Quote: Original post by Machaira

Quote: Original post by ukdeveloper
If you don't drink, fine. I don't have a problem with that.

If you don't drink but feel the need to shout it from the rooftops, ram down my throat why I'm a worse person for drinking and go on and on about how drinking is bad... then fuck you.

And you thought I was talking to you, why exactly? [rolleyes]

Who said that I was talking about you, besides you yourself?

I might have actually been talking about people I know in my private life who have matched that pattern. Also I'm fortunate enough to live in a country without a ridiculous fear and hatred of alcohol, unlike the US where merely handling an unopened bottle of beer at the age of 19 seemingly gets you life without parole in prison, followed by eternal damnation.

Quote: Original post by Binomine

Quote: Original post by Machaira
I guess it's an acquired taste (although I never acquired it even in the times long ago when I did drink - it was always nasty). [wink]

Maybe you should stop drinking mad dog 20/20.

Actually, the thirst for alcoholic beverages took some time for me to be aquired. On my teen-age I couldn't tell the difference between spirits, for example. Now I can tell you quite well the brand of a whiskey/beer by tasting it (Not all of them, of course, but I can say "this is Jack Daniels, this is Chivas, this is Jonny Red/Black").

It requires training and caring.

Quote: Original post by owl
Actually, the thirst for alcoholic beverages took some time for me to be aquired. On my teen-age I couldn't tell the difference between spirits, for example. Now I can tell you quite well the brand of a whiskey/beer by tasting it (Not all of them, of course, but I can say "this is Jack Daniels, this is Chivas, this is Jonny Red/Black").

It requires training and caring.

It always seemed to me to be something desirable for me to acquire, if nothing else for the social ramifications. In most cases, people are happy if you just have a beer or two, but occasionally there's guys that feel you *need* to drink and will pressure you to do so (luckily far, far less after leaving college).

Unfortunately, my tolerance to alcohol is pathetic, and I was never able to overcome it, much less get used to the taste (I have to agree that I find most alcoholic beverages nasty, short of "girly drinks"). I've pretty much given up on the whole idea of enjoying alcohol.

Quote: Original post by Rycross
It always seemed to me to be something desirable for me to acquire, if nothing else for the social ramifications. [...] but occasionally there's guys that feel you *need* to drink and will pressure you to do so (luckily far, far less after leaving college).

Unfortunately, my tolerance to alcohol is pathetic, and I was never able to overcome it, much less get used to the taste (I have to agree that I find most alcoholic beverages nasty, short of "girly drinks"). I've pretty much given up on the whole idea of enjoying alcohol.

Obviously, it's not necesary at all. To me, personally, alcohol (before any other reason), has a sort of therapeutic effect on me. There are times I wanna get drunk (or tuned) because I want to strip myself out of my daily routine and *THEN* it comes to me the desire to drink a particular beverage.

As a mind altering substance, it can make you think differently and, some times, you might be able to come up with answers to questions you would have never came up with being sober. That's rare anyway and can also be dangerous sometimes.

Over the edge of intoxication, if you have experience, you might reach a state of mental simplicity very intense and I, personally, find such state very, very liberating.

[Edited by - owl on December 22, 2009 8:31:24 PM]

One reason not to drink. [lol]

Quote: Original post by Machaira
One reason not to drink. [lol]

Stupid people do stupid things. You could replace that with 100 other things as a reason "not to do something".

I certainly wouldn't have got as much sexy time as I did in school if I hadn't been drinking. Thats worth a little liver damage to me. Not to mention all the good stories I have that begin with the words "So I woke up in this dumpster...".

People can drink or not drink, I could care less either way. Its the preachy Straight Edge and the alcoholics that insist you need to have a drink that need to go away.

Am I the only one who actually liked the taste of alcohol when I first started drinking?

The only aspect of drinking that I genuinely dislike is the dependence that people develop on the activity in order to have fun. Most people who casually drink have no such dependence, but there are a few rare people who are nearly unable to enjoy hanging out with friends unless they are drinking. It must be unfortunate for what was originally a supplementary diversion to become a prerequisite for enjoying the most primitive pleasures of life. Such are the shackles of addiction.

But obviously this is a symptom of overconsumption and irresponsible use. As has been pointed out, misuse of almost any substance, alcoholic or otherwise, can lead to undesirable ends. That said, an anecdotal note worth pointing out is that I have met many people who severely abuse alcohol and nobody who abuses mineral water.

Quote: Original post by nilkn
As has been pointed out, misuse of almost any substance, alcoholic or otherwise, can lead to undesirable ends.

It can also lead to nothing or to really good and valuable moments. As 'Thirteen' (from Dr. House) said:

"Being drunk doesn't change who you are. It just reveals it."

Quote: Original post by nilkn
That said, an anecdotal note worth pointing out is that I have met many people who severely abuse alcohol and nobody who abuses mineral water.

Really? I wonder why would that be...

Rarely. I despise beer. I don't drink soda or anything else either, though, so that might have something to do with it.

I do drink vodka occasionally, or some sort of mixed drink using vodka.