Anti-drinking in Ireland !gasp!

LegacyUser

I've a question about something that has been bugging me for a good while now..I'll try keep it brief:

I was never that big a drinker when I was younger..I didn't go out every weekend and so on. I still went through the 'usual' stuff of puking, doing stupid things, being with girls I wouldn't have been with if I was sober, etc. Just never on a stupid scale. So alls relatively normal then..

Nope! Now that I'm a bit older (early 20s) Ive noticed my attitude changing more and more. So college is obviously a drinking haven, where those from more sheltered backgrounds go completely wild, and so do the rest of them. Major emphasis on drink-culture. Even sports societies and so on tell you "how great we are and how drunk they get so please join us" malarky. Anyway in college I kind of continued my old ways - going out enough - once every few weeks - but MOSTLY avoiding the 2-3 times a week that seems to be fashionable here. I never loved nightclubs, sometimes you had great fun but alot of the time nights were average and generally a waste of money.

Back to the point; more and more I hate this. I hate the way people think its cool. I hate Ireland because this is pretty much all 'we' think about. I find the whole culture so cringful - from underagers falling all over the place (I saw one puke at 11am the other day outside a venue) to adults who should know better. More and more I just have to put on a brave face when someone tells me just how sick they got last night, etc. Especially hate it when girls do something along those lines. I mean could anything be more unattractive?! In fact it's especially girls who make me cringe. I don't mind when my good mates bring stuff up, I think they musta got over the bragging stage or just realise my interests lie elsewhere. I understand the bragging element when people are very young - that's human nature - but at this stage..

I'm not prepared to announce to the world I don't drink - altho that'd nearly be easier as I've friends who don't get any hassle about it once its established - I wanna have a drink here and there - I like the atmosphere in a pub or out for meals - I just hate the nightclub race to puke and/or fall. Don't get me wrong; loads of my friends are getting more mature, etc. but I'm still surrounded by these fools. And yes fools they are. Even on this board I have to read about how pissed people get or should be getting - that's the one I really hate. Everyones entightled to their way of life but this viewpoint is so stuck in your face it's unbearable. I also think that girls getting this hammered is more than unattractive, it's damn irresponsible. Call me sexist but girls are in a lot more vunerable position than guys and I've seen many a girl taken advantage of/wander away from friends/and so on.

Ok before I get over the top here I just want to know if anyone else would think along the same vein as myself? I've had relations who were alcoholics, lost a good friend when I was younger to drunkness (nothing to do with me) and had friends beaten up or get into fights all because of this 'wonderful' obsession we have. Yet still I don't feel this has determined me to be anti-drinking. Much of the above is stuff that happened earlier in life when I did drink like the rest of ye.

Anyone have any views on this?

Apologies if it's a bit strong but if your a big drinker and you disagree just imagine what'd it be like standing sober in a club watching everyone else make themsleves look foolish. It may seem like a non-issue but it has so many problems attached to it. For instance I'd like to celebrate christmas with a group of mates all making the effor to meet up but it seems like bad form if I stay until we goto a club and people start getting drunk. I'm not incredibly shy but not usually confident enough to go dancing plain sober and enjoy it. I think that's understandable.

tinkerbell

I hate that the social scene in Ireland seems to revolve around the pub.

I hate pubs, I hate nightclubs!

Here's a typical night out in a pub / club in Ireland:

Get to the door.
Bouncer asks for ID.
Coat in cloakroom for €2.
Queue for a drink.
Get drink 5 / 10 mins later.
Find a nice place to sit - usually there is nowhere so you're left standing for four hours.
Go get another drink.
Queue for 20 / 30 mins.

etc. etc.

Leave at about 2 a.m.

I think it's just so dumb.

seamus

I had written out a big post but I deleted it cos it was crap.

I think the main problem is finding your niche. Me and my mates know where we like, and we know where we don't like. So we don't go anywhere we don't have a good night, and we go where we'll usually have a good night. Every time I go somewhere new, a place gets added to the good list or the bad list. Usually the best places aren't necessarily the most popular or the cleanest or the cheapest, just the places where you can get a seat, and the music isn't too loud (i.e. loud enough that you can have a boogie towards the end of the night, but not so loud that you can't hear yourself speak).

I don't understand the sentiment of anti-anti-drinking. I have friends who'll rant at you for not taking a drink, but not give any good indication as to what their problem is.

MistressPandora

I used to go drinking so much when I was about 18-21, but then I stopped drinking so much. I was on medication for a long time, which meant that even if I tried to go out and get drunk, I'd be sick, so I only ever attempted to get drunk once in that space of time. Now, however, I don't drink that much. I might out out once every few weeks and get a bit tipsy, but I don't like being drunk. I'm happy enough with one or two pints, in a nice quiet-ish pub with my friends, then later on, go dancing in someplace like Doyles.
I hate the idea of puking my guts up after a night out, I think it's so hideous, and guys who get absolutely twisted and try to chat me up never get anywhere.

cormie

I'd have to agree with you.

Most nights out with my buds are terrible, I much prefer having a night in with them in one of their houses, where we can all just sit around talking instead of listening to the same terrible music with the same scenario, people falling around the place and if you know anybody there, all they say when they come up to you is "are you drunk? I'm plastered" I don't care.

I drive and there is no way I'm going to sacrafice the comfort of driving home to have a drink.

I suggested to my friends we all go out for dinner some time, something different and one of them said that he wouldn't spend €20 on a meal. This guy pays €5-8 into a local place where we live and he hates it every time. At least he will enjoy his meal.

When I tell people I don't drink they are shocked. They ask what do I do for fun. So basically they can only have fun with alcohol? I'm anticipating living in other cultures later in my life.

Mr E

I don't drink. Never have. I still enjoy going out to pubs (but I hate nightclubs with a passion). To be honest, I've never come across the anti-anti-drinking brigade. My friends respect my decision not to drink. I still have a good time out.

I was in Boston a few weeks ago, and went out to dinner with a group of clients. They couldn't believe that I didn't drink. I made a joke of it ("the only non-drinking Irish guy in Boston"). I was a little irritated that foreigners automatically assume that the Irish are alcoholics (or heavy drinkers, at least), but I didn't bring it up. I think its just the reputation we have, and I'm not proud of it. Oh well...

ando

Our whole culture revolves around drink, its absurd. Instead of trying something new and different on a Sunday or whenever, its 'do you wana goto the pub'. In work, the lads look forward to the weekend by saying stuff like 'Oh I can't wait till Saturday, gona get plastered'. Yipee. To be honest, I've lost a few friends because of their increasing alcohol consumption. Its all they do and it doesn't interest me, to a point. I don’t mind having 1 or 2 but the whole getting plastered target is idiotic

RuggieBear

I hear where you are coming from....i also just don't really understand the mentality to keep drinking till you puke....not saying this has never happened to me but when i decide to stop drinking i stop....and of course this is followed by lots of cajoling from mates to have another pint and so on as if i'm being a total social pariah for not having alcohol in my hand.


I've more or less given up drinking lots (I suppose that's a very relative concept)....i just couldn't be arsed handing loads of money over to publicans in Dublin regularly anymore....only on specific occasions. I've tried to let my drink tolerance slide...to the point where i try feel "relaxed" after 2 pints. Then it would be one pint an hour at most after that.

when i was doing my masters in eng, i joined a couple of the sports teams and the amount of drinking was shocking. We had a social every Sunday and it would just be drinking games and general alcoholic debauchery....would usually end up drinking 16pints (4 pitchers) of worthingtons and 4 bottles of alcopops nearly every time!

Bri

Ok so I'm gonna post under my usual name. Dunno why I didn't in the first place I just thought I might go over board and get seen as the fun police. Glad to see I'm not alone.

Your all very positive about this. Surely it bugs you alot though? Like maybe it's just the age I'm at but what do you do when friends wanna go out for the night?! I'm all for meals/pubs/etc. but the majority of 'normal' people want to spend the later half of the night queing and spending cash on hard alcohol. I guess I want to do that even less seeing as I'm not out on the pull and havn't been for a few years.

So do you have a great early night but leave before the nightclub stage? Or do you stick it out with an difficult smile because at the end of the day they are your mates...and they're not especially the ones who are causing you to hate the culture. Sure they buy into it, but MOST (not all) of my friends arn't as bad as they used to be ...which makes it kinda awkward(er). And I hope it's clear why I don't wanna be a flat out pioneer.

Thanks alot by the way!

Edit: Nice sig by the way Ruggie!

Mr E

Well I'm 30, and all my friends are around the same age. I think we've outgrown the whole nightclub scene. I would much rather go to a late bar, or to a gig. Haven't been to a nightclub for over a year (music sucks, crowds suck, entry price sucks, drink prices suck).

RuggieBear

Bri wrote:

Edit: Nice sig by the way Ruggie!

I realised it as soon as i posted....perhaps not totally apt for this thread

dudara

Don't think I've been to a nightclub in a few years now and I don't miss it at all. In the last few years, my attitude towards drink has changed immeasurably. I love a drink, who doesn't? but I never drink to excess anymore. There are several reasons, the cost, the lack of control, and more importantly, I like waking up on a Saturday morning with a functioning brain.

There was an article in the Sunday Independant yesterday from a journalist who went out with an ambulance crew in Dublin a few weeks ago and yesterday at 5/6ish, my boyfriend had to call an ambulance to a young teenage girl he found lying drunk in the middle of the road. now that's shocking

Canis Lupus

I'm 23.... In the last 3 years I have gone off drinking in a scary way to the point now that instead of going out on a Saturday nite I usually find someone to go to the cinema with me. I personally don't understand what's happened to me but I can't drink anymore. I have a few pints and lose the interest in it. I also have started to hate all the pubs I once liked.... Personally I find going to the late showing on a Saturday nite cheaper than going out and I don't wake with a crap hangover in the morning....

I reckon it's because when I was in my teens I was always out getting thrashed... Now I'm somewhat more older and more mature the novelty has worn off

Danni

ando wrote:

Our whole culture revolves around drink, its absurd. Instead of trying something new and different on a Sunday or whenever, its 'do you wana go to the pub'.

I don’t mind having 1 or 2 but the whole getting plastered target is idiotic

I totally agree with you.. It is absurd that our whole culture revolves around drink. I'm a 21yr old female & i don't go out with my friends anymore at weekends because all they wanna do is go down to the local & get pissed. It's sad to think at 21 (and younger) that the only way people know how to enjoy themselves is to get drunk..

Stark

God I so want to move out of this hole. Had plans to move to the UK after college but isn't the UK almost as bad? Anyone know a country with a good culture? Preferably where an IT guy can get a job

LegacyUser

i see where yor coming from aswell. a few months ago i was gonna stop drinking cos i was getting sick of people not being able to have a good time without drinking. i dont mind ppl havin a few "social" drinks but if your the only one not drinking on a night out its horrible cos everyone else is hammered talking crap which is annoying when your sober. but still im sick of drinking and because of that (and lack of other social things to do in ireland), ive been sort of experimenting with other types of more socialable drugs like e and hash (well ive kinda been smoking hash for years anyway!). i am "NOT" in any way encouraging or promoting these drugs cos tbh i would much prefer to just have a couple of drinks with my mates sitting around havin a laugh but cos all of them get absolutely hammered every weekend i now find myself hanging around with new ppl with similar opinions. but in a few years i wanna leave ireland and move somewher with less of a binge drinking culture.

Bri

Ok so what's the solution if you have these views? (Playing Devil's Advocate here for a sec)

What's "new and different" to do with mates who like going out on the town? I only ask because I get stuck for ideas and the cinema, etc. isn't inticing for everyone. It's relatively cheap compared to a night out but it's still a rip-off on weekends and can mean a quick night (late show is a cool idea I have to say).

Canis Lupus: I'm totally with you on this kinda view...
Stark: Travelling a lot has really contributed to my view as far as I can see.

cormie

I also hate the way everyone is so friendly with you when they have a few drinks on them but if you see them walking down the street during the week, they wouldn't want to look at you. My friend always hugs everyone wether he has drink on him or not, and he always hugs this guy who used to be in his class when he sees him out, and the guy always hugs him back but one day he saw him coming down the street and my friend says to my brother "let's see if he hugs me now" and he went to hug him and the guy backed away.

Nasty_Girl

I think people need to experience something to discover its wrong, I know that sounds really really stupid but I think you have to learn from your mistakes.
If I turned around to my little sister and told her she shouldn't go out to nightclubs because they are stupidly expensive full of scumbags and ignorant people and she shouldn't drink alcohol, she'd always wonder what it was really like!
I dunno I'm glad I had the experience of going out makin a t*t of myself... tis character building ..... really......

bringitdown

Once in a while, (every couple weeks or so) I will go out and deliberately get drunk, let off steam and make a slight fool of myself. Luckily I have some sort of brain switch that tells me enough is enough you are going home to your bed fella. I haven't "puked" since I was in college but my motor capabilities and ability to talk ****e are always decreased / increased respectively. I always wake up feeling stupid and horrible and vying not to do so again .... but once in a while it will happen again.

My friends and I have "calmed" down an incredible amount over the past few years, as we progress into our late twenties. We often just get together and go for a long walk / chats around Grafton St, Temple Bar, etc, etc where we see the affects of the nights revelries, sometimes sharpening our resolve to keep on walking!

That said I have agreed so far with the sentiment of this thread, the culture is amazingly drink centred but there are alternatives I find the problem is that say you suggest the theatre or something different it is hard to get everyone to commit, meeting in pub X/Y/Z is often easier. Moreover it depends on your mates. That said we have managed to head to the cinema, IFC for example and have a good chat about the film we saw. The walks are also surprisingly good fun.

Not sure there is a point to this post, I'd like to enjoy a bit from both worlds?

Mr E

I know its a cliché, but "staying in is the new going out". Have some mates over, watch a match or DVD, play a multiplayer console game, cook a meal or order a pizza, stick on a CD, and have a good chat. Bottom line - you don't have to go out to have a good time. Instead of going out every week, go out every 2 or 3 weeks. Having a night in with friends can be just as fun (as long as you're not looking to pull! )

When you do get to go out, why not go out for a meal instead? Try some restaurants you've never been to before. Travel to neighbouring towns and try some restaurants there.

LIFE DOESN'T HAVE TO REVOLVE AROUND DRINK!

Bri

Indeed TmB,

BUT! I live with my mates...so every normal night is roughly staying in havin fun. I find this is enough for me plenty of times but they feel this = boring life so going out is what they wanna do. Apart from all the other reasons I dislike it cos going out (not in a pub) means you often are making forced converstation with your best mates, beceause normally you see them everyday and chat when u wanna...whereas going out puts you on the spot.

I've tried the meal. Some are more recpetive than others (students who soberly spend cash are a rare breed)

Bringitdown: I would have a similar view to yourselves (sorta hypocritical in my case) in that there are certain mates I enjoy going out and drinking with. Mostly cos they're guys who look after themselves, I don't worry about their stupidity and we have a good laugh. But they're only 1 group.

simu

Yet another person who agrees with you, Bri!

Like others, I did used to get horribly drunk at times when I was a teenager. Now, I only drink now and then and when I do, I stay at the level of tipsyness rather than go on drinking and puking my guts out.

The question is why do so many people who should know better carry on drinking themselves silly as if they were teenagers experimenting with drink?

Maybe it has something to do with the way the social circle of the average Irish young person is set up. Most people seem to have a group of friends they've known from secondary school that they continue to hang around with. Most of the new people they meet seem to be related to this circle in some way. Even when they go on holidays or working abroad, they go with the same people. It's almost as if they didn't live independently but as part of these groups - whenever anything happens or whenever they want to do anything, this group must be involved. But because of these groups, people never get to reinvent themselves as they grow older - they still act a bit like they used to as teenagers when they're with the group and because they have this group, they're never really forced to do new things on their own.

Well, that's one of my theories, I'd be interested to hear what people think.

Stark

cormie wrote:

I also hate the way everyone is so friendly with you when they have a few drinks on them but if you see them walking down the street during the week, they wouldn't want to look at you. My friend always hugs everyone wether he has drink on him or not, and he always hugs this guy who used to be in his class when he sees him out, and the guy always hugs him back but one day he saw him coming down the street and my friend says to my brother "let's see if he hugs me now" and he went to hug him and the guy backed away.

Strangely enough I've noticed that in myself. I think it messes with my brain chemistry or something. I go out, have a few drinks to the point where I become my charming, warm affectionate self and have a good time with people, tell a few a few jokes, people laugh, the love is in the air. Next morning, I feel the total opposite. I think to myself "God I was such an ass. I was so friendly to everyone, I told funny jokes, blah blah blah". My rational brain is obviously "That sounds good, what are you so worked up about", but the part of my brain suffering from come down is telling me the complete opposite. Then when I see the people I was out with, I'm all weird about them and get all weird thoughts like "I was way too strong with them the other night, it's not like I'm suddenly their best friend, I'd better just keep my head down".

The moral of the story - what goes up must always come down when it comes to any mood altering substance.

The obvious thing to do here for me is to not drink, but this is a huge problem because when you're out with people they only see the good side of it. They're not going to be there the next day, and they certainly won't want to socialise with "hangover boy".

Bri

Quite probable. It is very hard to reinvent yourself if you continue to live in Ireland within the same social circle...and moving out of that lifestyle is a big jump. This might sound ridiculous, but the weather here has something to do with it. Bad weather means all the fun things you associate with being abroad (and not in an Irish bar resort!) arn't plannable or probable. It must also add to depression. It strikes me as a very English/Irish sorta mentality...it happens abroad, but in all of my experiences in westernised foreign places - the people are more open and relaxed. Pity they have such low expectations of Irish social culture.

I'd love to here from someone who still drinks heavily aged 20+ and why.

Bri

erm for some reason my last post is visible in the thread but not outside it?

Anyway...

scojones

I feel the same as you drinklink. I will admit that I drink alot - I would definately have a pint every night in the pub. I usually have three pints a night, and on weekends i'd have about 8. I hate nightclubs. Despise them, I don't see the point (you can't talk to your mates) unless you are on the pull (which I never am cause I'm in a long-term relationship). I hate the way our society thinks we have to drink all the time. I hate listening to college mates go on and on about how drunk they were et al. Ok, it was fun to talk about it when you were drunk the first few times but it gets so old so fast.

The pints that I have every night are with my friends (we're all 21). I find myself getting very stressed during the day, and I like to relax with my mates over a pint. I do other things, don't get me wrong - I read alot, and I'm a computer fanatic. But I certainly think that my life does not revolve around drink. If you think i'm being hypocritical just re-read what I've written. What I'm saying is yeah I drink alot which is my own choice. But I agree with your opinion on people boasting about how drunk they were and so on. I don't see why how many pints you have matters, or even if you don' t have any, or why you would get so drunk that you can't stand and you puke everywhere. I don't drink to get drunk, I drink because I love the taste of it. I have nothing against drinking in moderation. I feel that people who don't drink in moderation look very foolish. It's so hard to talk to someone that's very drunk - it gets annoying.

Now that I think of it, there's been a good few nights myself and my mates stayed in and drank at home, and those nights were better than going out because we could actually have a proper conversation without shouting, and we got to choose the music

Bri

Notice that nobody explicitly agreed with my sentiments that girls drinking heavily is a) unnattractive b) often irresponsible.

Also...any ideas on what else to suggest to your alcholic mates to do at the weekend?!

Thanks!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

I'd agree that girls drinking heavily is unattractive and irresponsible, but I fail to see how the same does not apply to boys.

Bri

I know what you mean but I see it at as more irresponsible (outlined above). As a guy I suppose I find it more unattractive for obvious reasons, but maybe I also buy into that sorta social-viewpoint of double-standards.

Reese

I have to agree, guys getting plastered is pretty much the same. I don't see how any girl could think a drunk guy mauling you on the dancefloor would be attractive....

simu

Mordeth wrote:

I'd agree that girls drinking heavily is unattractive and irresponsible, but I fail to see how the same does not apply to boys.

Yeah ,same here.

Walls

I don't drink at all. Good on ya.

Bri

Ok Walls so please tell me what you do when your friends wanna have a big night out, etc.

ando

why dont we all goto the pub and talk about this in more detail over a few drinks lol

Seriously though, every time I've said no to a drink infront of some m8's, I feel like I'm being anti-social. If I stop after having 2 pints, its like there's something wrong with me. Thats what I hate the most about it

Canis Lupus

me and my mates when we want a big nite out usually go to a motorway walk over and throw bricks at passing cars........ No alcohol needed there

Walls

Well, to be honest people in truth rarely care. So long as you don't remind them the next day the stupid things they say, they're usually fine. (you do get immature folk who can't get over it, but really that's rare these days).

Know how long you're going to be out, and the next one will sound strange, but ensure you have some food with you (chocolate and the like). Alcohol is full of sugar, and therefore energy - that's way so many people can keep going until 2am or something. If you aim to keep up bring something with you so as to allow you to find it fascinating to see Ecksor dance at 2.12 am....

Moss

I'm 21 and I gave up drink a few years ago. I did the whole experimentation thing as a teenager but I was particularly turned off drink when I came to college. I think the heavy drinking one sees in college comes from confidence/insecurity issues. I mean if you need to get wasted everytime you go out with your friends then something is seriously wrong.
When I came to college I only ever drank in moderation but I found that people around me (many of my good friends included) couldn't understand (or even accept) this. You wouldn't believe the amount of times people in pubs have asked me, 'why aren't you drinking?'. Fair enough if people want to drink but it really is bad form when they can't respect other peoples decisions. There is actually a serious amount of people out there who are not only so insecure they need to drink heavily themselves when they go out, but they need everyone around them to drink also.

Eventually I decided to give up drink altogether. I found it alot easier to say I didn't drink full stop, than come up with an excuse for not drinking a considerable amount everytime I went out.

My view on alcohol is this; It's unhealthy, wasteful and stupid. That may sound harsh but I have found from experience that alcohol doesn't do anything for me but give me a headache and waste my money and I don't like the taste. Also I like to keep fit and do sports so I generally don't do anything that unneccessarily damages my health.

Now instead of going to pubs and clubs I try to arrange that I go out for meals with friends. Try it, it actually works alot better. For my twenty-first I took a group of my best friends out for dinner and it was great. The conversation was great and you can stay in most restaurants til at least one o'clock. It really is alot more sociable. After that we admittedly went to a club but we got a table where we could talk.

I think my arguments are reasonable enough. I would be interested to hear from anyone who does like getting wasted on a Friday/Saturday night. Why, honestly, do you do it?!!!

Stark

Know how long you're going to be out, and the next one will sound strange, but ensure you have some food with you (chocolate and the like). Alcohol is full of sugar, and therefore energy - that's way so many people can keep going until 2am or something. If you aim to keep up bring something with you so as to allow you to find it fascinating to see Ecksor dance at 2.12 am....

Depends whether you're the kind of person who gets a crash from sugar or not. For me ingesting fast sugars like alcohol and chocolate actually lowers my blood sugar levels making me feel even more tired. I find it best to bring some protein out with me, even just to grab a bag of peanuts if I'm stuck. Trying to get that into the heads of people who don't have the same reaction is a right **** as they can't see past "alcohol keeps you going". They're usually the same people who never seem to get fat (for the same reason, body not overreacting with insulin).

Bri

Well said Moss.

I just find it a pity that giving up all drink is the viable solution because of other's inability to respect different views. Maybe it will all settle down in a few years when people start getting hitched up a bit more. Although I dunno if I can tolerate the wait!

MickFarr

Well I like going out for a few drinks with my friends and tend to not notice that many people in the pub are as bad as you are making them out to be. There will always be a few that have drunk too much. Sometimes that might be me

I was out in town on Friday night for our staff Christmas party. Had a nice few drinks chatted to some women in one of the bars who were doing the same and had a great night. In all the pubs I was in (and there were a good few) everyone was having a good laugh I didn't see the whole bar puking or falling around the place plastered. I don't really like night clubs myself (not a great dancer, more like Ricky Gervais from the office) but if everyone is going, then I'm in!

Now the problem where I think this mostly happens seems to be young male/females in there teens and earlier 20's and I'm sure that most of you like me were like this as well. Not everyone is able to go round to someone’s house and spend the night there watching DVD's, playing music and consoles games till all hours. So they'll do just like you and I did and go to a pub/club. All so at that age it’s the best place to pull girls.

As you get older the novelty wears off and you don't drink as much and also your tolerance to alcohol increases. I can’t do the all day drinking sessions like I used to, must be getting old . As long as you can control yourself and it doesn’t start to control you then what’s the problem?

Bri

I've no real problem with the scenario you describe above...However you could almost say your looking at through beer goggles!

What about the Irish obsession with everything drink related? How's about O'Connell Street on a weekend night?!

You must be familiar with the usual bragging/stories about drink. This is quite simply not something that only kids do. Sure, kids brag alot more, but plenty of 9-5 office working adults like to do the same sorta thing - drink 1 or 2 nights of their 3 nights off and then tell everyone about how much fun they had plastered when they return to mundane ol' sober Monday. If you put yourself in the place of someone who finds this unfunny and/or pretty repulsive then it's not all rosey!

Crucifix

I just started college this year, and I've never been to a 'proper' nightclub (the local one where I live can't really be classed as a proper nightclub). Sounds like I've got lots to look forward to

CathyMoran

Think that someone legless drunk is unattractive be they male or female. It is harder to be a non-drinker in Ireland - was at a work function where it was considered odd that I did not drink. Still would not bow to the pressure. I used to drink as I liked the taste of it not the effect, having a soft drink or a coffee would be more likely to make me giddy. Now I go to coffee shops and restaurants more as they cater better for non-drinkers but when I go to the pub I get a diet tonic water so that I do not get questioned.

tinkerbell

When I'm out and when I get thirsty, I want a drink, but for me - a thirst quencher is either water / pespi / orange / 7up. I could not gulp back an alcoholic drink to quench my thirst. Maybe tiz that I never actually liked the taste of alcohol. But people will still question ya about why you've a mineral drink rather than an alcoholic one, it's just the way this country is!

Zombienosh

ive grown up seeing the effects of it, i still do.
it changes people so much. im a drinker myself but i never get completely wasted because i have to be in control of my actions....in fear that i might end up like people ive seen.