Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Godless Dave · 07-25-2003, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UglyManOnCampus
It was quite a culture shock when I came here and saw what an unhealthy attitude towards alcohol Americans tend to have. Insane drinking age of 21 and "thou shall nots" and at the same time very irresponsible drinking behaviours, especially in a frat enviroment.

I think those two are related. It seems to me that heavy binge-drinking (funnels, grain alcohol, general stupidity) among young people has been on the increase since the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. I also think the Puritan American attitude towards alcohol leads to more abuse, not less, because of the idea that it's "bad" and impossible to use responsibly. My parents let me drink small amounts of beer at home starting when I was 17, and I think it helped teach me that alcohol can be used socially and in moderation, not just in large amounts to get drunk. I did my share of heavy partying in college but nothing like the crazy stuff some college kids do now.

When I was in Germany as a teen I went to several parties where beer was served and did not see any wild or irresponsible behavior on the part of the German 16-18 year-olds who were drinking.

Evil Milkman · 07-25-2003, 08:28 AM

I find that I enjoy socially drinking alcohol on occasion. It's a relaxing and fun activity that is really only enjoyable to me if you consume in moderate quantities and just generally be responsible about it.

christ-on-a-stick · 07-25-2003, 09:39 AM

Because a gin and tonic with just the right amount of lime in a chilled glass on a hot summer day while lying poolside is a little slice of heaven.

dangin · 07-25-2003, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by christ-on-a-stick
Because a gin and tonic with just the right amount of lime in a chilled glass on a hot summer day while lying poolside is a little slice of heaven.

Amen sister. . . Testify.

meritocrat · 07-25-2003, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LittleGuy
This is coming from the viewpoint of an underage who's sworn(and has alot of other friends who do as well) never to drink, smoke or generally use any other abusable substance in the future.

Well good for you.......

Quote:

I often fail to see why people are still taking up smoking, what with the abundant campaigning against it, people should be getting the message that these things are BAD for you.

Well you don't understand human nature then do you.....

Quote:

I can understand maybe if the thing's addictive, you might have a problem with trying to quit, even if it's bad for you.

But why do people take it up in the first place? Smoking for the uninitiated seems to be a coughy, choky business. Alcohol tastes disgusting- I know people get accustomed to the taste, but why drink something that yucky in the first place? Especially given the after effects...I remember this time on an aeroplane when I dare tried a small cup of champagne and proceeded to groan in agony the entire flight.

Please enlighten the young and inexperienced. [/B]

Personally I think alcohol tastes nice; heck the TASTE is one reason why people would drink it, no?

What I don't understand is why you think all people should follow your ethics and sensiblities.

King Rat · 07-25-2003, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Why do people drink, smoke?

Because smoking a nice maduro Cuban and a highland single malt (neat) will restore your faith in mankind.

Ab_Normal · 07-25-2003, 10:05 AM

I've got some interesting parenting challenges coming up... both my husband and I have one sibling "in recovery", and both our fathers struggled with alcohol. Mr. Ab has just sworn off it (again). Now, our daughter is nine, going on ten, and we've so far given her the message, "Don't drink/use drugs when you're a teenager, your brain will be developing rapidly and you don't want to break it." But we also feel the need (my husband especially) to tell her about the addiction problems in the family. I don't want to get all puritanical on her, though, for fear of producing a "yee-hah go-wild" backlash in her later teens.

Last night we were discussing this, and I jokingly said, "From an entirely selfish perspective, I don't want to give up my one beer on Friday night - why don't I model responsible alcohol use?" My husband agreed. I think we'll stick with that for now.

Just looking for feedback from the folks here, I suppose (looks significantly at brighid and the teenagers).

Mageth · 07-25-2003, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by christ-on-a-stick
Because a gin and tonic with just the right amount of lime in a chilled glass on a hot summer day while lying poolside is a little slice of heaven.

As is a mint julep on the Veranda, with a thunderstorm in the distance.

Mageth · 07-25-2003, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by King Rat
Because smoking a nice maduro Cuban and a highland single malt (neat) will restore your faith in mankind.

And give you a nice buzz, to boot.

King Rat · 07-25-2003, 10:19 AM

Quote:

And give you a nice buzz, to boot.

And there's that...

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07-25-2003, 08:28 AM	#12
Evil Milkman Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 499	I find that I enjoy socially drinking alcohol on occasion. It's a relaxing and fun activity that is really only enjoyable to me if you consume in moderate quantities and just generally be responsible about it.

07-25-2003, 09:39 AM	#13
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Because a gin and tonic with just the right amount of lime in a chilled glass on a hot summer day while lying poolside is a little slice of heaven.

07-25-2003, 10:05 AM	#17
Ab_Normal Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,842	I've got some interesting parenting challenges coming up... both my husband and I have one sibling "in recovery", and both our fathers struggled with alcohol. Mr. Ab has just sworn off it (again). Now, our daughter is nine, going on ten, and we've so far given her the message, "Don't drink/use drugs when you're a teenager, your brain will be developing rapidly and you don't want to break it." But we also feel the need (my husband especially) to tell her about the addiction problems in the family. I don't want to get all puritanical on her, though, for fear of producing a "yee-hah go-wild" backlash in her later teens. Last night we were discussing this, and I jokingly said, "From an entirely selfish perspective, I don't want to give up my one beer on Friday night - why don't I model responsible alcohol use?" My husband agreed. I think we'll stick with that for now. Just looking for feedback from the folks here, I suppose (looks significantly at brighid and the teenagers).

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