Dear So-and-so:

[Pirog]

Truthfully, there is very few people these days who "drink responsibly".

I can't speak for the situation in your region, or America...but in Sweden almost everyone drink, and it's a very small percentage that drinks unresponsible.
The thing is that when a person drinks responsible you don't even think about it. It's the loud mouths and puking drunks you remember when you think of people who drinks. It's like when you think "why does stuff always disappear when you really need them"...it's just a perception, since you don't even reflect over all those times when you need a thing and it is just where you thought it would be.

[Mavsfan911]

But seriously, what do you get out of drinking?
I don't see the point.

[trage]

But seriously, what do you get out of drinking?
I don't see the point.

I have to agree here.

[Pirog]

It is a social thing, it's good and I enjoy the feeling of getting "tipsy". I seldom drink so that I become drunk though. That was fun when I was younger and alcohol was something new, but for me it is not worth the negative effects. I mostly stick to beer and the occasional soft drink...hard liquor isn't my thing.

Discussions tend to go easier, and people get a little bit happier and lively when you drink. The same goes when passing a joint around.
I have no problems at all having fun or discussing without alcohol though.
But there is something social about it that I can't really explain...it's the same thing with ciggarettes. The most interesting discussions at a party usually takes place when people go out for smokes...

[cantrpotatoe]

But seriously, what do you get out of drinking?
I don't see the point.

I have to agree here.

I make three that agree ...

[Pirog]

But my point is...if you have gotten drunk at least once and regard it as pointless, good for you! If you haven't you might regret not trying it when you get older...to at least have an idea about it.

[Revanael]

Agree.

[cantrpotatoe]

why dont you jump off a very high bridge? dont you want to experience that?? thats what life is all about? right? experiences?

some experiences are wrong for some people. like jumping off a bridge is as wrong for me as drinking is..

but if you see fun in doing something that can be very bad.. go ahead..

[Pirog]

cantrpotatoe>

I don't see the connection between drinking beer and jumping off a bridge. If you are so afraid of unknown things that you fear alcoholism from drinking a beer you must have a very sad life.
Everything is potentially dangerous...

[cantrpotatoe]

I dont think that beer will make my life whole. yes it can be a good experience, for the ones who decide to take that experience. I do not. All I am saying is that to me, drinking isnt something I want to experience (same with jumping off a bridge ) , I am not saying its is wrong or you will go to hell or anything like that.. I am saying that people who dont know when to stop drinking shouldnt drink. Thats when bad things happen, not because of beer, but because they dont know when to stop.

not all experiences are good for everyone.

[Sparkle]

I dont think that beer will make my life whole. yes it can be a good experience, for the ones who decide to take that experience. I do not. All I am saying is that to me, drinking isnt something I want to experience (same with jumping off a bridge ) , I am not saying its is wrong or you will go to hell or anything like that.. I am saying that people who dont know when to stop drinking shouldnt drink. Thats when bad things happen, not because of beer, but because they dont know when to stop.

not all experiences are good for everyone.

Beer taste terrible. I can't think of one person who likes beer now, that liked it when they first tasted it. Thinking of what it is made of and pop bellies and all that makes me sick to my stomach. When I used to drink it was only liqour. Some had a bad taste as well but I justed sipped the good tasting ones until I started to enjoy it

Just my opinion.

[Sparkle]

sparkle>

But you got a chance to find out for yourself...don't you see that as a good thing? My point wasn't that people should drink...it was that until you have tried getting drunk at least once you really can't even have an opinion about drinking.

Reality is based on our own experiences. By trying things you expand your view of reality.

None of my friends get aggressive or strange when they drink. Then again, I don't surround myself with drunks...
As with (almost) everything else alcohol is harmless when handled by a person who is responsible and isn't prone to abuse. But for people with the right (or rather wrong) conditions everything is potentially dangerous...food, sex, games, work, love. Anything can be abused.

Yes, I do agree with you here. I feel you can have your opinion on the situation but until you have tried it for yourself you cannot judge or have a factual opinion about it. I explained this to my husband all the time whom has never smoked, drinked or any of the things I used to do. How can he look down at me when he can't even understand anything about how drinking was for me. Social drinking was my way out. It made me feel good, made me whole and I didn't see anything wrong with it and still don't. It's people who can't drink responsible I have a problem with.

[Pirog]

I dont think that beer will make my life whole.

Let's hope not...that would make you an alcoholic
I see your point, but I still think there will come a day when people who live a sheltered life look back on their youth and regret that they didn't took more risks and chances.
Perhaps that's why I find the most interesting discussions often being with people who smoke and drink...they are more often people who push boundries, gather experiences and thus become slightly more interesting (to me).
Edit: Don't take this as me saying that people who doesn't drink or smoke are uninteresting. If you do you have missed my point

not all experiences are good for everyone.

No...but they are always educational.

Thinking of what it [beer] is made of...

There is nothing nasty in beer.
At least not compared to most other food products.

[Sparkle]

There is nothing nasty in beer.
At least not compared to most other food products.

I was told the yeast inside of it is what makes you get a beer belly as some call it.

[The Industriallist]

Er, that seems like faulty science. I think the 'beer belly' has more to do with the significant caloric content.

But if live yeast concerns you, you could boil it first.