Tell me what it is you like about alcohol

[ThePreserver]

I hate alcohol. I think it tastes awful, it burns, it makes you feel like crap the next day, and it's often expensive for a poor college student. Why do you drink it? What about it do you like?

[IAmCoder]

[Supernova]

Drinking is very fun though, and believe it or not I've found that it can have an introverted aspect to it as well. Often times, when I'm around large crowds of people...I don't really feel uncomfortable, but sort of detached, like I'm not totally into what's going on. I do mentally circumvent that in certain situations, but with alcohol I can't get enough of people. I just really want to be where the people are, and that's a cool feeling when I can fulfill it. So yeah, I guess I do like alcohol. .

[IAmCoder]

As long as you stay well hydrated you will not have a hangover the next day. Whiskey and water for the win.

[Puffin]

My dad tells me it's good because it helps people relax, and that it's a good "social icebreaker". Apparently it's taboo not to drink... or something. But I think those are completely stupid reasons.

[ThePreserver]

My dad tells me it's good because it helps people relax, and that it's a good "social icebreaker". Apparently it's taboo not to drink... or something. But I think those are completely stupid reasons. In the "college scene" (where I'm at now) it's definitely taboo to not drink, which is weird because in high school none of my friends drank at all, it was the other cliques who drank. Now some of my friends are turning into partiers (although my closest friends still don't drink.) Maybe it's because I've never felt pressured to drink, but I don't see any reason why I would drink. It was sad... someone who was a freshman in high school said on Facebook last year "See guys? We can have tons of fun without alcohol." Why freshmen would even need to MENTION that is beyond me. To Seroquel: My close friends don't drink and never have. Rather than make alcohol "not taste bad" by having something like rum and coke, I just drink the coke.

[Seroquel]

To Seroquel: My close friends don't drink and never have. Rather than make alcohol "not taste bad" by having something like rum and coke, I just drink the coke. I remember when I was 10 years old and drank coke without rum. Here's a question: Have you ever even been drunk?

[AngelZlayer]

I drink occasionally (once every few months), for the joy of being intoxicated; either for the joy itself, or to help relieve some stress. I don't like the taste of alcohol either, so I only drink the [relatively] less bitter beverages.

[ThePreserver]

Have you ever even been drunk? Buzzed, never "drunk" drunk, or blackout drunk. So basically no.

[Darkmatters]

Oh well damn!! You oughta try it sometime before you decide you don't like it!

[khh]

I like the feeling you sometimes get when you're drunk. And I like how it makes you care less. I like how it can make it easier to socialize. I like how it makes other you like people socialize. Buzzed, never "drunk" drunk, or blackout drunk. So basically no. You should try drunk drunk, it's nice. Stay away from blackout drunk, though. Never once had that be fun.

[ThePreserver]

I've never had serious trouble socializing, though.

[khh]

I've never had serious trouble socializing, though. I'm willing to bet you've had serious problems socializing with drunk people. (Or, if you're oblivious, they with you)

[ThePreserver]

I'm willing to bet you've had serious problems socializing with drunk people. (Or, if you're oblivious, they with you) Usually they are just hilarious; playing table tennis with me drunk, or sliding down banisters. I occasionally have trouble talking to them, since they can act angry/irrational... but when I mean I don't have trouble socializing, I mean I don't have trouble socializing. It's because the people I'm with are also sober.

[Arra]

I agree that it tastes mostly bad, but if you drink it a lot it will grow on you, especially if you stick to milder alcohols. Of course the reason people like it is because of the initial effect. You won't feel like crap the next day if you only get a bit buzzed. It relaxes the mind, removes many inhibitions. That's why I like it. I'm usually socially reserved and stressed. I've always got some deep stress in the back of my mind that seems to go away only while drunk. And even if I'm a bit buzzed, I find it a lot easier to socialize. While intoxicated, if I want to do something and it seems a good idea at the time, I'll just do it without thinking much or caring about the immediate consequences. I'm still able to prevent myself from doing things with serious consequences, and it's nice not to feel afraid. Some people are angry drunks. For some reason I personally get really nice while I'm drunk. I'm normally neutral, even negative. But while drunk I get a strong urge to compliment people for qualities I like about them, and then I get this amazing warm feeling when I see they're taking the compliment well or even getting bashful or whatever.

[ThePreserver]

I'm starting to get a better picture why people drink... I'm a really positive person in social situations, very friendly to everyone around me (I get along with pretty much everyone unless they are rude). But for people who aren't social or out-going, it could help loosen you up I guess.

[Prancingwolf]

The feeling of the effects of the alcohol is fun. I drank too much too fast one time and puked like crazy. I thought I was gonna croak. Then I passed out again. Oh, now I know 'how' to drink. I hate that drunk about to puke feeling. Breathing hard, heart racing. and then... BOOM!

[Darkmatters]

That's pretty judgmental. You really shouldn't make judgements like that until you've actually experienced being drunk, maybe a few times. When people say it helps them socialize, what it does really is breaks down inhibitions. When you get drunk you love everybody. A lot. I mean, talking to anybody, even someone you normally can't stand, fills you with a warm friendly loving glow.

[Puffin]

I'm starting to get a better picture why people drink... I'm a really positive person in social situations, very friendly to everyone around me (I get along with pretty much everyone unless they are rude). But for people who aren't social or out-going, it could help loosen you up I guess. The only problem I have with "social drinking" is that if you're buzzed or have been drinking, you're not yourself. Maybe you're not that different, but there still is a difference. I know people who drink and they become a bit more likely to find amusement in things. But is that truly a valid, truthful way to meet someone (or simply talk to) someone? I'd want to know the real person, not the person they are when they've been drinking.

[ThePreserver]

The only problem I have with "social drinking" is that if you're buzzed or have been drinking, you're not yourself. Maybe you're not that different, but there still is a difference. I know people who drink and they become a bit more likely to find amusement in things. But is that truly a valid, truthful way to meet someone (or simply talk to) someone? I'd want to know the real person, not the person they are when they've been drinking. I typically dissociate myself from people who ARE drunk, since I don't feel like dealing with them, and hang out with the sober gang (which is usually my close friends.) I agree, if they are fun to be around drunk, how do you know if they are fun to be around the other X % of their day? I know for a FACT that one of my uncles is fun drunk, but awful sober. If I have to get drunk to be ABLE to socialize with drunk people, I see no point in hanging out with them in the first place. They should accept me for who I am, a sober person xD

[Darkmatters]

Oh yeah, I hate being around drunk people if I'm sober, or vise verse. In fact sometimes if I;m with people who are drunk I have to drink a bit myself just so I can tune in on their wavelength.

[Marvo]

I love the taste of certain drinks, like whiskey, cognac, red/rosé wine and gin. I can drink beer, but it makes me feel kind of sick. Have no problem with drinking, I enjoy being a little tipsy with other people, drunk can also be fun, though it's tough the next day.

[Darkmatters]

Wait - TP, I remember you saying you have some sort of mental - issues (heh, little reference there to the political correctness thread). So maybe it's best you don't drink. It can really exacerbate existing prob - er issues. (I'm not trying to sound insulting at all if that's the way it sounds. I'm being serious about maybe you shouldn't drink. Just tried to be humorous in relation to the whole political correctness thread thing).

[ThePreserver]

It probably could, but I never really consider it because I just don't drink! Never needed to consider it. This whole thread was created because I didn't "get" it. I don't "get" alcohol much because it doesn't improve anything for me, and it never has :/

[khh]

Oh, and I forgot to say, I like the taste of many alcoholic beverages. One or two cold beers, red wine, cognac, etc. When people say it helps them socialize, what it does really is breaks down inhibitions. When you get drunk you love everybody. A lot. I mean, talking to anybody, even someone you normally can't stand, fills you with a warm friendly loving glow. That's certainly not true for everyone. I often get really misanthropic when I'm drunk, and are much less able to tolerate people I don't like. (Not dislike, just don't like). If I have to get drunk to be ABLE to socialize with drunk people, I see no point in hanging out with them in the first place. They should accept me for who I am, a sober person xD That was what I was getting at with my previous reply. Socializing with sober people while intoxicated (on anything) often sucks, they tend to ruin the mood. And vice versa.