as I have when drunk or on some other narcotic. I mean here in the uk we have a population of 61 million of which 5 million don't drink. so it's obviously enjoyable.

 

[Prons]

I don't drink ,and I get a ton of action from durnk girls. I consider myself socially accepted

 

[Antidamacus]

being drunk just feels really good. and if you don't you just miss out on that part of life. I mean yeah you can feel really good with out drinking but I've never had as much fun as I have when drunk or on some other narcotic. I mean here in the uk we have a population of 61 million of which 5 million don't drink. so it's obviously enjoyable.

You've just summed it up pretty nicely.

"The things I do aren't fun so I use a chemical to make them more fun!"

I actually.... you know... try to find fun things to do.

What were talking about is basically giving yourself temporary brain damage to make the boring time you're having more fun!

 

[Delicious]

Drinking is a great way to get people to interact who under normal circumstances wouldn't give each other the time of the day.

A social icebreaker, if you will.

EDIT: Except, of course, for the angry drunks, but those people rarely get re-invited.

 

[Mr Frogurt]

To be honest, I do drink a lot and many of my friends do as well but there has been times where me or my friends just don't feel up to it tonight but still want to hang around, most of the time they are shunned and made fun of but me myself I couldn't care less; drink, don't drink, don't care ;P

 

[Antidamacus]

Drinking is a great way to get people to interact who under normal circumstances wouldn't give each other the time of the day.

A social icebreaker, if you will.

EDIT: Except, of course, for the angry drunks, but those people rarely get re-invited.

If I don't normally hang out with them, why would I want to hang out with them.... while drunk?