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Posted on 02/25/2002 9:00:22 AM PST by The American
I don't have any hilarious or ridiculous stories about things I've done while being drunk. Truth be told, I don't have any stories about drunken shenanigans, period. And I never will. I know this because I am part of the small minority of college students who don't drink alcohol. That's right, I'm one of "those" -- and I'm not afraid to admit it.
Out of all the people I've met on campus, I can only name three other students who share this quality. They are all fairly quiet about their decision, but I'm not. Being open about my choice often makes me an object of ridicule, but that's alright, I can take it. And I'll continue to take it, because I'm not about to change.
Whenever people learn that I do not drink alcohol, they rarely say, "That's great, I respect your decision." Rather, the common response is, "Why?" Well, let me first say that I am over 21, so it's not due to fear of the law. My religion does not restrict me from drinking alcohol either, nor am I a recovering alcoholic. I decided on my own accord to refrain from drinking, and the decision wasn't even that difficult to make.
There are many reasons why I don't drink. Maybe it's a subconscious reaction to what happened to one of my relatives. Granted, I never met the man; he wasn't exactly close to me on the family tree. He was an alcoholic, but he turned his life around and even helped others overcome their alcohol addictions. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, my completely-sober relative was killed by a drunk driver. This story has affected me in ways I only now realize.
Then there was the day in chemistry class when the substitute teacher split us into teams to complete a worksheet. A few minutes before the bell rang, I noticed a crowd gathering around the group next to mine. One of my "friends" was impersonating my father as a drunk. I sat and watched in disbelief, a deer caught in the headlights. My dad never had a drinking problem -- heck, he hardly ever touches the stuff -- but since my dad's family is Irish, that was apparently reason enough to characterize him as an alcoholic. I was extremely hurt. To this day, I've never felt lower than I did during that class.
The biggest reason I don't drink alcohol has to do with control. I don't want any drug to change the way I act. The Matt you see at Monday's lecture will be the same Matt you see on Friday night. So what if I'll never be the life of the party? Surprise surprise, I can have a good time without drinking. True, it won't be nearly as wild or crazy as the experiences of somebody who tossed back a few beers, but I'm okay with that.
But don't assume that, because I don't drink alcohol, I despise everyone who does. Not the case. I don't run home to hide under my bedcovers when my friends order a beer or two. When my friends decide to go to Mardi Gras or a drinking contest, I don't hate or disown them. I usually suggest an activity where the center of attention isn't a keg, but if that doesn't work, I tell them to be careful. We sober people aren't the party-poopers we're made out to be.
Some people might wonder why I'm writing about my choice to abstain from alcohol. This column obviously is not a veiled attempt to convince drinkers that liquor is evil. No, I'm telling my story to show that there are students who choose to be sober, that you can enjoy college without drinking. And I'm telling my story so that those who choose to drink will respect the decisions of those who choose not to.
The last few times I dared suggest the lives of college students should not revolve around alcohol, I got hammered ... by swarms of vulgar emails and nasty phone messages. It wouldn't surprise me if the same thing happens again this time. If you want act like a child, calling me names or threatening to beat me up, go ahead. I'm proud of my decision, and there's nothing anybody can say or do to make me feel otherwise.
LOL!! Same here, except for me it was '87-'90. I joined a frat my freshman year. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad(couldn't say bad enough!!) move. I got alcohol poisoning, completely lost about three and a half days of memory, and one contact lense during my alcohol hazing frat trip. Just the smell of tequila will make me throw up now
Some people would say the beer everywhere/anywhere is better than in the States. While I wouldn't go that far, the beer is better in a lot of other places, although I can't speak for Australia. Let us know what you find out.
For most college age people there is no middle ground. They go to parties in high school and learn from their friends that the entire purpose of alcohol is to get as hammered as possible. Then in college the separation from their parents removes any adult influence which may have existed in high school, while the 21 year old drinking age ensures that whatever drinking they do will occur in an uncontrolled adolescent environment. The only way to learn to drink in moderation is to drink with people who are both older and more mature than you. Although he is over 21, I can see where that type of environment would make him disgusted with drinking. He is not a puritan and is not forcing his choices on others. I support his decision.
The thing that's always bothered me is the way people who are drinking try to talk the non drinker into drinking. I like to drink. My wife drinks or not- she can take it or leave it. When she's not drinking people are always trying to get her to drink and seem dissappointed somehow when she asserts that she can have a good time without getting drunk. Recovering alcoholics have it pretty rough too with this. Unless they quit going out altogether, they're always going to run into the awkward situation of someone pressing them to have a glass of wine etc for dinner or whatever- "one glass want hurt anything".
I knew an Irishman in Germany, he was recovering alcoholic. His profession- Irish Pub owner. I don't know how he did it. Maybe seeing the drunks in his establishment worked as negative (or positive) reinforcement.
I condemn neither side on this one. Just having some fun.
Excellent point.
He's a whiteknuckled teetotaler...
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It always seems like they have some creepy little secret or perversion that they fear will spill out if they have a couple of drinks...
If they can't trust themselves, how the heck am I supposed to trust them?
You're absolutely right. How about, sharing a good glass of single-malted scotch, with cigars and friends. Or having a few beers while watching a footbal game. Or enjoying a frosty rum drink while sunning in the Caribbean?
The point is, I don't understand what this author's point is. What's wrong with responsible drinking? Get a life, and get off your soapbox. You don't want to drink? Good for you, don't drink.
So true. I drink, but respect people who don't (perhaps because my family is about equally divided between drinkers and non-drinkers, with both groups containing wonderful people and both groups containing losers). I have noticed that many drinkers, for whatever reason, become indignant and snotty when someone mentions they don't drink. There is absolutely NO live and let live attitude.
Being a supporter of the individual, I applaud this kid for being willing to take the barbs he knows are coming in order to stand up for something he believes in. Good for him, and it's no skin off my nose.
Your post proves my point. He was obviously not around adults who know how to drink responsibly while he's growing up. He learned "how to drink" from other kids. If he had grown up around responsible adults, he would know when to say no.
How do you 'believe in' not drinking other than just not drinking?
I 'believe in' not wearing underwear. I'm not going to write an opinion piece about it...
What a great name for a bar!
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