Weird questions regarding normal alcohol intake.

[Someonesayroadtrip]

What is a normal amount to drink and how often? Once a week, once a night? I know it depends on what it is you're drinking too.

Drinking and driving? I know people who go out for food and drink then drive. So I assume that's ok? But what are the limits? And when you exceed the limit what's the time between drinking and driving?

I'm in my late 30s and is my husband, both of us were raised in a religion that discouraged alcohol so I have never touched it. We left the religion several years and I've still never drunk but my husband has occasionally had a cider but we are still unclear of the rules and normality around alcohol.

I realise it's weird questions, it's like a whole new world lol. I did look it up online but confused by the units.

Wine should only be drunk with a meal and then 1 small glass per course to enhance the food

As a middle class, middle aged woman the drunkest I've been in recent years was at a nice restaurant where we had the tasting menu and had a small glass of wine with each course!

Given a large proportion of the population does not drink at all, and a proportion, but much smaller drinks much above the recommended amount, I don't think there's a useful 'average' we can extrapolate.

At the moment , I drink most nights. I drink a small glass of wine, sometimes 2. A bottle lasts DH and I 3 days. I'll have a bit more, such as a gin and tonic as an aperitif at the weekends. I don't drink most nights in more normal circumstances and I'd never drive after a drink.

I'm the proud owner of tiny Swiss wine glasses, which help with quantity. In the UK, there's a fashion towards big 'bowl' glasses which make a portion of wine look like a tiny dribble. The little glasses used elsewhere in Europe are sturdier and encourage more moderate drinking. I quite agree with PPs about how alcoholic some wines can be and we tend to avoid these, certainly in the week. Sainsbury's sells a lovely 9% Riesling, which I really like.

Normal alcohol intake in this day and age should be zero!
Well, that's a tad pompous and holier than thou. What's 'this day and age' got to do with anything?
To the OP - if you're not keen on the taste of alcohol then don't go there as you don't have to drink to be sociable and it is never OK to have any alcohol and then drive. I have a glass of wine most nights and when the bottle is finished I'll have a couple of nights off before opening another one - that's 'normal' for me and I never drink more as it sends me to sleep. I'm on medication that includes annual liver function tests and mine is in tip-top health. When I was young I could knock back more on a good night out but those days are long gone (as are mini skirts and platforms). If you are totally new to alcohol then perhaps leave it to having one or two when you're out socialising (when those days return) and find something you like the taste of so you enjoy it. Never underestimate the affect alcohol can have on your reactions or your mood but sensible drinking can be a wonderful thing. MOH rarely drinks but if he does it's only ever a couple and then he won't touch it for 6 months so everyone is different basically.

If you have made it to your thirties living happily without alcohol then I would say carry on as you are! Alcohol is bad, when it comes down to it it is a poison. It's just one that is socially acceptable, or even encouraged to drink. There are no significant benefits to drinking it, and it can cause a lot of harm. I envy you not needing to drink at all.

I drink every night. I have a very high tolerance and don't get drunk. I'd have to drink all night to get drunk.
I'll have a bottle of wine and still be perfectly fine, not even tipsy. Or spirits and mixers. Couldn't say how many glasses. This is over 4-5 hours in the evening. I don't think 3 glasses of wine is a lot over 4-5 hours at all.