First off. Alcoholic drinks do have beneficial effects. Several studies have shown one or two servings a day offer many health benefits. Doctors often prescribe one serving of beer, of an evening, as an aid to digestion. Red wines have been shown to be high in antioxidants.
Second, there is a big difference between social drinking, or drinking for enjoyment (taste, relaxation, slight buzz, etc) VERSUS rampant alcoholism.
I can understand someone who was exposed the the worst aspects of alcoholism, having an aversion to alcohol.
But lumping all forms or alcohol use together, is like lumping together, all eaters(over eaters, normal eaters, bulimics anorexics, etc)
I can see some one who has been exposed to the worst of food abuse being put off food as well.
To me, alcohol, in it's myriad aspects is a treat to enjoy. Burgundy with a good cut of beef, White Zinfandel with seafood. A good strong stout at the end of a day of hard manual labour. (Eh you come in all sweaty, and get that room temp stout off the floor, and use it to clear the dust in your throat, and the ache in your muscles)
All three are heaven. I could go on and on about times and places and situations where just the one or two drinks provided incredable pleasure.
Soth, I am sorry you feel as you do. I feel you are truly missin out. It's just as if you never petted a kitten and felt and heard it purr. Or never saw a butterfly go past. Or never had your son hug you, and say he loves you.
There are so many small pleasures in life. To purposely pass over any of them is to cheat yourself. Alcohol, in what ever form, properly used, is one of those small pleasures.
I readily admit, alcohol, like so many other things, can be over used and abused.
Finally. Yes, bars are a good place to meet a mate. (I met my wife in a book store. We are married 15 years in December.
) Or at least a one-nighter. Eh, folks go to bars to socialize, not just to drink and get drunk. Most folks go to bars (taverns pubs, etc) to meet folks an mix a bit. When you go to a bar, you know the members of the opposite sex are there for the same reason. Yes, you can find a potential spouse at the library, or church, or the grocery. But that is not the main reason any one is at those places. The main reason most folks go to bars is to meet people. Alcohol relaxes people. It is a depressant. Calms folks down, and relaxes inhibitions. It is far easier, after a drink or two, to go talk to someone, and/or ask em out.
Alcohol and relationships DO mix. And mix well. Alcohol ABUSE annd relationships do NOT mix well at all.There is a big difference between a glass a wine at dinner, and chat, and a case of beer and a fight over the phone bill.
75% of all players in IC have hemorroids,
the other 25% are perfect assholes.