So, my wife and I are at her fathers house for Easter. We get there at 1:00, company arrives around 2:45. 4 adults, 3 younger teenagers. Only one other adult other than him have any wine.
He pours his wine glass (approx. 6-7 oz each) at:
2:15
2:45
3:00
3:42
4:30
Do you think pouring himself 5 glasses in 2 1/4 hours excessive??? I’d say he normally has 3-4 glasses every afternoon/evening.
Yeah, that sounds excessive.
I say this as one for whom one glass of wine on an empty stomach can make me a little loopy…that seems a bit much. You mention he has 3-4 glasses every evening…has your wife noticed anything?
That is about a quart of wine. Basically, a whole bottle over about 3 hours. If I did that, I would be lipwalking. His tolerance must be quite high.
Excessive for what?
Honestly, if it’s a holiday, there is conviviality, drinking a bottle plus a glass in 2.5 hours is not outrageous.
The bigger red flag, which I would say is officially “too much to drink” is the fact that he drinks a bottle of wine every day. That’s excessive.
If the size were accurate and he had 3-4 glasses every afternoon/evening I’d be more worried about that.
Yes, she has definitely noticed. She doesn’t really say much or confront him about it. Her sister has, to no avail. Been this way for many years. He’s 80
I’ve known him for 27 years, and his afternoon wine was ALWAYS happening. Maybe not as many glasses on a work night, but he’s been retired for 10-12 yrs.
Not excessive. He’s not driving. Holidays suck
To be honest, it would not have mattered if it was a holiday or not.
Sounds like it’s working for him.
Fuckin’ Slacker!
Then I doubt he’ll change now. Just keep the car keys away from him.
He’s 80! Good advice, wine or not!
Need an option: “It depends.” With food, or without? Who’s driving (is ANYONE driving?) What’s the acquired tolerance level? Social consequences?
I’ll grant that that’s a LOT more wine than I’d drink - Now. Well, actually, ever. I don’t like wine all that much. But that’s more alcohol than I’d drink. Now. When I was younger? Then, a glass every half hour would be positively abstemptious.
Hey! My dad is 82 and does just fine, although he did give up his big RV trek to Montana that he’s taken for years. They still do little jaunts.
My mother is 83. She does like her occasoinal glass of wine, mug of ale, or shot of whisky.
Of course, as a mature and wise ‘Woman of a Certain Age’ she also exhibits discretion and discipline. We don’t get drunk - I haven’t gotten actually drunk since I left the service, lo, those many years ago.
A bottle of wine contains 24 ounces. If he consumed 7 oz/glass x 5 glasses, then he had 35 ounces. That’s nearly a bottle and a half in 2 1/2 hours. Definitely excessive.
That said, at 80, and after having been retired for 10-12 years… do you really think he’s going to change to suit anyone now? He’s obviously built up a tolerance and probably figures he won’t be around much longer anyhow. Agree with others that so long as he’s not driving or putting anyone else in harm’s way, then everyone has the right to go to hell in their own fashion. The practice doesn’t appear to be a problem for him.
Just about fits the US definition of binge drinking. I did that kind of thing in college from time to time.
Occasionally (generally on a weekend) I’ll have three beers in a single evening - but your description of 3-4 glasses of wine every day sounds problematic.
Does he talk a lot at these functions? People who gab a lot can get thirsty – which is why I opt for either lower alcohol beer (so I can drink more liquid) or spirits (so there’s no way I’m drinking lots) at social functions. Wine, especially if it’s sweet, can be in the sweet spot of not enough alcohol taste to notice.
On the other hand, since drinking that much is a daily occurrence, that could be a) functional alcoholism or b) using alcohol instead of painkillers.
If it’s normal for him then I think it’s normal. To have the name “LiveFree” while at the same time recording the very minute someone refills their wine seems a bit…