Underage Drinking

[Siggie]

Funny thing is, I haven't been anywhere near even slightly buzzed since I turned 21. I've had maybe four or five drinks, literally, in the last year and a half. Of course, I don't go to parties as often as I did in college, but even when I go to a bar or to parties, I don't much feel like drinking anymore.

I haven't either. I usually drive so I may have one drink. In the last year though, I can count the drinks I've had. I've probably had like 2 Bacardi Silvers, a shot of patron at a friends bday dinner thing, Fat Tuesdays drink w/ a shot of Everclear and 2 cherry bombs last time i was in Vegas, and a Presidente Margarita (chiles).

I'm just not into drinking... never really been. I've only been messed up once. I don't see the appeal of getting all sh*tfaced.

[TJ]

People that say that others drink just to look cool and that all alchohol tastes bad ovbiously dont know what the hell they are talking about it. I highly doubt that Jesus and his "homeboys" were chillin and drinking wine all day long to be all gangsta and cool. cmon, alchohol has been around for thousands of years and we Armenians should know a bit about it seeing as wine actually originated in Armenia.
Now for people that say they drink socially: how else would you drink? Unless you are trying to emphasize the fact that you are not an alchoholic then dont say that. When you start drinking by yourself then that is when you know that you are an alchoholic.

Now as for me ill drink when im out with my friends unless my new driving privileges are put to use, in which case i wont have more than one drink. My dad pretty much knows that i drink and smoke, he just wants to make sure my mom doesnt find out about either one because she is just paranoid about everything and when she found a paper bag from a liqour store at my house after a little get together i was practically grounded for about a month. She doesnt mind the occasional glass of wine with dinner but she really has this big thing against drinking and will get xxxxxy when it comes to it. My dad is laid back and lets me have a drink or two when im with him and doesnt mind if i drink when im out as long as i tell him if i planning on doing so. I think by just being truthfull with your parents and letting them know what you are/will be doing there is no problem. (unless one of your parents is like my mom)

As for the drinking age: Knock it down to 16, because the more of a stigma society places on drinking the more little kids will want to drink and look "cool" and "mature". By removing this stigma and allowing kids to know what alchohol is from a relatively younger age then you allow them to be more responsible and informed about it and hence there is less of a risk of substance abuse and dependance in the future.

[xBaron Dants]

Alcohol is fun. Nothing to do with trying to be cool or fitting in, it's just fun to make toasts with friends and to laugh the night away. And yes, the next day, I remember all what happened and no, I am not throwing up.

I've crossed my limit once, a couple of years ago, and have learned my lesson ever since then. If you drink within your limits, and are enjoying yourself, who cares?

The legal age is 18 here. I'd say it's just about right, although people usually start by 15 or 16. The whole illegal aspect of it makes it that much funner when you're a kid.

PLUS, drinking makes you dance better.

[Sip]

Alcohol is fun. Nothing to do with trying to be cool or fitting in, it's just fun to make toasts with friends and to laugh the night away. And yes, the next day, I remember all what happened and no, I am not throwing up.

Why do you need alcohol to make toasts?

Drinking alcohol is part of our culture. Especially among armenians, it's almost considered "weird" or rude when the elders get together and not drink. Thankfully the anti drunk driving movement has helped quite a bit for people to say "no thanks" with a valid excuse. But I still think many of our young just look at their parents or grand parents and mimic their social behaviors. That's not such a strange thing by itself ... but I personally find this cultural fascination with alcohol a bit whack ... especially when it becomes synonymous with "having a good time".

Of course the effects of alcohol in helping remove some of our mental barriers in social situations can't be questioned. It can also be a very nerve racking situation for a young kid in a party at college and I can certainly see why one would choose to make things easier with alcohol. But I personally am disturbed by the fact that many don't even consider the option of not drinking (or not relying on drinking) to pass their "fun" times.

And don't even get me started on the "bar" approach to having a good time and socializing so prevalant in western cultures.

[CatWoman]

PLUS, drinking makes you dance better.

Oh definitely!

Alcohol is also good when you're out with a guy that you don't really feel, but still want to find him attractive and enjoy the evening! hahaha

[xBaron Dants]

Why do you need alcohol to make toasts?

Drinking alcohol is part of our culture. Especially among armenians, it's almost considered "weird" or rude when the elders get together and not drink. Thankfully the anti drunk driving movement has helped quite a bit for people to say "no thanks" with a valid excuse. But I still think many of our young just look at their parents or grand parents and mimic their social behaviors. That's not such a strange thing by itself ... but I personally find this cultural fascination with alcohol a bit whack ... especially when it becomes synonymous with "having a good time".

Of course the effects of alcohol in helping remove some of our mental barriers in social situations can't be questioned. It can also be a very nerve racking situation for a young kid in a party at college and I can certainly see why one would choose to make things easier with alcohol. But I personally am disturbed by the fact that many don't even consider the option of not drinking (or not relying on drinking) to pass their "fun" times.

And don't even get me started on the "bar" approach to having a good time and socializing so prevalant in western cultures.

Well, the buzz many people reffered to is a pleasant feeling. That's why toasting with apple juice maybe isn't as common.

However, it's not as if I drink every time I go out. From time to time, it's just fun to enjoy a few drinks with friends, and let loose. Alcohol is definitely not a "must-have" in order to have a good time. Other than that, I can't think of any situation where I drank in order to be less nervous. In general, I must be pretty comfortable in the first place in order to have a drink.

As for bars, I've never been a fan of them myself.

[GSTracer05]

See, that almost sounds like you are bragging! And I hear this all the time among armenians ... I had this many vodka shots, that many I don't know what elses and I didn't feel it at all or I didn't throw up or I didn't have a hang over etc etc etc

As if that is a test of some admirable quality?

Call it bragging, call it stating a fact, it makes no difference to me. I'm not asking for anyone's admiration because I can consume a certain amount of alcohol without throwing up or passing out. The point I was making is that people should consume only with what they are comfortable. Some can drink an entire bottle and others take one shot and they can barely focus.

And just tack on Baron's posts to mine and thats where I stand. It pulls down barriers and people tend to have more fun and are more comfortable. And he's right, alcohol is not a "must have" item to have a good time.

[nairi]

My 1-year-old niece loves alcohol and will try to drink it whenever she smells some somewhere. Last time, her mother gave her a very (!!) heavy spirit in the hope that it would turn her off completely, but my niece gulped it down like lemonade and wanted more afterwards!!

I never liked the taste of alcohol and still don't. I don't care about being rude in refusing a drink. In fact, I think it's rude to pour a drink for someone who clearly states that they don't like the taste. Apparently one out of a thousand people don't like the taste of alcohol, which goes to show I guess...

[thedebutante]

My 1-year-old niece loves alcohol and will try to drink it whenever she smells some somewhere. Last time, her mother gave her a very (!!) heavy spirit in the hope that it would turn her off completely, but my niece gulped it down like lemonade and wanted more afterwards!!

Wow, turn her off completely eh? This has got to be some form of child abuse. Poor kid.

[GSTracer05]

My 1-year-old niece loves alcohol and will try to drink it whenever she smells some somewhere. Last time, her mother gave her a very (!!) heavy spirit in the hope that it would turn her off completely, but my niece gulped it down like lemonade and wanted more afterwards!!

I never liked the taste of alcohol and still don't. I don't care about being rude in refusing a drink. In fact, I think it's rude to pour a drink for someone who clearly states that they don't like the taste. Apparently one out of a thousand people don't like the taste of alcohol, which goes to show I guess...

Thats not true, there are alot of beverages that are not so strong and pleasant tasting. I'm sure you just havent come across something you like. Personally I don't like straight vodka myself.