<p>I have yet to see any upside to alcohol. Kids today drink it so they can be “grown up” and so they can break the rules. I have seen the lives of so many adults destroyed because of alcohol use. Once you start drinking your ability to realize you should stop diminishes. Getting arrested for driving under the influence can end careers, cost a fortune, and leave you with a criminal record. Getting drunk at a party can make you the butt of the joke and cause you to say things you later regret. </p>
<p>I don’t think alcohol consumption is as bad as tobacco consumption. If you are under 80 and smoke, you are truly foolish. </p>
<p>razor, that’s simply not true. The majority of alcohol drinkers can stop themselves. Of course there are always going to be problem "x"ers no matter what that “x” is. </p>
<p>As for alcohol vs tobacco, that is also simply not true. Tobacco products are much, much more addicting than alcohol for the majority of the population and tobacco use hurts people much more than alcohol. Alcohol can be consumed in moderation with minimal long-term effects. The same is not true of tobacco products. </p>
<p>Any tirade coming against those who eat McDonalds every once in a while? How about those who suntan? </p>
<p>Also, is tobacco worse than alcohol and heroin (referencing a different topic) for you the new meme of the week? What is with this. Yes, smoking is bad for you. Everyone knows that. It doesn’t ruin lives. </p>
<p>^^^ I hate to disagree with you. Smoking can ruin lives. I had three much older sisters - only one left. The other two smoked and died of smoking-related diseases. Both tried to quit over the years and both eventually started up again.</p>
<p>Yeah, we all have the stories of people who drank too much and went on to make fools of themselves. </p>
<p>How many stories do we tell of the MANY times we saw someone have a glass of wine or a beer and go on to act perfectly normal? Of course we don’t implant those incidents into our consciousness because they simple aren’t that remarkable to us. But depending on the people with whom we spend time, they are probably FAR more numerous than the episodes of idiocy.</p>
<p>I drink alcohol socially and moderately. I enjoy it and it’s a fun part of business and personal social events. I eat sugar, although I try to moderate that, too. I watch some less-than-highbrow TV shows! I read fashion magazines. I don’t smoke. I run competitively. I break the speed limit sometimes. I have a good career. I eat pizza. I haven’t embarrassed myself in a business situation due to my alcohol consumption (well, not in many, many years at any rate…- and that was back in the day when senior executives drank too much at lunch…) One thing that bugs me about CC is just how MANY things about which we can be judgmental!</p>
<p>You don’t drink, you’re uptight. You do drink, you’re trying to fill some void in your life. It doesn’t matter what other people are drinking or doing; especially, if they’re handling themselves appropriately. Mind your own damn business and quite corralling people into conforming into your definition of a “good” person. </p>
<p>That’s what I say to those who try to shame people from drinking or try to coerce people into drinking. Let people be and enjoy your time with them. </p>
<p>I don’t drink and never really have. No alcoholism, no DUI, nothing like that. I always say that alcohol is an acquired taste that I never acquired and that’s the truth. I treat alcohol the same way as I treat meat. I choose not to partake, but I don’t mind if others do.</p>
<p>I’ve been to countless business functions over the years and, perhaps it’s because I live in New York, but there are always people who don’t drink at all. Some may be recovering alcoholics, but there are always people who don’t drink for religious or philosophical reasons. </p>
<p>I rarely drink and have never really thought about how other people perceive that. Someone upstream said, “Drinking is part of the social scene, and not drinking is seen as a bit odd” (sorry- I don’t know how to quote), and I was quite surprised at that comment as I don’t think that people around our area feel like that at all. When we are in social settings, there are people drinking and people not drinking and it never seems to be an issue. I have never been pressured by anyone to drink. I have a beer a couple of times a year with pizza or Mexican food, but my husband doesn’t drink at all. We both used to drink more, but it just faded out as we were working a lot and had kids. My husband’s family has some alcoholics in the group, and I think he gradually quit drinking over the years in part because he felt it was tempting fate. 3 of our 4 kids do drink socially, one on a regular basis, but the other 2 just on occasion. </p>
<p>While I don’t think anyone has ever assumed we are alcoholics because we don’t drink, comments have been made about the fact that since I always drive, possibly my husband has had a DUI. Actually, I just like to drive a lot, my husband does not, and he has never had a DUI and does, in fact, have a valid license. We always think it is so funny when that comes up!</p>
<p>I drink and enjoy it. For us a nice bottle of wine is part and parcel of most dinners out. I also love a beer with Indian, Thai and Chinese food. We drink mainly when we are out although we do occasionally relax with a glass of wine at home.</p>
<p>I have learned by observation that it is wise to limit alcohol consumption in certain settings. I hold myself to the rule that I never have more than 2 glasses of wine at a business lunch/dinner and same at any social function where I am with parents whose children attend school with my own. I have witnessed people saying some really inappropriate things due to being a little too relaxed after one too many. I think when you are with friends thats fine, but in other circumstances it can make for a very awkward situation.</p>
<p>I’m amazed (absolutely not judging- just impressed) that anyone can have 1-2 glasses of wine at lunch and still function that afternoon. I would be snoozing away with my face smushed into my desk if I drank wine with lunch. I just get so sleepy that I would be useless all afternoon! That is a big part of why I don’t drink any wine. </p>
<p>I once worked with an ICU nurse who showed up for report with the smell of alcohol on her breath. She was fired on the spot after working many years without incident at that facility. She was given the option to do a drug program in order to keep her job, but she refused, so she was fired, and I imagine, reported to the BON.</p>
<p>I cannot imagine drinking during/before going to work. Of course, certain jobs require absolute sobriety, while other jobs could be done after moderate consumption.</p>
<p>When I worked in NYC in banking we actually had wine tastings every other Friday in the conference room on our floor! Nice way for the department to end a long week.</p>
<p>We have Tylenol in my company, but it’s certainly NOT for hung over employees. People work really long hours, sometimes late into the night and headaches/muscle aches are common. I wouldn’t assume Tylenol = for hangovers, although maybe in some companies it is.</p>
</p>