This is a bit of a first for me, as I have been reading a lot more blogs lately I decided that I wanted to post something as my own sort of continuation to another blogger’s post.
Yesterday I was reading Getting drunk: acceptable yes or no written by a fellow Australian blogger. To sum it up, the question is posed “Why do we demonise pot smokers when people who go out and get severely drunk causing possible harm to themselves and others get of scot free?”
Now the point of this post is not to debate that particular question, I recommend you pop over to the aforementioned post and have a read of the comments and add in your two cents. My question that I would like to discuss and get some feedback on is this.. Society now not only accepts the excessive consumption of alcohol as commonplace however also gawks at people who choose not to drink or drink in excess. Do you find this is the case for you and if so what do you think has lead to this?
As a person that drinks alcohol very little, almost to the point of less than a litre of alcohol per year, I often feel pressured by peers to drink and get drunk while everyone else is. I am lucky that I am now at a stage of my life where all my friends know and accept that I will very rarely drink, however the peer pressure during the later years of high school and even in my early working career was the source of a lot of stress for me.
So why has society become like this, why do people feel the need to drink and/or drink excessively just to have a good time. I am hoping that someone can explain this to me, as I have only been drunk once and I *really* did not enjoy it much at all.
Thoughts?
Stuart
| 3.6 (3 people) |
Stuart
13 Comments
I have friends whose whole purpose in life is to get drunk..they go to a sporting event and spend more time at the bar than enjoying the ebvent..I don’t understand it myself
Heya Robert, that is exactly what I mean, (haha so I am glad it is not just me as I was beginning to think it was). I just cannot believe that so many people do this and *live life just to get drunk*.
Thanks so much for the visit.
Stuart
I’ve only started drinking in the past ten years and I don’t drink much at all. I enjoy a beer or two occasionally and a glass of red wine is a wonderful pleasure.
I’ve never been drunk and have no intention of ever being drunk.
Thankfully I was never really pressured to drink when I was younger. I suppose the concern is for my children who will probably get that pressure in the years to come. I’m hoping that the example of responsible alcohol consumption will be helpful for them.
Rodney Olsens last blog post..Growing Older
For many, it is the thrill of washing their inhibitions away. They don’t really intend to get smashed, but once they start having a good time, they flow with it. Peer pressure is a big contributor, but many people also react to alcohol like a slippery slope.
I’ve stopped drinking entirely because I’ve come to realize that it isn’t adding value to my life. At one point, it did, as I wanted to be more casual and relaxed. Now, I can do it without the help. I’m much more focused, sleep better and am losing weight.
@Rodney - If you have never been drunk I honestly don’t recommend it, really not fun at all. I know it is very hard on the youth of today (I mean I am only 22) it is especially difficult in high school.
I was lucky and had parents that were very approachable and was always able to talk to them about it so that is a really big help from the perspective of a kid.
@BSAwards - That is awesome to hear that not drinking has done that for you. I do notice that when I have even a couple of standard drinks I really do struggle to sleep, so I know where your coming from.
Thank you both for the visit and the input.
Stuart
When I was a teenager I was an outwardly “good boy” so far as anyone knew. I was the oldest of the kids and was trying very hard to to what was right. Problem was , I had no reason for why it’s not ok for this or that. It was because I was told that I guess.
That’s not enough to battle with the temptation to do harmful things in the attempt to be liked, accepted, be on the inside so to speak.My Parents never drank to get drunk, but they kept liquor in the house. I eventually succumbed to temptation/curiosity. Got drunk, made a fool of myself, and kept on doing that for a few years because I felt like I was freeing myself up.Well, going to long here. But I agree that once you start, it can be a slippery slope. Kids these days need an reason bigger than themselves and bigger than their peers. Personally, I believe that reason is to know the One who made them and have their heart so captured by Him that these other things will seem like manure in comparison. Hope it’s alright to use that term here. Thanks for bringing this topic up.
Hi RogerDJ (love the name by the way)
No worries at all, thank you so much for your thoughts. I agree that kids nowadays do need a good reason to not start, and to not make a fool of themselves.
Interestingly enough as I was reading your comments I remembered a song by Joe Walsh (from the Eagles) called “One Day at a Time” if anyone is interested I would have a listen it has relevance here.
Once again RogerDJ thanks so much for the visit.
Stuart
Hi, I have not taken alcohol and I do not like the smell. It’s awful. Others do not force me because they know that I will not give in. I read in a newspaper that alcohol can damage your brain cells. Other than that there’re so many diseases caused by alcohol. Once you get addicted it is very difficult to stop. Glad to meet a wise person like you with courage to say no to alcohol because there’re so many addicts who are suffering due to lack of self confidence. (By the way I couldn’t find the ec widget to drop my card)
GK16
http://alittlebitofthisandmylittleworld.blogspot.com
Hi GK16,
Thanks so much for the visit, what you said is so true, alcohol does have the potential to do so much damage, both emotionally and physically.
The EC Widget is on the right hand menu at the top, let me know if you have any issues.
Stuart
I do think there is that encouragement or pressure to drink excessively. It seems to be a “typical Aussie” thing to do. I didn’t drink much when I was younger, but later on I ended up going out and drinking a lot more (I worked in hospitality where drinking is pretty standard). I guess it is an excuse to let go of your inhibitions and go a bit crazy. But then you do have to deal with the consequences - the stupid things you do or say that you regret, the hangover the next morning… And to be honest, it can be hard to look at someone the same way after seeing them drunk.
I don’t go out and drink much nowadays, and I do actually prefer it. But people can act like something is wrong when your not drinking, or find it hard to believe that you can have fun without it. I guess its just one of those things you have to decide for yourself, maybe things will change with people becoming more health conscious. All you can really do is stick with your beliefs!
Erins last blog post..Childhood fantasies
Hello darling (@Erin),
Very true, I have to say I love the fact that you are not a big drinker like me *claps hands*.
Very true by the way, you really just have to stick to your guns and in the end I think people come around and accept (read as give up) that you don’t want to drink and stop harassing you.
Stu
I’ve never liked the taste of alcohol, so I hardly ever get drunk, if at all. It’s just sad how most people can’t have fun without it. I think that’s just totally missing the point of having fun and enjoying life because you’re barely even there to experience all that.
iriss last blog post..Busy Girl
Iris, a good point, I am the same, I simply prefer the taste of a non alcoholic beverage.
Mind you I do enjoy a good vintage port or a good bottle of red with a nice meal. But I have these rarely.
Thanks for the visit.
Stuart