Why the beer hate? (Forked Thread: What are the no-goes...)

[Umbran]

I don't drink alcohol myself, but I don't ban it at my table. However, the folks in my groups don't ever seem to want the stuff, so it is kind of a non-issue.

That being said, I don't believe I have ever met a single human being who becomes any brighter, more interesting, or more witty after having alcohol. So, I don't think I'd particularly look forward to having folks drink much for gaming, either. The game seems more fun when everyone's minds are pretty sharp.

 

[maddman75]

You're a smoker, right?

What difference does that make? Do you have a medical condition that keeps you from being around smokers, since you've admitted that its not possible to be allergic to it?

 

[Wicht]

Sorry, but it's not that common to have that kind of reaction if someone has smoked outside and then later enters the room. Most people do not even know you have smoked unless they get very close to you.

I think thats only true if you have constant exposure to smoke. My wife's father smokes and she attests to the fact that she could not smell it on him until she had moved out of his house for a year or two. Now she can smell it almost as quickly as I can. Fresh smoke dries my eyes and nose. Stale smoke not as bad but it smells worse to me and I can actually smell it from further away.

As for drinking. I'm another that is a teetotaler. I don't socialize with drinkers (in recreational setting anyways) and though I will eat at a restaurant that serves alcohol (no bars) I tend to eat at times when there is little or no drinking. As for games, its mostly family at the moment, but when I gamed in college, it was a Christian college with a no alcohol policy so it was never an issue and afterwards, gaming was always at my house so it again was never an issue. If I was at someone else's house gaming and drinking started, I likely would not game with the same group again.

 

[Minicol]

I remember that some of my friends started drinking towards the end of high school, and it really polluted some of our games. Caused a group breakup really.

However, now that we are a bunch of 30 something gamers, we do occasionnally drink during the game. But never too much. And not that often. But sometimes, there are reasons to celebrate outside of gaming, and just as much as we buy fine cakes, we occasionnally open bottles.

The fact that we don't have to drive helps a lot.

 

[maddman75]

That being said, I don't believe I have ever met a single human being who becomes any brighter, more interesting, or more witty after having alcohol. So, I don't think I'd particularly look forward to having folks drink much for gaming, either. The game seems more fun when everyone's minds are pretty sharp.

That's not the point. Everyone else will become brighter, more interesting, and more witty after *you* have a couple of drinks.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

That being said, I don't believe I have ever met a single human being who becomes any brighter, more interesting, or more witty after having alcohol.

Seriously? I guess it depends on what you mean by "becomes," but I'd say roughly half the drunk people I've been around -- sloppy, obnoxious drunks excepted -- are more interesting and wittier. Alcohol destroys inhibitions, and I've had many, many, many shy friends and acquaintances over the years who blossom when their inhibitions are lowered.

Are they actually more interesting or wittier? Maybe not, but they effectively are.

 

[rogueattorney]

That being said, I don't believe I have ever met a single human being who becomes any brighter, more interesting, or more witty after having alcohol.

As I recall from my single days, I met a number of women who became all those things after a few drinks. More attractive, too. Luckily for me, it worked reciprocally for my future wife.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

What difference does that make?

Smokers are nearly always oblivious to the lingering effects of the habit. (As someone already noted, on top of my having observed it earlier.)

Do you have a medical condition that keeps you from being around smokers, since you've admitted that its not possible to be allergic to it?

It's no more a "medical condition" than the results from getting squirted in the eye with habanero juice are from a "medical condition." Smoke is an irritant. Unlike habanero juice, it travels through the air, and it's severe enough to have an effect in small amount. (Such as what lingers on a smoker.)

 

[Mistwell]

In our games, we have no problem with drinking. In fact, we have no problem if people go outside and get stoned during the break.

I don't personally get stoned, and I don't often drink alcohol during a game (though I will sometimes), but only because I usually have to drive after the game and I forget to drink alcohol early enough to have it mostly out of my system by the time the game ends. Many others do not have to drive, so it does not matter driving-wise if they are intoxicated in any way (though I do not recall anyone ever being actually drunk at a game, ever).

It's never really been a problem for us, in many years of gaming.

None of our gamers smoke cigarettes as far as I know. If they did, they would likely smoke outside during the break, just like some do with pot. I personally wouldn't mind if they smoked at the table as long as everyone was OK with it. And if everyone were smoking at the table, I'd probably light up a cigar for myself. But, it's never really come up.

I think if you are gaming with: 1) adults, and 2) close friends, it should not be an issue. I suspect for those who do have an issue with drinking, they are gaming with people who are not both adults and close friends.

 

[Bumbles]

Do you deal with those people in other aspects of your life? How do you handle those situations? The people I game with all have familial, professional, and/or social relationships beyond playing D&D. Is that not the case for you?

I don't go to events where they will be consumption of alcohol by the persons involved. You want me to go to your birthday party? Don't hold it in a bar.

(Well, unless you're renting the space and I know you're not going to be serving alcohol, there have been some cases where that has occured.)

It is interesting to me as you seem to find the problem with the alcohol and not the person whereas I see the problem being the person and not the alcohol. Am I correct in this assessment?

I have met many fine people who are ok until they've had a drink.

Then they begin act in unpleasant ways.

That there are also people who are s when they're absolutely sober does not mean alcohol does not have an effect upon a person's behavior. If you think it doesn't, then I am going to say the same thing I said already to other people, go educate yourself.

I won't bother trying any further.

I know my limits.