I apologize to everyone who submitted great article suggestions last night. There were some really great ones and I do hope to use some of them in the future.
However, I don’t have a lot of time to write this post because for some reason WordPress hates me. I can’t access the visual editor so I’m stuck with writing this whole post in HTML. Sorry for the lack of obnoxious text coloring I usually do.
I’ve done a lot of personal finance posts in the last two or three weeks, so I wanted to do a personal one today. Luckily I got a great question from Jeff: Why don’t I drink?
Why I Don’t Drink
In case you didn’t know, I do not drink alcohol. I never have.
There was one time when I promised Tag I would try to get drunk with her and her friends. She claims I was drunk; I don’t think I was. But that really doesn’t matter. Either I’ve never been drunk or I was drunk once when I was 24 years old; the bottom line is I don’t drink currently and have essentially never done it.
To best explain why I don’t drink, we have to go back in time.
Why I Didn’t Drink In High School
Most of the kids I grew up with started drinking sometime in high school. Alcohol was definitely available to me at the time, but I never even tried it for two reasons. First, I was fiercely independent and absolutely refused to give into peer pressure. Second, I was convinced my athletic performance would suffer from drinking alcohol.
While both reasons played a big part, the desire to avoid peer pressure was definitely the main reason. Some kids wear ridiculous clothes to “be different” despite the fact that all 15 of their friends wear the exact same stuff.
If you have a strong desire to be “different”, choosing not to drink is the way to go. It becomes something interesting. I can’t tell you how many times people were intrigued by why I didn’t drink. Notice how nobody is asking other bloggers to talk about “why do you drink?” Everyone drinks. Except me.
Why I Didn’t Drink in College
During college, I stopped caring so much about peer pressure and started understanding just how stupid people act when they are completely trashed. I’m talking about college kids who would get so drunk they black out and don’t remember what happened the next day. I’ll admit that some drunk stories are funny, but most are just sad or downright shameful.
Getting absolutely wasted was never anything I wanted to do, and I usually ended up driving my friends home on the weekends. I went to parties, I talked to girls, I hung out at bars and tailgates. I just never wanted to be trashed and everyone else did, so I let my friends drink and I drove.
Why I Don’t Drink Now
I was fiercely independent in high school and I was honestly embarrassed for a lot of the drinking I saw in college. So what’s stopping me from having a few drinks responsibly every now and then as a mature adult?
Well first of all alcohol tastes like crap.
But more importantly, I have a darn good time without alcohol. I don’t need alcohol to get up and dance at a wedding; I dance because it’s fun. I don’t need alcohol to “take the edge off” a bad day; I can talk with my girlfriend or work out or write to make myself feel better. I don’t need alcohol to get loud and obnoxious at a sporting event; I’m already loud an obnoxious at sporting events.
Call me crazy, but I have a pretty sweet life with some pretty incredible people in it. Why would I want to change my state of mind when I couldn’t be happier with the state of mind I’m currently in?
Readers: Why do you or don’t you drink?
Kevin McKee is an entrepreneur, IT guru, and personal finance leader. In addition to his writing, Kevin is the head of IT at Buildingstars, Co-Founder of Padmission, and organizer of Laravel STL. He is also the creator of www.contributetoopensource.com. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys podcasting about movies and spending time with his wife and four children.
Ha! My first thought when I read you never drank was “I wonder if he’s Mormon?” I realize now that you probably aren’t, but your reasons for drinking are strikingly similar to mine.
You see I’m Mormon. I’ve never drank. And I’m cool with it. I’m also cool if other people do drink.
I was talking with a buddy of mine who drinks A LOT. He was fascinated with me being able to go through life not drinking. I went to BYU and none of my friends went drinking on the weekend. How do I dance at parties? What do I do all weekend? What about kissing someone for the 1st time?
I found it a great tragedy he had never 1st kissed someone completely sober. Oh. my. gosh. That is one of the few times in life you have to take a deep breath and go for it. It’s like climbing the first peak on a big roller coaster and then whoosh! away you go!
Anyway, I’m happy living my sober life, he’s happy living his bordering alcoholic life.
I definitely agree with you about a first kiss. Those are some of the most exciting moments of anyone’s life, and I can’t imagine anything dulling that sensation.
Somewhat similar reasons for me. Alcohol wasn’t available to me in high school, at least that I knew of, and I didn’t want to do anything stupid or make my athletic performance suffer, like you said. In college I saw a ton of ridiculous behavior due to alcohol and I basically wanted to avoid it.
I went through a period of about a year in college when I experimented with drinking and drank to get drunk/tipsy on probably about five occasions. Through that I discovered that my body’s version of a hangover is vomiting (yes, the next day) and that was definitely not worth it.
For a few years after college I probably had 1-2 drinks on about 4 occasions per year. Nothing major. I don’t like the taste of beer and most wines so I would only drink sugary girly mixed drinks.
Now I don’t drink at all. I gave it up drinking any beverages other than water over a year ago when I started eating low-sugar/low-carb. I’d rather eat more vegetables and fruits than drink anything (EVERY beverage has lots of sugar or simple carbs) so I just stick to water. I don’t miss it at all. Like you said, I’m equally capable of having fun without it so I see no advantages.
Only water is hard for me. I really enjoy soda and juice. I did only water for a month and it was TOUGH. Congratulations on that, I’m sure you’re much healthier because of it.
As someone who is a bit more shy socially, I do enjoy drinking occasionally. Some people are just naturally introverts and need that extra push to let loose. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing if done in moderation. As for it tasting bad, that’s because it is an acquired taste. I rather enjoy the taste of most drinks, other than straight alcohol. Haven’t you ever wanted an excuse to act totally foolish? While I’m far from being an alcoholic, I do believe in giving things a chance to see if I really do like it or not.
The thing is, I don’t think alcohol is really an excuse to act completely foolish. I think people use it as an excuse, but it’s not a good one in my opinion.
I didn’t drink in high school either. Never found it all that interesting, and I found no reason to be in a position where I’d get a $500 ticket plus hours upon hours of community service. It’s just not worth it. If you value your time at $25 an hour, 40 hours of community service plus $500 in court costs and drinking tickets works out to $1500 loss to you. No thanksIt’s a completely different story now. I usually don’t drink excessively, but I’ll be honest enough to say that there have been a few times that I have. My 21st birthday was definitely one of those times – go to bed at 4am, wake up at 5pm – what a night.I much prefer to have a few drinks over the course of a long evening. And, despite what anyone says about how you’re an alcoholic if you drink by yourself, I find drinks at home to be far better than drinks out and about. The environment is controlled, and there’s no condensation on my windows like there is at a bar from the hundreds of people moving in every direction. Plus, the bourbon I drink at home is $70-80 for 1.5L, or roughly $1.75-$2 per shot. At the bar, it’s anywhere from $6-8 and the bartenders tend to look at me like a moron when I order it. Guess I’m the only guy who drinks from that bottle – or the only crazy person who thinks paying $8 for bourbon served neat is worth the price. Don’t order good drinks at dives!Going out to drink is fun. I find alcohol to be a good social lubricant of sorts. I used to have the same perspective you have about how people act when they drink. Looking back at the drinkers in high school, there were more than a few annoying people who drank way too much. That said, these kinds of people are usually the same without alcohol, it’s just that the behaviors you don’t appreciate become far more obvious.A bottle of fine bourbon, some interesting people, and a board game can make for a heck of a time. Just because you drink doesn’t mean you have to go wild, though there’s nothing wrong with that, either.
I’m with you on the fact that most obnoxious drinkers are also obnoxious sober. Also, I love interesting people and board games too; I just don’t need the alcohol to go with it.
Kevin, this post is so fantastic! I never grew up around alcohol, and decided for myself not to drink when I got older for many of the same reasons you stated here. It’s just never been a part of my life and I don’t see why it had to be. Not to mention the fact that drinking is freaking expensive! And while I like to have a good time, and will even spend hard-earned money on enjoying my life when required. However, I cannot even tell you how much money I have saved and will be saving over the years by choosing not to drink. It’s crazy. Also, excellent point about the question “Why don’t you drink?” Why don’t people ask others, “Why do you drink/” Why is it just assumed. Just a cultural observation. Just saying.
I don’t drink, and I do ask people why they do drink. They say they drink because it’s fun. Then, when someone tells me they got wasted last night and had a blast, I ask them what they did and they can’t remember. Not sure, but how in the world is something fun if you can’t remember it?!
It reminds me of a Jim Gaffigan joke: http://youtu.be/r-X2zPMB5dk
I’m with you on saving money from not drinking. Alcohol is expensive!
I guess I have never put a lot of thought into why I drink. Like you I didn’t drink at all in High School, mostly because I didn’t find it necessary to have a good High School experience. Plus, I swam for club so I didn’t really have time for it. I will admit that my parents would let me have the occasionaly glass of wine at special dinners. Also, being that my parents are typically WI parents I had my first taste of beer when I was 4 or 5 but trust me that did nothing but leave me thinking beer was gross for the next 14ish years of my life. Once I hit college, I drank occasionally at parties but I didn’t really drink more then a handful of times as an underager. Of course, once I was 21 I drank about 1-2 times every weekend. That being said, I still drink at social events but rarely drink at home. I suppose the culture in WI definitely does support drinking and I did grow up seeing my father drink a beer most nights of the week so to me drinking isn’t a big thing as long as it is done in moderation.
The culture where I grew up included a lot of drinking too. Heck, I’m Catholic so I can’t get away from it!
There’s nothing wrong with drinking a little at social events. I still get weird looks from some people when I refuse free alcohol. At least you don’t have to deal with those looks!
I guess I’m the problem child of this readership. I did some drinking in high school and did my fair share of drinking in college. Never once did it cause me any problems. Never suffered academically or socially, but then again I never got to the “dark side” by drinking too much.I enjoy drinking because I actually like the taste of a wonderful whiskey and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into many of my favorite beers. I’m also a bit of an oenophile and my wife and I have well over 100 bottles of wine in our cellar. We enjoy going to wineries around the country and world to sample the many different varieties there are. Now I don’t drink as much as I used to, and this is mostly just because I don’t feel like I need to.I never judge anyone for drinking or not drinking (same goes with other life choices). But if you are a non-drinker don’t throw it in my face if I decide to have a beer or two.
I definitely don’t think you’re a problem child. Heck, my girlfriend would love for me to just enjoy the taste of alcohol. She loves beer and wine and wishes I would do microbrew and winery tours, but I just can’t stand the stuff. I wish I could stomach it because it would make her a lot happier.
Just wait…if you ever go to vegas you are gonna wish you didnt remember.
I’m going to Vegas and I’m gonna remember every minute of it. The bachelor, on the other hand, might have a little more cognitive trouble…
I was one of those who put my time in during early college years. I drank and got drunk more than a few times. Looking back, it was stupid.
I don’t drink now because, like you, I don’t need to. I do love the taste of beer and every once in a while (like maybe once a year), I’ll have one beer with a homemade pizza. That’s about it.
You and my girlfriend would get along well. She loves the taste of beer and pizza. I love the taste of Dr. Pepper and pizza.
I can honestly say I’ve never once been drunk in my life, all 63.5 years of it. I also like a small glass of wine with dinner, primarily because wine makes food taste better, and I never have the urge to drink more than that. Red wine especially also has proven health benefits, and is terrific with a pasta bolognese or filet mignon. But I don’t much like the usual American beers, and have no interest in hard liquor. I’ve got bottles of Scotch, gin, bourbon, etc., that I received as gifts years ago and have never opened.
I love that your age is 63.5! Not 63, but 63.5! 🙂
If there’s one thing I can somewhat tolerate, it’s red wine. I guess because I’m Catholic and I’ve had a sip of it every Sunday for decades I’ve acquired a bit of a taste for it. But I still don’t like it. It’s like drinking cough syrup to me.
Kev, when you reach my age, you’re grateful for every month, and not least because it’s one less month until you reach retirement.
But there are thousands of wines with very different tastes, and you may just have not found a red dry enough for your liking. When I was still, er, 30.5, I used to love Pepsi; now I haven’t had more than an occasional sip of it for several years. There’s far more sugar in soda and juice than in wine.
Great topic! I also didn’t drink in high school, but I did definitely drink in college. Nowadays, I don’t drink much hard liquor but I do really like wine and beer.
I have to say, though, I think my tolerance has decreased with age. Now if I have a few glasses of wine on a Friday night I wake up feeling pretty lousy on Saturday, so I have to be a lot more careful than I used to.
I think it’s interesting that a lot of people use alcohol for social reasons; I’m a natural extrovert, so it just would never occur to me to use alcohol to “loosen up.” I guess more people do that than I think.
One thing about my tolerance: I have Catholic and Irish blood running through my veins. The one time my girlfriend tried to get me drunk I did have quite a few, but I think my heritage keep me “sober”.
I never thought of the Irish as exactly a nation of teetotalers!
I think it’s great that you don’t drink alcohol. I did some binge drinking in college, but haven’t done it (binge) for years. Binge drinking is bad for you. Now a day, I enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer and I think that’s a better way to go.
That’s actually the response I usually get. “Good for you.” I’m not talking about you, but I think there are a lot of people my age who wish they didn’t drink but need to because it has become a social crutch for them.
Nice! I like how you broke it down.
When I think about it, the main reason I started drinking in University (as we call it in Canada) is to be able to socialize. I am an introvert and extremely shy. I used to be much more shy and drinking allowed me to come out of my shell. I was never crazy, just funnier, friendlier, and more confident.
I didn’t drink in high school, since I was a gymnast and like you, didn’t want it to affect competitions, etc. It also wasn’t readily accessible and I didn’t like the taste.
Now that I’m 37 and more *ahem* mature, I don’t need alcohol to feel that way. I still have a glass a wine about once a week, usually with friends in a social setting. In fact, I recently had a blast in Vegas completely sober. I also have a kid to think about, which makes a huge difference. Having a kid has actually helped me become a lot less shy – when he’s with me, I feel totally different and I’m not afraid to do anything.
The fact that you can post videos of yourself singing (your singing is awesome, by the way), shows that you are much more of an extrovert and after reading this post it sounds like you’ve been that way for a while. That’s awesome! This turned into a pretty insightful post. 🙂
I’m going to Vegas in a few weeks and I’ll be doing it completely sober.
Being an extrovert does help, but I haven’t always been that way. In fact, I would say I was severely introverted as a kid all the way until my junior or senior year of high school. Now I’d say I lean towards extroverted, but still have my introverted awkward feelings that need to be beaten back with a mental stick.
I’m sure when I have kids that will tip the scales and I’ll be 100% extroverted. As long my girl and my kids like me, what else matters?
I drink every once in a while, not to get drunk but to enjoy the drink and to enjoy the company I’m with. Not saying I have to drink to be around those people though. Overall I’ve had some here and there, maybe twice to excess when I was younger. Otherwise have a fine relationship with alcohol, don’t need it, don’t rely on it and definitely don’t have to have it.
Thanks for commenting, and good luck with your new blog. My girlfriend is an Aggie, class of ’10. She’ll be happy to see an Aggie entering the personal finance world!
Thanks for being willing to write this! Like Marilyn, I grew up in a non-drinking religious home, so it was never a temptation for me. As I got to college and saw my roommates and friends getting plastered, I was grateful for the choice I had made to never start. After all, you don’t miss what you’ve never done, right? A recent 25-year class reunion reminded me that people still enjoy getting drunk and acting like idiots, and I don’t understand it any more now than I did 25 years ago.
That said, I have NO problem with people who choose to drink responsibly. If they are old enough and can afford it and like it, I say go for it. As a junior high teacher, though, I see a lot of kids who are drinking already, many times sneaking alcohol from their parents. Most people who use alcohol responsibly have gone through their irresponsible period before getting to that point. These kids are too young and can really screw up their lives before finding that moderation. A good friend of mine actually quit drinking for good about the time he was actually legally able to do it. He got kicked out of the military for underage alcohol use and regrets the drunken years before he sobered up and smartened up.
I’m sure the same people who were obnoxious drunks in high school will be the same at my future reunions. And I agree with you: I don’t have a problem with those who decide to drink. I just don’t want to be one of them.
I drank once or twice in high school, didn’t really drink during college (I went to a conservative Christian college where it was against the rules), and I do drink from time to time now. For me, at the end of a long day, it’s relaxing to kick back with a beer or a nice scotch and zone out for a while.
I would never grab a beer and zone out, but if that’s what makes you happy then good for you. I like to grab a Dr. Pepper and work on the computer. Different strokes for different folks, but we’re both happy. 🙂
I don’t consider myself a drinker anymore. Once in a while if we go out to eat I might have a beer but that’s about it. There are many reasons why I don’t
1. I would rather spend the money doing something more enjoyable
2. I get hangovers really easy and have no idea why
3. I can have fun without being intoxicated
I drank a ton when I was in highschool, looking back I see how stupid I was and how much trouble I could of gotten into. I didn’t really drink in college due to the fact I was barely scraping by, but when I was with my military buddies we could easily pound a few down. We did some pretty funny stuff which we would of done sober also like seeing who could swim the fastest through mud puddles or crazy stuff like playing yahtzee(long story). I don’t judge a person if they do or do not drink, that is their choice and I respect that. Just be responsible is all I ask.
Yeah, there was the potential to get in trouble that also prevented me from drinking when I was younger. However, that was really secondary to the other things I mentioned. Also, I make a point to do crazy/funny things like jumping in mud puddles just to be sure I’m not missing anything from avoiding alcohol.
I was 21 when I got “buzzed.” I never drank before or after that. It was never my cup of tea. I have friends who always try to get me to drink, but I will never give in. I’ve never lots any friends over it!
That’s pretty much exactly my story, except change 21 with 25.
I drink, and it’s a source of guilt for me. Every time I have more than two drinks, I wonder if I have a problem. Every single time. I come from a long line of drunks on both sides. It would be good for me to stop either the drinking or the feelings of guilt.
I’m sorry to hear that. I’m no expert but I don’t think 3 drinks is a problem. 3 drinks in 30 minutes is a problem, but 3 over the course of a night sounds just fine to me.
Be careful because of your family history, but also remember you are your own person. You can have 2 or 3 and stop there no matter what your family members do.
I didn’t drink or smoke in high school – I was too busy playing sports. I actually had no peer pressure to drink or smoke, which was pretty good. Some days I still wonder how that happened. Maybe since I was a bit anti-social?
I drank a bit in college, but only had maybe 1-2 hangovers.
Now? I hardly drink. I wouldn’t say that I don’t drink, but I will generally only have 1 drink per night (where night often = once per month or two). I’m actually finding more and more friends that don’t drink now. I will often have a glass of wine with dinner and going wine tasting is a fun activity with friends, but I never drink with the intention of getting drunk. I also never drink after sports – I just have no desire to. I don’t really drink at work happy hours – I feel like work socializing isn’t the context for drinking. I’m going to a bachelorette party this weekend where there will be no drinking.
If I enjoyed the taste of alcohol, I’d probably drink about as often as you explained here. I’d just never want to start feeling “buzzed” so I’d probably stop after 1 or 2.
Although I have drank in college and even as a young adult, I do not anymore. Fo no particular reason except, I do not like the feeling I get. I never had more than 2 drinks at a seating in my entire life and I am not against drinking. When I do drink, it is a rare (very infrequently) glass of wine with dinner (mostly). I too do not need it to have a good time.
Just a couple nights ago, my wife, daughter and I had dinner at a chef’s table with 5 other people. They offered us wine that they brought and I did not even want some of it.
Just because it’s free doesn’t mean you should take it. I’ve learned that with drinks, food, and t-shirts.
I’ve been drunk before, but it’s it’s not like what other people say, at least not with me. I know some people that become very hostile or very funny when they get drunk, but people say I don’t really change that much.
That said, I don’t like to get drunk… there is no fun in it, but I do like wine and a beer or sometimes two.
Unfortunately, while my state doesn’t appear to change, I lose my ability to think clearly, so I don’t do it much. Even a single beer makes it hard for me to think, so it prevents me from doing so. Although about 4 hours later I’m back to normal (usually).
I don’t drink because there is no reason to drink unless you are trying to get drunk
i am having a nice micro-brew as i type this.. i didn’t have an especially bad day at work today.. i don’t need to take the edge off .. i am certainly not going to act crazy,
nor will i get drunk.. i haven’t been drunk in 5 years.. but i do have 4 or 5 drinks a week (beers or glasses of wine).. and if i am hanging out with friends.. i may have a few more.
so why do it do it?.. because i like the taste.. really. i didn’t always, but i do now. a nice cold beer on a hot day or a glass of wine after dinner tickles my tongue in just the right way.
but i certainly understand your opinion.. some people act like idiots when they drink. but some people act like idiots when they are sober too.
I never even tasted alcohol until I was about 22 or 23. It never interested me in high school or college. My faith background doesn’t outlaw it, but it definitely frowns upon losing control of alcohol. For that reason, I decided I wouldn’t bother with it. Now, at almost 25 years old and living overseas (outside of my protective faith-bubble), I’m still pretty much the same way.
In addition, I find it utterly ridiculous that people will pay $3-5/each for a regular drink and who knows how much for mixed drinks. I’d rather pay $1 for a lemonade, or $0 for some water.
I, too, can’t stand the taste of alcohol. The closest I’ve come to enjoying the taste of something with alcohol in it is hard cider, but even that doesn’t make me want to choose it over some regular juice or something. If I host an evening at my house, I’m happy to provide the beer and wine for everyone else, but I’ll be there with a red solo cup full of juicy-juice if I have my choice.
I used to drink. It was just casual at first, then it turned into an escape. Then it turned into a full blown problem with alcohol. I started not drinking because I knew I was better than that and it was time to figure out a way to live life independently of my alcohol ‘crutch’ or any other crutch.
Now, I continue to not drink for religious reasons but I am so glad I made the commitment to quit independent of that. But I have tons of friends that can afford to drink, and drink responsibly, and I have no problem being the DD every time we go out. But me, alcohol is not healthy for me, and I need it out of my life to function properly.
I rarely drink, because there are very few drinks I actually enjoy (Baileys, bourbon). It’s expensive (though I’m a cheap drunk – I only need half a drink) and being drunk simply makes me sleepy.
NZ has a really big drinking culture and especially in media, there’s plenty of free booze at events – but I think people are slowly opening up to the fact that you don’t HAVE to.
I am 18 years old and currently still in high school. I have a 4.0 GPA, very high ACT score, multiple AP credits, excellent relationships with all my teachers and an immaculate record at the deans office. I am an Eagle Scout and an active member in my community. Next year, I will be attending a top tier university on a $36,000 scholarship. I am a four year member of both the varsity track and cross country team.
That being said, I binge drink 2 or 3 times a month. Rarely do I get blackout drunk , however, i often drink to the point where i begin to “brown out.” I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago, in a town where there isn’t much to do for kids my age.
When people ask me why i drink i usually have two answers. One, i used to live in Europe, where drinking is an ingrained part of the culture. the drinking age is 16 in most places. At an early age, i was exposed to alcohol and its presence in many social scenes. it seemed to be a staple part of most social get-togethers and i never saw any problem with it.
Two, i enjoy drinking at parties, it’s fun. i don’t think that there is anything wrong older teenages (16+) drinking at parties, as long as it is done safely. i know that no matter which party i go to, there are always multiple designated drivers and consequently, i don’t know anyone who drives drunk. As a member of today’s youth and subject to all the messages put out by parents and school administration, i feel like the “don’t drink and drive” message would be a much more effective message to put out, high schoolers will always drink illegally (at least here in the US), so why not make sure it is done responsibly and safely?
I know that i strayed from my original point, so, trying back to what i was saying before, i do not see a problem with drinking and am a real world example of how alcohol can add to one’s social life without negatively impacting their life pursuits and happiness. While some people would claim I’m wrecking my mind and am on track to becoming an alcoholic, i would argue that i turn down the opportunity to drink on a weekly basis and know that i am without a doubt in control of my decision making. i have no intention of participating in any sort of other “substance abuse” including pot. Alcohol is fun and relatively harmless if used properly!
The most telling reason you presented was “Well first of all alcohol tastes like crap.” Everything else you said makes perfect sense, but would also crumble away in rationalizations if you actually liked the taste of alcohol.
Personally, I love beer. I’m not talking about crappy “lite” beers that taste like piss water, I mean the stuff that comes out of craft breweries that genuinely care about taste and tradition and produce some of the best quality beers ever made. Those are also beers meant to be sipped and enjoyed for their taste and not binged on, so I’ll usually have no more than one or two at a time (same goes for good wine).
I think alcohol is perfectly fine and wonderful as long as your intention is to enjoy the taste and not to simply get drunk.
Love it, love it, love it! I don’t drink either. For my 21st birthday I actually filmed myself drinking a tall glass of milk for my friends to see on MySpace. Haha, fun stuff. Be bold! Don’t drink!
You just got sexier.
I used to drink more when I was younger, but I drink little alcohol these days cause I don’t feel good if I have more than say, a beer or a glass or wine.
Like everything else, it’s a personal choice. I don’t understand those who think that they’re cool because they go to a bar a couple of times a week and drink until 1am, or those who think they’re cool because they don’t do that. 😉
I like your reasons, though: you enjoy life without it, and you like where you are. What better reason could there be? 🙂
Kevin, I think you are very few of the guys out there who doesn’t drink.. I am surrounded by all of them, and I am the only one who hasn’t touched booze ever! Great to meet you!
What an interesting conversation! I have occasional beers during cookouts or when hanging out at the beach, maybe some wine with seafood or steaks, but drinking just never became a habit or a requirement to “have fun” at social events. I think some people frown at consuming alcohol because they automatically think of the binge drinkers, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be like that in the first place.
This post is really moving. I keep re-reading it.
Inherently, I don’t drink because I just don’t want to. It’s bitter. But I had my first booze when I was 31. It was with my office mates. I had it again at 32. Just to have fun. I have nothing against those who drink but this is all what I had to say, When you drink, put it straight in your tummy, not in your BRAIN.