# why do people like getting drunk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 9, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283 "2014-03-09T18:58:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/121 "2014-03-13T14:03:09Z")
Lighten up, Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Merton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Frank\_Merton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Merton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/122 "2014-03-13T14:10:51Z")
“Lighten up?” I have no problem with alcohol, but I do with drunkenness, and then mainly because of the lives lost and the families destroyed and so on. What I’ve seen here is denial of the seriousness of this, and that generally comes from people in danger. This is well known. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/123 "2014-03-13T14:21:07Z")
I drink because I’m British. It also helps me play pool better. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/124 "2014-03-13T14:53:33Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > Wow what an intelligent and responsible way to avoid the issue. Makes as much sense as the dribble you’re spewing. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Merton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Frank\_Merton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Merton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/125 "2014-03-13T15:08:50Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > Makes as much sense as the dribble you’re spewing. Look it’s your life and there are gutters everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/126 "2014-03-13T15:24:33Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I drink because I’m British. It also helps me play pool better. _pulls dart out of leg, returns it to amanset_😃 ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/127 "2014-03-13T15:43:21Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > Look it’s your life and there are gutters everywhere. This is performance art, right? ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/128 "2014-03-13T15:49:40Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > It’s more fun getting shitfaced when you’re younger than when you’re older. Getting blasted with all your college buddies is practically a rite of passage. Doing the same thing in middle age or older is mostly just pathetic. I find myself overindulging much less the older I get. When you’re older, just drinking enough to maintain a healthy buzz seems more the norm. My feelings too pretty much, except don’t even attempt to keep a buzz going, too difficult later to deal with it, the extra anxiety and general hangover from a mere thimble-full of booze. Had some expensive vodka recently, to me it tasted like rubbing alcohol. It’s difficult enough just to try and stay healthy, did not realize getting old would suck this much. ☹ I am considering getting a water cooler so I will have it to stand around while I complain about my ailments. At least I don’t have to raise my voice anymore to the kids on my lawn, ordered my own personal megaphone from [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). ---
**Author:** ![Peaton\_of\_peat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecae2f/32.png) [@Peaton\_of\_peat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peaton_of_peat)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/129 "2014-03-13T16:00:37Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Am I the only one who actually _likes_ the taste of alcohol? As in, it was never even an acquired taste for me. (My dad used to let me have a sip if he was drinking a beer when I was little) I’ll admit it – I’ll even drink non-alcoholic beer if it’s a good one, if it’s the only thing available, just because I genuinely like beer. (Although there are few that are all that great) I haven’t seen anybody comment on this in a while, but there’s a huge difference between the taste of alcoholic _drinks_ and alcohol _itself_. I’m pretty sure nobody likes the taste of alcohol itself, although I’m probably at the lower end for being able to tolerate it. On the other hand, I LOVE the taste of all sorts of alcoholic drinks and would drink non-alcoholic beer in the same circumstances you would. I’d drink non-alcoholic whiskey if it weren’t a chemical impossibility! The thing is that once the taste of the alcohol itself starts coming through, my enjoyment of a drink falls through the floor, and that’s why mixed drinks exist. I also like using whiskey like vanilla extract, seasoning all sorts of foods with the delicious taste of whiskey, even savory foods like beans and squash soup. I don’t actually drink all that much, but I definitely like my alcohol to taste good, and generally speaking you can’t get the taste of alcoholic drinks without the alcohol coming along for the ride. What you CAN do is use alcohol with a stronger flavor, so you use less of it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/130 "2014-03-13T16:01:02Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > What I’ve seen here is denial of the seriousness of this, and that generally comes from people in danger. This is well known. So . . . The fact that I and a few others here think you’re a dick makes us alkies? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/131 "2014-03-14T14:40:15Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > A couple of drinks (not to the point of drunkenness) makes everything more pleasant. The trouble is, as the old saying goes, two martinis is too many; three is not enough. Once you’ve had a bit to drink, having more to drink suddenly seems like _the best idea in the world_. It really isn’t. 🙂 “I like to have a martini, Two at the very most. After three I’m under the table, after four I’m under my host.” - Dorothy Parker (of course) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/132 "2014-03-14T19:58:48Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > getting drunk, even now and then, is evidence of incipient alcoholism. No, it’s fucking not. My family has a long history of alcohol addiction. “Getting drunk, even now and then” is so NOT alcoholism – it’s a hell of a lot more involved than that. If you think that, then you obviously know jackshit about addiction. **Peaton (of peat)** – I think you knew what I meant. 😉 (Dear god, I need a drink after reading all of this nonsense!) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/133 "2014-03-15T00:26:26Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > Look it’s your life and there are gutters everywhere. Get invited to parties much? ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Merton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Frank\_Merton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Merton)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/134 "2014-03-15T07:50:35Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Get invited to parties much? I made it clear I have no problem getting high and enjoying myself, although as I get older I do it a little less. People who get drunk at parties and make trouble or messes or whatever are the ones who tend to not get invited again. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/135 "2014-03-15T11:08:16Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > I made it clear I have no problem getting high and enjoying myself, although as I get older I do it a little less. People who get drunk at parties and make trouble or messes or whatever are the ones who tend to not get invited again. I don’t think he was asking the question because he doubted you drank. I think he was asking the question because you come off as judgemental, intractable and generally unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/136 "2014-03-15T11:41:44Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I don’t think he was asking the question because he doubted you drank. > > I think he was asking the question because you come off as judgemental, intractable and generally unpleasant. Yeah, what she said. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Merton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Frank\_Merton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Merton)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/137 "2014-03-15T11:45:36Z")
I am judgmental of alcoholism; it is a serious problem and I heard a lot of denial coming out of some of the messages. It is not hard to tell people they come across as arrogant. So what? We all have our faults. It reminds me of Ben Franklin’s circulating a memo as to how he could be more perfect and all his neighbors came back with “humility.” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/138 "2014-03-15T12:55:54Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Someone shows up with a March 2014 join date and starts posting nonsense all over the place. Yeah, totally taking this guy seriously. > " When is the appropriate time to start posting nonsense all over the place? I want to post nonsense NOW, I don’t wanna wait like 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Merton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Frank\_Merton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Merton)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/139 "2014-03-15T13:45:02Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > When is the appropriate time to start posting nonsense all over the place? I want to post nonsense NOW, I don’t wanna wait like 5 years. Hah! What I post – that alcoholism is a serious danger to be aware of – is “nonsense” because I just recently joined. That is very good sense. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283/140 "2014-03-15T14:10:27Z")
> [@Frank\_Merton](#): > > Hah! What I post – that alcoholism is a serious danger to be aware of – is “nonsense” because I just recently joined. That is very good sense. The nonsense you posted was the confidence that you could accurately diagnose a person as being an alcoholic based on the content of the one post she made. That’s some powerful willful ignorance, there, to pretend that’s not the issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-like-getting-drunk/683283.md?page=8)