Irelands drinking culture and why is not drinking stigmatised?

...dont worry, we ve moved onto horsing copious amounts of coke into us also, tis all good!

I had been drifting away from drink for a good few years just drinking less and less. I think my last drink was around Christmas 2019 maybe before it I can't really remember. I'd say I could count on two hands at most the amount of times I drank in the previous two years leading up to it. I was getting quite good at athletics at the time and was drinking was getting in the way. Years ago I'd never miss a weekend and that was Friday and Saturday night full on and the odd Sunday. Covid probably was the nail in the coffin as I'd have no interest in drinking at home. I had good times when drinking, no regrets but I don't think I'll ever go back drinking. I've a family now and would prefer to spend time with them not dying or tired. I'd get up at 6am on a Sunday now go for a run before anyone wakes up and then spend the rest of the day doing stuff with the family. Life is good.

Agreed, the pub trade is dying on what would have been traditional busy weekends, I don't think we have as big a problem with alcohol as some concerned experts think. Doesn't stop them getting air time and forcing their opinions and ideas on us though.

I drink a few pints but the culture definitely has changed. Good luck to those who are non drinkers. I would have seen that stigmatization a fair few years ago now. Not so much anymore the culture I believe the culture has changed with the advent of 0.0% drinks (a good thing tbh), more drink at home, more pubs turning to food, post covid not as many gong out anymore. I don`t see as many younger people out in pubs unless special occasions.

While all that may have had some factor, the biggest impact on people going out for drinks has simply been the cost of doing it. A pint of Guinness will set you back 7 Euro in some places in town nowadays. That's an astonishing price to pay for something like that and I'm not talking about tourist trap kips like Temple Bar either. I, myself, have cut down my drinking in town because of this and I tend to stick to a couple of locals which offer tipple at a more respectable cost.

But it will get to a price point where I'll just tap out completely. And, in a way, I'm kinda hoping that publicans do push it too far and people stop altogether. At least then the price might be brought down to a reasonable level.

That's probably just wishful thinking though.

Towards the end of my drinking days I'd only have two pints any night, a big night was four pints and that was rare. The less you drink the less your body can tolerate it. I enjoy myself fine without alcohol and I'm just as social with or without it. Sleeping in until 9am on Sunday seems excessive to me but each to their own. I'd have my long run done, shower, breakfast and kids up ready for the day ahead by then. Even after a few glasses of wine you'd be risking it getting in a car the next morning if you wanted to head off with the family for the day. I get it that some people feel they need a few drinks to unwind or socialise, that's totally fine too its just some people move on and don't bother with it as they are more comfortable in themselves.

You had me nodding in agreement until your heavily barbed last line.

'Need' a few drinks'? 'more comfortable in themselves?' would you ever get over yourself.

Thanks for that Oisin, you just made my day a lot worse. 😡

😋

A few bottles of wine between a few friends is a bottle each that’s not moderation ;)

@o1s1n

Probably cheaper to get a Ryanair flight to Portugal and have a few pints there then come straight home afterwards than going into town.

@gameoverdude

Wars have been started over less.

could be 18 bottles between 3 friends too.

Guess I was right ;)

Nah I got tired of hangovers, and it's harder to do in the states where they're so bad about motor culture, can't get anywhere from home if you don't drive yourselves. Me and the OH were tired of only one of us having a drink out, felt pointless. Just haven't done it in years, thanks Covid.

The missus recently reminded me that I was spending an average 400 pw on sessions when we first met, couldn't get a hangover if I tried,then around my mid to late 30s that suddenly changed,from no hangovers to hangovers from hell that would last 48 hours,now it's the odd ten pint session in Prague when I'm there and when at home a nice bottle of red or a decent whisky,

But nights out are definitely different being more sober than in my early years of drinking,

Not a fan of this 00 nonsense wouldn't touch it out or at home ,If you don't want to drink don't have it ,why the need to drink alcohol free versions of beers or Spirits just to fit in ,

The zero pints are great for breaking up the drinking. You can have a few pints and have one or two before going back on the alcoholic pints again.

Alternatively you'd have a fizzy drink gone in no time. Non-alcoholic drinks aren't a sudden change to the palate either and are of course hydrating so help with any hangover the day after.

They're a brilliant addition to pubs even if they are ridiculously priced.