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Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

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Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#91

I'll say why I am. I don't even know what it's like to be under the influence of alcohol...and I love it. The type of social situations with a bunch of people laughing and tipsy is repulsive to me. I have been to a few such situations and it is universally a waste of time.

Isn't there a difference between not hanging out with drunk people and not drinking alcohol? Some people have a glass of wine with their meal, for instance.

Depending on where you live, everyone. Large parts of Europe have that. And it doesn’t make a difference. Getting plastered is when you need to watch out because then it gets repetitive and boring.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone still drink sugared sodas when going out? Most people are very conscious of this and only drink zero.. Edit: by Zero I mean coke zero or other 'diet' drinks. I was talking about the sugared versions only that have become really unpopular here in Spain.

>Does anyone still drink sugared sodas when going out? Is this a real question? You don't ever see soda being served at a restaurant? I see it all the time and it's obvious people are still drinking it since it's on the menu at literally every restaurant.

The original question is in the context of a bar, not a restaurant. Obviously people drink sugared sodas at mealtimes. The question was whether many people are serially downing sugared soda after sugared soda in a bar context, keeping pace with the alcohol drinkers.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#93
post #37
post #26

The bigger question is why isn't sobriety viewed as the default position rather than the exception? I mean, nobody would ask why young people are saying "no" to crack cocaine.

Couldn't agree more. I've been asked countless times why I don't drink, especially in the first year of university, and it always seemed odd to me that people even needed an answer. I'm not talking about people just making conversation or asking out of curiosity, but a vocal minority seem to make some sort of character judgement based on your sobriety if they're not satisfied by your response.

>I've been asked countless times why I don't drink [...] and it always seemed odd to me that people even needed an answer. [...] a vocal minority seem to make some sort of character judgement based on your sobriety if they're not satisfied by your response.

Whenever some asks me that, I just confidently tell them I'm pregnant while caressing my belly (I'm a dude), then everyone bursts into laughter, then we change topic.

Learning to divert useless criticism from trolls with humor and confidence, instead of feeling offended and starting an argument to defend my lifestyle choices, is one of the most valuable life skills I learned and has gotten me into places beyond my social status.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#94

I'll say why I am. I don't even know what it's like to be under the influence of alcohol...and I love it. The type of social situations with a bunch of people laughing and tipsy is repulsive to me. I have been to a few such situations and it is universally a waste of time.

Have you ever been under the influence of other drugs?

I find the sobriety claims only as they relate to alcohol to be silly. Younger people are using other drugs at far higher rates than in the past, so the overall level of sobriety is probably not every different.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#95

The unmentioned reason is that, even in the UK, cannabis use is growing. Given the choice between the two - especially with the gender differences mentioned - it seems obvious why people would choose weed over booze or nothing over both.

Exactly, the entire article on sobriety doesn't even mention the word "drugs". Young people are using other drugs more, and alcohol less.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#96
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was news recently of the Japanese Government heavily promoting drinking to young people, because their alcohol industry is suffering.

> because their alcohol industry is suffering Or rather, because their tax revenue is suffering: "Taxes on alcohol accounted for 1.7% of Japan’s tax revenue in 2020, down from 3% in 2011 and 5% in 1980." [0] [0] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/17/japan-governme...

>"Taxes on alcohol accounted for 1.7% of Japan’s tax revenue in 2020, down from 3% in 2011 and 5% in 1980."

It sounds like the "sin tax" is working as expected, to reduce consumption.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#97

It’s really weird how a generation that is more conscious of the downsides of alcohol is somehow portrayed negatively. Are people really that insecure about their personal choices in alcohol consumption? I don’t see why a more deliberate approach to alcohol is problematic.

It's because of the fear that without alcohol, these youngsters aren't going to socialize. A very debatable position, but I really think that's what it is. People (like me) who felt, rightly or wrongly, that drinking helped make friends, have fun, meet romantic partners, etc. when they were young.

>It's because of the fear that without alcohol, these youngsters aren't going to socialize

I wonder if people who think that have ever been to the Middle East. Arabs are some of the most sociable people out there, and generally don't drink due to Islam.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#98
post #54

> Becoming more intentional about one’s relationship with alcohol can only ever be a good thing. “It’s a myth really that you are boring if you’re not drinking,” Misell says. “As anyone who’s ever been sober with a drunk friend will know that when people are drunk, that can be extremely boring too.” Well, yes. I've been working in a bar (and in charge of it) and drunk people are really annoying. I always used to drin…

> I find bars a bit boring in general these days. No smoking, grumpy security goons everywhere, strict opening hours and drinking limits. You should come to Berlin :-)

>You should come to Berlin :-)

Error 404, rental apartment not found :-)

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone still drink sugared sodas when going out? Most people are very conscious of this and only drink zero.. Edit: by Zero I mean coke zero or other 'diet' drinks. I was talking about the sugared versions only that have become really unpopular here in Spain.

You can also drink water, juices or non-alcoholic beer and cocktails when you go out to bars. Nothing says you need to drink alcoholic beverages only. As long as you're paying, bartenders are happy to tailor something non-alcoholic for you without judging.

I know, I was just talking about the sugared versions of soft drinks, as the OP mentioned sugar overload.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Does anyone still drink sugared sodas when going out? Is this a real question? You don't ever see soda being served at a restaurant? I see it all the time and it's obvious people are still drinking it since it's on the menu at literally every restaurant.

The original question is in the context of a bar, not a restaurant. Obviously people drink sugared sodas at mealtimes. The question was whether many people are serially downing sugared soda after sugared soda in a bar context, keeping pace with the alcohol drinkers.

Yeah exactly. Even at meal times here in Spain most people drink zero by the way.

It's even more of a thing now that the Spanish government restricted airconditioning to 27 degrees (80 degrees Fahrenheit) which means that bars are really hot now (the AC setting is 27 so a full bar is much hotter than that). And I often actually drink because I'm thirsty. Taking that much sugar in is really a bad thing.

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