OT: Drinking

[JakeB]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 1:44pm

Seeming as though the majority of this board seems to be teenagers I was wondering what you guys think to the whole 21 drinking law over there? Is it really frowned upon to drink below that age? Here in the UK it's a regular part of life for the majority of people from about 14/5 onwards. From roughly 15 years old you can go into bars and clubs and buy alcohol, depending on how old you look. I don't look that old but I still go and I've just turned 16. As it's 21 in the States does that mean people from around 18 go anyway?

Also, what do people make of the no-smoking in public thing? Personally it doesn't bother me here too much except for cigars and pipes but I like the smell of cigarettes.

Sorry for being so off-topic, I was just really curious. Better make it relevant - erm, there's a load of drinking in Les Miserables.

Jake.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 1:52pm

personally, my opinion is that it is stupid. I don't drink at all.... except on very rare occasion. I have an alcohol father. I refuse to become that. If you ask me, the 21 year old limit is doing more harm than good.. after all, we have more alcohol related deaths per capita in this country than in other nation that have a lower drinking age. Why is that you ask? Here, a lot of people under 21 totally ignore the law. They just get older friends to buy it for them and becasue of that law, they have to drink in private environments either by themselves or at parties and gatherings that were organized FOR drinking on many levels. Drinking is teh focus of those gatherings and they do it.. a lot. Therfore, with it being such a major part, they drink more and get a lot more drunk than they would have if the drinking age were lower and they could do it in a casual social environment like a bar or club where ther is a lot more distraction and activity that daws one away from the alcohol. therefore, they don't get as drunk. Therefore, it would actually be SAFER for them to lower the law.

Of course in out nutty nation that wont happen becasue there is a large right wing movement and prohibitionist-like groups like MADD, that while good in intent, actually do not do as much good as they say by making those laws more restricting and concentrating places for those people to drink.

ok. End of rant. bye now.

[JakeB]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 1:55pm

I agree. If you can drink in pubs from any age then it wouldn't be illegal for you to break the law, part of the attraction for most people I think.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 1:59pm

exactly. A lot people I went to high school did it because they thought it was "cool" and "badass" to do it BECAUSE they were too young and it was illegal.

[DoubleDown11]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 2:18pm

First of all...I do believe the drinking age would be better set at 19 not 21. I believe that is the average (give or take with each individual) where people can take responsibility for their actions and, for the most part, can decide whats good/right vs. what's wrong. Teenagers cannot do this. Those people who are 18 and under should not be allowed to drink. I also believe that the whole "its being abused because its illegal" thing makes no sense. Underagers drink because it feels good...its a drug. Thats my 2 cents!

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 3:42pm

I don't really mind the law. I'm 16, and I hate the taste of alcohol. I would rather have a Virgin strawberry daquri (sp?) then one with alcohol! I know some of my friends drink and talk about being drunk, which I think is ridiculous. Why do we need to get drunk? I don't find it funny at all, it can be dangerous. I don't know about any other people my age out there, but I would rather live my life and have fun with my friends then get drunk and risk being killed.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 3:49pm

Thank you all for making me think of Fritzi doing "The Ladies Who Lunch." Everybody rise!

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 6:51pm

Bravo to those of you who don't need a "drink" to have a good time. I've NEVER seen the logic in drinking or getting drunk. I don't know what is "fun" about being out of control.

I confess I've been drunk once in my life but I didn't know I was drinking at the time. I would NEVER choose to be that way again.

Believe it or not, one of my friends bought a couple of little bottles of Asti Spilmmontie (sp) (I know I misspelled it badly) for a major milestone B-day. That was 15 years ago and it's still in the fridge. Don’t need it, don’t want it.

D

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 7:03pm

I am 15 and have only seriously drank once (I've had sips here and there). I didn't find it all that exciting. All it gave me was a major headache the next morning. My mom is a heavy drinker and everyone assumes that I will be too, but the way I see it, she sets examples of what NOT to do.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 7:15pm

mmmmmmm.......Stoli.