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[Deft Beck]

I've made this thread every couple of years on GAF (and maybe the purple place? I forget) and I'm still pretty adamant about not drinking. I feel like I'm missing out on a rich culture, especially since one of my main writing projects is about a bar. I only made it this far because I'm pretty sure alcoholism runs in my family. I also don't really think it's worth the expense and health effects.

What do y'all think?

 

[Max_Po]

The only rich culture you are missing out on is others getting rich off your ass.

I am 39 and never drank or smoked...

 

[WilboWaggins]

Alcoholism can't be passed on. I'm not saying this as a way to persuade you to start drinking, but if you're decision not to drink is based on that thought then you might want to rethink it.

I've had some of my best nights and worst nights pissed, but now I can take it or leave it

 

[haxan7]

You are right. Not worth it. Don't listen if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they don't know.

 

[G-Bus]

I'd get drunk once if I were you. See what it's all about.

I didn't start drinking until i was in my mid twenties. Went hard for the rest of my 20's. Barely drank since turning 30. I'm 34 now.

Zero interest in getting drunk or having casual drinks now. Especially since finding out alcohol is a class 1 carcinogen. Not worth it.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

I've placed really strict rules on consumption because it can just wreck your health over time if you're not careful, or prone to overconsumption. I've gone from being a daily drinker to basically reserving it for camping trips now and relying on small amounts of cannabis for semi-daily chillouts. Some of what helped in that regard is as I've gotten older, the more I feel like shit after drinking, and it's not like I need liquid courage anymore. I'd rather be energetic when I wake up so I can be present for my kids instead of a hungover grouch. I went to bed after a concert last night at 1AM and still popped up at 6:30 to help get them ready for daycare, probably couldn't have done that if I had been drinking.

So my advice is: don't start if you're content not knowing.

 

[Sub_Level]

Naw its a shitty drug. Bad for your wallet and horrible for your health. Liver damage, brain cells, fat.

I get drunk once a week but at this point its just a habit and an excuse to hang out with some old bar buddies. It can be fun but it has never led to anything particularly good beyond a few drunken makeout sessions. The ubers (usually over $20) just add to the cost. You are not missing out on any culture, and while its fun to drink with friends I have learned the best friends are the ones you can do stuff with outside alcohol.

 

[Con_Z_ǝdʇ]

I didn't drink until i was 22 but i really enjoy it now. Responsible of course. I wouldn't say that you miss out. On the other hand there is a huge variety on tastes to discover and newest studies show that it seems to be better for your brain and body to drink just a little bit then nothing at all.

Expenses and health effects are just a problem if you don't have yourself under control. If you are interested in drinking and unsure if you would get addicted then search in your everyday life about comparable behavior.

I highly respect you for not drinking and i don't want to talk you into this.

 

[Spukc]

The only rich culture you are missing out on is others getting rich off your ass.

I am 39 and never drank or smoked...

You sound like fun

 

[RJMacready73]

My da always said never trust anyone who doesn't take a drink, they're either lying or trying to sell you on Jesus and both aren't worth you're time.

Have none of you ever heard of a social drink? you know a few beers and then fucking stop before you pick fights with lampposts

 

[PaddyOCanager]

Just because you drink alcohol doesn't mean you have to get drunk. I enjoy a small glass of bourbon/scotch, learning how to mix a certain cocktail or drinking a pint of Guinness now and again. I've never understood people who have "strong feelings" about alcohol.

 

[AJUMP23]

I have also never drank or smoke, I don't think I am missing out.

 

[Zippitydodaday]

I barely drink, pretty much only socially and even then prob like 1 or 2 beers or shots.

I main the green stuff and prefer it over drinking, it’s way safer. I wouldn’t recommend dabbing since it’s an oil/wax, I can see that having issues with peoples lungs.

 

[FunkMiller]

Have none of you ever heard of a social drink? you know a few beers and then fucking stop before you pick fights with lampposts

This. Why are so many of you talking about 'getting drunk'?

You can have a few drinks without getting fucking bladdered, you know

Give it a go OP. Everything in moderation, and all that. A few drinks can put you in a really good mood, especially if you find a drink you really like. Just take it the fuck easy, and stop before you get loopy.

 

[Rentahamster]

I only made it this far because I'm pretty sure alcoholism runs in my family. I also don't really think it's worth the expense and health effects.

A fine choice, IMO. Alcohol can be extremely destructive if you're genetically predispositioned for it. I only drink once a week, if that. It's expensive and while it can be enjoyed responsibly, it's not good for your body in high doses. You're basically trading fun for health. Maybe in the ancient world, alcohol was a great way to forget about how shitty life is, but in the modern world, there's lots of other options for fun and entertainment that don't poison your body.

 

[chromhound]

i thought rich culture was doing coke lol.

it's nice to drink a cold beer during the summer or while watching sport

 

[cormack12]

 

[Deleted member 1159]

Just because you drink alcohol doesn't mean you have to get drunk. I enjoy a small glass of bourbon/scotch, learning how to mix a certain cocktail or drinking a pint of Guinness now and again. I've never understood people who have "strong feelings" about alcohol.

It's one of the most toxic legal substances you can consume, it's highly addictive, and is associated with all sorts of mental health and domestic problems. I don't have a problem with anyone consuming it responsibly, I love the stuff myself, but it's not hard to see why some people absolutely hate it considering what it can do to people.

 

[synchronicity]

Alcohol is destructive, and *any* benefits aren't worth the potential cost imho.

If you're doing it for recreation, it's bad for you. If you're self-medicating, there are *far* better options, both substances and approaches.

But everyone must choose their own path.

 

[BigBeauford]

It's bad for you, and can kill you if you overdo it, or if you try to quit while overdoing it. Shits poison in my eyes.

 

[lifa-cobex]

Fun in teenage years.
Hurts in your 30's.

Some drinks are really nice though so I would at least try some.
I discovered Medusa rum last week. Really tasty but pricey.

 

[Raven117]

I mean...do you want to try it?

A little booze here and there IMO is great. A nice glass of wine at dinner with a beautiful women, sipping on strong whiskey when its cold outside, a dacari on the beach, a beer on a hot summer day.... All can be life's little pleasures. (and not harm your health too much...besides...I can assure you..you will die anyway).

You have skipped the whole "pour grain alcohol down your throat and chug cheap beer" phase... now you can just hop into the being cool with it phase.

 

[RJMacready73]

Sounds like its all a you problem and not an alcohol problem, summers day out in the back garden.. cold beer or a fucking glass of milk?? sounds like all the people in here so against it have no fucking self control

 

[Sakura]

It was fun when I was younger, high school, early 20s. But if you're already almost 30, I don't really think you are missing out on much.
I enjoy having some beers now and then, but I wouldn't exactly be bothered if I couldn't drink any more.

 

[PaddyOCanager]

It's one of the most toxic legal substances you can consume, it's highly addictive, and is associated with all sorts of mental health and domestic problems. I don't have a problem with anyone consuming it responsibly, I love the stuff myself, but it's not hard to see why some people absolutely hate it considering what it can do to people.

So is caffeine and fast food. If you have an emotional reaction to the thought of alcohol, you need therapy. So I guess you're right, I do understand why people hate it - they are mental. If you can't enjoy a drink, have to "take a stance" on it, or get all up in your feelings when someone else enjoys it, you are the problem.

 

[niilokin]

not worth at this age but it was definitely worth it for me as a young man for the adventures and excitement, met alot of good folks at pubs and bars, had my chances with ladies, learned some harsh life lessons etc, good times but have moved on

 

[RavageX]

Drank off and on since my teens. Responsibly, not responsibly.


It really isnt worth it. If you havent had it, dont bother.

I have had fun with it, but its never been a requirement for me to have fun. But for some people its needed to just "make it through the day".

Why risk that nonsense?

Pick a potential habit that would be good for you, like exercise.

 

[ParaSeoul]

Drank a lot as soon as I was legally allowed to,stopped after college.

 

[Kilau]

Drinking is a waste of time and only leads to bad stuff.

 

[GymWolf]

You didn't missed much, weed is better and way healtier if you use a vaporizer.

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

 

[haxan7]

This is the image that pops into my head reading RJMacready73 's posts.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

So is caffeine and fast food.

Not even close to as toxic or addictive as alcohol.

 

[StormCell]

I've made this thread every couple of years on GAF (and maybe the purple place? I forget) and I'm still pretty adamant about not drinking. I feel like I'm missing out on a rich culture, especially since one of my main writing projects is about a bar. I only made it this far because I'm pretty sure alcoholism runs in my family. I also don't really think it's worth the expense and health effects.

What do y'all think?

First: truly rich people spend a lot less on frivolous things than you would think. If they're wasteful, it's always on a budget that's not theirs (ie. company budget, petty cash, company card).

Second: If you're 30 and wondering what you're missing out on regarding alcohol, best to just move on and forget about it. All my best drinking happened between the ages of 14 and 25. Getting drunk when you're young is usually fun. Getting drunk as a responsible adult is a lot more about risk management (ie. don't miss work, don't be hung over at work, don't ruin a marriage, etc). The stakes are too high once you're 30 to be messing around too much.

Sorta third: your metabolism is in decline. No good reason to start drinking beer now. Better off not to.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Not really. And especially at 30. It’s a young persons game.

 

[MudoSkills]

If you're interested in trying it, like other people have said, you have plenty of options that aren't getting shitfaced on cheap booze.

If you're at a nice restaurant try a glass or two of wine with a meal - if you're not used to drinking that will be enough to give you a nice buzz.

I'd steer clear of spirits or cocktails. Whiskey is not a starter drink, and most cocktails are so sweet you could easily get drunk fast without realising how strong they are.

If you want to try beer for the taste then there are low/zero alcohol versions available of a lot of brands. If you want to sink a few start with a Session IPA/Lager, they tend to have a lower alcohol content as they're designed for longer drinking sessions.

 

[PaddyOCanager]

Not even close to as toxic or addictive as alcohol.

40% of Americans are obese from poor diet. 10% of Americans are alcoholics.

 

[jufonuk]

Just get non alcoholic version.

Not really missing out tbh.

 

[The Cockatrice]

You can try some wine at the very least. It's the only one with some actual health benefits and has actual good taste. The rest is just to increase your social points and skills.

 

[sankt-Antonio]

Good thing about it, you feel bad the next day (physically) - so the risk to go out and do it again same day is rather small XD
Life is short, its fun if you don't over do it.

You need to drink for the right reasons. To have fun, go at it. To drown out depression, hell no. Be honest to yourself.

When I drink I only do it with the intend to get drunk and have fun, happens a couple times a year. Then I mostly have the best time going out. Drunk talking with friends and strangers is fun.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

40% of Americans are obese from poor diet. 10% of Americans are alcoholics.

What are irrelevant facts, Alex?

 

[TheMan]

Drinking to excess is highly overrated and more dangerous than most would like to admit. It has been normalized as part of the college/early 20's experience- I did it and once the novelty wore off, the stupid shit and hangovers just aren't worth it. The "manliness" associated with having a high tolerance is madness.

That said, having a drink with dinner or a couple on the weekends? It's pleasant and I'd recommend you try it. However, alcohol is an acquired taste and without that social pressure of having all your friends with you also getting wasted, it may take a while for you to actually enjoy the act of drinking alcohol itself. Especially hard liquor.

 

[Droxcy]

I’m 26 and I hate drinking. I’ll do it occasionally but maybe only 2-4 times a year for events.

 

[-aftermidnight-]

I've made this thread every couple of years on GAF (and maybe the purple place? I forget) and I'm still pretty adamant about not drinking. I feel like I'm missing out on a rich culture, especially since one of my main writing projects is about a bar. I only made it this far because I'm pretty sure alcoholism runs in my family. I also don't really think it's worth the expense and health effects.

What do y'all think?

Your not missing much, now that i'm 41 i look back and realize there were times i wasted alot of $$$ cause of alcohol. but to each their own.

 

[PaddyOCanager]

What are irrelevant facts, Alex?

Did you forget your previous post? Are you drunk?

Anyway OP: Yes, there is an experience to be had by consuming alcohol. A well matured wine or bourbon, an expertly crafted cocktail.....there is a very rich culture beyond "oh it's just addictive poison". However, as with all things, if this doesn't interest you then you aren't missing out. If you are simply interested in getting drunk, that's an easy answer - don't do it.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

Did you forget your previous post? Are you drunk?

No, it just appears you’re having a hard time responding to what I said with something actually relevant, and the person having the overly emotional reaction to the discussion of alcohol here is you. Is it because you’re drunk?

 

[Punished Miku]

It's okay. I like trying new beers every time since there's been a craft beer explosion over the last decade. Fun to go to a brewery whenever we go out to eat while traveling. Most of the breweries have flights available where you can try multiple small beers and really compare the taste. It's one of the best acquired tastes out there, and takes a while before its appreciated. If you drink in social settings with others, then I think you probably do miss out a little bit. It can be a relatively painless way to have a little fun and let loose.

Drinking at home is not great for you. There was a Joe Rogan podcast recently (can't remember who was on) talking about the benefits of alcohol on the creation of society; promoting socialization, sharing of ideas, etc. Pretty interesting. The main benefits of drinking all correlate with socialization, so doing it by yourself is mostly pointless.

If you don't want to do it, then don't do it. It's 100% optional. But I like it in moderation.

 

[Wildebeest]

Alcohol culture is mostly about all your friends being people who refuse to socialize unless booze is on the table.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I think you are doing well. Your body thanks you and so does your money.

You don't miss much.

Don't listen to people who tell you otherwise. I never smoke and I am very happy.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Getting a nice buzz every once in a while is fun. Have a couple cocktails. It's also a good social lubricant. It can help in the sack as long as you don't have too much. Yeah. It's great.