Dan: Why don't you drink? (A.K.A. The Not-Drinking Thread)

[nshady]

I'm not a huge drinker. My dad's always enjoyed a drop, but my mum has never been a drinker. She may have a glass of wine on occasion, but that's it. While a lot of people my age were getting smashed at parties when 16, as the elder brother I had neither the means to get alcohol nor an incentive or example to follow. This also meant that alcohol was a little bit stigmatised - when my dad would fall asleep on the couch after a bottle of red on a Friday night, mum would 'tsk tsk' it a bit. He was never excessive, but it did mean I've never really had the drinking education that I think is necessary.

Personally, I believe Australia has a bit of a problem because we celebrate drunkenness to a certain extent. Our sporting icons are sponsored by alcohol companies. There's nothing "more Australian" than having a beer and watching the cricket. From a young age we see all the adults almost revering alcohol, but our families don't provide the associated education to help teenagers get a feel for the effects of drinking. The stereotypical French/Italian process of providing it in limited quantities at any meal time so that there's no rebellious mysticism associated with it could do wonders here.

I'm not against drinking. I will have a beer or two at a party. I don't mind people drinking around me. I just don't see the point of getting totalled. Why spend hundreds for a night on the town that makes you feel like crap the next day, and that you can barely remember? Most of my friends that do like to drink are relatively friendly and relaxed when drunk, so they don't bother me. I know people see it as a social lubricant, but clearly you can still have fun without it.

There are people at work doing similar casual shifts as me, but while I've been paying off my university fees as I go (no debt) and still have a good amount of disposable income, I see people with $10 in the bank, earning similar amounts and then just blowing it over the weekend. Personally, I just don't see the point.

[kzap]

Originally Posted by nshady

Personally, I believe Australia has a bit of a problem because we celebrate drunkenness to a certain extent.

I don't think that's just Australia, the same happens in the UK, loads of people go to the pubs to watch football or rugby here and get very drunk.

Originally Posted by tokenuser

Actually, I only drink socially - and never to the point where it puts me over the limit. I'll have a beer or a glass of wine with dinner occassionally, or if I am at a nicer restaurant. I'll drink beer at a BBQ.

Yea, that was me until recently (I love me some pear cider at a BBQ) but honestly Mtn Dew or Cola, isn't that much worse in my opinion.

Originally Posted by nshady

I never understood why those that don't drink seem to look down on those that do with almost a holier than thou attitude.

I never do that, although (I know I shouldn't but) I do look down on people who go out with the attention of getting drunk and then cause trouble.
We are starting a campaign in our local town to try and stop local shops selling alcohol in glass bottles (or at least stop putting it on promotion) because our local park is not safe for children on a Saturday morning from all the smashed bottles from Friday night and I think that is a shame.

There are two types of drinkers: social drinkers and alcoholics.
I don't mind social drinkers (I was one for a while) but I really dislike alcoholics, to the point were, I myself have stopped drinking (even socially).
I'm fine with people who do drink as long as they posses some common sense and know what they're doing.

[masherscf]

I drink when I'm thirsty. I like to drink beer because I enjoy the taste. I don't like either being drunk or getting drunk. I don't drink wine or hard liquor.

[joeyrock]

Dan also doesn't eat fruit. Is there a serious thread about that some where?

He probably doesn't like the taste or something, this is a very "serious thread" for a non issue. Crzy8sal your questions sound like you are alluding to Dan having some kind of past with an alcohol problem. None of the guys seem to me like serious drinkers with a stock up of six packs in the fridge.

[kzap]

Originally Posted by joeyrock

Dan also doesn't eat fruit.

Really or are you just being sarcastic. I'm sure I've seen threads on what t-shirt Jeff is wearing, this is a slightly more interesting topic than that surely.
Anyway I think he was just using Dan as the reason to start a thread on this issue, Dan is not the exclusive topic of this conversation, you did notice the 'AKA' in the title, right?
Most threads on online forums are ultimately pointless that doesn't mean they shouldn't exists.
Most conversations in life don't have a point does that me people should stop talking.
Until you came along I was enjoying this discussion, no need to put a damper on things.

[joeyrock]

No I'm not being sarcastic. It's well documented TRS history. He almost threw up when Will Harris tried to make him eat a fruit cake. Though that was some greasy mass produced fruit cake in a plastic wrapper.. so it probably deserved it.

[kzap]

Originally Posted by joeyrock

No I'm not being sarcastic. It's well documented TRS history. He almost threw up when Will Harris tried to make him eat a fruit cake. Though that was some greasy mass produced fruit cake in a plastic wrapper.. so it probably deserved it.

Wow, how did I now know this, someone should start a thread on that, I'm now incredible curious.
Is he allergic or something???
It's none of our business I know, but it's a fun fact that he might be happy to share, if he's not then nothings lost, we won't know if we don't ask.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained"

I'm not suggesting we start a thread on every detail about the hosts but if someone wanted they could start a "Dan doesn't eat fruit (AKA what foods don't you eat)" thread for people to talk about foods they do and don't eat and why.

[cucumberboy]

Originally Posted by masherscf

I drink when I'm thirsty. I like to drink beer because I enjoy the taste. I don't like either being drunk or getting drunk.

Exactly my sentimonies. I didn't drink before but a good dark brew is just too good to pass. I do drink wine to food sometimes, but never much.

[tokenuser]

Originally Posted by kzap

I'm not suggesting we start a thread on every detail about the hosts but if someone wanted they could start a "Dan doesn't eat fruit (AKA what foods don't you eat)" thread for people to talk about foods they do and don't eat and why.

I guess it had to happen sooner or later. Kevin and Alex get inane threads started about them all the time (hairgel? sneakers? tea?).

[kzap]

Originally Posted by masherscf

I drink when I'm thirsty. I like to drink beer because I enjoy the taste. I don't like either being drunk or getting drunk. I don't drink wine or hard liquor.

Yea, that was me and I'll probably end up like that again.
However at the moment I'm taking a break (like I said; a one of experience with a really drunk person put me off) not sure how long it will last.
I wouldn't mind never drinking alcohol again, it is expensive and I don't like it that much.

Originally Posted by tokenuser

I guess it had to happen sooner or later. Kevin and Alex get inane threads started about them all the time (hairgel? sneakers? tea?).

Yea, why should Dan get left out?
And it's not like this thread doesn't have a point.
It's talking about an interesting subject not just Dan (who by now should have become a man).