Drunkeness IRL: Is it a diversion for you or a need?

[Mallus]

I wonder why nearly every culture eventually found some "drug" that inhibits restraints.

Because every culture has uptight people.

And why people that drink seem to have more friends and sexual partners then those that don't?

Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker.

It provides us with the courage to do things we normally wouldn't do, and also gives as a social excuse to explain it away if it didn't work out?

I've seen it make white and off-white men dance.

(Being a "no-alcohol"-guy myself)

Mustrum... just say 'yes'.

 

[love.christine]

Because every culture has uptight people.

Not all uptight people drink though. My brother being one such example.

Mustrum... just say 'yes'.

Oh great, just what enworld needs; peer pressure.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Not all uptight people drink though. My brother being one such example.

It is interesting to note that those federal countries in Germany that seem to be the most uptight also have stuff like the Oktoberfest or Carnivals. I know a few people that moved from Northern to Southern Germany and they typically note that people there seem to be less friendly, more cold, and don't seem particularly funny. But when they are celebrating, they are celebrating to excess, no barrels hold. Most of the people from Northern Germany I know really "grok" why they do it this way, and most of us cringe at the thought of having such isolated moments of fun.

But that said, as the most famous North-German (in fact: East Frisian) comedian once sung (in German): "We drink seldom and little, but when then often and a lot". It just seems we don't need these singular moments and spread it a little more...

Oh great, just what enworld needs; peer pressure.

I never gave in into that. I'll stay uptight, err sober.

 

[Mallus]

Oh great, just what enworld needs; peer pressure.

Hey, it's not peer pressure until someone uses the phrase "all the cool people are doing it"...

 

[Mallus]

I'll stay uptight, err sober.

I didn't meant to suggest that people who avoid alcohol were uptight. Just that they were missing out on one of life's simple chemical pleasures.

I'd say the same to someone who wouldn't try chocolate.

 

[Pbartender]

But when they are celebrating, they are celebrating to excess, no barrels hold.

Out of curiosity, do you mean, "no holds barred"?

Or is that a literal translation of a German idiom I am unfamiliar with?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Out of curiosity, do you mean, "no holds barred"?

Or is that a literal translation of a German idiom I am unfamiliar with?

I could lie and claim it was a German idom or I was trying to channel my inner Yoda or something, but the matter of fact is I meant "no holds barred" and I got it mixed up. Sometimes I can't hide that English is not my mother tongue.

I didn't meant to suggest that people who avoid alcohol were uptight.

Well, I certainly think of myself more as "uptight". At least for some meanings of the word...

Just that they were missing out on one of life's simple chemical pleasures.

I'd say the same to someone who wouldn't try chocolate.

If you say it like that...









Nah.

 

[Whitemouse]

I never gave in into that. I'll stay uptight, err sober.

Glad to hear.

 

[Mallus]

Nah.

Oh well, I tried.

But please tell me you like bratwurst. The 1/4 German in me would cry if you didn't...

 

[Pbartender]

I could lie and claim it was a German idom or I was trying to channel my inner Yoda or something, but the matter of fact is I meant "no holds barred" and I got it mixed up. Sometimes I can't hide that English is not my mother tongue.

No problem... I've lived with a great many non-Americans in past. Since most of them were less than perfectly fluent and always eager to improve their English, I've since picked up this habit of taking notice and offering help with such slips of the tongue.

It is interesting to note that those federal countries in Germany that seem to be the most uptight also have stuff like the Oktoberfest or Carnivals. I know a few people that moved from Northern to Southern Germany and they typically note that people there seem to be less friendly, more cold, and don't seem particularly funny. But when they are celebrating, they are celebrating to excess, no barrels hold. Most of the people from Northern Germany I know really "grok" why they do it this way, and most of us cringe at the thought of having such isolated moments of fun.

Hrm. That's rather interesting. I'd never really thought of it before.

I come from a very German ancestry, and one that's mostly from the south of Germany... The Reinharts were Hessians, the Küsters were Bavarian, the Domayers were Austrian, and the Piotters were from that part of Saxony in eastern Germany that's too close to Poland for its own good.

In my extended family, especially on my Dad's side, they tend to follow the same sort of pattern you suggest for the south Germans... they don't drink often, usually only during celebrations, but when they do they drink a lot for a long time and tend to get very, very drunk as a whole.

On my Dad's side, that meant a long, illustrious line of drunkards. Every single one of my Dad's brothers and sisters was an alcoholic at one point or another (they've all since "recovered"). You see, while they would only (over)indulge during celebrations, they would continually hunt for excuses to celebrate.

On top of that, I'd seen too many friends who were sons and daughters of alcoholics try their best to be teetotalers, only to lose it all when they finally give in and have a taste... With no drinking experience, they had no self-control, and ended up becoming what they desperately worked to avoid, because they had to defense against it.

Which is much of the reason why long ago I taught myself what I now find out to be very north German mannerisms in my drinking habits... I tend to drink more often than my relations (maybe once or twice a week, when I can afford it), but I have far less to drink when I do (just a glass of beer or wine with dinner, for example). The best thing about it, I find, is that I have a better awareness of where I am on the sober-drunk spectrum, and far more control over pacing myself or stopping when I want to.

To me, coming from a family of alcoholics, that's a comforting thing. I know that I won't get drunk unless I choose to, and I know that I have the willpower to not drink when I want to.