The Culture of Drinking
“ SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS (EVERYBODY)”, “GO BIG OR GO HOME”, “LET’S CHUG-A-LUG” … are lines we tend to often hear in a crowded room.
Not to be the biggest mood killer of all parties, but it’s important to know our limits in moments where we might feel an intense social pressure to fit in or feel the need to impress others in order to find our place within a group (take it from your favourite people pleaser!)
While the feeling of inebriation can definitely be enjoyable while it lasts, the amount of risk associated with excessive drinking ain’t no joke. As we live in a culture that values fame & excess, there seems to be a lot of glory & praise attributed to consuming excessively large amounts of alcohol ─ enter the chug contests, the B.O.A.T. races, the day drinking, the keg stands.... Though all the fun and rage, cue the underlying health problems, the possible nights of instant regret and not to mention an incoming liver failure!
Drinking has always been (and will always be) a basic part of human culture; it’s what makes us feel like we’ve transitioned into full grown adults (?), has become an integral part of the enjoyment of delicious food, time spent with others and life as a whole.
When is it considered an acceptable time to drink ?
1. Drinking with your dinner
We all feel a little fancier with that glass of wine nicely paired with our home-cooked meals, but there is a strong difference between drinking on the daily and drinking on the occasion. Fish & white or meat & red, anyone ?
2. Drinking with good company
Time spent with friends and family is none another than an excuse to pop open a bottle, pour a wine glass or drink straight from the can — there’s no harm in it, really (and actually quite pleasant if I do say so myself!). However, it’s important to know how to properly distinguish social drinking and lonesome drinking. Don’t become a wino!
3. Drinking just to drink
Wine connoisseur? Whiskey enthusiast ? Attending a beer tasting ? There is a beautiful craft involved in making beers, wines and spirits that sometimes we simply cannot just miss out on the opportunity! It is all fine and dandy to unwine-d and unfold, but remember to put a cork in it when you know you’ve had enough.
Take ownership of your actions and be safe!
There’s no shame in just taking it easy.