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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you can't have as much fun without alcohol?

127 replies

AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 21:11

I don't mean drinking alcohol all the time, or getting ratarsed/falling down drunk.

And I don't mean in every situation, obviously I have great times without drinking.

But I think it's good for you to let your hair down every once in a while, perhaps with other people who are also drinking, it relaxes your tongue and great hilarity can ensue.

I know a couple of people who don't like the lack of control alcohol brings with it, not for religious/medical/negative experiences with alcohol reasons, and IMO this anal clenching control is evident in other areas of their lives and I think they miss out.

OP posts:
pissovski · 29/12/2010 21:59

i don't think i have ever drunk to the point of being sick/not remembering what i was doing etc. I do like the occasional couple of drinks but that's all, and i will stop when i feel i have had enough.

I am not drinking at the moment cos i am pg, and have to say i wouldn't mind something!(having a bit of a crap time)but i have gone for months previously not drinking and have had some great nights out (which i remember very well!!).

I sometimes find that i get pissed off when i am the only one not drinking and everyone is being stupid - but if i am with the right people it generally doesn't matter

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:02

Well I don't drink. Never have, never will. That's my choice and I'm perfectly happy. Thank God I'm allowed my free choice. And it's nice to know what some people really think about me.

I've met your sort before OP. Spend half your night trying to ply me with alcohol, whining away about how I must be missing out, urging me to just try it.

If you're having such a bloody lovely time talking shite then why are you hanging around me wittering on about my choices.

Bog off.

[dull and anal]

WinkGrin

Original poster
AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 22:06

Bit touchy about it SOH?

Especially like the passive aggresive Wink Grin Oh, you were just messing.

Grin
OP posts:
SnowMiffles · 29/12/2010 22:08

I know what you mean, OP. I enjoy a drink - could be a glass of wine with the family at home or at a wedding. Never to get drunk. Never had a hangover. Helps relax the atmosphere.

DH especially enjoys wine - and can be a bit of a bore about which grape, etc etc. He loves searching for an interesting wine. But that is part of the pleasure for him.

If we're having friends over, we know there are some that will share a bottle with us and we'll all have a great time. We all relax, have a laugh and know they're not judging us on drinking. And then there are others that don't drink....and the evening always ends earlier without quite as much fun! Grin

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:10

Are you drunk? You're talking bollocks. Grin

I am teetotal though. Drunk people are really bloody dull. Especially when they rattle on about how great drinking is.

SnowMiffles · 29/12/2010 22:11

Me?

Original poster
AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 22:14

I was just talking about the people I know personally SOH, who are annally controlling to the point of manipulating other people, it's sad you see yourself as anal and dull, I'm sure you're not really Smile

I'm not too keen on the taste of alcohol (it gets better after the first couple Grin), but I like it's medium effects.

And I don't go out to pubs and clubs any more, I'm far too old for that malarkey.

OP posts:
Original poster
AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 22:15

Anally I meant.

OP posts:
Tootlesmummy · 29/12/2010 22:20

YABU, I think it's used as an excuse to do and say things which people wouldn't do if they hadn't had a drink.

MsKLo · 29/12/2010 22:27

Agee with showofhands a bit

I hardly ever drink and people are obsessed with getting me to drink and think I am missing out because I don't

Well I am not, it is very ignorant to class people who don't drink as dull/boring and to assume and good time can't be had without drink

I love a good night out with good company, good food and good conversation

Drunk people bore me - if you need drink to have a good time then that is a shame!

Joolyjoolyjoo · 29/12/2010 22:27

If I'm honest, nearly all my favourite nights have involved alcohol Blush

I learned my limits when I was much younger, so I don't really fall over/ collapse, but I do quite enjoy the slight inhibition, and I like the taste. I like the whole "celebration" feel, and yes, I know you can be happy and celebratory without alcohol, but I love it.

I don't really know many non-drinkers- most of my friends are like me, it does seem to be a social thing. My boss doesn't drink, which always makes our work nights out flat and a bit repressed- we are all worried he will be watching beadily for us to get a bit tipsy and trip up, while taking notes. It probably doesn't help that he is a very quiet introverted person

MsKLo · 29/12/2010 22:28

And why assume that just because someone doesn't drink they can't let their hair down?!

This country seems obsessed by drinking!

MsKLo · 29/12/2010 22:31

Jooly

If you like it and want to drink yet know your limits that is good

I just hate it when people assume I can't have a good time without drink! It's good you recognise that how it is for many people

garrowismylaw · 29/12/2010 22:33

thisismyboomstick...OMG laughed so hard at your remark about DP...so true though, people who don't drink can be soooooo anal and uptight....and boring.

Original poster
AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 22:38

yy jooly, that's it, I can be pretty awkward socially, and to feel more confident and chatty is what I like.

It makes an evening in with mates into an occasion.

As for making judgements about people who don't drink, I don't mean it makes them a crappy person or anything, it's just that if you like doing something you want other people to be included in that and for them to enjoy themselves too.

OP posts:
MsKLo · 29/12/2010 22:42

Garrow

What an insulting and ignorant thing to say, just because someone doesn't drink it doesn't mean they are uptight or boring

If anything the most boring people are those who need to drink to develop a personality...

And overly drunk people are a pathetic sight!

theevildead2 · 29/12/2010 22:42

I think its a bit pathetic if you have to drink to have fun, think it is a bit of a problem in the UK tbh. That said I can only find pissed people amusing if I am equally pissed. But that's because drunk people aren't actually funny.

garrowismylaw · 29/12/2010 22:43

exactly. there is nothing worse than getting tipsy with your mates when one does not drink and just spends all night giving everyone else a certain disdainful look as they sip their orange juice.

charliesmommy · 29/12/2010 22:44

I love drinking but hate the hangovers so much that it really does stop me drinking now.

I also dont like that out of control spinning feeling when you are really drunk, but tipsy is ok.

I do hate meeting up with people who have already been on it a couple of hours and are pissed and noisy when I am sober though.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 29/12/2010 22:45

Been thinking about this, and I think the problem that drinkers have at gatherings where there are non-drinkers is that we worry the non-drinkers are "judging" us and being disapproving (possibly mistakenly??) So if we get them to join in we are all on equal footing wrt embarrassing gaffes etc??

So sober-types- are you laughing with us or at us?? 'Fess up!

MsKLo · 29/12/2010 22:46

I don't give people disdainful looks, I have lots of friends who love to drink, if they respect my choices, o respect their choice but if people are really pissed and acting nastily or being really obnoxious I might leave.

Unrulysanta · 29/12/2010 22:47

See I'm not uptight or boring and I have pretty low levels of inhibition as it is so I definitely don't need them lowered. In fact I think it's a bit weird to want to lower your inhibitions - aren't they the things that stop you telling your MIL she's an interfering old bitch or your boss that he's a psychological carcrash with a Napoleon complex?

If you need a drink to feel it then fair enough but if you need other people to have one then maybe you have ishoos.

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:47

No Snow, not you, the OP!

I think there are some nasty generalisations on here. Just because you don't drink, doesn't mean you're sitting around disdainfully. Anybody can be a boring prat. Nowt to do with alcohol consumption.

I do find it slightly irksome that people are so desperate to encourage people to drink, to imply it's better or it improves you or you're missing out. Not necessarily this thread but the attitude I meet in rl.

We do live in a country where drinking to excess is held up as a societal and acceptable norm and it cause untold problems in many arenas.

Now I am being dull but I do dislike how much drinking is cherished by some sections of society.

Original poster
AgentZigzagGotAGoodGoosing · 29/12/2010 22:49

'If anything the most boring people are those who need to drink to develop a personality...'

Now, you wouldn't be making equally as harsh judgements about drinkers are you MrsK??

I have a personality, obviously, but because of life experiences/genetics, I find it incredibly hard to be with other people, and with alcohol I can escape feom the prob I have...for a time.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:50

Jooly it's really really hard to laugh with you when you're chuckling at a beermat. Grin

But no, we're not laughing at you or judging, we're not really interested tbh. Which sounds horrid but I don't mean it that way. I don't go out and sit around pondering other people's choices. I'm generally talking/dancing/whatever.