To think Mumsnet's views on alcohol are unusual?

[Peanutbutterkitty]

Every time I read a thread on Mumsnet talking about alcohol, I am always fairly surprised because most posters seem to absolutely despise drinking, claim to never drink or not be able to possible manage more than a single thimble of wine at Christmas.

Yet most people I know drink far more than that! I am in my thirties and I'd say almost every friend I have will drink every Friday and Saturday, and sometimes one or two weekdays depending on the weather! And everyone will drink at least 3 drinks in one go, often more if it's a bank holiday/bbq/party/catch up with friends.

This varies across all classes/age groups that I know - neighbours, family, colleagues etc. My friendship group are all professional, responsible people with otherwise very healthy lifestyles (daily gym/pilates, homecooked healthy non-UPF meals, salads and quinoa and green tea types!), but they all love a few glasses of wine or beer at the weekend.

I am from the south east and my cousin is from the north east, and she said it is very much the same where she lives.

So are our hometowns just odd? Or AIBU to think this is fairly usual in the UK, and that Mumsnet posters are unusual in this regard?

Genuinely just curious as it came up in conversation!

YABU - Mumsnet is the norm, alcohol is the devil
YANBU - Mumsnet views about alcohol are unusual

Well, someone is buying the booze. Or the shops wouldn’t bother selling it.
I think plenty of people tell porky pies when it comes to how much they drink.
Some posters on Mumsnet and indeed elsewhere can often seek to sound virtuous to gain sympathy.
Some will say they don’t drink for religious reasons although I suspect many do.
My friend who lived in Saudi Arabia said that grape juice concentrate was one of the biggest selling items in the supermarket.

The uk also has significantly more obesity related health issues than alcohol related ones. The uk has about 2 percent which are alcoholics and about 15 who drink to excess, v about 65 percent who are overweight or obese.

70 percent of over weight or obese people have at least one health condition due to it, rising to 80 percent in over 65s.

yet people act like some people on here act like people are some form of alcoholic if they have one or two drinks a night, which can easily be within the 14 unit limit.

its very odd, especially as many of tne people taking issue will likely be overweight or obese and suffering from at least one health related issue due to it.

Yes British people often binge drink and overdrink. It’s contributing to how sick our population is, obesity and the chronic disease burden on the NHS. I used to be one of them. Now I’m teetotal I know loads of people who also don’t drink or who barely drink - we just don’t tend to talk about it in person to our friends because people find that preachy. You wouldn’t realise I’m drinking 0% beers at the pub with you either.

I've never noticed that on here. I've seen posts suggesting someone has a drink or talking about going out for drinks. My experience of drinking around me is very different to yours too. I know a couple of people who drink every weekend and during the week, they have alcohol problems. Most people I know drink occasionally, so the odd night out or BBQ etc. I drink once or twice a year. Some people I know don't drink at all, some for religious reasons, some for other reasons.
When I was in my early 20s I had a lot more people around me drinking and I also drunk more. Socialising was very much around pubs, clubs and parties. Now it's more hikes, spa days and children's activities.

Alcohol is a known contributor that increases the risk of developing diabetes, obesity and cancer.

Very much an individual choice and each to their own. However OP you are definitely over the recommended units and I'd think about that and cut back.

If you’re trying to blame alcohol for the obesity rates then you’re losing credibility as said onky 15 percent of the population drink more than 14 units a week, and 66 percent are obese. Sorry your maths doesn’t math,

I'm not sure obesity and alcohol are entirely separate issues. Alcohol contributes calories too, so for many people they're linked rather than competing explanations for poor health.

I put on loads of weight when I was drinking because not only was it empty calories but it also made me crave junk food. I am much slimmer now

Just because you and your friends, family snd neighbours do something, doesn't make it the 'norm' or a good thing.

You’re using statistics incorrectly. And obesity is easily measured by using a scale and a height measure. Whereas alcohol intake… people lie when answering that question. All the time. When one stat relies on honesty and the other is brutally factual they can’t be easily compared.

The fact is that alcohol is a noted contributor to obesity in those who drink and are obese.

The “14 units” figure is a guideline for low-risk drinking, not a cutoff for metabolic impact. Even below that, alcohol can influence weight and insulin sensitivity. Saying only 15 % drink more than 14 units weekly doesn’t mean alcohol can’t contribute to obesity. Even moderate drinking adds calories and can affect metabolism, appetite, and fat storage.

Doesnt change for everyone who goes through perimenopause

I don’t drink at home. However we go away a lot to see bands and drink all day starting with a lovely pint with breakfast 😊

I’ll probably have about 8 pints over the course of the day and evening sometimes with a short or shots to make a change.

I’m 56. Rarely suffer from any sort of hangover or ill effects. Always remember what we have been doing.

away on average once a month so classic binge drinking I suppose but I don’t really care.

Yup my hangovers have got easier as I have got older 😊

Lucky you. Mine have got far worse.

I know what you mean op. I think people
in general do drink a bit reasonably regularly. Im
just not sure mn is quite as far from the real world
norm as you have suggested.

Me neither. I'm on mumsnet a lot and don't see these "alcohol is the devil/I have a thimblefull at Christmas" people.

You suffer no ill effects that you can see or notably feel. That doesn’t mean the alcohol isn’t affecting your insulin resistance, liver, kidneys, cancer resistance or brain cells.

Standard advice on MN is if you accidently burn your neighbours house down whilst they are on holiday. take a bottle of wine, chocs or flowers round to them to apologise and to keep good relations with them.
Problem is - they might not like alcohol for various reasons, don't / like eat sweets or have hay fever.

30s 100% with you.
40s I am the mumsnet norm

How old are you, OP? I think people get to about 45 and either give up or massively cut down on alcohol, or else go all in.

For me it’s not a “view”, I just am not in a position to really drink often. When I was in my 20s I used to have a few glasses on a Friday/Saturday night when kids were in bed, and was regularly out with my friends. Now im late 30s, have a toddler, had a child with complex needs who could go to the hospital at any time, have a much smaller social circle. I’m no longer inclined nor really able to drink at home and I rarely go out. I imagine a lot of people on a parenting forum are in a similar position.

If 78% have voted that "mumsnet views on alcohol are unusual" that does suggest that your portrayal of mumsnet views isn't correct. If everyone had instead voted that alcohol is the devil, you may have a point

And me. I love sharing wine with friends and relatives. Despite being older, my blood tests, other regular tests, general health, sleep etc is just fine. 🥂🥂🥂

It’s very normal to drink and very normal not to. My biggest friend group mostly doesn’t drink much although the guys will have a pint and maybe a second one if we go out to the pub. Most the women don’t drink or only occasionally have a glass of wine. My other friend groups are similar. Alcohol is there but it’s never the main event. I drink but very rarely. I don’t think I quite fall in the thimbleful at Christmas category but it’s not too far off. Occasionally I’ll drink a peroni or half a Guinness. I almost never drink wine. I don’t disapprove or do it for health reasons it’s more that I prefer to drink something else. 99% of the time my favourite drinks are water, tea or my daily coffee.
I when I get together with my family we don’t have alcohol, it’s not on our radar.
Two of my adult kids are fully tea-total and always have been. They went through uni without drinking alcohol despite partying and being social. One still hangs out with the same friendship group and when they meet up they don’t tend to go to the pub. They do sports, play games and eat out or at each others houses. Some of the group drink but some don’t.

There was a time on here a few years back when it seemed every other MNer was posting about having a glass or three gin in the evening and more recently raving about prosecco as if it was going out of fashion.
How times have changed.