"So why aren't you drinking?"

[Jester]

Just wanted to disappoint you- Europe is the same.

That's only true for Northern European countries. In Southern Europe, it's the norm for young people to hang out together without needing to be drunk to do so. Every summer Spanish students come here in droves and I often see them in groups late on a Friday night just sitting around peacefully at the seafront with none of them drinking. Then I see local youths drunk out of their heads, shouting and starting fights etc.

I don't see any problem with drinking, but why do people act like animals whenever they drink? When I drink my behavior is identical to when I'm sober except I'm a bit more relaxed and confident, but many people seem to transform into completely different people, as if it brings out some kind of psychosis within them.

+1

Maybe when I find a prospective bride I should arrange an innocuous party where she can be discreetly coaxed to drink too much.

So I can see if any psychosis manifests.

[Jester]

i have been off and on alki for years though never extreme levels. but i try to go dry every once and a while to give my liver a break. anyway i still like going out and when i do i try and stick to virgin bloody marys its an easy one to order and still served in a cocktail glass so no one is the wiser

Nice. Thanks - will try this.

[All_That_Is_Man]

I do karaoke regularly at the bar(s) I frequent, and to be honest karaoke to me isn't that fun without at least 1 to 2 drinks. I much prefer NOT drinking since I follow a healthy lifestyle, but as mentioned, when you don't drink at a bar, the bartender gives you cold looks (because she knows she can't fish any tips from you), and the other drinkers look at you like you have insulted their family by NOT enjoying bitter drink. Drinking alcohol is a chore because it generally ALL tastes like crap, but the effects of loosening you up are very nice.

[Andrewww]

I only drink socially, that is in presence of other people. It does help me release my inhibitions but I never drink beyond a certain point. If I drive I'll just get a beer and drink that for 2-3 hours, by the time we're done people assume I drank 4 or 5 lol.