# Being a functioning alchoholic is not "developing social skills" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2005, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572 "2005-06-16T17:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/21 "2005-06-16T20:19:59Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Hey don’t get me wrong. I’ve got no problem with girls getting drunk and hooking up with me. I just don’t think it really helps our company improve performance is all. Doesn’t seem like you’ve given it a fair try. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/22 "2005-06-16T20:46:49Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > To clarify, in the interest of continuing employment, I did not actually punch the VP. I’m sure you’re all disappointed. I understood what you meant, and I meant no offense. It just seemed a funny juxtaposition – the ability to have fun sober culminating in a sober, near-violent rage. No question that you were provoked; it just didn’t sound like fun. **msmith537** , what does this company (companies?) actually _do_? During business hours, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/23 "2005-06-16T20:54:27Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > I **msmith537** , what does this company (companies?) actually _do_? During business hours, I mean. Air traffic control. ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/24 "2005-06-16T21:02:41Z")
Bwahahaha! **Neurotik** , that was funny. Seriously, though, it’s all good to have company happy hours at the bar, but sometimes the drinking culture does become problematic. Roughly 10 years ago, the big company I worked for had a huge bash, renting out a popular NYC club and pulling out all the stops. At one point during the party, the bar ran out of little plastic shot glasses, so they started serving oversized shots in 12-ounce plastic cups. (Danger Will Robinson!) - Two people were caught by a security guard having sex on the roof of the company’s building, having stumbled back there after the party for some fun. - One guy decided he was too drunk to go home, so he also went back to the office. Unfortunately, he was too drunk to unlock his own office. They found him the next morning in a pool of his own vomit with the keys to his office still in hand. - Co-workers were openly hooking up on the dance floor at the club. I’m all for corporate morale-builders and all, but somebody tell me how this creates anything other than an uncomfortable situation at work the next day… ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/25 "2005-06-16T21:06:16Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > Air traffic control. Pediatric nursing. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/26 "2005-06-16T21:21:05Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > -A corporate culture targeting the maturity level of a 23 year old with the maturity of a 17 year old is not sustainable Sure it is. It depends on what field you are in, and what the work environment is like. My brother works at one of the biggest investment banks in the world, and they do stuff like that all the time. One time, they had about 10k up for grabs to see if an intern could eat 10 big macs in one hour. Despite all the clowning around, they are very hard working people, who do their jobs well. Why do you assume drinking and strip clubs are immature. Of course you can do both in excess, but they are not signs of immaturity in and of themselves. Some people like to work hard and play hard. It may not be for you, but many people enjoy it. One thing I’ve heard people in your position do is to speak to the bartender or waiter privately and tell them to give you soda instead of the alcoholic drink your colleagues hear you order. That way, they won’t hassle you, and you can avoid doing something you don’t want to do. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/27 "2005-06-16T21:21:28Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > .-Taking your team to…uh…more than a stripclub Chuck E. Cheese? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/28 "2005-06-16T21:32:23Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > Why do you assume drinking and strip clubs are immature. Of course you can do both in excess, but they are not signs of immaturity in and of themselves. Where does he imply that it is? The actions he imply are people constantly drinking to the point where they are blacking out then not able to function properly the next day. Sounds like excess to me. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/29 "2005-06-16T21:41:58Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > Where does he imply that it is? The actions he imply are people constantly drinking to the point where they are blacking out then not able to function properly the next day. Sounds like excess to me. With the general tone of his post. I could be wrong , but that’s what I got from it. ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/30 "2005-06-16T22:40:08Z")
The only time I’ve ever been crazy drunk was at my workplace during our grand opening. After the guests had left, our bar served up drinks for all the employees and we proceeded to party together. I am usually very good with alcohol and unfortunately, my bar is VERY good at making drinks where you can’t taste the alcohol. Due to a combination of factors, I accidently got drunk off of just 2 drinks. I don’t remember much of what I did that night, just fondling my large-chested coworker. She’s got the biggest natural chest I’ve ever seen and we somehow got on the subject of boobs and she invited all of us girls to have a feel. I couldn’t resist, and then of course, she had to feel mine. The next morning, I apologized to her in case I had mistaken her invitation in my drunken state, but she just laughed and said that I could do it whenever I wanted to. The whole thing was a lot of fun and it actually did bond us together. But I wouldn’t want to drink on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/31 "2005-06-16T23:18:40Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > msmith537, what does this company (companies?) actually do? During business hours, I mean. It’s a branch of management consulting. Specifically litigation consulting. Basically our clients are people like investment banks that are being sued for things like meat poisoning their interns. There’s nothing wrong with a work hard/play hard mentality. But maturity is knowing when is the right time for each. Coworkers who are consistantly beyond drunk at company events. They can’t function at work the next day or they lose important (and sensitive) stuff at the bar and hold up their projects. Then they wonder why they don’t get promoted. If this is how they behave in the office, how will they behave on their own on the road with clients. My GFs classmate from B-school was a director at his firm and he used to do what brickbacon suggested. Basically he would see how people acted and it would affect their promotions or even their future at the company. I guess the point is that it’s fun and all but don’t try to convince me that it’s good “team building”. We had a weekend long event and people quit the very day we got back. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/32 "2005-06-17T00:02:38Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > One time, they had about 10k up for grabs to see if an intern could eat 10 big macs in one hour. Did he or she make it? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/33 "2005-06-17T00:16:22Z")
I worked for a company that didn’t have Christmas parties any more because of the antics at past parties. I have to agree with **msmith** - this does nothing to improve _anything_ at a company. **brickbacon** , anybody hassling me because I am not ordering alchoholic drinks just told me something very important about their personality. ---
**Author:** ![Leroy\_Brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Leroy\_Brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leroy_Brown)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/34 "2005-06-17T01:07:36Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > You know what I hate about people who drink too much. They tend to repeat themselves. Lissen, no really lissen to me…OK…OK? I LOVE you man. No no no, you’re not lissening, I said I LOVE you man. I’m sooo drunk. Did I ever tell you you’re my best friend? I mean it man, you’re the greatest. I love you man. Hey! Cheetos! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/35 "2005-06-17T01:32:09Z")
> [@kimera](#): > > I couldn’t resist, and then of course, she had to feel mine. The next morning, I apologized to her in case I had mistaken her invitation in my drunken state, but she just laughed and said that I could do it whenever I wanted to. The whole thing was a lot of fun and it actually did bond us together. And the pictures are where? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/36 "2005-06-17T01:45:23Z")
My former FIL, bless his heart, opined that there were two things he couldn’t stand: A drunk man when he was sober, and a sober man when he was drunk. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/37 "2005-06-17T03:01:35Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > _Really_ funny. Laugh! > > **HARDER!** I CAN’T HEAR YOU, MAGGOT!! Nobody else finds this as hilariously funny as I do? I guess not. slinks away ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/38 "2005-06-17T04:01:28Z")
And this is why I drink at home. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/39 "2005-06-17T04:06:34Z")
> [@Leroy Brown](#): > > Lissen, no really lissen to me…OK…OK? I LOVE you man. No no no, you’re not lissening, I said I LOVE you man. I’m sooo drunk. Did I ever tell you you’re my best friend? I mean it man, you’re the greatest. I love you man. Hey! Cheetos! :rolleyes: Ugh I hate that shit. One of my coworkers is all like “it’s so sad those peple are leaving”. You’ve been here 2 MONTHS idiot! How attached can you be? ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572/40 "2005-06-17T04:10:45Z")
> [@](#): > > -Taking your team to…uh…more than a stripclub I really, _really_, want to hear more about this one. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-functioning-alchoholic-is-not-developing-social-skills/308572.md?page=3)