Alcohol and me
When I started college, I experienced a great many new things. College scheduling headaches, good and bad campus food, and of course, alcohol.
I have never been anti-alcohol or smoking, though I’m not really for them, either. (I used to smoke, too, but that’s another story) I enjoyed a drink or two when I was in college, and afterwards, too.
But these days, I drink very little. This started just before I graduated college, and has continued since. I’m not entirely sure why, though part of it is because my doctor recommended that I cut back.
This normally isn’t a problem. But when I moved to Japan, where a big after-work activity is drinking, “I don’t drink” is met with wonderment and confusion.
“You don’t drink beer?”
“No, I don’t drink alcohol (anymore).”
“Oh, so no (sake/vodka/etc.). How about beer?”
“No, I don’t drink.”
“Oh, is it because of your (health/religion/etc.)?”
“… yes.” (This depends on the question, of course)
It took some doing, but I managed to convince my co-workers that I didn’t drink, and nothing they could do would change that. Then again, these are the same people who boggled at me drinking Coke with my lunch.
I think that alcohol is a fine thing to partake when you feel like it. I do worry when it’s something that is drunk every night “just because”. Or when it’s the only way to “feel good”. Granted, I feel that way about any type of vice.
As for me, as long as you’re okay with “Nah, I’ll have a ginger ale” or something similar, you can drink all you want.
Just don’t throw up in my car.