Through a Glass, Clearly

[Nicolai]

Since I haven't seen a cogent explanation of why people do drink, I'll proffer a partial one.

There are many different reasons for drinking, a number of which are highly negative, which I can understand making people not want to drink, given I think I had about 5 glasses of alcohol before 25. I also used to be proud of the ideology I wouldn't really do anything drunk I wouldn't do sober, given I never really saw the disinhibiting quality of alcohol have any major effect on me.

That's honestly what most people drink for, is to pecome mildly disinhibited, it takes the pressure off them, allows them more expressivity and social freedom than what they often constrain themselves with and often, people associate that and the actions they do while somewhere between tipsy and very drunk as a "high" and a good thing. Frankly, I don't see too much wrong with this and the example above of someone having friends over with some drinks and Rock Band is a fairly healthy social exercise. Alcohol in this context is something of a social catalyst and probably does more good than harm and it's probably why it's tolerated so widely.

Going beyond this level, to the point where alcohol has more toxic effects on the body, such as loss of motor control and heightened expectations of what the body can do, such as the person backflipping off a dumpster, I really don't see the point to. Why would you drink to the point where you can't remember the night? That I can't answer.

Another point is alcohol is not only a disinhibitor, it's also a depressant, not a stimulant. That means the more you have, the worse you'll tend to feel. People mistake the disinhibition effect for a stimulant and think it's bringing them up, in actuality, it's only partially doing that and not for the reason they believe.

Also, to the person who cited drinking as being incredibly Australian, it is and it isn't. I know that to be a "real man" in many Australian groups you need to be able to drink a lot of beer and if that's the case, I'll continue being an "unreal man". There is definitely a culture here of alcohol tolerance, but I'm not sure the result is many more Australians going out drinking than other countries, it may even be less.

So people see alcohol as a way to have a good time, it takes away some of their inhibitions and in mild doses, that's fine. Very mild consumption of some forms of alcohol even has a mild medical benefit, but nothing you can't get from other things. I think it's a social aide for many people, it allows them to feel they can be someone they want to be more than they can usually manage and that's an attractive and dangerous thing.

 

[matrix3509]

I personally like the taste of some alcoholic drinks, but I have abolutely never been drunk. I've gotten a mild buzz plenty of times before, but never beyond that because I know when enough is enough. The difference for me is that it relaxed me, and I am normally a high stress individual. But about all these people that hate the taste of it, I say you are not drinking the right drink for you. Everyone will tell you its an aquired taste. You won't like it when you are first starting out, but you'll eventually get used to it, and after that you'll start noticing subtleties in the many flavors. Don't rule all alcohol out on the basis of one taste of some crappy beer. I will never understand why people drink the stuff they do, like Natty Lite or Miller Lite. God, that stuff will give you a new definition on bad taste.

 

[xitel]

I drink because normally I'm an extremely uptight person, which for some people isn't a bad thing, but for me is something I don't like being at parties. I don't drink outside of when I'm with friends, and I don't drink too excess most times. It's more that I dislike my inhibitions at some points, so lowering them is enjoyable to me at certain times. I don't drink to get drunk, and I don't technically need to drink to enjoy myself, but I can enjoy smaller things more when I am drunk.

EDIT: As for your other question, of whether not drinking is a bad thing, no it's not. I have friends that refuse to drink at parties, and I don't fault them for it. In fact I appreciate having someone that doesn't drink at the party, so that they can make sure that noone gets hurt. It may seem by that logic that it would be better just for noone to get drunk so that noone could get hurt, but it's one of the high-rick high-reward things to me.

In other words, I don't fault anyone for not drinking, but I choose to drink because I enjoy it.

 

[Eiseman]

I personally like the taste of some alcoholic drinks, but I have abolutely never been drunk. I've gotten a mild buzz plenty of times before, but never beyond that because I know when enough is enough.

The buzz is my favorite "stage" of drinking. At that point you're just completely relaxed, and still sober enough to understand how good it feels. The feeling technically gets stronger after a few more drinks, but I don't usually acknowledge it anymore at that point.

 

[Radelaide]

I've only recently turned 18, as you know Nuke. So I do drink more often now, but I still don't drink all that much. I don't see the real point for getting off my tits and doing something stupid that could get me or more people hurt. Not to mention the inherit health risks of getting paralytic every weekend.

Truthfully, I like drinking, but will never pass out blind from it. If the alcohol doesn't kill me, my mother certainly will.

 

[Gxas]

All of my friends drink. Most of them pretty heavily. I've never been one for the taste of alcohol and hate what it does to people. When my friends drink, I stay away. Apparently I've "missed out" on how much "fun" they've had (if people puking all over each other and making out with each other is fun...). Anyways, I stay away because I hate seeing my friends being complete assholes and douche bags to each other.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm not against alcohol, per-se, I just hate what it does to people and would rather not be a part of it.

There... finally... I wish I could just show everyone this so that they would finally get off my back about it.

 

[Aardvark]

I like to lose inhibitions and control at the expense of my liver. I'm drinking right now, as I type this.

 

[Queso Fresco]

Most of my friends drink and so do I.
I'll admit though, I do like the frufru drinks... I greatly dislike straight vodka, it has to have some sort of fruity taste to it.
If there is any drinking going on it's usually at a video game party my friends and I host.
Always in stock:
-2 cases of Coronas
-3 bottles of Smirnoff Ice
-1 bottle of cranberry juice
-3 bottles Coke
-1 bottle of Jack
-Rock Band
-Street Fighter 3rd Strike
-Left4Dead for kicks and giggles

Just have to know where to drink and who to drink with. Stay away from the sad drunks and the "I only tell the truth when I'm drunk" drunks.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Well, I think it helps have fun (I don't drink, I think the crap tastes like cough medicine, seriously) because it waters down your sense of judgement, letting you do things that are awesome that you normally wouldn't have done.

That's the direct consequence that drives my fear of becoming drunk.
Heavens forbid I declare that nair'e a drop of alcohol has pursed my lips lest I lie, I just don't want to do anything absurdly idiotic if my judgment was impaired. Seeing as I grew up with Homestar Runner [http://www.homestarrunner.com], my mannerisms are much more non-sequitor and consequently would be much more embarrassing [if anyone remembers my action(s)] than awesome.

 

[WolfThomas]

Well getting older I actually like the taste of most beers (what I usually the most) and therefore don't drink them for the alcohol. The inhibiting and relaxing effect is an added bonus. But There are also those awesome adventures you can have, like:

A. Playing cricket with a homemade napalm covered tennis ball
B. Twisting your ankle and being pushed all over town in a wheel barrow.
C. Turning a fight in a cricket match
D. Running around a tiny above ground swimming pool, wearing a bucket on your head as your crown and a corona as your scepter, ordering your peons to make a whirlpool
E. Gnoming (if you're my former housemate)

Or even the mundane things like getting a massive garlic lamb kebab at four am in the morning.

That said I hate mixed drinks, in my day we used to have to buy slabs of Victorian Bitter and drink till it tasted good.

There is a also certain type of person who doesn't drink you have to watch out for (small minortiy). The person who doesn't drink because they've done something so heinous and horrible while drinking it haunts them to this day.

 

[perfectimo]

*Facepalms self in real life*
I had this whole page written out but I accidentally deleted it so I will summarise.

-I drank every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the entirety of 2007.
-I was drunk from Friday 4:00pm to Sunday 10:00pm.
-I no longer drink.

1) It is only viewed negatively by people who are drunk at the time and are trying to make you look bad because they are drunk and have gained a sort of pack mentality from being drunk.

2) You can have the same amount of fun but getting into that mindset is difficult because we usually restrict ourselves from letting go and do those riddiculous things. Think of it as a way of achieve to the goal a lot of people hold "I wish I was a kid again".

 

[tijuanatim]

I can identify with your point of view, I went through my entire high school career without touching alcohol. I went to the parties, but I never drank. Once I got to college and moved out on my own full time I decided to try it, and I enjoyed it.

I still go to parties only now I partake. And there are in fact people there who don't drink. I don't see it as odd, mostly because I WAS one of those people. In fact if I have to work the next day I will still be one of those people who don't drink and I don't feel awkward. It may be because my friends understand, or that they just dont care.

As for the appeal of drinking, I'm not really sure what to say. I do it socially, never alone. But when I drink at parties it is because I am not a very outgoing person, but I am able to open up more when I drink. I dont know about the other drunken masses, but that's just for me.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

You can have the same amount of fun but getting into that mindset is difficult because we usually restrict ourselves from letting go and do those ridiculous things. Think of it as a way of achieve to the goal a lot of people hold "I wish I was a kid again".

This really is the strongest reason I've heard yet, and makes a lot of sense. Perhaps I'm somewhat off-put by the concept because I don't find letting go of myself to be a particularly difficult thing to achieve. Although I appreciate taking the time to sit down and actually answer the thread, especially after losing all of your work once. It's more appreciated than what shows in my text.

Yes, people should just to conform to one another in those types of situations or things can get awkward, if you don't want to enjoy yourself, WHY GO?

That's like suggesting that people who chose to use skis instead of snowboards are wrong because things are made more difficult if everyone has different equipment. To point, it's actually very narrow-minded to suggest that the only reason non-drinkers would go to parties is to ruin the fun for drinkers (or vice versa where applicable). It is also this narrow-minded and almost offensive view that makes me write rants of this nature because they really are ill-fit for a peaceful coexistence with other people. Which says nothing on having fun among people with different views.

As for the appeal of drinking, I'm not really sure what to say. I do it socially, never alone. But when I drink at parties it is because I am not a very outgoing person, but I am able to open up more when I drink. I don't know about the other drunken masses, but that's just for me.

Which makes a lot of sense. Although sometimes I do wonder if this is a universal experience, or if people like drinking for other reasons?

 

[Anarchemitis]

Well, I think it helps have fun (I don't drink, I think the crap tastes like cough medicine, seriously) because it waters down your sense of judgement, letting you do things that are awesome that you normally wouldn't have done.

That's the direct consequence that drives my fear of becoming drunk.
Heavens forbid I declare that nair'e a drop of alcohol has pursed my lips lest I lie, I just don't want to do anything absurdly idiotic if my judgment was impaired. Seeing as I grew up with Homestar Runner [http://www.homestarrunner.com], my mannerisms are much more non-sequitor and consequently would be much more embarrassing [if anyone remembers my action(s)] than awesome.

Funny thing about that, according to my friends, on New Years, after they dragged me into the bathroom I spent two hours quoting HomestarRunner. And for once it wasn't Teen Girl Squad.
And apparently, I began making my own conversations up..... So, according to my friends, I do what I normally do when drunk, just with a little less balance.

Life stories..
Half the reason this website intrigues me so.

 

[poleboy]

Being (moderately) drunk feels nice. It helps you forget your troubles and boosts your confidence, like any good drug.

You say that you don't get drunk. Does that mean you never drink? Because with age, I've felt less and less apeal to get drunk, but more appeal in drinking. Particularly quality beer and wine.

 

[The Iron Ninja]

1) New title? Groovie!

b) As an Australian, drinking is kind of a national sport. We take that shit serious. We drink till we fall down, and then we drink some more. I don't REALLY know why, we just do.

3) Drinking, at least in my case, is a social event. people like me who lack courage, particularly when meeting new people, need booze. It removes inhibitions and, in small doses, it's very helpful. the trick is to stop once you've had enough

Everything this man said but replacing the word "Australian" with "New Zealander" and the words "New title? Groovie!" with "Bah!"

And also adding that booze makes me a very good singer (as opposed to me singing sober, which would sound like a cat being fed face first into a mulcher), which might well have more to do with confidence and the need to remain relatively respectable rather than beer having some magical "suddenly make your singing voice sound like Meatloaf" quality.

Oh, and I would reccomend to anyone old enough to do so (I'm strongly against underage drinking) that they get drunk with friends while playing Mario kart or Crash Team Racing, much fun is had, and they are a simple enough games that no one gets confused (although confused drunks attempting to understand complicated games might well have actually increased the fun now that I think about it)

 

[Brett Alex]

For the second discussion:
What is the draw of drinking?
Do you feel you could have the same enjoyment without drinking?

Ahem, to put everything in context with an international audience, please read the following post with these factors in mind:
All of the below experiences relate to me, a 17 year old (one year under legal drinking age) Australian male with delusions of grandeur who drinks moderately, but exclusively at parties/gatherings/piss-ups etc.]

Draw of drinking: Its denied till you're 18 (so its appealingly rebellious), doesn't cause dependancy and is cheaper than smokes, is an easy way (for blokes) to show off your MANLINESS by drinking lots, grants a sense of acceptance if everyone is doing it, also usually means your at some kind of party or social gathering if you are drinking, can sometimes taste good, and most importantly feels good and is an excellent way to bond.

For young people, it is a kind of rite of passage. I know a couple of good friends who have abused it the point of weekly vomiting, being picked up by police and passing out. At the time I was really worried about them, with one friend in particular it got to the stage where he didn't seem to be involved in any kind of group activity unless there was alcohol. Luckily after a particularly bad night with a large bottle of vodka he realised what he was doing and is now one of the most responsible drinkers I know, and is also capable of attending an alcohol fueled party sober and still enjoying himself. I think it is more of a phase that most people go through, and its better to get it out of the way early if you do plan on drinking throughout your life.

(As a side note to that story its always spirits that fuck you up. You can drink beer and bourbon all night without trouble, but I've yet to go somewhere with spirits and someone not ending up driving the porcelain bus. I think its people underestimating levels of alcohol in straight spirits coupled with the fact that with a large litre or so bottle, you can have drunk a lot, quickly, without it being noticeable, whereas when you've downed 5 or 6 beers in your first hour you know that you're going pretty quick. One guy who hangs with my group sometimes (and always brings spirits) isn't too shy about sharing them, and every time he has drunk with us, someones gotten seriously wasted.

As for the enjoyment factor, I believe a really good party/group thing is one that has good atmosphere. While alcohol is not the only way to achieve this, it is definitely a way. Unfortunately, some people who get into the habit of frequently getting drunk (not drinking, but drunk), they forget this, and build up a mental dependancy on booze.

I've been to great parties where I've only had a token drink (one Woodstock for the whole night) and everyone else has drunk lots, crap parties where I've drunk lots, great parties where I've drunk lots, great parties where no has drunk much, good parties where no one has drunk anything and all points in between.

Personally, I believe the alcohol isn't needed, but it does taste good, its relaxing and really does help break the ice with new people.

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[Jharry5]

I'm shy as hell when meeting new people, so alcohol gives me that extra little push to do so.
The trick is knowing how to pace yourself when you drink - you can drink alcohol, then a non-alcoholic drink for one, then alternate like that throughout the night.
I don't drink outside of a party atmosphere though... now that I don't see the point to...