The problem with people

[andrewducker]

In her own journal, Sana said:

Mission was fun, although i did have a big wibble in my head halfway through when i realised that more and more it seems that my friends can only be happy if they've just been laid or are about to be, are fucked on drugs or are fucked on alcohol.

This is something that's worried me for a long time. It's been a point of derision for drinkers that non-alcoholics say things like "I can have fun when I'm sober." - as if it's not possible to enjoy yourself unless you're drunk. Everyone knows that alcoholism is bad, but how many people think about the fact that binge drinking is a nasty sign - that people feel they can't dance or sing or relax around each other unless they've first knocked out a fair number of their brain cells and reduced themselves to gibbering wrecks.

Now, I can understand that a small chunk of the population might be the kind of person who has neuroses about the public and can't cope with being around people. But apparently the vast majority of the population can't cope with the concept of having fun without alcohol. It's not just bad enough that most people feel that their Friday nights should be enhanced by alcohol - it really seems that the huge proportion of people aren't having fun unless they've drunk enough to stop thinking even slightly. Should it not be a warning to people that they can't have fun unless they're drunk? Should it not be a warning to society that it's members don't feel good unless they're incapable of walking?

We're stuck in a civilisation with a largely-christian hangover, where any example of enjoying yourself is taken as freakish. Try singing to yourself, or dancing while _sober_ and see how many people point and laugh or simply become embarassed that, God forbid, someone enjoy that kind of behaviour without being drunk. How many people do you know who will go to any kind of social event that doesn't largely revolve around alcohol?

Comments

[davecleghorn.livejournal.com]

I agree – if you’re straight or sober at the time. It’s the same for everything. Its not a good idea to spend time in the company of people who are getting drunk, stoned, high or whatever if your not doing the same.

How often have you been in the company of your mates when theyre stoned and your not. Shit, either smoke a joint or get out of the room.

What I meant was, there is nothing wrong with NOT having a drink, obviously nothing wrong with it. But if I don’t know that someone I’m hanging out with does not like a drink and were say, in a pub I’m going to assume that they would like a drink when I’m getting one in, because most people would. And when I say, “Are you sure?” it’s the same as when I say, “Are you sure” when you say you don’t want a bit of my chocolate bar when I offer it. Its cos I’m trying to be nice.

I TOTALLY agree that it is upsetting to think that people need alcohol to have a good time or to be relaxed. I don’t. But I like to drink, I guess quite a lot. And I don't think that makes me pathetic.

[rainstorm.livejournal.com]

i like to go to the pub or to clubs to meet friends and, in the case of clubs, to dance like a muppet. i do enjoy being with friends and if i didn't go to pplaces with alcohol i would -never- see some of them. i don't want to be anti-social and not go out. i'd never have any fun.

i don't get annoyed at someone asking me -once- if i want a drink. when i say "idon't drink" i would like to be taken seriously. it's not a random whim. i thought about it quite a lot before i did it. when friends ask me, then i get annoyed, and i get annoyed at having to explain the not drinking thing and then having my explanation quetioned over and over "but you could just drink a little". "no, i don't want to." "but a little wouldn't hurt". i don't want to have to explain all the reasons to people i barely know. online it's all okay, strangely. maybe the anonymity helps. :)

i prefer to spend time with my friends than not, mostly. i just don't like people trying to force me into something i don't want to do. sometimes people forget i do't drink. but it's when they remember and yet try push me that's irritating. luckily it doesn't happen much with my good friends.

[davecleghorn.livejournal.com]

If someone’s constantly asking you if you want a drink after you’ve categorically said, ‘no I don’t drink’ then that’s completely inane. I’d just ask you if you’d like something else - orange juice..?

When I’m getting drunk I am aware of it. I know if I’m hanging about with a mate who’s not drinking the chances of me making a bit of a prick out of myself at some point (or at least it being noticed more) are increased, but I’m cool with that. I often make a prick out of myself. Andy’ll second that. Maybe people trying to pressure you into a drink is partially something to do with that.? Anyway, I agree, ‘wanna drink wanna drink wanna drink’, would be f*cking annoying!

Although I don’t think drinking culture is a bad thing, don’t get me wrong. Christ, drunk / high people can be very annoying. I was out on Saturday and bumped into a couple of girls I hadn’t seen since school. Chatted for a couple of minutes until I realised they’d probably consumed enough drink and drugs to kill a rhino. They were just a mess; its surprising they got in. I could barely understand what they were going on about although they were continually repeating themselves. They were being so fucking annoying! They also ruined any chances I might have had at pulling, as I couldn’t get away from them all night. So that basically wrecked my Saturday night. Wankers.