Why is drinking alcohol so popular?

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

greenlady102

Not under that description.

Anyway, have you ever hear a character in a play or movie exclaim "eat" when annoyed?

Perhaps, but I am a drinker so wouldn’t know.

AmberSpyglass

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

Ha ha ha that is so funny
Its what I've always thought about drinkers
myself included when I was one

Bijou yes, I remember hearing that Guiness was once advised for breast feeding mothers, I think. Something to do with stout or iron?

Greenlady
we all do it ? if anything’s going to give Elderlyperson a touch of the vapours, that will.

kgnw28225

Elderly person,
What do you do to have fun? Do you have any friends? Are you a fun type person? Do you laugh a lot? Do you go out and about much?
Just wondering?

kgnw28225

I have been thinking about this.

By 'to have fun' do you mean 'to find enjoyment' or do you mean as in raucously laughing and giggling and being silly.

Something that has puzzled me is why in guides about filling in job applications, it seemed often stated that when filling a section on interests not to put "stamp collecting!" with an exclamation mark as if everyone should know why not to put that. I wonder why that advice was presented. What was the perceived unacceptable message that such an answer might give?

I do laugh sometimes. I remember laughing out loud at a poem in The Cyberiad.

I like the Jack Benny videos on YouTube - I remember watching Jack Benny on television in the 1950s.

AmberSpyglass

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

I read somewhere that people often like to meet people who produce interesting work, such as art, but are disappointed when do as they find that the people themselves are, unlike what they produce, not interesting at all.

greenlady102

AmberSpyglass

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

That's exactly the sort of snide attitude I usually get when I refuse an alcoholic drink. Have you ever considered that, apart from not liking alcohol, the reason may be that some people have migraine, be on certain meds, be diabetic etc?

As Ayse said, alcohol is a drug and I wonder how its popularity and desirability would fare if people people substituted the words "I love a joint or two in the evening!" There'd be fewer fights outside the pubs!

MerylStreep

Greenlady
we all do it ? if anything’s going to give Elderlyperson a touch of the vapours, that will.

really? never!

That's exactly the sort of snide attitude I usually get when I refuse an alcoholic drink. Have you ever considered that, apart from not liking alcohol, the reason may be that some people have migraine, be on certain meds, be diabetic etc?

As Ayse said, alcohol is a drug and I wonder how its popularity and desirability would fare if people people substituted the words "I love a joint or two in the evening!" There'd be fewer fights outside the pubs!

Sorry Greenlady, that message was meant for Amberspyglass, who, judging by her snide remark seems to be feeling defensive about her drinking habits.

I never viewed it as popular. addictive? yes.

No, that’s completely wrong. I have plenty of friends who don’t drink - for religious reasons, because they’re on medication, because they’re in recovery and for reasons I don’t know. But it’s not a personality trait. Sneering about how you can’t possibly imagine what people see in it is. It’s just not a very nice one.

As I said, I drink rarely enough that I don’t have anything to be defensive about. Certain other posters though? Hmmm.

Nearly every programme has someone opening a bottle, as if it’s part of everyday hone life, alcohol is a major cause of anti social behaviour.

i have never been drunk, i have tried a few drinks but could not find anything i liked the taste of, my husband took me out when i was 24 and tried to get me drunk, 13 tia maries and coke later he gave up, years later after going for an operation and being given a strong sedative to knock me out and it did not work either, another doctor tried hypnosis and that did not work, some doctors have said i have too much control....whatever that means. i am happy with a soft drink and can still get up and dance and have a good time at any parties or pubs/clubs.

I think alcohol is a drug of choice which is part of everyday life for many. Perhaps recreational for some, a way of “winding down”, stress relieving, or socialising for example, I think because it is socially acceptable, or even necessary in some circles we can deceive ourselves about the harm it causes. I say this as a “social drinker” myself.

A simple answer, because it tastes good so you chose your tipple depending on your taste preference. Also because it makes your feel happy and relaxed, so long as you don’t overdo it. So maybe beer and Sherry weren’t to your taste, maybe if you’d tried the myriad of other options you would have found one that was, maybe not! However I’m sure it hasn’t affected your life in any negative way, so not worth thinking about. X

Like you OP, I don't drink, I did get drunk once in the early 70's but it was awful, so never again and the few times I've tried a 'drink', it hasn't given me any inclination to try another!

I stopped smoking years ago, and have never used recreational drugs both of which are considered socially unacceptable, so why not alcohol? There are many diseases (including cancer), linked to alcoholic consummation, and sadly there are still drivers killing and injuring themselves and others, it contributes to violence, so I don't really understand why it is still considered to be socially acceptable.

It’s probably worth noting that recreational drugs aren’t legal (for now, anyway), so comparisons to alcohol aren’t entirely reasonable.

AmberSpyglass

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

Really?

When it's been my turn to drive and I only have soft drinks, it's really interesting to note how those who have had a glass or two think themselves and each other very amusing when they're not at all!

I think some people deceive themselves about how interesting and quirky being a non-drinker makes them.

Either that or alcohol just makes them violently ill? Or, alternatively, maybe some people deceive themselves into thinking how interesting and quirky drinking alcohol makes them. Honestly, when you're sat there with them, and you're stone cold sober, trust me; they're really not.

But no one is out here starting threads going “oh wow, people who don’t drink are idiots.”

AmberSpyglass

But no one is out here starting threads going “oh wow, people who don’t drink are idiots.”

That's probably because the majority of people aren't daft enough to make massive generalised statements about a whole strata of society . Most non drinkers are sensible enough to recognise that, even if they don't personally drink, others do and are perfectly at liberty and freedom to do so. As with anything else; food, drink, gambling etc, problems only set in when done to excess. That's when people start deceiving themselves.