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AIBU?

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Original poster

To dislike the culture of alcohol worship on MN?

320 replies

MumblingRagDoll · 07/06/2011 17:45

I know it's all lighthearted....but I find it icky. Not people saying ..have a Wine to cheer someone up so much...but all the "Just waiting till' wine o clock statements get to me.
I think it's because a close relative is an acoholic and I have seen the damage.

Alcohol is such a damaging thing...and I'm genuinely surprised (and yes...judgey) about how many parents seem to rely on it every night.

OP posts:
smokinaces · 07/06/2011 20:36

I often say "is it wine o clock yet" as a banter kind of thing. I very rarely drink at home in the evening (maybe 1 glass every fortnight?) but its become almost like a saying. Like "Now I can relax and be me instead of Mum"

However, I have got into the habit of being a "binge drinker" on a Saturday night and have been known at my most to drink a bottle of wine, 3 or 4 Jagerbombs and then 8 or 9 vodkas between 7pm and 5am on a Saturday night. This is only once a month to that degree - but I'm sure I'm doing far worse to my liver than if I were drinking one glass of wine every night.

I have known people to drink a bottle of wine every night - they almost drink it like I drink coke or tea. I dont know that I would feel well doing that. I also cant do that being a single parent of 2 young boys - if there were an accident or an emergency I wouldnt want to be over the limit. So my drinking is restricted to when they arent here.

bupcakesandcunting · 07/06/2011 20:37

You're not a prig for being teetotal. You're a prig if you get all superior if you feel the need to harp on about adults partaking in an adult activity if it is in moderation (not accusing YOU of doing that btw)

An aside: it doesn't make you a superior being because you abstain from or rarely touch alcohol. Nor does it make you superior to regularly quaff yourself into a coma. No-one has any business hoiking their bosoms over adults enjoying a drink sensibly whether it's a drink at the weekend to unwind, or because they enjoy a good wine. Really. Get something else to wring your hands over.

smokinaces · 07/06/2011 20:37

and showofhands I think I could honestly say I am addicted to Tetley Tea! I must have drunk 8 cups today?! Honestly couldnt live without my tea now!

claig · 07/06/2011 20:40

'To dislike the culture of alcohol worship on MN?'

If you are referring to the minority of obviously drunk posters on here (particularly in the Politics section), and possibly ScousyFogarty, then I see your point, but I hardly think that is indicative of a culture of alcohol worship across MN. In fact, I think there are some posters who could occasionally use a drink to lighten up.

MixedClassBaby · 07/06/2011 20:40
ShowOfHands · 07/06/2011 20:40

smokinaces, I really shocked myself when I stopped drinking caffeine suddenly. I didn't realise how physically dependent I was upon it and I didn't have more than 3 cups of tea a day. I had headaches by midday. I had to go back to 1 or 2 cups a day and then reduce it slowly.

But caffeine addiction's a different thing entirely. Grin

Original poster
MumblingRagDoll · 07/06/2011 20:45

SOH thanks for being so eloquent. I do understand that relying on something helps....I used to smoke...a lot...I wonder why alchol bottles don't have warnings on them like cigarette packs?

Pictures of Diseased livers? Woman with a black eye? Homeless man? Pissed up girl in the gutter on a Saturday night. Maybe people might think about the wider picture before they have their drink.

OP posts:
Maryz · 07/06/2011 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thegruffalosma · 07/06/2011 20:47

but bupcakes you might not think people are prigs for being teatotal but I can tell you now that most people think it's weird and don't shy away from saying as much. I do find it sad that a lot of people need alcohol to relax. I think a lot more people would be hoiking bosoms at anyone who said they relaxed with a spliff. I don't see any difference myself.
I suffer from anxiety and stress and it's much better in the long term to tackle the actual problem than use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Alcohol may make you feel better in the short term but it is a depressant and will ultimately make you feel worse.

MooMooFarm · 07/06/2011 20:48

Thanks SOH Smile

smokinaces · 07/06/2011 20:49

SOH The thing is, I cut out diet coke/pepsi for a while. I went from 4 or 5 cans to nothing. I replaced it with tea! But my tea is sugar free and with a splash of milk, so not too unhealthy. I just need to knock out that sneaky can of pepsi max that seems to be sneaking in daily in the summer.......

Caffeine addiction is weird. But I'm trying not to smoke or drink in the week, I dont get sex so I cant give up every vice Wink

claig · 07/06/2011 20:53

smokinaces, Pepsi Max contains aspartame. Better to have real Pepsi than that.

MixedClassBaby · 07/06/2011 20:59

Pictures of Diseased livers? Woman with a black eye? Homeless man? Pissed up girl in the gutter on a Saturday night. Maybe people might think about the wider picture before they have their drink.

OP, do you mind if i Blue-tac a picture of Ann Widdecombe, Cliff Richard, the Pope etc on your mug of fennel twig tea?

Original poster
MumblingRagDoll · 07/06/2011 21:05

Yes please do! I like Cliff Richard MixedClasBaby! Grin I also like sewing, reading and other naff things.

And you sound like a little handicraft could help you.

OP posts:
reelingintheyears · 07/06/2011 21:10

Can't be arsed to RTWT......

Wine anyone?

Oh,and if you don't like it ,then hide it.

MixedClassBaby · 07/06/2011 21:15
smokinaces · 07/06/2011 21:15

I know claig but the real stuff makes my teeth itch! I have very little sugar or asparteme in a day (apart from fruit sugars) so allow myself 1 can every day now and then!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 07/06/2011 21:19

I'm teetotal and I find I have to make excuses for why I don't drink. It really is the 'norm' that adults drink alcohol. I've used the old 'antibiotics' chestnut more times than I can remember... I've had to after the 'No, thanks, I really don't want any' is met with an awful lot of suspicion. Blush

I can be the life and soul without alcohol - it really depends on my mood. I know that in my social and business circle, some of the people who refer to themselves as the 'life and soul of the party' really do have a problem with alcohol in that all inhibitions are lost, and they're not considered by others to be very good company, more a liability. I don't care who drinks alcohol and who doesn't, as long as I can have water or tea/coffee I enjoy myself.

I work in France sometimes and if I go out to dinner with colleagues, I can refuse wine and nobody bats an eyelid. It's just here. There's an enormous emphasis on alcohol and, in some cases, complete dependence.

Original poster
MumblingRagDoll · 07/06/2011 21:23

[regards new Cliff mug with admiration]

OP posts:
ILoveYouToo · 07/06/2011 21:25

I haven't read the thread....I expect it's moved on by now into serious 'child/partner/relative of alcoholic' territory but nevertheless....

Big Arse! to you, and a whole round of Wine Wine Wine Wine Wine Wine Hmm Grin

WholeLottaRosie · 07/06/2011 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

reelingintheyears · 07/06/2011 21:46

ILoveYouToo ......have a WineWineWine.....ok,enough already.

Maryz · 07/06/2011 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

reelingintheyears · 07/06/2011 21:49

Fat chance i'd be preggers........

Far to old.....

CJCregg · 07/06/2011 21:50

I think lyingwitch, jesus and maryz are talking a lot of sense, in a very reasoned and non-judgey way. Can't help noticing that the defense/defensive arguments are quite aggressive.