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AIBU?

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Aibu to suggest alcohol is out of fashion in middle class circles?

254 replies

Coffeeandacupcake · 15/08/2024 14:01

Just an observation, out for dinner with friends last Saturday night. We got taxis in, we always had a booze fest but now my friends have either cut out alcohol completely or stuck to one glass of wine or gin & tonic! Is alcohol going out of fashion in over 40, middle class circles or is it just my friends?

OP posts:
Hanniel · 15/08/2024 18:25

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/08/2024 18:18

As you’ve failed to pick up on it, the post was sarcastic in response to the OP mentioning ‘middle class’ which is completely irrelevant.

Righty ho then.

LizzieBennett73 · 15/08/2024 18:21

I wish our neighbours would join this trend. They're late 50s/early 60s and party like the Inbetweeners every fecking weekend Hmm I'm so done with listening to drunk guffawing coming from the garden until the early hours.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/08/2024 18:18

Hanniel · 15/08/2024 18:12

Imagine saying something that wildly twattish about 'the working class.'

As you’ve failed to pick up on it, the post was sarcastic in response to the OP mentioning ‘middle class’ which is completely irrelevant.

Ratherbeaspoonthanafork · 15/08/2024 18:16

Mmm I have noticed this too but only more recently. I am late 50’s. Think its a combination of factors COL, to avoid weight gain, health, to get home safely and no one wants a hangover to be feeling ill and groggy to ruin the next day.

Six of us went out last weekend ten years ago we would have all been drinking to excess. But this time two were driving, most of us only had one or two drinks but the oldest one there had significantly more than that. I kind of felt a bit awkward for her (but at recent meet ups we would all have done the same).

The month before a different group of 5 of us went out one had two drinks everyone else just had one drink it was very warm and we were all glugging the tap water.

Only one group of my friends still drink and we haven’t been out together for a goodly few months for various reasons. For us it used to be the earlier the better to meet up but recently we have met later and later and even we have drank significantly less than we used to do.

Hanniel · 15/08/2024 18:12

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/08/2024 18:03

If they are ‘middle class’ or ‘upper middle class’ they probably just snort loads of coke and turn into an insufferable bore at their weekly dinner party

Imagine saying something that wildly twattish about 'the working class.'

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/08/2024 18:03

If they are ‘middle class’ or ‘upper middle class’ they probably just snort loads of coke and turn into an insufferable bore at their weekly dinner party

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/08/2024 18:02

TinkerTiger · 15/08/2024 15:02

But...how will OP feel special then? Announcing and being accepted as MC on Mumsnet is an Olympic sport for some.

😂😂 This post made me chuckle!

fetchacloth · 15/08/2024 18:02

yeesh · 15/08/2024 14:21

Sounds like age rather than class

Agreed - drinking alcohol certainly isn't fashionable to under 25s.
Class has nothing to do with it.

fiorentina · 15/08/2024 17:56

I’ve definitely almost cut it out, I’m peri and refuse to succumb to putting on weight.
I work in financial services where it’s become less acceptable to drink as much, although that’s not always adhered to!

Neurodiversitydoctor · 15/08/2024 17:52

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/08/2024 15:12

Possibly. I’d disagree, but not enough to be pulsed to argue about it. And quite honestly, I’m fine with it. I hold down a senior level six figure 9-5 and smash it. I’ll go for a 10km run later this afternoon and complete it within 42 minutes. I function far better than a lot of other people, and mark myself 98/100 for happiness and life satisfaction. When that begins to change, I’ll reevaluate the situation. Until then, I’m happy with the status quo.

Edited

Running 10K after a bottle of wine ? are you actually insane ? No matter how clever or rich you are that is mental witth a capital M.

Supermacs · 15/08/2024 17:43

I think it is more acceptable to not drink. My ds says that his year at college dont drink the way we used to - some do, but it isnt as across the board as it generally used to be. I havent drank in over 10 years, since my 20s for various reasons. But I find now that people accept me not drinking, whereas 10 years ago people would try and push me to drink, to the point it would be uncomfortable to keep declining (I always did though, any discomfort was firmly in their court!)

LaurieFairyCake · 15/08/2024 17:43

Hanniel

I love the sound of your parents in their 90's. Why cut back when you're that age. Smile

All I can hope is that through the menopause I get to drink again and can enjoy Beaujolais at lunchtime and a gin the evening

Goldenbear · 15/08/2024 17:42

PaminaMozart · 15/08/2024 15:04

I wouldn't know about middle class as I'm upper... 😂 but cutting out alcohol is one of the best decisions I ever made.

Alcohol is full of sugar and sugar is the devil's invention. That's apart from all the other stuff like hangovers, impaired mental function, poor sleep, weight gain, procrastination......

I don’t think it is as black and white as that as if you read about the blue zone diets in some countries the wine is fine to drink; it is the quality that’s important and other stuff that you do.

I have noticed it but I think it will be momentary and then the fashion will change again to drinking.

Grammarnut · 15/08/2024 17:35

Went to the theatre with friends and their friends - acquaintances to me. Pre-show dinner (bad idea, made me sleepy in a stuffy theatre). One bottle of wine between 5 of us (group of 7 - other two had non-alcoholic beer). Later came up to my rooms (I had an upgrade at hotel and had a two bed suite to myself) with non-alcoholic lager, 2 prosecco and a bottle of red wine between 7, so fine, except one bottle of prosecco is non-alc and I don't drink non-alcoholic lager as it gives me a headache and I don't like lager anyway (Real Ale person) but no matter so long as long as I get some alcohol. Everyone was very abstemious hence the non-alc (my late DH would be turning in his grave!) and the second (alcoholic) bottle of prosecco was not opened, my suggestion that we have it falling on deaf ears as everyone had had enough. So I think you are right, alcohol is out of fashion with the m/c (these all in lates sixties early 70s so not just 40-somethings doing this). Being w/c I thought they were all nuts! We'd had a good evening so why end it so early?

Madamecholetsbonnet · 15/08/2024 17:25

MandyMiceDavies · 15/08/2024 14:30

I think 40s is the point where people either cut back/down on alcohol significantly OR just commit to being an old soak for life. You can no longer kid yourself that it's just a case of youthful excess.

I think this sums it up sadly.

I am 58 and am observing friends go one way or the other.

CIGall · 15/08/2024 17:23

I’m almost 46 and peri and concerned about my blood pressure so have massively cut down and considering stopping altogether (though we have just had a cocktail cabinet installed so probably not the best idea!)

i also find my sleep is crap and it often gives me the trots the next day

quite a lot of my friends also seem to be drinking so much less

stayathomer · 15/08/2024 17:20

Not out of fashion just nobody is able for it, finds it worth the stomach issues/ hangover or can afford it!!! Give me a cup of tea and a laugh in someone’s house over an overpriced night out any day!!!

Franticbutterfly · 15/08/2024 17:19

Yeah I think you are right. Most of my friends don't drink.

EI12 · 15/08/2024 17:14

Naa, people still love alcohol, but they are incredibly tight these days, not tight as in drunk, but stingy af.

silentassassin · 15/08/2024 17:02

Missamyp · 15/08/2024 16:46

I believe that the consumption of alcohol and our drinking habits have undergone significant changes. Nightclubs are on the decline, and traditional pubs are vanishing. Both of us a practically tea total.

Yep- I live in a popular touristy clubbing town and the amount of nightclubs here has easily dropped by 50% in the last 20 years or so. Many of them are now boarded up or have become coffee shops. People just arent going out to clubs getting smashed like they used to.

I've also noticed that on instagram its much more about health and fitness for the younger generation than photos of people falling about drunk which we used to do in the 90s/00s.

I dont drink any more. I simply no longer enjoy it, even a couple of glasses of wine affects my sleep and makes me feel weirdly lethargic and depressed the next day. It got to the point I asked myself why I am even doing this if it makes me feel so rubbish and I feel so much happier and healthier without it.

VeneziaJ · 15/08/2024 16:57

I have never been much of a drinker and as I got older its dwindled to zero. I never really liked the idea of getting drunk and the associated loss of control or autonomy. my vice is savoury snacks so any empty calories I avoid by not drinking are found by bloody pringles 😱

anxioussister · 15/08/2024 16:55

seems quite binary to me in mid life - my friends either don’t drink at all, or drink at every opportunity!

Marchingonagain · 15/08/2024 16:50

FrenchandSaunders · 15/08/2024 14:19

Not in my circles, still drink like fish. Not good really at our age.

I wish I could drink more in a way as I love a glass of wine or two! Do you not feel like shit the next day though?

Missamyp · 15/08/2024 16:46

I believe that the consumption of alcohol and our drinking habits have undergone significant changes. Nightclubs are on the decline, and traditional pubs are vanishing. Both of us a practically tea total.

Treelichen · 15/08/2024 16:44

I know several people who have given up drinking for health reasons. I only drink occasionally now too for the same reason. I think alcohol will eventually go the same way as smoking as more and more evidence is pointing to the harm it causes even in moderate amounts.