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.
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.
Much like the typical liberal, he cannot keep his opinions or lifestyle choices private. He must inflict his "superior" beliefs on those of us who couldn't care less what he or anyone else chooses to do. Why can he not be like the other three students he talks about? He desenves scorn. Not for being a non-drinker, but for publicly patting himself on the back about it.
Who waits till 11:00 am?
Funny, I was a responsible college student. So was the crowd I ran around with.
Generally speaking, kids will live up to your expectations.
Same story here. Makin' up for it now though. ;)
"Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of miiiiiiiine..."
\_/ \_/ \_/
Oh, I agree, he's sort of right there in your face with it. I'm just saying I can understand a little bit where he's coming from. I can't help but think sometimes though... You ever see those Jay Walking episodes on Leno? The ones where he goes to a college campus and asks the students simple no brainer questions that they can't answer? I'm thinking of one in particular where this girl couldn't answer one of 3 or 4 simple American history/gov't related questions but when Jay switched on a boom box with "Who Let da Dogs Out" she was a pretty apt study at busting a move to the tune. I get to thinking our nation would be a whole lot better off if students went to campus to actually study.
I think back on my wife's university days. She studied medicine. She might have gone out to a pub one night every two weeks but the rest of the time she had her nose in a book. Sounds boring but she's a good doctor.
So people who are different should just shut the hell up or risk being labeled obnoxious twits. Sorry but I think you've overreacted, maybe this article touched on something personal.
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