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Why does it (abstaining) have to be such a big deal?

  • 26-07-2016 11:09pm
    #1
    HanaleiJ5N
    Closed Accounts Posts: 335 ✭✭


    Take this as a light hearted rant intertwined with a dash of underlying frustration :D

    So I don't really go for the whole consuming alcohol thing. Last time was at the work Christmas party, time before that was June 2014 at a wedding, time before that probably at a pub while watching a match towards the end of 2011.

    It is extremely irritating however to justify why I choose not to drink. There is nothing wrong with me, I do not have issues controlling my drinking, I am not addicted, and not drinking does not pose any challenge for me, because; I don't like the taste of alcoholic drinks, it's that simple. Why do so many people in this country (not to single us out, I just can't speak for other countries!) find that so difficult to understand?

    What I find difficult to understand: Why do some genuinely see alcohol as such a pivotal part of socialising? Why do some people drink several pints in one night out? A person wouldn't drink ten pints of water or milk or Coca-Cola in one night and even if they did I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be seen as almost a badge of honour.

    As for certain things being an acquired taste; well my take on that has always been that it almost sounds like an admission that something initially doesn't taste nice but if you persist you'll eventually build up a tolerance and get used to it, and eventually grow to like it! Like some kind of Stockholm Syndrome for tastebuds? Is getting punched in the face an acquired taste? I'm sure you'd build up a tolerance and get used to it if it happened you enough, although to be fair you probably won't grow to like it unless you're a very "unique" person!

    In all seriousness though, the attitudes to drinking are completely backwards in this country. The choice not to drink is often not respected, I find myself having to justify and explain it a lot more than I should. I never ask ANYONE to justify or explain why they DO drink.

    I really do feel sorry for alcoholics trying to stay sober having to deal with it. The social pressure is bad enough when not addicted, must be a pain in the hole having to deal with that while trying to manage an addiction problem.


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