Being a recently turned 20 year old on a University Residence with largely 18 year olds who are below the drinking age in Ontario, I am nagged repeatedly about why I do not drink.
I've been constantly told that I am not living, or having a good time unless I am drinking, and/or smoking pot, and that people who don't do so are living dull joyless boring lives.
"You don't drink? Man, what DO you do?"
"Uhh...watch DVDs? Play computer games?"
Ever since I turned 20, I have been constantly nagged to try it, even having been given a six pack of Coors Light. I have tried to co-operate but today, on St. Patricks Day, I just got sick of alcohol in general. A number of things are getting on my nerves about beer and alcohol...
One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. And...oh wait, thats rum. (Thanks imdb!)
2) Its a depressant
In the few times I have tried it, it didn't make me feel good. I felt kinda off. I then remembered, alcohol is a depressant. It doesn't make me feel good at all, and it just seems to me that hanging with people who have had alcohol are more unpleasant to be around. They are more rude to me, and less considerate. They don't want to listen to me, or consider my feelings when drunk.
3) Its status quo to drink it
Especially around University residence and you are of the drinking age, you
have to be drinking every weekend.
Me, I choose not to drink it. I really have nothing against people who drink. Honestly. I try to be open-minded to others and how they live their lives.
Alas, no one really respects MY lifestyle, and MY choice not to drink alcohol.
Many have come to me with alcohol and when I say, "No thanks. I don't drink." they take that to mean that I object to the drinking lifestyle, that I hate their lifestyle and am protesting it. I have no such protest. I only ask for a bit of respect and consideration for the choices I make. I do not need people putting beer in front of me encouraging me to drink up. I kindly ask to make the choice myself, a choice that is not respected.
People have been trying to get me into beer and I have been playing along up to this point. I've had a few beers, never quite found it all that appealing. However events tonight on St. Patricks day in which I have been both teased and insulted by people under the influence, people who have been trying to get me into alcohol and have thus ruined all friendship we were building, has just killed all my interest in it. I don't find it fun, I don't find it appealing, and I wish people would respect my choice not to do it and leave it at that.
Its not easy being different. I hope perhaps I'm not overreacting. I just felt like venting though.
Heck...trying to maintain my widescreen stance is hard enough.
