10 replies to this topic

[Darkademic]

The UK is a nation of drinkers, renowned for a capacity to consume large amounts of alcohol. Everyone likes a leisurely couple of pints but when two drinks turn into twelve, it's time to ask if things have gone too far. Alcohol consumption is turning into the only thing the young people in this country do for fun. If you ask 99 out of 100 english people between the ages of say 18 and 28 what they do in their spare time they'll nearly always say "going out clubbing, having nights out", which strikes me as so lame. It's stupid to defend it as "social" when it's clearly the most anti-social thing ever, people acting like moron ape-people in the town centres.

Having a couple of drinks is one of the simple pleasures in life of course, but it's taken way too far in the UK. Many people get hammered, and do little else.

Episodes of disorder and anti-social behaviour are often seen as part of the excitement of getting drunk by binge drinkers enjoying a night out.

Heavy drinking is also taking its toll on our health. It's particularly dangerous because it involves the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in single sessions. Side effects can include increased risk of liver disease, cancer, heart disease, liver damage, strokes, and pancreatitis.

In France and Spain people tend to drink for pleasure and are less inclined to binge out. English drinking culture is much more characteristic of Northern Europe, with its high levels of violence and social problems associated with binge drinking.

The Government hopes to create a more "civilised" culture in pubs and clubs. But critics claim that there is no convincing evidence that extended opening hours will reduce binge drinking. They claim that young people will continue to get drunk late into the night, exacerbating crime and disorder problems.

[Parquay]

I FULLY agree there. I talk to a number of people over the world on MSN, and I've noticed a stereotypical view of the UK; that we are thugs; drunken thugs. Not good. Looking back, say 100 years, we were seen as the most civilised and educated country in the world... and now... *sigh* lol.

I love beer, and drink it responsibly.. (unless free hats are on offer .. lol) I think other European countries such as France and Belgium, which I have visited, have a much better sense of enjoyment relating to alcohol. They seem to have progressed past the need to consume as much of their (far superior) beers in an outing than people in the UK, but that might have been because I went to fairly small towns. No big cities.

I think something needs to be done about this problem.

[Darkademic]

I visited Barcelona, which is a big city. The city centre there was strikingly different to the UK. In the UK there are drunken fools all over the streets. In Barcelona the people walk about in a very civilized fashion at night.

I think it is only good to drink so that you get that "merry" feeling, not to the extent where you start to lose your self-control and cognitive ability.

[Magatoyko]

The heavy drinking problem is way out of hand in my opinion. Basically I agree with what you say and I think its over due for something to be done. I hate the stereotype of a load of drunks that English are starting to get. However, I did hear that in America they think we are more responsible about drinking than they are.

[iF0rmulae]

Fully agree. Alcohol numbs your brain and you don't know what the fuck you're doing. You become a different person and you end up acting like a dumbass, drooling on people, falling over and whatever. This damn country is full of fools. If you wanna be sociable, meet your mates and do something good with your precious life, not go sit in a shitty room full of moaning drunkies.

I hope people'll grow up some day.

[Darkademic]

Fully agree. Alcohol numbs your brain and you don't know what the fuck you're doing. You become a different person and you end up acting like a dumbass, drooling on people, falling over and whatever. This damn country is full of fools.

I know exactly what you mean. I've heard people say that you get to see a person's true personality when they're drunk, but this is so wrong. A person's restraint and ability to think rationally is part of a person's personality. Alcohol destroys these things.

Working in a Chinese takeaway on Friday and Saturday nights I can see the extent of the alcohol problem.

If you pursued drunkenness as a goal and that is the reason you drink, then it is immoral, self-destructive and stupid. Who would want to interfere with their consciousness in such a way? Being drunk is like taking a break from reality itself. It dims your awareness and makes you uninhibited, or to put it another way, irresponsible. I suspect most people who try to get drunk are trying to relinquish responsibility for their actions; anything from acts of consciousness to words spoken. If anyone feels the desire to get drunk in any situation, they should strongly question why they feel that way, by doing some introspection. Further, one's time in this life is limited. To purposely waste hours or even minutes on intentionally sabotaging one's ability to live and experience life is a both evasive and a travesty.

Exactly what is it about drinking that allows someone to have a good time?

[iF0rmulae]

Working in a Chinese takeaway on Friday and Saturday nights I can see the extent of the alcohol problem.

No doubt.

Exactly what is it about drinking that allows someone to have a good time?

There's nothing about it that "allows" someone to have a good time. It numbs them into a state of recklessness and relieved responsibility, as if anything that they do while drunk "couldn't be helped". Somehow it's socially acceptable for people to essentially drug themselves up in this way.

Most people get drunk simply because everyone else does. Sheep.

[Twilight]

Similar to one of the threads on the old forums if I remember right.

Is it really that bad over there? I don't really know much about English drinking culture. I don't drink much myself, and never get really drunk, just as a casual social activity. I'm not a big fan of beer but I like my red wine and spirits.

I'm in agreement with most of what ya say anyway, I think getting drunk all the time is a clear sign of a dysfunctional personality or social ineptitude.

[Darkademic]

Is it really that bad over there? I don't really know much about English drinking culture.

Well I live in a relatively small and quiet city, and yes it's pretty bad. I shudder to think what it's like in the big cities. It seems the most popular recreational activity, and certainly the number 1 social activity for the people in this country is centered around alcohol consumption. Something must be damn wrong if so many people need to escape reality on such a regular basis.

[WhiteWidoW]

Truthfully I do agree with what you're saying. What's your views on cannabis and other drugs? I fairly regularly smoke cannabis, as you might be able to tell from my name. I don't smoke heavily, just enough to heighten my senses a bit and make me restful. Do you see this as just as damaging because I sure don't! Y'all seem to want alcohol to be illegalized, so I assume you think the same about cannabis and other drugs. Sorry if this is a bit off topic.

[Darkademic]

What's your views on cannabis and other drugs?

All drugs are immoral to a degree because they inhibit one's ability to make rational judgements and long-term effects can be seriously harmful to the brain. Cannabis I would say is the least immoral as it has the least damaging effects especially when taken in small amounts. It can be moral if used for medicinal purposes and maybe even for recreational purposes if it allows one to relax without affecting judgement and focus. Alcohol is strictly immoral as it has no positive effects. Cocaine, herion, ecstacy etc. are all seriously immoral.

Y'all seem to want alcohol to be illegalized, so I assume you think the same about cannabis and other drugs.

On the contrary, I believe all drugs should be legalized. It is the choice of the individual whether to poison their mind or not. They are responsible for both the decision and the consequences.

Sorry if this is a bit off topic.

Nah it's fine.