Drunk Bunk

[Virgil Showlion]

"Drinking to excess" (a.k.a. "getting drunk") is a silent polarizer. Some view it as a throwaway "lowest common denominator" topic; some view it as a normal (often humorous) part of life.

EE is no stranger to booze-related tropes or the occasional argument about the morality of drinking.

I find myself curious on how EEers view the subject.

For the poll, please consider the following four definitions:

Contrary Abstainer - "I do not drink to excess more than once a year (on average)*. I'd prefer that people who do would not discuss it publicly. This preference is either a matter of principle, a matter of morality, or because I believe the topic to be cheap and unpalatable."

Indifferent Abstainer - "I do not drink to excess more than once a year (on average)*. I am either indifferent to the topic of hard drinking or mildly inclined toward it. I rarely contribute to discussions about it."

Joker - "I do not drink to excess more than once a year (on average)*. But for some it's a part of life. Booze is great. Drunk people are funny. And if they're going to talk about it, I'm going to talk about it with them."

Drinker - "I do drink to excess more than once a year (on average). It's a part of life. Booze is great. Drunk people are funny. And I'm going to talk about it."

Repentant - "I do drink to excess more than once a year (on average). I'm not proud of it, and I'm not inclined to discuss it publicly. Or perhaps it doesn't strike me as a topic worth discussing."

*Stated differently: "My average rate of getting drunk is less than or equal to once per year."

I realize there will be some gray areas, but which view do you believe describes you best?

[Bluerobin]

You forgot "I can no longer drink to excess, as I just can't seem to find my limit." This is EE after all.

[Empire the P.A.]

It should be: indifferent abstainer - once every ten years

[queenofcorona]

hmmm, maybe he is the underground government agency, Ratch. I didn't see the option of drunkenly and disorderous heathen so I'm going to select contrary abstainer. Potato/Potahto

[Opti]

Weird poll, Virgil. I guess I fall into your indifferent abstainer category although I probably haven't drunk to excess since college. Is excess exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit or a general feeling?

Had an aunt, really one of my sister's godmother's who would get tipsy on even half a glass of wine. She was really funny in general and even funnier with that half glass of wine so it was wrong of us kids to urge her to have some wine?

[Apple]

I guess for me it depends. Most of the time I can joke about, sometime (drunk coworker trying to get me killed) I can't. Well, even then I guess I can joke about it, but he's not in on the joke and it still pisses me off. If someone is a mean drunk, hard to joke about it. I probably fall somewhere inbetween indifferent abstainer and joker. (If I have a full beer I've pretty much "drank to excess" so I very rarely drink anything).

[Artemis Windsong]

The category I would fit into is not listed. Could this be a guberment study or ins. co. getting folks to out themselves? Hmmmm, I say to the curious conspirator, Virgil.

The board needs a thread dedicated to drinkers. One thread had a lot of info on wines which could be a subboard. So many of the threads get OT to alcohol that the subject gets lost. Then the drunk posters turn around and compare jeans sizes .

[Virgil Showlion]

I'll clarify the language a bit. By "I do not drink to excess more than once a year (on average).", I don't mean to imply that you have to get drunk at least once per year.

The category I would fit into is not listed.

I'd be interested to hear it.

And, on the slightest off-chance that some of you are actually concerned about where the poll data is going, the answer is... nowhere.

[Virgil Showlion]

<wonders if Virgil voted>

I'm a contrary abstainer. For moral reasons, I prefer that people not advertise their excesses. Heavy drinking takes a toll on the body, the mind, one's reputation, one's sense of self-respect, and sometimes even one's ability to enjoy the finer things in life. It strikes me as very high price to pay for a brief escape.

That said, I'm perfectly capable of avoiding conversations about drinking and I'm not going to go marching through EE sermonizing. I set the poll up because I'm genuinely interested in the community makeup.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I think Virgil probably has a way of seeing who voted and which way they voted, so he can use the collected data for revenge blackmail being able to offer helpful advice.

[Miss Tequila]

Sept 3, 2011 12:24:10 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

<wonders if Virgil voted>

I'm a contrary abstainer. For moral reasons, I prefer that people not advertise their excesses. Heavy drinking takes a toll on the body, the mind, one's reputation, one's sense of self-respect, and sometimes even one's ability to enjoy the finer things in life. It strikes me as very high price to pay for a brief escape.

That said, I'm perfectly capable of avoiding conversations about drinking and I'm not going to go marching through EE sermonizing. I set the poll up because I'm genuinely interested in the community makeup.

We are EE'rs...we don't understand the concept of morality

[Virgil Showlion]

We are EE'rs...we don't understand the concept of morality

On the contrary, some EEers are quite moralistic. Their morals are just... EEish.

[Malarky]

Sept 3, 2011 12:38:32 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

We are EE'rs...we don't understand the concept of morality

On the contrary, some EEers are quite moralistic. Their morals are just... EEish.

My moral compass doesn't point due north?

[Deleted]

Probably no surprise that I am a drinker. I love having beers with the boys, scotch with the men, mixed drinks with the ladies, margaritas on the beach, etc, etc.

[Virgil Showlion]

Note that this is about drinking to excess (i.e. to the point of intoxication), not just having a beer with the lads or a few glasses of wine over Thanksgiving afternoon.

[Deleted]

If I don't puke does that mean I'm not intoxicated? Because luckily, I don't puke near as much as I used to.

[NoNamePerson]

We are EE'rs...we don't understand the concept of morality

I understand the concept of morality - now following that concept - well I plead the FIFTH

[midjd]

I'd say I'm a joker. I drink pretty regularly, but don't think I've been drunk since SIL's graduation party in June 2010. (MIL got completely, hilariously plastered that night and has threatened us all with penalty of death if we release the pictures... )

In all my years of drinking, I've never had a hangover. (Not from lack of trying... I'm really not sure I'm capable of one.) Never puked, either.

[Miss Tequila]

Sept 3, 2011 13:27:31 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

If I don't puke does that mean I'm not intoxicated? Because luckily, I don't puke near as much as I used to.

[Virgil Showlion]

In all my years of drinking, I've never had a hangover. (Not from lack of trying... I'm really not sure I'm capable of one.)

Hangovers are the result of dehydration. If you aggressively rehydrate, you can mitigate or even avoid them. Not that I endorse drinking to the point of getting hung over...

[Virgil Showlion]

Rehydrating should occur over a protracted period. Replenishing electrolytes is important too. If you just chug a gallon of water before passing out, you'll wake up hung over and with a full bladder.

[steff]

As a former bartender who doesn't drink but once or twice a year (if that)..... I had no problem watching folks getting their drunk on and having a good time. Now if you are a mean angry drunk, then I have no use for you and you won't be getting your drunk on at any parties at my house. If you are a fun drunk, then have fun.

[weltschmerz]

Sept 3, 2011 13:58:07 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

In all my years of drinking, I've never had a hangover. (Not from lack of trying... I'm really not sure I'm capable of one.)

Hangovers are the result of dehydration. If you aggressively rehydrate, you can mitigate or even avoid them. Not that I endorse drinking to the point of getting hung over...

Due to some chronic health concerns, I'm dehydrated before I even start drinking! That's why I feel so sick when I drink. My doctors tell me to eat more salt.
Hmmmm....maybe a heavily salt-rimmed margarita is in order.

[Virgil Showlion]

I've been criticized for not knowing my audience. But in my defense, there are more nos than yeses up there re heavy drinking. I'll bet if I'd asked "Does the typical EEer drink to the point of intoxication more than once a year?", the answer would have been an overwhelming "yes"—which we now see is untrue.

[weltschmerz]

What's a lefty cigarette? People who smoke using their left hands?

[steff]

lefty cigarette?

[weltschmerz]

Lol! I've NEVER heard it called a lefty cigarette! Is it supposed to imply that only Democrats partake?

[swamp]

No, it's a lefty because you
Pass the dutchy on the left hand side.......

[diamonds]

Sept 3, 2011 16:14:06 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

I've been criticized for not knowing my audience. But in my defense, there are more nos than yeses up there re heavy drinking. I'll bet if I'd asked "Does the typical EEer drink to the point of intoxication more than once a year?", the answer would have been an overwhelming "yes"—which we now see is untrue.

Virgil, I opt to differ with you, I am a non-drinker and don't even remember the last time I had a drink. Maybe 20 years ago. Just never liked the taste or the after-effects. Experiencing the spins once after drinking a whole bottle of a liqueur in those years and being married to an alcoholic that had black outs and became mean and defensive was enough for me.

[diamonds]

Sept 3, 2011 17:31:17 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Ohhh, diamond. BDTD w/ living w/ an alcoholic. An ex paired 6-8+ beers w/ pot and man, talk about blackouts.

Iggy: Oh thank you, what is BDTD? The staggering thing is my ex became such a successful businessman in spite of the heavy drinking. He self-studied and achieved a Masters Degree in Insurance Fire and Underwriting, kept get getting promotions, was on the Board of Directors, owned his own business, etc. Doctor called me at Christmas time 20 years ago and gave me his home phone as ex was passing blood on the toilet and the doctor didn't expect him to last. Evidently, his body could keep going and I'm sure with all his investments and stocks he is a millionaire now. Do I think he stopped drinking...No!