** EJ’s girl **
Yea, I thought so to at the time, but.
He’s been sober for (let’s see, he was sober a year before we were married, plus 5 years married, plus 14 years divorced, ) damn! twenty years now. Gotta give him credit for that.
Damn, wring, I guess so!
BYW, I have noticed that some people will say “no thanks, I’m allergic to it” instead of saying they don’t drink. Although, this doesn’t always work, which is pretty funny in and of itself. Can you imagine knowing that someone’s allergic to shellfish, or strawberries, or something, and trying to convince them to just have a little?
Please!
I didn’t have a single drink until I was 25. (I’m now 27.) Didn’t drink in high school, didn’t drink in college, for the same reasons most people list here: didn’t like the taste, didn’t see the need for it, drunk people are annoying, etc.
Then, after no one ever hassled me anymore and I was comfortable with my ability to have fun at parties without drinking, I realized that I wanted to give it a try. So I did. (Started slowly – maybe one drink an evening.) You know what? It’s a lot of fun. If you do it for the right reasons (i.e. because you want to, and not because you feel you have to). I don’t think getting trashed (more than once or twice) serves much purpose, but having a few drinks can be great.
Skribbler did a good job of listing reasons why alcohol can be good. Lowered inhibitions can be very good, especially if you’re normally shy. It can force you to take your mind off things and relax – good if you’ve been stressed out. And, if you’re with the right people, you can just have a great time.
I guess my only advice is to be comfortable not drinking, but don’t define yourself by it. (I think I held off on drinking longer than I otherwise would have just because I thought that was part of who I was.) It’s just something you’re currently doing. Listen to yourself and give it a try if you ever feel you might enjoy it.
Exactly! I’d try the I’m allergic, but usually the folks trying to push me to have an alcoholic drink are my relatives. 
The other thing I’ve noticed is that folks don’t want you to drink water (except your doctors). I actually LIKE water. (except the well water at home, blah). Used to order it at the bar all the time (even back in the late 70’s I did’nt want to drive home drunk).
I like your suggestion, tho’
Quite a few times I’ve been the DD (designated driver) so I’d have one beer at the bar and down near beer the rest of the time. The only problem with that was I’d pay $1 for a beer and $2.50 for one with no alcohol in it. The bartender explained that it was because near beer drinkers didn’t drink as much.
well in my opinion here i think it is ok to drink and you yourself souuld be the judge of how much you drink. on the other hand if you are in a relationship where your partner does not perfer you to drink you best watch your step because when you do drink you cause them a lot of pain and i know this from experience. but due to the fact that with my last girlfriend i was a heavy drinker and now that i am with relic i barely drink so for me i thought it was the bomb till someone that loved me showed me different
sailorboy
I agree, Sailorboy, but an occasional margarita is fine!
Up until now, I had been an ardent drinker (see my post above). The evening I had tonight is making me think the better of it. I attended the bachelor party of a close friend who is getting married in two days. I woke up this morning with the worst sore throat I’ve ever had, along with a 101 degree fever. Actually, I think I’ve got strep. I couldn’t be mono, I don’t think. Nevertheless, I met with the group, had dinner, and adjourned to a strip club. The groom to be had several lap dances. I got puked on by one of his other friends (right now I really stink, as you can probably imagine, but why would you want to?). I had several drinks as well as a couple of cigars despite the fact that my sore throat just kept getting worse. I was so sick I couldn’t even get a buzz. Not even the naked women on the bar cheered me up. On the drive home the groom made out with his best friend (a woman who is not the bride). Right now, I’m sicker than ever, and totally disgusted with nearly everyone I was with. On top of that, since I’m in the wedding party as a groomsman, I’ve got to go to the rehearsal tomorrow and see all of them again. The point of all this is that, since I was ill, I was the only sober person there, and for the first time I saw a bunch of drunk assholes without being one. It was not a pretty sight.
The way I feel right now, I don’t ever want to take a drink again. However, that will probably pass.
I didn’t mean for this to be so long. Thanks to those who elected to bear with me.