I'm a social drinker and don't even buy liquor unless I'm having company. My DD lives right down the street and I'll go down to her house maybe on a fri/sat night and have a glass of wine or two, or a couple of margaritas, I'm a lightweight. I don't like drinking to the point that I start feeling fuzzy in the head~that's part of my being a control freak! I 'had' a son in law who drank like a fish, but he's 'left the family', thank goodness. Just doesn't run in my family I guess, but we do love sweets, which is just as bad! ;o)

I can and do. Usually a one glass limit of wine or one mixed drink is enough for me. My husband does not drink at all. To be social he will have a non alcoholic beer.
I think given your family history, you have made a wise decision.

I only drink socially and my DH and I socialize very little where dinner/drinking would be involved. Most of our socializing is done during the day with coffee with friends, hiking with friends, running, my Dh goes to sports events (soccer/hockey) with friends, etc. So I may drink 4-5 times a year and that would involve 2-3 glasses of wine.

I don't know why or how those habits came to be - perhaps age, - because I used to drink more in my 20's and 30's. We used to socialize more with dinner dates with friends but then life got in the way and that went by the wayside. When we resurfaced from raising kids our socializing habits had changed.

One of my sister's doesn't drink at all (for whatever reason) but holds it up like a badge of honour and looks down on the rest of us when we have a glass of wine at a family dinner. Very disingenuous.

I do, but am particular about what I drink - a margarita or sangria if I know it will be made well, or a glass of red wine if I like what they offer. Otherwise, I'd rather just have water or a soda.

Also, I get older, I find that alcohol sometimes elevates my heart rate and even one drink will interrupt my sleep pattern enough to make me tired the next day.

patty, I know what you mean about the not being in control feeling!
ellendi, thank you for saying I made a wise decision-
blfenton, I hope I don't act like your sister! (I don't think I do).

I rarely drink because I don't like the taste. If a concoction is fruity and sweet enough to mask the taste of the alcohol, then I can tolerate it, but I'd rather have dessert instead.

I 'partied' a lot in my younger days, but quit almost all together during raising kids (also DH quit so it made it easier for me to do so). But I would drink wine or a margarita if we went out to dinner or a party.

Lately, I have been drinking more, I pick up a 6 pack of micro-brew and drink one occasionally after work, especially if it's been a hot day in the field. If we have a gathering, I'll drink beer or wine, whichever everyone else is drinking. I seldom drink hard liquor, unless it's a margarita. I will have a shot of tequila if it's Patron!

I will drink beer at sporting events or concerts...but only if I have a DD or taking a taxi. Then I'll drink enough to get tipsy, but that is not very often.

My mother drinks-she's an alcoholic but won't admit it. My sister also drinks a lot, but I never really found a taste for it like that. I can take it or leave it, in other words.

Neither DH nor I drink alcohol. It was one of the things we found appealing about each other on our first date.

I never acquired the taste for alcohol, nor the habit of using it.

It's not a health, ethical, religious or philosophical issue with us, just simple preference, life-long habit and absence of seeing any benefit in drinking. (I am aware of the reputed health "benefits", but don't find them a persuasive reason to take up drinking.)

We seem to socialize with people who don't use alcohol so it's rarely an issue. I think people sort of segregate themselves along lines of alcohol use (or non-use.) Non-drinkers tend to find alcohol-modulated people a bit tedious to be around, never mind those who frankly over-use it. Only in family situations (you can choose your friends, but not your relatives!) are we commonly around people with different alcohol habits.

Saves a ton of money, as well. I am always surprised at how costly spirits are when I purchase some for cooking or cleaning purposes.

L.

Maybe once a month I have a glass of wine. Only one.

DH does not drink, though he did when we first met - a good Irish boy. He decided that control was an issue for him, and saw things in his family, so he stopped completely about 25 years ago.

We don't entertain, so no alcohol in the house, unless one of our adult sons has some beer. But even they are one, maybe two at a time drinkers, and not often.

No problem with people enjoying alcohol, as long as they are in control, and not a danger to themselves or others. It just isn't my thing.

I enjoy white wine, a beer on occasion, and maybe once a year a Gin & Tonic. I'd say a G&T once in a blue moon but I didn't have one on Friday and we had a blue moon. I only have a G&T if my BIL makes it, we use quality tonic, really good gin, and it's summer time. (I also won't buy myself a chai tea latte unless it's a Saturday, there is snow on the ground, and I've been to the gym. Hmm, maybe my husband is correct and I do have a few idiosyncrasies?)

If I have more than one glass of wine it disrupts my sleep so I limit it to one. Beer is usually too filling to even want to consider more than one. And I don't need the empty calories.The quinine in tonic has the same effect as caffeine so I definitely limit that to one. I've never cared for the high calorie, fruity, or heavy alcohol drinks. No wait, I just remembered, I used to like Long Island Iced tea when I was much younger and my stomach could handle hard liquor and my sleep wasn't disrupted. But those days are long gone. I haven't had one of those in 20+ years.

Many of my female friends stopped drinking once they have kids. Some to be role models (see, you can have fun without alcohol),and some because they weren't getting enough sleep to begin with, they didn't need self-inflicted disruptions. I've never seen a father stop drinking because of having kids. Some of the Moms have returned to an occasional drink now that the kids are older. I think it's also a good idea to be role model as a responsible drinker. Some of the fathers filled that role.

I've never been much of a drinker. Watching girls in college hugging the toilet convinced me that wasn't a direction I would go. I'll have a glass of wine when out to dinner with friends but am just as happy with water. We have friends who love tropical drinks and when at their house I will have one of whatever the drink of the evening is, but would enjoy the 'virgin' edition just as much.

DH has never had alcohol of any kind. His dad made a deal with him when he was 11 or 12 about not using alcohol or smoking till he was of age and he's kept it up. He also doesn't drink coffee or tea or soft drinks. Sometimes I wish he's take up something so we could do the casual 'meet up for coffee', wine on the porch before dinner or lingering after nice meal out....... there's a whole social aspect that's missing!!!! However, he feels he's dodged a bullet by not drinking at all because he tends to do things to extreme - put a pizza in front of him and he'll eat the whole thing, and do not get in his way when it's time for his workout because he'll mow you down!

I drink white wine only, one glass with dinner or for cocktail hour or none if I am alone. We have friends and relatives who drink a lot, I've seen firsthand how it can degenerate a gathering, people start repeating the same stories, it gets messy.

I will drink a glass of wine if offered and even then, I never finish it. I married a man who never had an alcoholic drink so it's not a priority to us. I have nothing against it but it makes me sleepy and I like to stay awake when entertaining lol.

Ohh - nancybee - I hope you didn't take my comment as being directed at you because it wasn't. It was, honestly, a b#tchy comment about my PIA sister.

dlm2000 - your comments about your DH strike home with me a little. My DS2 is somewhat like that - an all in sort of person and a bit of a risk-taker. We do keep an eye on his drinking because it has in the past been a little out of control. We talk to him about it especially as alcoholism is present on both sides of the family. I have noticed this summer that he is drinking alot less than in the past and so am hoping that it won't take control of him. Our message to him as always been - Don't let alcohol control you, you control the alcohol. I do know that he doesn't drink and drive - none of his friends do.

Only to excess! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Thin Man fav movie ..... and fav moments

Oh gosh, I love food and wine/beer pairings, so probably more than most of you. DH and I try to cut down and keep it to the weekends. But rarely do I have more than two drinks at a time.

I used to enjoy alcohol on a regular basis - beer or wine. I decided I was enjoying too much of it so I quit drinking alcohol entirely years ago. Everyone in my immediate family was an alcoholic and I decided I didn't want to end up like them. One brother died of cirrhosis at age 47.

Teacats, love Nick and Nora. Great link-they always make me laugh!

blfenton, I didn't think that-- :)
teacats, I like Nick and Nora too.

gibby, I'm sorry to hear about your brother.

dlm,
How interesting about your husband and the deal with his Dad. If it's not too personal to ask, do you think the Dad suggested the deal because your husband is an all or nothing person? Was your FIL wise enough to see the potential for trouble or did he make this deal with all kids, regardless of their personalities?

Yes I do, although never more than two glasses of wine or mixed drinks in one sitting, or one beer. Same with DH. I enjoy pairing wine or beer with food. I enjoy the taste of it, whether it's a glass of chilled Chardonnay, Merlot, Margarita, Fat Tire beer, gin & tonic or a good single malt scotch & water. More than the above amount of alcohol, though, and I get very sleepy, like much of my family. It's an inherited thing with many of us. We joke that we could never become alcoholics because we can't stay awake long enough to drink like that. But, all jokes aside, my own personal mantra is drink & eat in moderation.
Lynn

I do, but I like quality stuff, so not often. The good stuff generally costs more. I work most evenings so cannot drink then, but once in a while it is quite fun if DH and I have loosened up a bit. I never drink when dining out so have never really tried many mixed drinks as it would be tedious to make them at home. Dh gets about one 6 pack of good beer (he especially loves German ones) every 2 weeks and he especially seems to enjoy them after a day of doing yard work in the heat.

I love me some good wine...white in the summer (mostly viognier) and red in the winter. I drink a glass, sometimes two several times a week and always when dining out if it's a restaurant that has nice wine. I make a mojito that is coveted by my friends and will make them maybe once or twice a summer for a large gathering.

hhireno - the story was actually in our local paper when we were newlyweds so it hasn't been private for a long time!

I had it a bit wrong - DH was a little older, 14 when the offer was made and it was about as politically incorrect as you can get on a lot of levels. The offer was not made to either his twin sister or 13 month older sister. And it wasn't made to his 13 years younger brother. DH and his dad would go quail hunting in the fall and winter and DH wanted a certain hunting rifle. The contract specified that if DH did not drink or smoke until a designated date, he would get $200 (enough to purchase the rifle in those days) and if he did smoke or drink he would owe his dad $400. Perhaps my FIL saw it as a way to keep his son on the straight and narrow although his personality is such that I'm certain it would have happened anyway. Both of his sisters were already drinking at parties but DH was never tempted. Among his friends he was known as the *Safety Engineer*.

Mostly no. Every few years I'll occasionally have a glass of wine but afterwards will wonder why I did because I don't like the taste of any alcohol. Also, for some reason, consuming even a small amount makes me feels sick. None of my close friends went through a hard party stage but when we would drink I tried to overcome. So since I felt like crap with even a small amount, if I was going to drink I decided I was going to make it count. Recovering was always rough, I realized I was being stupid, and I gave up trying to 'party'.

DH will have a drink socially on occasion but we don't have any at the house. Well actually, a coworker bought me a few small bottles of liquor for Christmas a few years ago and they're still here.

I love the taste of a Pale Ale but DH and I split one or it is nap time for me. I love a glass of red wine in the evening, just before bed. One glass of red wine is good for the brain, according to Dr Oz. LOL

We buy alcohol for family celebrations and I have been known to wash the bottles before the next gathering. Yes, they get that dusty.

I did the 'peer' drinking in high school, because everyone else did. Weaned off and quit soon after I got on my own because of cost, and the feeling of personal responsibility (drinking and driving). Also I began to dislike the fact that the next day after a night out with the girlfriends would be wasted - sleeping in, not feeling so great etc. I could just as easily chose an alcoholic drink as I could go for a glass of gingerale or dr. pepper. Actually, I usually go for the gingerale, since I enjoy it's flavour over wine and most alcohol. I might have a cooler thinned with juice, but after one I feel sugarred out.

I don't enjoy being at gatherings where the focus seems to be on the alcohol. Almost as if drinking alcohol is an actual activity. I have person in my life (sadly) that I feel uses alcohol to self medicate, and will drink to get to that altered state, yet this same person openly despises others who choose to do drugs in order to get high. To me to have more than a couple of drinks (beer, wine whatever) is similar to taking a substance to become high. What does that say for the people in their company - must not be enjoyable company if alcohol is necessary to 'enhance' it. But this person thinks they are being sociable by drinking (more than several drinks).

If I am at a dinner where the host/hostess is offering everyone wine, I will accept a glass to be gracious and don't want to offend the host and other guests. A glass can also be handy for toasts.

Every Friday night my DH makes pizza and I enjoy(and look forward to) a couple of glasses of white wine with that.

On Saturday we usually go out to dinner with friends and will have two glasses of wine then too.

I don't drink at all during the week. When my kids were little (they're adults now) I drank even less and limited it to special occasions or date night with my DH.

My father was an alcoholic and died from Cirrhosis at 53. I am acutely aware of what alcohol can do and I know I don't have my dad's problem. I enjoy the relaxation a couple of glasses of wine provides but I am not dependent on it.

It's interesting how many non drinkers there are on this forum! I think that's a good thing as there surely are a lot of people in the world with alcoholism.

Maybe only the non-drinkers feel comfortable answering! I was never a big drinker even in my 20's. I have never really liked the taste of wine, beer or hard licquor. After having kids it took even less alcohol to make me feel off the next day. Not worth it and now I don't even bother to be "gracious". I shouldn't have to accept a glass of wine bcause everyone else is doing it!

It's football season here in Norman, and tailgating! So, yeah! LOL!

Olliesmom: I LOVE, love love football season in Norman! The tailgaters there really know how to do it right! We'll be back there for Parents' Weekend. Actually, we'll be back later this month to see our little Sooner freshman DD, but won't be able to catch a game then :~(

Yep! do enjoy it now! Didn't drink but a glass of wine at holiday meals or out to dinner when the kids were young and living at home. Good role model deal, but more importantly wanting to be ready at moments notice in case of problems or emergency came up.
We have enjoyed being a couple again with the house to ourselves, so we do occasionally enjoy wine, or beer with dinner- depending on the menu. Red wine makes my hot flashes a bit worse, so I only drink a fine cabernet when we are out to dinner and I order steak.I love red wine. Now I only drink white.oh well.
And on weekends, I enjoy drinking wine and getting a bit relaxed. Nothing works to relieve my arthritis like a bit of wine or so.
I do love to sit by the fire on a winter's night with a glass of scotch and read.
My DM was killed by drunk driver so we never, ever, drink and drive. I believe in moderation for the most part but heck I'm 59 years old, gotta live it up sometimes. ;)

Sometimes I think not nearly enough, like today, for example!

Seriously though, growing up, there was always liquor around, including beer and wine. While my parents were still married, cocktail parties were very common. The drinking age was 18 and alcohol and cigarettes were not a big deal. I was allowed to have an occasional drink in my home, and I could take it or leave it. I mostly left it. Didn't like the taste.

In college many of my friends drank to excess and it was a real turnoff. At the time, the drinking age was raised and public campaigns against drinking and driving were at the forefront. Previously, being raised in a coastal town, not so much. There were no open container laws and there were even drive thru's for alcoholic beverages! Big change from today.

Currently, we have alcohol in the home, but my husband is mainly a beer drinker (after many years of abstaining any alcohol what-so-ever) and I drink red wine. We don't entertain much at all. My kids are allowed to have wine with dinner if they choose (they usually don't) and my eldest are of age or in college.

The big rule here is no drinking and driving, no exceptions, and no sharing outside the family. I have always told my older kids they can call anytime for a ride home or I will reimburse them for cab fair. They are NOT EVER to drive OR ride with someone who has been drinking. I guess its time to have that talk with my youngest, as she will soon be old enough to drive or has friends who do.

My sister never drinks alcohol, never has. My Dad rarely drinks, my mom still does. Both are in their late 80's.

I will usually have one beer on Friday & Saturday evenings with whatever I have for supper, but don't even think about having a drink during the week.

I'm a little surprised at all the non drinkers. Almost all my friends and family indulge occasionally.

I like particular drinks with certain food but probably only have two or three drinks a month. An ice cold beer with Chinese food, a vodka tonic with cheese and crackers, a margarita with Mexican food, a good red wine with Italian. While I enjoy the taste, I can only drink one. More than one and I get uncomfortably full.

Yup. But not in a crazy way. Rarely do I have a drink unless I'm out to dinner, at a party, or entertaining friends at home. Most wine gives me a headache, though I now know one or two that are OK for me so I try to buy a bottle or two whenever I see them so I have a small stockpile! Usually I'll have a beer or two if we're out to dinner, or occasionally a margarita or some fancy cocktail off the restaurant's menu. But I find as I get older, it affects me much more the next morning. I can wake up with a hangover after two beers! So I'm careful. But yes, in my circle of friends, most assume that alcohol will be included in any gathering. Usually it's just wine and beer. If we have a party, we have a few types of beer, some red wine, and some white wine. I don't know too many people who set out a full bar, like my parents seemed to do when they had parties back in the day!

I have discovered that I really like wheat beer, like Blue Moon or Alligash, with a slice of orange. Or a Corona Light with a lime. The fruit makes it healthy, right?

No. As a few others have mentioned, I don't care for the taste. Unless it's something sweety like a pina colada, and then what I like is all the other stuff, not the rum! LOL
After watching a dear relative lose his life due to alcoholism, the stuff pretty much turns me off.

Kudos to those here who are teaching their children to drink/behave responsibly!

tina

Yes, I do on occasion. I love a good craft beer or a well-made margarita. Alcohol, however, doesn't seem to love me the older I get. Even one drink in the evening seems to interfere with my usual sleep habits and leaves me feeling groggy and out of sorts in the morning. You'd think that would be reason enough to just leave it alone, but as I said ... I do enjoy the taste.

lynn, OU/Norman is great, isn't it? So glad you feel that way! Our DS is crazy about OU football too, so we have him in tow. I've seen a pic of you, so don't be surprised if some strange person ask your name! HA!

Sunny, I know what you mean about as we've gotten older and feeling groggy the next day. I normally only have a couple except on special occasions, and even those couple the next day, my eyes are swollen and I'm tired, so not worth it in most cases. Or, there is a restaurant on campus corner that makes the BEST Dirty Dry Martini's and I have two and then I'm done for the rest of the day-and tired!

We drink only occasionally, mostly wine, but have an extensive liquor cabinet for entertaining--rum runners and lemon drop martinis and Pimms--if you order it, we could probably make it.

My husband's grandparents once met us in Yosemite (when we lived in CA) and hauled out their very classy leather cocktail case, equipped with gin and tonic, for mixing before-dinner drinks in their room--they had one drink before dinner without fail. Perhaps that accounts for their longevity. We couldn't possibly drink that frequently.

Olliesmom, do you live in Norman? We called it "Normal" when we lived there. lol. The town has grown enormously!

I forgot about the question! I drink a glass of wine about once a year, and I'm lucky if I finish it. I simply don't like the taste and it's like I get tipsy from one drink. It immediately hits my bloodstream.

About the only time I really liked a drink was when someone filled my glass of champagne with strawberries. Oh man, I do think I got drunk that night!

oakley, "normal" huh? Funny! Yes, it has grown, but, to me, still has that small town feel, in that, I never go anywhere where I don't run into someone I know. We live by a small town, and I go to their grocery store if I'm not dressed to see anyone I know!

I really just go through phases of drinking, not every weekend, and certainly not everyday. I like the taste but I don't like feeling tired, so I refrain a lot.