Getting Pi$$ed - WHY?

[ozleicester]

Ok, had been thinking about a topic such as this for a little while, having seen the current discussion on drink driving, i decided to ask the question.

I am not trying to be holier than thou, or sneer at people who do it, I certainly have my own vices and i have no right or want to judge..i would like to try to understand the thought processes.

It may be that im old now (late 40's) and suffering from "The good old days" syndrome. But i get the feeling that getting drunk is now considered "the norm". From what i read on here as well as in general, every weekend is spent getting as much grog down your throat as possible whilst remaining standing and then going to see the football or to a club or just "out".

I wonder what it is about getting drunk that makes it so appealing?

Interested to hear peoples thoughts.

*apologies for sounding like such and old coont.

[Zingari]

my

my excuse was always for the beer goggles

[I am Rod Hull]

It takes the edge off supporting a crap football team.. <_<

[The Year Of The Fox]

Its just the way of our generation IMO. Doesn't make it at good thing though. Week in week out the majority of my mates get on it. I don't bother anymore- the local pubs are dead, even in contrast to 4-5 years ago. Most of my mates start friday and finish late sunday, sometimes carrying on all night.

Though I more than make up for it on away days and important home games. Don't remember owt from derby n forest home and away, bar weales clanger the other week.

[Libertine]

Completely agree. Baffles me that some people seem to be unable to enjoy themselves without alcohol. I don't drink myself, but have no problem with people that do. What irks me is people that criticise me for not doing so. Oh how my life must be so empty for not consuming a particular type of beverage.

But obviously it makes you a fackin' bloke dunnit?

[Finnegan]

Completely agree. Baffles me that some people seem to be unable to enjoy themselves without alcohol. I don't drink myself, but have no problem with people that do. What irks me is people that criticise me for not doing so. Oh how my life must be so empty for not consuming a particular type of beverage.

But obviously it makes you a fackin' bloke dunnit?

People who patronize you because you don't drink are dicks but I always find that this scenario goes both ways.

It always sounds amazingly smug and patronizing when people come out with the tired old "people who need to drink to have fun" rhetoric.

There are plenty of ways I have fun without getting liqueured up but I also love getting on the booze to relax me, lower my inhibitions, give me a bit of extra faux-confidence and just generally large it up.

[Libertine]

People who patronize you because you don't drink are dicks but I always find that this scenario goes both ways.

It always sounds amazingly smug and patronizing when people come out with the tired old "people who need to drink to have fun" rhetoric.

There are plenty of ways I have fun without getting liqueured up but I also love getting on the booze to relax me, lower my inhibitions, give me a bit of extra faux-confidence and just generally large it up.

I know, I wasn't generalising. Just don't understand people who constantly go out with the sole aim of getting bladdered. Fair enough on occasion.

[Finnegan]

I know, I wasn't generalising. Just don't understand people who constantly go out with the sole aim of getting bladdered. Fair enough on occasion.

I don't understand people who play golf, watch snooker or collect postage stamps.

[Libertine]

I don't understand people who play golf, watch snooker or collect postage stamps.

Well we all know they're tools.

Again, it's not so much the act, but the attitude of some that it's somehow 'proper' or that people who don't do so are boring or whathaveye. I guess mostly people my age, which is why I've come across it so much.

[Guest Mee-9]

I drink socially, when I'm out with friends, but not really at home.

But thinking about it, I wouldn't knock back 8 pints of Orange Squash in hours.

[Brainy]

i always thought ozleicester was still at school

[Joe.]

It's quite simple really. Nights out are so much better with alcohol - in truth, they're actually quite depressing without.

[Finnegan]

It's quite simple really. Nights out are so much better with alcohol - in truth, they're actually quite depressing without.

There is literally nothing worse than being the only sober person in a crowd of drunks.

[Simmo86]

It's quite simple really. Nights out are so much better with alcohol - in truth, they're actually quite depressing without.

This....even though it is really sad when you think about it.

[Mee]

I drink socially, when I'm out with friends, but not really at home.

But thinking about it, I wouldn't knock back 8 pints of Orange Squash in hours.

*Rings mum up at 12:30 at night*

Dave: Mum, im in the middle of Markfield, come pick me up...

*Parents arrive at Markfield*

Dave: I'm fooking steaming mate. The girls were everywhere.

Me: You can be such a twat Dave.

*Mum doesn't speak to you for two weeks after this*

.

[ScouseFox]

I just like to drink it. I drink it 'cause it tastes nice. I don't really drink to get smashed, sometimes I'll drink too much or whatever, but I don't go out thinking "I want to come home and not know how I got there."

And yeah, if you go out with a group of people who're all smashed and think everything hilarious and can't stand up etc. whilst you've had a few lemonades, it's probably more fun to stay at home. If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em and all that.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

The problem I think is that youngsters get drunk, and can get hold of drink too easily. Usually at 16/17 it starts.

I think it is the parents fault really, just arent strict enough.

I'm 19 and dont know anyone else my age who doesnt drink. Not that there is a problem with drinking, of course there isnt, just some people go too far and think its cool to get pissed out of their heads. All starts at an early age.

[purpleronnie]

I can't imagine going out with mates and not drinking, as I've got older I can pretty much handle my drink, so now 8 pints of stella I'm ok, when I was 20 I'd be under the table. Most youngsters can't handle their drink thats why so many people are drunk I doubt they've actually drunk that much.

I don't see a problem if you want to drink or get drunk so be it, if you don't then don't. I've encountered more tea total goody goodies look on in disgust to see people actually enjoying drinking than I have the other way round. Works both ways.

[The Doctor]

I don't understand people who play golf, watch snooker or collect postage stamps.

woah there - golf and snooker are great sports.

[Matt]

The problem I think is that youngsters get drunk, and can get hold of drink too easily. Usually at 16/17 it starts.

I think it is the parents fault really, just arent strict enough.

I'm 19 and dont know anyone else my age who doesnt drink. Not that there is a problem with drinking, of course there isnt, just some people go too far and think its cool to get pissed out of their heads. All starts at an early age.

I'm not quite sure which way you are going there?

Youngsters should be able to drink? Or people shouldn't be able to drink until they are legal (Easier said than done)?

For me, It's youngsters need to be educated with alcohol, I started drinking at about 14, I was allowed a bottle on a Sunday with a meal, no more, thats it.

As for getting pissed? I don't drink to get pissed, I drink because I like it, it relaxes me, chills me out (As apposed to people who think they are the hard man after a couple of Stellas), I do get pissed but don't drink to get pissed.

[Guest Mee-9]

*Rings mum up at 12:30 at night*

Dave: Mum, im in the middle of Markfield, come pick me up...

*Parents arrive at Markfield*

Dave: I'm fooking steaming mate. The girls were everywhere.

Me: You can be such a twat Dave.

*Mum doesn't speak to you for two weeks after this*

.

Legendary night.

[Salieri]

The people who trot out the 'I don't need drink to have a good time' line are generally those who proceed to sit there all night, offering nothing and frown at those 'idiots' who dare to partake and let their hair down. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but the majority of sober people I have encountered on a night out have tended to be very, very boring.

I spend the majority of my life sober and when I manage to get out and have a good time (rare these days what with 2 young kids) i'm buggered if i'm gonna stay sober. Alcohol affects people differently, granted, but for the majority (myself included) it allows you to forget about the sometimes banalities of life for a while, remove inhibitions and maybe (dare I say it) act like a bit of a dick for a while.

If you can keep a handle on it, IT'S FUN.

[DB11]

For a laugh

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I'm not quite sure which way you are going there?

Youngsters should be able to drink? Or people shouldn't be able to drink until they are legal (Easier said than done)?

For me, It's youngsters need to be educated with alcohol, I started drinking at about 14, I was allowed a bottle on a Sunday with a meal, no more, thats it.

As for getting pissed? I don't drink to get pissed, I drink because I like it, it relaxes me, chills me out (As apposed to people who think they are the hard man after a couple of Stellas), I do get pissed but don't drink to get pissed.

Youngsters shouldnt drink till they are of legal age, but as you say thats easier said than done.

I think there should be more strictness, though its difficult to say how to enforce it. I do think parents should be stricter, but youngsters need to be educated more.

But I cant see it changing any time soon, just the world we live in now.

[ousefox]

Think drinking till your pissed is even seen as the norm at about 15 now with house parties and the like. I can see why people do it for the fun and haven't got a massive problem with it myself except for the negative externalities that come about in the streets and hospitals.