When you're old enough...

[Barb Gordon]

Will you drink? I'm 18, obviously still too young to be of drinking age, but I've had a sip here and there from like my mom or dad's glass during X-mas or certain celebrations, like New Years. Frankly, I just really hate the taste of alcohol. I know it's a taste that has to be acquired, but I'm like, I don't want to have to acquire a taste to something that I think tastes awful! Sure, I could get one of those drinks where it tastes all fruity and you can't even taste the alcohol...but I'd just rather get a fruity drink with know alcohol in it in the first place. So I've decided to totally abstain from any drinking, ever, just give me water or Sprite any of day. Mom says that's great for obvious reasons, heck, even see puts sprite in her glasses to tone things down a bit because she doesn't like the taste that much. Am I the only one with these totally random thoughts concerning drinking and alcohol?

Barb^-^

[Naraht]

been there, didn't take up my family tradition of alchoholism....

I've had alchohol once or twice in the two years I've been of legal drinking age, but frankly, I can't stand the taste of most alchohol...

[The Game]

I'm fifteen and I drink now. :o Not alot- some of my friends are alchoholics, but I still drink a fair amount, and intend to continue to. It's just a good release. I don't go out and get wasted every weekend, but I'll have a beer to wind down at a party or something.

-The Game

[Calhoun07]

i am of drinking age and don't touch the stuff. I've tried it once and could care less for the taste. Not to mention I've known enough people who are absolute jerks drunk. Oh, yeah, I wanna be just like them. :rolleyes:

[Nightflower]

Of drinking age in the province that's half an hour away. Do I drink? No... don't really like the taste, and I can be a real dork when I'm drunk. I get drunk VERY easily- I'm Chinese, female, and tiny. O_o I only drink on occasions, like holidays, and I don't really like the taste. Spiked lemonade is yummy though... and "Joltka" is just funny... (Jolt and Vodka, (c) J and A Wong)

[Zorakfan]

Who likes pina coladas? Who likes dancing in the rain?

I do! I do!

Osakega ski des ka?

Hai! Daiski des! Bokuwa osakeo nomimas.

And red wine isn't all that bad either.

(not much...not enough to get drunk anyway)

[Colin]

I'm 22... and seriously, drinking was never, ever that huge of an issue for me. I drank socially up at school during my Senior year... Mike's Hard Lemonade for me. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis... it's not something I'd be willing to waste my money on...

[Jowy Blight]

I'm 16, and I will not drink. I've been in situations were I was offered a drink, but after watching what happens to people who drink, I didn't take it. Also, from what I hear, it doesn't taste too good.

[Failure]

I'm 19, going on 20 within a couple of weeks and I have to say that alcohol tastes HORRIBLE!!! But I seem to have really sensitive taste buds compared to everyone else.

I can't stand beer. I couldn't get through half a can without feeling like puking. When I drink, which is pretty rare lately, it's usually mixed drinks. And usually I try to dilute the taste as much as possible. Like Colin said, alcohol's not something I'd want to waste my money on. I have way too many other material desires. ;)

Another thing with me is I have a tremendous amount of tolerance to alcohol. It's weird cuz I'm a small guy. But I can usually pound it down, if necessary, without getting drunk. Actually what'll happen is I'll start feeling nauseous before the alcohol starts taking any effect. I'm not sure whether this is a blessing or a curse. :rolleyes:

[Elven Moon]

I just turned 21 today and I have no plans on drinking any alcohol substance any time soon. Why? I don't want to! I don't want to get drunk, or wasted, or whatever you prefer to call it. I don't need the stuff to be happy or have a good time. And frankly, I can act drunk without ever touching the stuff if I want to - heck, I'm weird enough to pull that off :D

[Lucky Bob]

Never have, never will drink. I've lost a grandfather to its side effects. It'll never happen with me.

[Joe Tully]

I used to avoid drinking--I avoided it for over 6 months after moving to college despite the fact that my friends drank every weekend. I really got drunk over Spring Break, then didn't get so drunk that year until the last couple of weeks. I think that at that point, it was a combination of celebrating and getting tired of the self-inhibition. I was kind of depressed and drinking was easier and felt better than not drinking. I drank a lot on weekends during sophomore and junior year...socially, of course. During the last year I've really slowed down on that though. Most of my friends who drank a lot graduated, and I've stopped talking to the friends I had in that group who are still around here. A six-pack will usually be enough for me for a couple of weeks.

Most people who drink straight shots will tell you they do so because of the side effects, not the taste (though of course, all types taste different, and you adjust to the bad tasting ones with time)...but you can mix things together so that they taste pretty good. Kahlua and milk tastes almost like chocolate milk to me. And Cider Jack is great, same with Lemonade. Pepsi and whiskey was one of my old favorites.

Part of the reason why I drink is because I often just feel stressed. I think that I just worry about too many things too often, which just makes me stressed out. And having a little to drink, even just one drink, helps me feel more relaxed. I haven't had more than a couple of drinks in a night in a while, so I don't get completely drunk and make an ass out of myself. I just feel a little better.


Originally posted by Nightflower
I get drunk VERY easily- I'm Chinese, female, and tiny.

That might have something to do with it...but if it's any consolation, I'm 50 % Irish, male, weigh 210 lbs, and get drunk fairly easily myself. I'm pretty sure that breaks one of the fundamental laws of the universe.


Originally posted by luckybob

Never have, never will drink. I've lost a grandfather to its side effects. It'll never happen with me.

That's the argument I used for a long, loooong time. But as long as I keep it in check, I don't think there's a problem with it. I just have to make sure not to let it get out of hand and become a problem.

And now I will have to finish off my last Cider Jack. Typing this has made me thirsty.

[Failure]

Originally posted by luckybob1985
Never have, never will drink. I've lost a grandfather to its side effects. It'll never happen with me.

Actually, in moderation, wine is believed to have positive effects on people's health. I can't remember if it's wine or alcohol in general. And I can't remember if that claim has been scientifically supported, but I think it has. Can anyone dis/confirm that?

[Calhoun07]

There are pills you can take from Melalucha that have the same health benefits as drinking red wine. And it's red wine you're thinking of.

[Joe Tully]

Actually, alcohol in general is good for you in the right amounts. I think it's like 1 drink a day. But I believe they discovered the benefits of wine first. Moderate drinkers live longer, but no one is sure exactly why.

Check out some info: http://www.med.unc.edu/alcohol/education/benefits.html

[The Penguin]

I'm proud to say I've never drank any alcohol. I never did in high school, because my friends just weren't into that.
When I got to college I wasn't really planning on doing it, but then when I saw first-hand the drunken idiots that lived on my floor, I decided not to drink at all. Often times my roommate would come back late at night and deposit his "fun" in our trashcan. I just don't see how something that can make you so miserable in the end can be worth it while you're doing it.

My second year my new roommate was a freshman. We met during the summer and he seemed like a great guy. He said he didn't drink and I thought that was cool. But when he got to school he joined a frat and it really changed him, I'm not saying all frats drink all the time, but this one sure seemed to. His grades dropped and he skipped a lot of his classes, even the ones he liked. He just seemed like a totally different person.

I played The Sims on my 21st birthday. Rather than spend money on alcohol, I bought the Livin' Large expansion pack. :)

[DR. BELCH]

--for five years, but I seldom drink. On rare ocassions when I do--generally only communion or New Years's--it just makes me sleepy and flatulent, and I don't like the taste of wine much either. Good thing to know if anyone's inviting me to parties where there'll be booze.

It's the tannins in red wine that're good for the heart...and thanks for the plug, Cal! I think it's the PROVEX he means,which come in several formulas...available by itself or in a four-pack....

[Psycho Fox]

Well I can legally drink and do. Yes there are bad tasting drinks but there are good tasting ones too.

[Mattashell]

I won't lie. I drink. I've done it since I was sixteen. As a teenager I had a cast iron stomache for hard liquor. Then in college I had a bad experience with a bottle of vodka. We were playing pool and taking shots as penalties. Before long I had drank quite a lot in a very short time. I know, I was a dumb kid. Ever since then my stomache has zero tolerence for hard liquor. Sometimes when people try to get me to take a shot they say I won't even taste it. They don't seem to understand that it has nothing to do with tasting it. My stomache knows what it is and will send it right back up. Now I drink beer, and sometimes liquor with a mixer. Rum and sprite is quite nice. Guiness is my favorite, but only in bars. In cans and bottles it's nasty.

I've never heard of Jolt and Vodka. It sounds totally disgusting! Around here there is a beer called Double Black Stout. It's Beer brewed with coffee. It tastes great, but has a horrifying side effect. I'll put it in a spoiler because its gross. It loosens the bowls. You'll be sitting on the throne halfway through one bottle. And you'll be there a long time.

I'm unusually resistant to addiction. I've smoked for seven years and at times quite heavily, but I've gone without for long periods of time without craving. Today I smoke only about a pack in a month. That's about one a day and some days not at all. The price of cigarettes recently went up and I stopped smoking all together with no trouble. Then my sister bought me four packs as a gift, mainly because she as an occasional smoker herself wanted one but didn't want the ciggarettes. My mother once told me that my father was the same way before I was born. As far as I know he hasn't smoked at all since then. Well he hasn't smoked CIGARETTES anyway ;) . I know to some of you this sounds like an excuse. Frankly I've always avoided this logic for precisely that reason, but at this point I'm convinced it is true. Not that I'm going to run out and start doing harcore drugs. or anything stupid like that. :p Anyway think what you want about me. I'm secure enough not to care anyway. :)

[Ruffian]

Yeah, am legal and when I do drink it's a social thing with my friends, such as having a get together after midterms are done and just watching TV, eating pizza, and having a few drinks (usually the foo foo stuff, and maybe shots). I never thought I would ever drink alcohol, I thought the taste was awful too. Heh, who knew I could handle it and would willingly drink socially (but responsibly of course ;)), certainly not me.

[Watagashi]

Never touched the stuff, never intend to. Nuff said. :)

[Nightflower]

Most people my age who do drink do it because they think it's a "cool thing" anyway. Which is dumb. So you heard it, law-abiding kids younger than age limit- the majority of of us here don't drink!

Joltka is pretty nasty, depending on how much of each you put in. The results are pretty trippy though! Actually, it's hard to tell whether it's the caffeine or the alcohol...


That might have something to do with it...but if it's any consolation, I'm 50 % Irish, male, weigh 210 lbs, and get drunk fairly easily myself. I'm pretty sure that breaks one of the fundamental laws of the universe.

Yeah, I heard that Asian people have low tolerance... and if this is a stereotype, well, I'm pretty small too. But at New Year's, my friend got really drunk after one and a half LEMONADES, and he's 6'3, white and 140 pounds! You can be sure I make fun of him for that :P

[Clayface]

I've been of drinking age for many years now, and yes, I do drink.

I think I had one beer in high school, just about puked after two sips, and decided I was never going to drink again.

Then I got to college, and of course, there's lot of drinking going on there. People would offer me drinks all the time, but for about the first year there, I passed on it all. Somewhere along the lines, someone offered me something I liked - might have been a fuzzy navel (orange juice and peach schnapps). I loved it, and started trying mixed drinks from there. Now that I've tried a lot of different drinks over the years, I've found there are far more good tasting drinks than bad. And, for some very odd reason, I ended up aquiring a taste for beer. I never touched the stuff after that first sip in high school, but then, about a year ago, fo rsome inexplicable reason, i just had the taste for one. I tried it, and I actually enjoyed it. So, on occassion, I'll drink a beer as well.

I don't drink often - maybe once a month, if that.

I never drink alone - usually only when my g/f and I are out on a nice evening or something like that.

I don't drink to the point where I get sick. I've had exactly one hang over in my life, and that was enough for me to learn my limits of how much I could drink. I don't understand the people that can go out and drink to the point of puking again and again - do these people not learn their limits?

I've never done anything stupid or illegal while I was drunk. I've never drunk so much that I couldn't remember every single thing I've done while drunk. I think, honestly, that lot of people use the "I'm drunk" excuse to do stupid things they've always wanted to do in the first place. I've been very, very drunk once or twice, and never done anything I wouldn't normally do.

Drinking can be a lot of fun, as long as you do it in moderation, and use your head.

[Bird Boy]

nope....well I don't plan on drinking anyway...

I've tasted wine, rum, whiskey, and beer..didn't really like the taste of any...Coconut and Pineapple Rum was sorta good though... :rolleyes:

-BB

[ccffan01]

Ill probably drink depending how I like it.

[James]

Funny hearing some many responsible voices over this subject. In the UK, drinking is the norm (and more so in Europe). 18 is the legal age to drink but most start drinking far earlier.

I drink a fair bit - I have this weekend. Mainly lager (Carlsberg - it's cheap), but will enjoy wine with a girlfriend or family and Baileys if I'm watching a movie at night by myself (Blade Runner).

Drinking is good for you - in moderation. Especially wine, apparently. Guinness too is meant to be quite good for you.

I've had various periods of drinking - last year I had months being sober thanks to medication which didn't bother me at all.

Like with anything, drink is okay in moderation. It's not to be feared - it's some to enjoy - just not to be relied upon....

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Just turned 21 myself, and haven't had a drop yet. I don't think there's anything wrong with drinking (in moderation of course, like just about everyone else has said). I just don't feel the need or desire to drink any kind of alcoholic beverage. It's just not there. Maybe someday I'll try a mixed drink at a restaurant or something, but I'm in no hurry. :cool:

[DR. BELCH]

Nightflower:
I get drunk VERY easily- I'm Chinese, female, and tiny...[A]t New Year's, my friend got really drunk after one and a half LEMONADES, and he's 6'3, white and 140 pounds! You can be sure I make fun of him for that!
It isn't just size...a woman's body lacks certain enzymes that break down alcohol, so she's likely to show the effects faster on a smaller amount. Of course, I've seen a brother and sister, at a N.Y.E. party--who both must top two hundred pounds, mind you--get completely plastered from mixing large amounts of beer and vodka, spend the night hurling everywhere, and then pass out. Some don't realize their own limits. I know mine. Two or three bottles of wine cooler, maybe a hard lemonade or a pina colada, and then it's tuck in for the night.
A woman also can't hold her bladder when she vomits, by the way, because the musculature is different from a man's ...so if you're planning to tie one on anytime soon, don't forget to bring spare dry pants just in case.... ;)

[Zorakfan]

Yeah...there's....damnit! Apparently Belch beat me to that biological aspect. Well, good to know there's another semi-science buff on the board. I am impressed!

[atf487]

Well, im 9 years till I meet the legal drinking age, but obviously to me, alchohol is quite nasty. I hate the taste of it, and its hard when your dad is a heavy drinker (but he NEVER gets drunk, he just consumes a ton of it), and your mom gets drunk at party's. I'd hate to have alchohol, because there is already great beverages out there, so why bother getting wasted?

[Fantasie117]

I hear about the effects of people who get wasted, and I always wonder why they'd do that to themselves. I remember a girl in my school gleefully told her friends about the time she got drunk at a party. I wanted to interrupt her and ask her, "That's what you're proud of? How stupid you acted while drunk?"

Sometimes, when at a restaurant, I would like to try a drink I see just to see if it's really worth it, but I can wait until I'm legal. And even then, it's a little iffy because I remember feeling a little lightheaded from the smell of champagne during a New Year's party.

I'm almost 17. I don't know if I'll drink or not in four years, but right now, I'm leaning heavily towards not.

[Carnage]

I don't drink, and I never will. I'm not opposed to other people drinking though, if they want to, I don't care (assuming they aren't my ride home). But I've been around drunk people before and they're so hilarious! They're just constantly falling over, and puking, and disoriented in every way. I don't understand why they find it so enjoyable to get drunk, but I find it enjoyable for THEM to get drunk too (as mean as that is)

-Carnage-

[The Guitar Slayer]

Fascinating on how many of you said 'I'll never do that.'

You will, trust me.

I haven't had a drink thus far in my stay on earth, but it is inevitable. Regardless of how much you don't, curiosity will get the better of you, and you'll try it.

Drinking ain't a bad thing. It's your choice whether you end up normal or an alcoholic. Funny, people that say 'I never' are the ones who ask for another round. Irony at its finest.

Take me for example. I have 8 alcoholics in four generations of my family, both sides. I'll still try it. It's my life, and if you let your genetics dictate what you do with it, it ain't yours, especially if you let yourself slide.

I'm not encouraging you people to drink. Rather, I'm encouraging to make your own choices when it is time, not now. You're young and idealistic. "I won't because I see what happens." You will because you will have a time when you want to let it all go to hell. You will to impress a girl/guy. You will out of curiosity. Whatever. Those who have tried alcohol can and have made their decision. All you that haven't had a drink should perhaps put it off a little bit. You will change between now and 21. Don't impose something on yourself; you'll end up hitting the bottle harder if it has been pent up for a while.

Take it as it comes, a wise man once said. Everything in moderation.

[Calhoun07]

Fascinating on how many of you said 'I'll never do that.'

You will, trust me.

No I won't. Trust me!

[The Game]

I'm amazed how many of you don't drink. Well- good for you, I guess.

I only drink beer, really. I didn't like it at first- I had three cans, got drunk and spent the night puking my guts up. 'Course... By the second and third time I started to enjoy it. It really relaxes me. I'm not a heavy drinker- one of my friends who's an alchoholic (he's Irish ;) ) drinks like it's his job- like a 12 pack case in one night. I have another who drinks rum straight- I can't do it, I mix it with Sunny D (Sunny D 4 life!)

I just find it so hard to go to high school and not drink at all. Too much peer pressure.

-The Game

[Mattashell]

"Falling over and throwing up" discribes the behavior of teenagers and bums. It's not unheard of for a responsible adult to have irrisponsible moments, but enjoying the effects of alcohol has nothing to do with becoming thoroughly innebriated.

Reguarding Guitar Slayer's comments. I think she's right about some, but not all of you. Especially those younger of you, who are judging alcohol on very limited information. "Making your own decision" is as much about not drinking as it is about choosing to drink. I know some of you will choose not to. My heart tells me though that they will be in the minority. Most will, when the time comes, enjoy an occasional beverage.

[Jedigreedo]

I've had a sip of beer when I was I think about 12 or something, it wasn't that bad, the smell is kinda eh but the taste was pretty good, I plan trying it out when I'm older, if I do start drinking when I'm older hopefully it won't be excessively, but until then, my cold ones are cold Dr. Pepper. :cool:

[Carnage]

Originally posted by The Guitar Slayer
Fascinating on how many of you said 'I'll never do that.'

You will, trust me.



trust me when I say that I never will, I'm very adamant about it, I will NEVER drink.

[Clayface]

I'd have to agree with The Game and Mattashell. The things we swear we'd never do when we're teenagers are very often the things we end up doing as adults. I can't tell you how many of my friends (and myself for that matter) swore to high heaven that we'd never, ever drink or do other things, and then ended up doing them. Outlooks change as you get older, and the decisions you make often do too. If you don't end up drinking, good for you. But if you do, don't sweat it.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by Carnage


trust me when I say that I never will, I'm very adamant about it, I will NEVER drink. You know alcohol is used as a pain killer if there is nothing else on hand so it is possible if you are in an accedent and there is no conventional pain killer on hand a medic might give you a drink to dull the pain.

[Evil Dr. Reef]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Beer tastes like pee, kiddies.
If you're going to drink, drink something that has a flavor in it.
I mean, think about it: Beer is made from grain. Do you really want to drink something that tastes like bread?

[Clayface]

Hehehehe. Yeah, beer is not the way to start drinking. It really does have a terrible taste, especially if you've never had a drink before. There are so many things that are better that you can start with.

[The Game]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion... But no one drinks beer for the taste. People who drink non-alchoholic beer are a little weird, but most of us drink to get realxed or drunk, it's that simple.

Hey, I took Dare folks. I know 20 ways to say no. It's just alot more enjoyable to say yes! :)

-The Game

[Calico]

I never drank in high school, but it was more readily available in college so I had some at parties. I've gotten puking drunk on a handful of occasions, but mostly just drank until I was tipsy. Now that I'm an old married woman, I don't get out much. Usually some wine or wine coolers. Kahlua (w/ milk, white russians, mudslides) is probably my favorite. Beer is disgusting.

The irony is that when I was a child both my parents (who were divorced at the time) went through periods of heavy drinking, which I had to witness first hand. I spent countless evenings amusing myself in bars watching them drink themselves into oblivion and then huddling in the back seat of the car hoping we didn't go off the road. I vowed to myself that would never be me. In the end I realized the truth - I didn't have to follow in their footsteps. All in moderation folks. That's the key.

[DR. BELCH]

Evil Dr. Reef :
[B]PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Beer tastes like pee, kiddies.
Actually, that's about what it is. Yeast relieve themselves into the vats while the grains ferment. That's why I don't drink it. Now a wine cooler feels more...sophisticated, being fruit-based ethyl.
Yes, drunks are funny, until you're the one who has to mop up their offal. Then...not so funny. :(

[The Game]

Originally posted by DR. BELCH

Actually, that's about what it is. Yeast relieve themselves into the vats while the grains ferment. That's why I don't drink it. Now a wine cooler feels more...sophisticated, being fruit-based ethyl.
Yes, drunks are funny, until you're the one who has to mop up their offal. Then...not so funny. :(

I think drunks are funny until they beat the crap out of you. Being a freshman among drunk seniors is not fun, I can tell you that from expireince.

-The Game

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Clayface
I'd have to agree with The Game and Mattashell. The things we swear we'd never do when we're teenagers are very often the things we end up doing as adults. I can't tell you how many of my friends (and myself for that matter) swore to high heaven that we'd never, ever drink or do other things, and then ended up doing them. Outlooks change as you get older, and the decisions you make often do too. If you don't end up drinking, good for you. But if you do, don't sweat it.

Well, there is something to be said for us loving the things we once swore to hate. Perhaps the people who are most vocal against alcohol are trying to convince themselves not to use it rather than others. The thing is when people try to convince others but are actually trying to convince themselves, they usually lose the battle.

I've never been too vocal about my decision not to drink. I don't make a point of telling people. It's a decision I made, and will stick to.

[Stardust]

Originally posted by Clayface
Hehehehe. Yeah, beer is not the way to start drinking. It really does have a terrible taste, especially if you've never had a drink before. There are so many things that are better that you can start with.

ugh, beer. yuck. Hard lemonade was ok, then smirnoff....what i really like is schnaaps (spelling?). yum. :) and tequilla rose. and something called amaretto (spelling again....)

I'm so enlightened to see the majority say no to drinking. :) makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! ^_^ just like vodka on a cold, freezing night! (all right bad joke)

perspectives change, like Game and Mattashell said. I said I'd never drink in high school, survived the first year of college not drinking (my friends got beer and i tell them constantly i don't like beer) and this year my friends got smart and asked me what i wanted to drink. needless to say they got me some liquor and being of Asian descent, i got buzzed like there was no tomorrow. (ok, i didn't intend to drink - i told my one guy friend that if i drank, he'd have to carry me home, but Mr. HOT GUY piped in and told me HE'D carry me home instead! :D :D :D :D :D :D ok, not a good way to start drinking, but haaaaa....hot guy carried me home......)

people usually think i get drunk, but it's so easy to pass that off for me. i remember everything that happens and my friends think i don't remember so it's interesting to hear things from their perspective. and they let more secrets out cuz they think i'm smashed, and they're smashed so the world's peachy. :) it's a good stress reliever for me.

um, i got caught up in my little story time that i forgot to mention my point of this whole post. well, i find that where ever i went, the peer pressure wasn't all that bad. if there was peer pressure to drink, they were just joking. it was more like after i drank there was peer pressure to drink more.

after i drank, the only thing i will not let myself do is to lose control of anything. lose control and let some guy take advantage of me, lose control and let alcoholism take over, lose control of my temper, lose control of any consequences of drinking too much (puking namely)...i find that is easier to keep than saying no drinking, becuase eventually as adults, alcohol will be present in social gatherings and buisness gatherings.

i think this post is long enough, and i'm starting to ramble anyway. most of my opinions have been said already so i don't want to sound repetitious if i haven't done so already. :rolleyes:

[BLACKHEART]

I'm always drunk. If you need a reason not to drink, just look towards me playing one of the A to Z games when I miss letters.

[Barb Gordon]

Actually, some people can say "I never will", and mean it. My sis's best bud is mormon, and will never ever drink. My sis on the other hand, likes to have a few of the tasty drinks, but she brings her bud along so that she'll have a lot less alcohol. I've tried it, don't like, knew I wouldn't like it, so I'm never going to have any. Smoking is different. I have never tried it, and never will. My grandma used to smoke, and I use to get sick just from the smoke, so I can't see me being able to try one. Obviously, I'm naive. Some of these responses of peeps saying that they drink are from teenagers. Okay, my friends laughed at me when I was surprised to find out that our ASB (officers of the student body) all drink. I was like, what? but we're just kids! Yeah I know, I obviously need to check into reality some time soon. Now, maybe I'm just dorky, but some of you have talked about using alcohol as a release. There are other ways to relieve stress and pressure then having a few drinks. I run when I'm stressed...but I'm dorky like that, so what can I say? I love to run, and running really helps me release any tension or stress that I have.

Barb^-^

[BLACKHEART]

Wait till you go to college. You'll see drinking in a whole new light.

[The Penguin]

Originally posted by SLIPKNOT
Wait till you go to college. You'll see drinking in a whole new light.
I would argue it would be a bad light.


I just want to give a little bit of encouragement to those under 21, who say they will never drink. I am 21 (and a half ;) ), in my third year of college and I don't drink at all. For me a Mug Cream Soda relieves my college stresses just fine. :) We all get to make our own choices in life, just be sure you make the one that is right for you. I've sat around with my friends before while they all drank and I turned them down everytime they asked me. Sure, you may feel kind of on the outside while you're there, but you'll feel better in the morning, not just physically, but because you stood up for yourself and what you believe in. I don't have a problem with people who chose to drink, whether its a lot or a little; as long as they stay out of my hair--its a free country. I've just made my choice not to. If that means I sit in my room and play video games while everyone else goes "out" then that's what I'll do. I'm proud of the choice I've made and I'm going to stick with it, I hope you do too. :)

[BLACKHEART]

Yeah that's why I'm not talking about it. I rarely drink anymore. I don't really do much of anything, but that credit goes to someone who is in my life now.

[Sumi_Masen]

Ewwww! Yuck! Alchohol is nasty! Ice House beer is gross(I only had a very small sip and that was enough to last two life times), all beer is gross, wine is okay, it depends........ No, I'm not going to drink when I'm 21. Ewwwwwwwwwww

[Stardust]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
Obviously, I'm naive. Some of these responses of peeps saying that they drink are from teenagers. Okay, my friends laughed at me when I was surprised to find out that our ASB (officers of the student body) all drink. I was like, what? but we're just kids! Yeah I know, I obviously need to check into reality some time soon. Now, maybe I'm just dorky, but some of you have talked about using alcohol as a release. There are other ways to relieve stress and pressure then having a few drinks. I run when I'm stressed...but I'm dorky like that, so what can I say? I love to run, and running really helps me release any tension or stress that I have.


it's not being naive. or dorky. i think the same way, too...even in college. =P (my friends just tell me i'm sheltered. sheltered because i never had the desire to pick up a bottle and drink? sheltered because my idea of fun is different from drinking alcohol? =P ) i just like to think of people who think like us as people of higher intellect...thinking at a more mature level than these people. ^_^

people in college (especially my now junior friends) asked me last year what i did for fun because i didn't drink in high school. i'm not going to go out every night and drink, i'm perfectly content sitting alone in my room finishing a project i'm working on or reading or writing....or browsing through Toon Zone boards :) and when i hung out with my friends, we never thought of going out to drink. it really wasn't until the middle of first semester during my sophomore year i started to drink. the corruption of college...the freedom of not having parents around to monitor your every move.... ^_^

i couldn't imagine anyone drinking in high school. not even having sex, which is what i'm finding out in college, too ("i lost my virginity at <insert age between 15-18 here>"). i mean, we're still living with our parents, how do you NOT get caught and get punished for it? you know, for some reason i thought no one at my high school did weed, either, but obviously i'm wrong. *sigh*

there are signs in my dorm that says alcohol does NOT relieve stress, but it really does for me. only when i'm truly frazzled out, though, totally burned out from school. i don't drink until i'm sick, though, i've seen it happen and.....ewwww.

but more power to those who said they're not going to drink and has kept that promise to themselves. :D :D you guys have more will than i do! :) :D :cool:

[Failure]

I guess I must've been in the same naive boat as Stardust and BG. I thought alcohol, sex were just... whoa, in high school. Just way out there, adult-type stuff. Then college hits you with a quick dose of reality and you hear about what people did and it's pretty shocking when you had absolutely no clue of the going ons. It really made me think of people in a whole, different light. I'm not as idealistic as I used to be.

[Nightflower]

If people want to say they're not going to drink, let them. I personally think it's rather great that they'd choose to make that decision, because I think there's too many people their age who think drinking is cool or whatever. If it changes in the future, it changes, but there's no reason to darkly predict that the majority of people who say "I never will" will end up drinking harder than anyone else. What would you rather them say instead of "I never will"? "Oh man, I'm going to get soooo wasted this weekend"?

And maybe if they say they won't.... they just might not. Some people actually make it through college without touching a glass. Think about the kind of people who go to these boards. They like comics and cartoons, they're nice, they're intelligent- they're geeks! (I mean that in the nicest way possible. I respect geeks) Maybe occasionally to try it out, but I never count "experimenting" as regularly drinking anyway. But that's just me.

Yeah.... I heard all the "horror" stories about college. Going to attend (hopefully!) this fall. Wish me luck! :)

As for being innocent in high school, I started out that way. Sex, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, suicide.... all the stuff they talk about on TV and in books just seemed to be in another world for me, something that I didn't have to worry about. Adult stuff that won't affect me, like Failure said. But then this year hit... blargh. I've got a friend (not really a friend anymore, more of someone in "the group" :P) who's into drugs and promiscuous sex and it just repulses me. My best friend became suicidal this year. As for sex and alcohol, they're not really a big deal for me anymore... take that as you will :P Yeah, yeah, it's probably not as crazy as college life and I'm certainly not bragging about it, but I thought I could pass through high school without going through any of it :P

What's with all this 21 bit? None of you can drink before then? Bah. Yankees. :P

[BLACKHEART]

What kind of beer are you drinking that taste like bread? I've never had a beer that taste like bread.

[Pilmedium]

I don't remember ever having alcohol. I am way too young to legally do it. I have no plan to ever take some, but of course, I can't predict the future.

As for going to college (when I'm forced to), I will probably be too concerned with the work to worry about peers.

[Mattashell]

Cheap beer tastes nasty, but there are alot of very nice beers out there. If your squeemish about consuming botily functions don't eat milk and eggs, fungus just don't urinate. It is an aquired taste but not anything that yould take years. Guiness Stout, and Pete's Winter Brew are a few of my favorites.

Alcohol DOES NOT reieve stress. For some people relaxing with freinds, and socializing can reieve stress, and alcohol may aid that. But drinking in itself is not a heathy escape from life. I encourage those of us who drink to be responsible.

I believe 21 is the legal age to purchase alcohol everywhere in the U.S.

[Trent Lane]

I'm 20, and don't have any desire to drink. I work at a grocery store and daily get to look at what it does for you... I don't want to smell like piss, look like I just rolled out of bed, or slur my speach so bad you can't understand what I say. Sure, something with a small bit of alcohol isn't bad, but everyone- and I mean everyone- around here takes it way past the limit. It's just so humiliating I can't see how these people can do this EVERY DAY!!! It's sad, really. I guess I should feel sorry for them because their lives are so bad they've got to forget about them with a twenty four pack of Coors... :rolleyes:

[Ruffian]

Originally posted by DR. BELCH

It isn't just size...a woman's body lacks certain enzymes that break down alcohol, so she's likely to show the effects faster on a smaller amount.

Not only that, but most asians (men and women) lack a third enzyme that helps break down alcohol too. Not having this enzyme to help break down alcohol turns the drinker red too. It's why lots of asians turn red when they drink.

Anybody who plans on taking psych classes about drugs, you'll learn about this stuff. My friend picked up a lot of info from her class and she thorougly enjoyed it too.

[Joe Tully]

Originally posted by Mattashell


Alcohol DOES NOT reieve stress.

I really have to disagree with you on that. I'm not saying that it's the only way to relieve stress, or always a good way to relieve stress...but just from the effects that it has on you biologically, in greater doses making you sleepy even, and always loosening up your inhibitions, making you less worried about what's going on...that's stress relief.

I was saying the same things a lot of you were saying about not drinking at one point, but I think that what some of you will find later on is that there's a happy medium, somewhere in-between never drinking at all and drinking to the point where you puke on yourself and have a hangover the whole next day. :) If you just take care of yourself, it's easy to unwind and have a drink or two without getting out of control. But I don't want to sound like I'm pressuring anyone. I'm just sharing some ideas here, and my own outlook on drinking. I think it's smart for people to do whatever is cool for them instead of what's cool for their peers. Do whatever floats yer boat.




I believe 21 is the legal age to purchase alcohol everywhere in the U.S.

The only exception I know of is New Orleans, where the drinking age is 18. I suspect that some Indian Reservations might be able to get around the drinking age, but don't know for sure.

[zmanjz]

As someone with a sweet tooth, I think that Beer SUCKS

I'm over 21, but I HATE beer. I don't mind a Mikes' Lemonaide once in a while. BUT Alcohol is too expensive for a REAL college student. Lesse here: 2.50 for a 12Oz bottle of Mikes Hard Lemonaide, or $0.99 for a Two Liter Bottle of Pepsi (Or coke, or RC)

And then there's the control thing. I Never would want to loose control like some of my friends have. (And who are now unintended fathers at the Age of 21.)

If you don't like alcohol, then using it as an escape is proof of a person's shallowness, in that they are so unable to face their problems or enjoy their life on their own.

[Joe Wagner]

Nah...never have any real desire to drink. I lived in Los Angeles for a while and would have to say the amount of use in Hicksville, PA is far worse than I ever saw in El Segundo (just outside of LA). I've had a sip of beer and wine before and personally could care less about either one, and yes I'm over the legal age (at a ripe 21 right now). I guess I've just seen to many people's lives ruined with the stuff (one of them really close to me at one point in time) and would never want to throw away my life or put my family and friends through hell worrying about me.

Sorry but I refuse to become a statistic for the alcohol or cigarette companies of the world.

-Joe!

[Stardust]

Originally posted by jjwspider
Nah...never have any real desire to drink. I lived in Los Angeles for a while and would have to say the amount of use in Hicksville, PA is far worse than I ever saw in El Segundo (just outside of LA).

I'm currently living in Hicksville, PA, too. My reason for being that more people drink here (same with drugs and sex i suppose) is that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do around here. the first year of college i was here, 95% of the campus went home. i sat in my room doing homework, i was that bored.

i can see why so many people here drink. there isn't anything to do but drink and get high. not that i'm ever gonna follow their lead, but hey, whatever works.

i can't wait until i transfer campuses. i gotta get out of this dump. :D

[The Game]

First of all, drinking does releive stress. Anyone who says that it doesn't, hasn't used getting drunk to its best effects. It makes all my worries go away, and it feels good while it lasts.

Second of all- not to sound like I'm peddling alchohol to the kiddies, but saying you'll never drink it because you had one sip at a wedding and didn't like it isn't giving alchohol a fair rap.

No one likes beer at first. No one. It's an aquired taste. You have to get used to it, and trust me, once you do, a bottle of Heiniken will be your best friend. :p Of course a toliet will be yours later that night... ;)

Beer can be a good thing though- when you drink responsibly of course.

-The Game

[Sir Gatts]

Legal drinking age here. I'm not really into drinking that much but I usually drink only with family members or special occasions like holidays, mostly beer, though it took about a year for alcohol to bulid on me before I began to like it.

[Joe Wagner]

Originally posted by Stardust


I'm currently living in Hicksville, PA, too. My reason for being that more people drink here (same with drugs and sex i suppose) is that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do around here. the first year of college i was here, 95% of the campus went home. i sat in my room doing homework, i was that bored.

i can see why so many people here drink. there isn't anything to do but drink and get high. not that i'm ever gonna follow their lead, but hey, whatever works.

i can't wait until i transfer campuses. i gotta get out of this dump. :D

It's sad really. I think it's really sad that a lot of the people I went to HS with only decided that weekends were a time to get drunk and do drugs becase "there was nothing else to do". While I got bored like everyone else I started going up to Clarion or up to Erie or anywhere just to get away from the dying city I live in. I guess what's really sad though is that it's now become a drug center - people from our surrounding counties now come to the local bars in order to get their fix, mainly because the quality of the drugs here is 'so good'.

Hard to believe people waste their lives on this stuff and want to take others down with them.

-Joe!

[The Penguin]

Drinking doesn't really make your problems go away, it just pushes them to the back of your mind while it kills brain cells. Your problems are always there, you just don't remember them for a little while. And if you drink enough you add a whole other problem. I haven't really given drinking "a fair chance" or any chance at all for that matter and I feel that my life (and my wallet) are better for it. If you have to do something you hate until you like it, it concerns me that you might have a real problem.

[Clayface]

Drinking, like anything else, can be good or bad. How its done is up to you.

Some people use drinking to escape their problems. That's abuse. You start drinking to forget your problems, you're on the road to alcoholism. If you can't handle stress and your problems without alcohol, you've got other issues in your life that you should be dealing with.

Alcohol should also not be used just because "there's nothing else to do". If you honestly can't find ways to amuse yourself without alcohol, then, again, you're on the road to alcoholism. That, and/or you're a rather unimaginitive person.

But, as has been stated earlier, there is a very happy medium that exists. The effects of alcohol can be enjoyed without ever having to suffer the bad aspects.

It all goes back to the responsibility issue. This is - theoretically- why there's a drinking age - to try and be sure that you're responsible before you ever have the chance to come into contact with alcohol. Of course, as is abundantly clear by the number of underage posters who have stated that they've had drinks, that drinking age isn't very well enforced.

I think the point trying to be made by many is this - don't make the decision to not drink alcohol based on the fact that you've seen some idiots abuse it. Drinking alcohol doesn't put you on a precipice, waiting to fall into disaster. If you're a responsible person, you'll not end up stumbling around, looking like an idiot, and vomiting on your own shoes, nor will you lose yourself in an alcoholic haze for the rest of your life.

[Failure]

Originally posted by Clayface
I think the point trying to be made by many is this - don't make the decision to not drink alcohol based on the fact that you've seen some idiots abuse it. Drinking alcohol doesn't put you on a precipice, waiting to fall into disaster. If you're a responsible person, you'll not end up stumbling around, looking like an idiot, and vomiting on your own shoes, nor will you lose yourself in an alcoholic haze for the rest of your life.


Very good point. The genetic factors of alcoholism notwithstanding, basically if you're an idiot, you'll tend to abuse alcohol like an idiot. If you're responsible, you'll tend to use alcohol responsibly. Don't worry about the effects you've seen on others, just trust your own judgments and instincts.

For those who decreed never to drink. Congratulations. If you can uphold that all yuor life, great job. If you can't... well, don't worry about it. You're allowed to change your mind. Nothing annoys me more than when I change my mind on something and people get on my case for not holding to my orginal thought. But that's another story.