<p>I do see the middle ground and really, I couldn’t care less about what you do. Why can’t people accept the fact that I don’t want to drink, <strong>even moderately</strong>? It’s not always moral issues, in my case, it’s cultural. </p>
<p>And I haven’t been tempted to drink even though I am at one of the biggest party schools. I just don’t care for it. And I get looked down for not drinking. I also, do not scold those who do drink since I have more important things to worry about. One of my friends used to drink with her friends in her dorm room, and I still remain good friends with her. That’s <em>her</em> business.</p>
<p>^^^yup yup yup!!! that’s y europeans and latinoamericans have smarter attitudes towards drinking, its something in our culture that we’re exposed to from a young age, so that alcohol isn’t a big deal when we get to college and we don’t drink as if the alcohol is gonna disappear in a week.</p>
<p>there should also be programs that teach about using and consuming other drugs safely, it will keep unexperienced students from doing drugs with unknown effects, and how to get safer and unadulterated drugs (aka, getting good, natural weed without chemicals).</p>
<p>It’s not just that, it’s just that if a cousin of mine found drunken pics of me and me going potty on facebook, my family’s reputation is destroyed…it makes my parents look bad, and I will be gossiped about. That’s the way my culture is and I don’t want to deal with it. </p>
<p>And, again, I just don’t see what the big deal is about it. I’m not curious as to what it tastes like, or what’s it like getting drunk or anything of that sort. I don’t care.</p>
<p>Besides, I waste all my money on coffee. LOL</p>
<p>“Why can’t people accept the fact that I don’t want to drink, <strong>even moderately</strong>?”</p>
<p>We can. At least I can. From your rant directly before that statement it appeared that you didn’t accept that some people do drink moderately. That’s what I was going on.</p>
<p>No, I did (and do) accept that people drink moderately. </p>
<p>If you actually <em>read</em> the full posts instead of reading what you choose to see, I was responding to the person who insulted me by stating that I was “full of crap” after I posted that no one CC respects the decisions of those who choose not to drink.</p>
<p>Also if you think that copying and pasting quotes is a rant, then you need to consult Webster’s Dictionary for the definition of the word “rant” because what you posted is erroneous and a fallacy. </p>
<p>And since I just realized this after the editing time I’d like to say this to Arctic.</p>
<p>You thought I was “full of crap” for thinking that those who drink look down on those who don’t on CC.</p>
<p>Did you not make this insensitive post?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You contradicted yourself, yet again.</p>
<p>Apparently DoveofPeace had to delete some posts that were inappropriate. If you cannot even formulate an argument without using ad hominems, then what makes me believe you are mature enough to drink “responsibly”?</p>
<p>Which school do you go to smurfgirl? I also went to a big party school (PSU) and it can be really challenging to be a part of the crowd if you’re strictly against alcoholism.</p>
<p>Some who have claimed that Europeans have “smarter attitudes toward drinking,” and that reduces their drinking problems may find the below interesting:</p>
<p>"European teenagers drink more alcohol more often than their American counterparts, and get drunk more frequently, as well, according to researchers from the PIRE Prevention Research Center.
Philanthropy News Network reported Nov. 17 that researchers said data on youths ages 15-16 from 35 European countries showed that every nation in Europe except Turkey had higher teen binge-drinking rates than the U.S. </p>
<p>and
"STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Alcohol is the biggest killer of young men across Europe, according to research published by the World Health Organisation. </p>
<p>More than 55,000 people aged 15-29 across Europe die each year as a result of road accidents, poisoning, suicide and murders linked to alcohol, WHO figures show. </p>
<p>In some parts of Eastern Europe up to a third of deaths of young men are due to drinking while the country with the biggest problem is expected to be revealed by another report as Ireland. </p>
<p>The WHO researchers said that alcohol had no beneficial effect on young people and urgent measures must be taken to reduce the death toll, including tightening up on the advertising of alcohol products. </p>
<p>I find other things to do with my time. I attend University Activities Board events, watch a movie with the girls in the lounge, go bowling with my friends. I did more things in my first year in college, than what the seniors did in 4 years. My idea of a fun time is learning how to salsa dance, learning how to play chess, reading a good book (and not those 100 dollar textbooks!), going to this old bookshop and enjoying the smell of old books from 1925… I just like doing something different and gaining a new perspective on my life and the world in general. I have not gotten drunk, nor do I intend to here at my university. I find my activities more fulfilling than getting smashed.</p>
<p>There’s so many things I want to do this year and hopefully I will be able to do all of them…</p>
<p>My question is, how come a girl like me who has these attributes do not attract college guys, but older guys (28ish) instead? </p>
<p>I guess, I’m not your average college girl and it’s a shame that my type is a rarity.</p>
<p>meh, I thought what it would feel like to act all insane and crazy without inhibition. I’m too scared to approach any parties for that though. :p</p>
<p>==
But then what of the dinner parties that adults always have? Why do they drink? Formalities?</p>
<p>and for the record, I’ve mentally categorized alcohol as a liver dissolver (even though it technically doesn’t do that). it’s an excellent psychological deterrent</p>
<p>Personally, I’m huge into math/science but I really value the research in cognitive psychology so I read that when I have the spare time. OTOH I’m curious about one-time-events</p>
<p>seriously…do u people who dont drink really think that ur morally right???..almost everyone drinks and not everyone is an alcoholic…most of u who dont drink are just anti-social hermits anyway</p>
<p>I wish the average girl was like you. Unfortunately, it’s a rarity indeed.</p>
<p>Oh, and all this talk about alcohol being a social lubricant - I don’t buy any of it. I wonder how many people remember the people they met at a party last night, so the whole argument that partying helps social networking is quite frankly, weak.</p>
<p>mightynick, the grand majority of people at any given party are not drinking themselves to oblivion. most people drink and may get a bit tipsy. but a minority will get sloshed. a bit of booze loosens people up, makes you confident, makes girls less reserved and gives an air of happiness to the room. dancing becomes more interesting as people become sexier and move to the music.</p>
<p>alcohol can be, and is a social lubricant. i suggest trying some. Just go out to a party and see what it’s like at least once, it’s an experience. It doesn’t own my life, and it doesn’t have to own yours, but it’s not something that needs to be outcast.</p>
<p>“I find other things to do with my time. I attend University Activities Board events, watch a movie with the girls in the lounge, go bowling with my friends. I did more things in my first year in college, than what the seniors did in 4 years. My idea of a fun time is learning how to salsa dance, learning how to play chess, reading a good book (and not those 100 dollar textbooks!), going to this old bookshop and enjoying the smell of old books from 1925… I just like doing something different and gaining a new perspective on my life and the world in general. I have not gotten drunk, nor do I intend to here at my university. I find my activities more fulfilling than getting smashed.”</p>
<p>Just wanted to say, I do most of those things even though I drink as well… I watch movies with friends, and go bowling. We go out to eat, we go run around a park at night playing hide and seek tag. We sit around til 4 am talking about what the game plan is when the zombies attack. I’m ON the University Program Council (I’m assuming it’s my equivalent to your UAB) and help put on many of those programs and activities you like to go to (and also attend many of them). I’ve learned how to salsa, swing, and meringue since I’ve been in college. I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to practice my salsa or meringue lately (my dance partner and ex-bf moved back to Honduras) but I swing dance every week with the swing club on campus. I do all these things just like you do, but every other weekend or so, I like to let loose and get together and have some drinks with friends. Every couple months, we go to the really big parties. I’ve actually met quite a few friends at parties while being slightly intoxicated (including two of the three friends I hung out with on friday night). I just wanted to let you know that just because I drink doesn’t mean I don’t find time to do those same things you do.</p>
<p>All I’m saying is that, I don’t find getting drunk and going to parties fulfilling. I want to do things that have a meaning to them. I feel like I’m having an early mid-life crisis or something lol. </p>
<p>I have my reasons for not drinking (personal and family issues), and it’s not worth the trouble. Honestly, it isn’t. </p>
<p>And, for the record, <em>anyone</em> can join UAB here lol. But it’s nice to know that you are involved on campus. </p>
<p>I know guys who are 24-28 who have told me that they don’t drink as much as they used to anymore, so I guess you grow out of it with time.</p>
<p>Thanks for not insulting me in your post. :)</p>
(even though it technically doesn’t do that). it’s an excellent psychological deterrent</p>