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Hey guys, I've got a question concerning drinking. This may not be relevant to anyone outside of America (in fact it may not be relevant to anyone but me), but I'm just trying to figure out the rationale behind the typical college drunk frat party culture.
So I just finished up the first term of my freshman year in college. Awesome. Went to a few parties, had a good time, but didn't really get into the whole party scene very much. I understand the appeal, dancing in the dark and hanging out with friends, meeting attractive females, all well and good. Got it. Where it breaks down for me is where the booze comes out.
I've never drank before, not because I refuse to drink or haven't had the opportunity, but I've just never felt the desire. I have nothing against hanging out with your friends and having a few drinks, I get that; what I don't get is the appeal of getting shitfaced drunk and going completely crazy for a night. When I ask what some of my friends are doing on weekends and they tell me they're planning to get wasted, I get so confused. What is the appeal in not having complete control over your judgement and actions? How can that lead to any better outcome than what would've happened if you were completely in control?
I considered maybe it's supposed to be like a confidence booster or something, but isn't that just be covering up for insecurities? Why not just be outgoing? I thought it might be some part of the hookup culture, but I'm pretty sure I've had more female than most of my friends who party and drink way more than I do.
I apologize if I seem naïve or unaware, but I have no trouble admitting that I'm both when it comes to this stuff. Where's the appeal? What's the draw?
Thanks a lot in advance.
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1. Increases confidence
2. Lowers inhibitions
3. Everyone looks more attractive when you're drunk (except for you)
That's pretty much it.
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4. Everybody else is doing it.
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United Kingdom14103 Posts
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Have you ever had Bailey's from a shoe?
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Hey Man, I know where you're coming from.
I grew up Morman so when I went to college(I was not "practicing" at this point) I didn't quite understand the whole lets get fucking wasted scene. I went to parties my friends got drunk threw up/passed out yadyada and I was like why do you need alcohol to have fun?
Well eventually I decided to give it a shot and had a few drinks privately with close friends to see what it was like, and I have to admit it was fun. Some people look at getting drunk as a way to have less inhibitions(which it does do) and others look at it for an escape. I look at it from the perspective that it can be fun.
There are of course some negative things about alcohol and some fun things. If you do not want to drink, don't there is nothing wrong with that. You can be the designated drive which is awesome in it's own right. But you have to keep in mind if you start drinking you're not going to know how to act when you get drunk, or how it will affect you. That is why some of your friends seem to act like jerks/dicks when they get drunk.
Some might use alcohol as a confidence booster, but that that doesn't mean everyone does. Some drink to enjoy the social aspects of the experience, or to celebrate a big event, or even some drink because they have a special affection for certain types of alcohol e.g. beer lovers, whiskey snobs, wine snobs, scotch snobs (snob not being used in a derogatory term here)
Short story long alcohol is made to be this big thing in America but it does not have to be, but DO NOT feel pressured into it, make your own ADULT choices. That is the big thing I feel, do not drink until you feel you're responsible enough to do so(to an extent cause shit happens when you get drunk sometimes)
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1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
Because everyone thinks it is cool, but no one actually enjoys it, but everyone does it anyway. It is a self perpetuating cycle.
Sometimes it is fun though, to lose control and go nuts.
There are less regurgitatory (how is this not a word?) ways though
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I don't notice much of a difference between sober me and 1L of vodka me other than finding walking around MUCH more enjoyable because of the challenge.
My friends comment that I don't act any different as well.
I personally don't like the party or club scenes, casual drinking into getting wasted is the best. Too bad North American drinking culture doesn't seem to work that way.
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United States18814 Posts
On November 22 2013 12:45 lichter wrote:
Because everyone thinks it is cool, but no one actually enjoys it, but everyone does it anyway. It is a self perpetuating cycle.
Sometimes it is fun though, to lose control and go nuts.
There are less regurgitatory (how is this not a word?) ways though
Probably because nauseating works well enough 
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It makes for bad decisions. Yup. I'm looking at joining a fraternity and I can tell you, total sincerity yo, it's about bad decisions and making it a lot easier for girls to make some regretful ones and guys to make some regretful ones. It adds uncertainty to a party scene too, and all of it wraps up into making a party a good time.
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1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
On November 22 2013 13:44 farvacola wrote:Show nested quote +On November 22 2013 12:45 lichter wrote:
Because everyone thinks it is cool, but no one actually enjoys it, but everyone does it anyway. It is a self perpetuating cycle.
Sometimes it is fun though, to lose control and go nuts.
There are less regurgitatory (how is this not a word?) ways though Probably because nauseating works well enough
Nauseating just means you feel disgust and weird in the stomach
I want a word that explicitly means "vomit inducing"
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2nd Worst City in CA8938 Posts
On November 22 2013 12:45 lichter wrote:
Because everyone thinks it is cool, but no one actually enjoys it, but everyone does it anyway. It is a self perpetuating cycle.
Sometimes it is fun though, to lose control and go nuts.
There are less regurgitatory (how is this not a word?) ways though
That's a huge generalization if I've ever seen one.
I, and many of my friends, drink because we actually enjoy it. Sure, it may suck the day after when you're hungover and can't even get out of bed, and sure, I may tell myself I'm never drinking again every time I puke my guts out, but it's fun nonetheless and is often accompanied by many amazing memories. There's nothing "cool" about drinking and I haven't thought it was since high school, but it can be plenty enjoyable.
To the OP: I'm sure everyone has their own reasons for drinking. You just have to find yours (or don't and don't drink). As for me, I appreciate the high and love seeing my friends wasted (the latter is the best). Just remember that you don't have to get wasted every time you drink. Casual drinking is great as well. My friends and I often visit breweries and have a couple of drinks while relaxing. Sometimes there's no better feeling than a nice glass of beer after a grueling day. Likewise, there's something to be said about going nuts and letting loose after studying for days on end.
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Don't listen to any people on either extreme of this discussion. Alcohol has been an important part of many different civilizations for thousands of years. This isn't some coincidence. Alcohol can be pretty interesting. That said, many people in college take it way too seriously, especially here in the states.
If you are curious, give it a try, but go easy the first few times and just see how it goes. Don't listen to people in college who think the only purpose of alcohol is to get blackout drunk. Even a small amount of alcohol can make some people feel more outgoing, and that can be enough to make a good time.
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because beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy
cheap beer is proof that the devil also comes quoting scripture
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United States18814 Posts
On November 22 2013 14:20 lichter wrote:Show nested quote +On November 22 2013 13:44 farvacola wrote:On November 22 2013 12:45 lichter wrote:
Because everyone thinks it is cool, but no one actually enjoys it, but everyone does it anyway. It is a self perpetuating cycle.
Sometimes it is fun though, to lose control and go nuts.
There are less regurgitatory (how is this not a word?) ways though Probably because nauseating works well enough Nauseating just means you feel disgust and weird in the stomach I want a word that explicitly means "vomit inducing"
Well then emetic would probably be the word for you!
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It's simple: Some people like it, others don't.
Getting as shitfaced as I can is no fun to me because the next day is too horrible, so in the rare event that I do decide to get hammered, I shoot for that sweetspot where I have just enough judgement to stop drinking when I'm drunk as hell but the hangover will be bearable.
If you don't see the appeal, don't bother. However, I do think that you should be able to understand what's good about being so drunk that you kind of lose control. You're in control all the time. There's something liberating about being completely drunk from time to time.
But again, if you don't see the appeal, don't bother. It can make for memorable moments with the bros though.... Oh yes.
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On November 22 2013 12:48 Thaniri wrote:
I personally don't like the party or club scenes, casual drinking into getting wasted is the best. Too bad North American drinking culture doesn't seem to work that way.
This. Hanging out with your friends and getting shitfaced is the best.
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Another reason for people getting balls out drunk is to relieve stress. Could be a way to escape problems and reality.
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Why do people drink alcohol? Because it feels good. It improves your mood.
Alcohol releases chemicals in the brain that are designed to make you feel good. Anyone who says they don't like alcohol are not drinking the right way, probably drinking too much. Your friends seem to be drinking too much, which is what turns you off about it. Being physically sick is designed to make you not feel good as well. I've never drank for some sort of social reasons, it's just for the simple physiological reaction, it makes you feel good if done correctly.
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EPT
