Heya all,
I read an article today on the blog of our local newspaper entitled Men who don’t drink: bores or losers?… The article raises some interesting points about the generally frowned upon few of us who don’t drink alcohol or do not drink in excess.
Sam (the author) brings up points such as “”I’m on the waters” sends men’s eyeballs rolling with disgust and “I’m off the drink” makes others murmur blackly, a guy saying “I don’t drink” (at all!) is like the low snuffling of a Tasmanian Tiger cub, so rarely is it heard in modern Australia …” (as a note the Tasmanian Tiger is an endangered species here in Australia so that is how rarely you would hear the low snuffling of a cub).
I happen to be one of the guys who very rarely (if ever) drinks. When I go out I find if I drink I don’t sleep well for the next couple of nights and end up feeling worse off. And on the other hand, I personally prefer the taste of non-alcoholic drinks (although I do enjoy a good drop of red, or a snifter of vintage port when it is on offer).
This is something that I have *personally* had to fight with quite a lot in my life. It has even caused me to blow up at workmates and really good friends when they push and push too hard to try to get me to drink. I would love to know what it is that makes society think that it is OK to peer-pressure people into drinking like this.
I stand a pretty steady ground so I do not give in easily but it really ruins the night for me when people cannot accept that I don’t want to drink (for what ever reason I may have). I would love to know if you yourself have been a victim of this, or on the other hand if you have been on the other side and pestered someone to have a drink when they really did not want to.
I am not trying to piss and moan here, I just thought it was an interesting topic. I think as the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol and binge drinking become more frowned upon due to the long term health reasons (especially in the youth of today) that this will become less of a problem. For example in societies history (from what I understand), similar peer pressure used to exist for people to smoke as it was ‘Cool’ and the ‘In Thing’, and in some situations it still does… However I think this has exponentially fallen due to the now well known health risks of smoking. I wonder if the same will happen for alcohol.
Or do you see the peer pressure to be increasing? I look forward to some thoughts on this.
Stuart
5 Comments
Hi!
I used to drink a lot but I came to my senses and found it to be stupid. Wasting money on booze and then suffering for a day or 2 with a hangover.
Now I simply tell friends that I’m off alcohol, except for medical reasons. Funny thing is, most of my drinking buddies also reduced their alcohol consumption.
Actually it takes a lot more for a guy to decline an offer of drink than to accept it.
Hi JB,
That is very true, it really does take courage to say “Hey I am not going to drink” as often it does give you a lot of backlash.
I guess these things happen… but it would be nice if it was accepted that one can socialise without drinking.
Stu
Yep, the tasmian tiger is not only rare, but completely extinct. Other than the typo, great subject to hit on and cover, and a great job.
BT Cassidy’s last blog post..Say “Radish” exactly one-hundred and forty-two times
Hi
I can relate totally to what you have said.
I now avoid parties if I can as i find the pressure to drink too much, and I find drunk people quite boring. So if I do go to a party I am one of the first to leave.
But it seems that people aren’t happy until they pester you to have a drink. No matter how politely declined.
I also can’t stand hangovers lol
Cheers
Di
Dianne’s last blog post..Nothing is Wasted
That is a really good point BT Cassidy, one which I should have pointed out (/slaps himself on the hand).
And thank you for your your kind words.
Dianne - I know the feeling I *honestly* do not know why people do it. Like you I hate hangovers also, I have only ever had two that I can remember and don’t think it will be third time lucky on enjoying it *hehe*.
Just stay strong and stick to your guns
Stuart