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AIBU?

To think 87.3% of British women don't drink less than me?

298 replies

theduchessstill · 05/04/2017 23:11

I went on one of those sites where they track and evaluate your drinking - was inspired to do so by another thread. I know I drink a bit too much - across three nights I have a bottle of wine and often a couple of bottles of lager or another glass or 2 of wine.

The site calculated it as 16 units - I knew it would be there or thereabouts so no great shock there, but then said that 87.3% of British women drink less. I find that hard to believe. Who is buying all the wine then? There are people who are alcoholics, people who drink small - medium amounts every night, people who have a massive blow-out every week etc etc.

Surely we don't have a massive problem with alcohol in this country (and we do) if the vast majority of women drink less than me, who drinks slightly over the maximum amount recommended. In particular, I understood women's drinking was of particular concern.

I'm not looking for validation - I know the amount I have is a bit too much but I'm happy enough with it atm, but that figure seemed unlikely to me.

OP posts:

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Dozer · 05/04/2017 23:12

It may or may not be an accurate stat, but it seems that you are seeking to minimise your drinking.

Hugepeppapigfan · 05/04/2017 23:13

Half a bottle once a week is the norm for me. Sometimes none. Sometimes a little more if we have a meal out. But in the house it's generally a shared bottle of wine at the weekend.

PossumInAPearTree · 05/04/2017 23:13

I think most people don't drink that much so I can believe it. Plenty of people also don't drink so that will bring the average figure down.

DancingPenguin1 · 05/04/2017 23:13

That's quite a lot, I don't drink anywhere near that. It seems you're trying to justify how much you're drinking.

WorraLiberty · 05/04/2017 23:14

I don't know where they got their figures from?

I keep telling myself I should drink less

But then I think, 'Wait, don't listen to her, she's clearly drunk'

DonaldTrumpsTrump · 05/04/2017 23:15

I rarely drink as it doesn't interest me and I don't like the taste of alcohol. It's just an average statistic by the sound of it and statistics/averages aren't always the whole truth.

StrawberryMouse · 05/04/2017 23:17

My drinking is way under level that too but I do see what you are saying, I know people who probably drink as much as you've mentioned, maybe more without seeing it as a problem.

BestZebbie · 05/04/2017 23:18

I do wonder if that stats include everyone female and under 18, assumed to be non-drinkers, as a start...

But yeah, you are still talking about 1 in 8 women drinking the same amount as you or more, which is quite a large percentage of the population given that it is more than the upper end of the guideline amount - I can totally believe the figure.

RochelleGoyle · 05/04/2017 23:19

I don't think it sounds like you're minimising OP, I see where you're coming from. I mean, the amount you describe drinking is hardly the same as going out on the town several times per week, so how do you end up in the top 13% or so? I suspect that many people are not honest about the amount they drink and this skews the statistics somewhat.

ShatnersWig · 05/04/2017 23:19

I might have a bottle of cider at home a week. If I'm out with friends i might have two glasses of wine.

swampytiggaa · 05/04/2017 23:20

I only drink when I go out. Which probably averages at once a month over the year. So I definitely drink a lot less than you.

5foot5 · 05/04/2017 23:21

I don't really understand your description. Do you mean 16 units every 3 days?

Strummerville · 05/04/2017 23:21

I don't drink. My mum doesn't drink. I don't think we're that unusual.

It's not something generally discussed, though, is it, because it is still often seen as a bit odd / weird not to drink at all. People are like "Why not?"

WeAreNotInKansasAnymore · 05/04/2017 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Badhairday1001 · 05/04/2017 23:22

I wonder where they get their stats from? I think most people when asked by gp or anybody really would probably play it down if they drank over recommend units. From my personal experience I do drink less than you but know lots of my friends drink at least as much as you and I wouldn't say you drink a lot.

Butteredparsnip1ps · 05/04/2017 23:22

Worra

I suspect that there are a lot of women who either don't drink at all,or if they do it's only on rare occasions.

If the question only applied to people who drink, then I would imagine the percentage would be lower.

But that's just my guess.

ZilphasHatpin · 05/04/2017 23:23

I drink about 3/4 times a year. It's a binge when I do though, not wine either. Rum or whiskey.

Who is buying all the wine then?

The 87.3% of women who drink less and the 12.7% of women who drink more. And the men who drink varying amounts too.

ScarletSienna · 05/04/2017 23:24

I don't drink alcohol at all and I wonder if non-drinkers pull the average down?

Batgirlspants · 05/04/2017 23:25

worra

My philosophy is the only sure thing in life is death and bloody taxes.
My dm never touched a drop and is 87 but incontinent and with altzimers and is lost to me I would rather be dead than be in her state and I know she would have chosen death too in her glamorous hey Day.

I have a glass/share a bottle when I feel like it snd that's fine by us.

I drink a lot less than all of my friendship group who drink a glass or 3 every night.

RainbowPastel · 05/04/2017 23:25

I don't drink at all so to me you drink a massive amount.

Riderontheswarm · 05/04/2017 23:25

I only drink when I go out which is about once a month and I would have about 3 glasses of wine when I do. It does sound as though you drink quite a lot. I wouldn't say you had too much but can believe you drink more than most.

theduchessstill · 05/04/2017 23:26

Well I'm not trying to minimise what I drink as I've stated exactly what I have. It's not every 3 days - it's what I have pretty much every week Fri-Sun.

For a start, I work in a department with 8 other women in it and I think 3 of them drink similar amounts to me, 3 drink A LOT more and the other 2 less.

I don't understand much at all about statistics though - maybe the elderly are bringing the average down? And pregnant people??

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Ollivander84 · 05/04/2017 23:29

I don't really drink. I binge drink about once or twice a year on a night out. Over summer I might have maybe a cider a month?

Batgirlspants · 05/04/2017 23:29

To add people lie about drinking as it's taboo. There will be no real stats on drinking especially amongst women. Nobody knows.

I have teen dds and they and their friends drink far far less than their mothers.

WickedLazy · 05/04/2017 23:30

What about Mon-Thur? I don't drink unless I'm on a night out, then I maybe have a few. Have had about 5 drinks in the last year, 2 of those last weekend (had two beers and felt a bit bokey).

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