Clubbing and Getting Drunk - Why!?

[hkalchemy]

People drink and party for all sorts of reasons. I used to do it alot when I was young (and not so young!) but not now. One day it just didn't seem to be what I wanted any more. But each to his (or her) own. I had some great times, made some great friends and had some wonderful experiences. I don't regret it at all. I think, in a sense, it made my life richer.

[jonarmis]

Instead of clubbing and consuming large amounts of booze,I suggest you go do something worthwhile.

If you want some guidelines, you check this video out:
http://sil4u.com;)

[YourSelf]

Two episodes from the past 24 hours completely related to this topic...
This is about how people don't explore new things out of mere irrational fear or prejudice, and how certain things can actually be changed and improvised with your own creativity.

At dinner at the university restaurant I sat at the table with a girl and started talking She turned out to be much older than me, and after some time she started confessing to me, "I've never been to a club in my whole life."
I:"Well, I've never been on a ship in my whole life..."
She:"I heard that many bad, dangerous things happen at clubs..."
I:"Nothing happened to me - as you see I'm still alive and, hopefully, healthy, as well! Perhaps your friends went to the wrong clubs..."
We spoke and finally I convinced her to at least have a look before listening to what others say and then forming her own opinion

Then, at night there was a big university party (club reserved for the university students) with just some usual boring drinkers and stuff. I started asking around whether there were any musicians. So we all turned off the DJ stuff and plugged my e-guitar and a keyboard that was there...
Then we actually started jamming and singing/karaoke-ing good old songs.
Now that really connected everyone together - both drinkers and non-drinkers!
We went on till 4AM even doing strange rock-hybrids of classical music.

If you have creativity and the initiative, you can transform a club night into anything you wish

[Fullcrum]

YourSelf, THAT'S what I'm talking 'bout. Awesomeness.

[AttractIt]

that's one way of socializing this days isn't it?
it's like sitting next to a fire, drinking, eating, talking, laughing,playing and dancing,

The same as the old-old-old days :-)

[ken nubo]

Hey now, I go clubbing and dance around like an idiot -- while sober.

Ha ha.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Finally, I don't think clubbing is a good place to meet people for 3 reasons.

1. Most people are under the influence of alcohol, thus not being their true selves.

Kinda true...but it's also true that usually when people are drunk,they act how they WANT to act but don't have the guts normally. I know that when i've had something to drink,i am the person i wish i could be all the time. So,my true self is being hidden when i'm sober. So that is most likely true for a lot of people who drink to open themselves up.

2. Most people don't want to be bothered by some random, drunk, horny stranger.

You make that sound so bad! lol I love when i am "bothered" (more like approached) by a random stranger,drunk or not,but the horny part is what destroys this situation. But i've been approached by random,drunk girls (and i'm a girl) so they werent horny for me and we talked about music and hit it off really good! Of course,she never contacted me again after that night,which sucks. But my point is,when you're out in public drinking,you LIKE meeting others who are doing the same. So that isnt always a bad thing (like i said,unless the guy is a horny pervert and won't leave you alone)

3. Most people can't hear a damn thing you have to say!

This is a good one,it really bothers me that you can't hear anyone talking in a bar,but the loud music is awesome. Too bad there isn't some way we can have both!

[modeca]

There's seems to be a lot of bitter and twisted individuals on this thread. Maybe you've only been to trashy clubs. I live in London UK and my experience is totally different. Clubbing for me can be culturally, intellectually and spiritually uplifting.

I've been frequenting clubs for over 20 years now. My primary motivation for going is not to get drunk, pick up 'loose girls' or act stupid. Of course, any of these things can happen when you are out. Sure you get some idiots in clubs, but you can find idiots in every walk of life.

My reason for going to clubs is ..... MUSIC .
Someone posted earlier that anyone over 30 is a loser for going clubbing. Well - pity you. You are losing out on one of life's richest exeriences.

I have a passion for all types of music, be it drum and bass, reggae, soul, rock, jazz, house, techno, hiphop or whatever. Music is communication. Drums are the first telephone of man. They were used for thousands of years to enable distant tribal villages to convey messages back and forth. Music cannot solely be described in terms of 'emotion' or 'sentiment'. You have to 'experience' music in it's raw entity - be it live, in a club or just on your Ipod. As the quote goes "talking about music is like dancing about architecture"

Being in a club environment with quality music ( I'm not talking about your Friday night meat market full of miserable office workers trying to release their pent up frustration at living the rat race 5 days a week) enables you to tune in to a primal, heightened sense of being. Some choose to augment their experience with drink or drugs. I like to have a drink sometimes but I'm just as happy drinking water and dancing.

'God is a DJ' , it has been said. I disagree, but I have had truly enlightening (if not quite religious) moments out clubbing. As a musician and creative individual, I find clubbing can be as uplifting and inspiring as a perfect sunset.

Some of the close-minded people on this thread need to lighten up and stop being judgmental towards other's lifestyle choices. If clubbing's not for you, fine - go and play a round of golf or whatever you enjoy.

Just remember, life is full of rich and varied experiences - if clubbing's not for you , it doesn't mean you can condemn a whole portion of society for choosing to express themselves in a particular way.

[coLLege kid07]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Why do so many young people think getting drunk and acting immature is the only way to enjoy yourself?

Well I wouldn't go that far...but personally speaking from experience (hence the username lol) I don't believe everyone is just out there to get "wasted" and not even have a clue what happened the next day. Granted there are some people like that but nevertheless I think a majority just go out to have a good time, meet people, go dancing ect. Sure in college that may look like the only thing people like to do and enjoy...but trust me not everyone's about getting drunk 24/7. (except for maybe my roommate ) I'm sure everyone else has touched on the personal development aspect of things so Good luck and have fun.

Oh by the way if your're looking for more ways to connect with people, you can try groups or clubs that greatly hold your interests.

[YourSelf]

Originally Posted by modeca

Maybe you've only been to trashy clubs. I live in London UK and my experience is totally different. Clubbing for me can be culturally, intellectually and spiritually uplifting.

[...]

Being in a club environment with quality music ( I'm not talking about your Friday night meat market full of miserable office workers trying to release their pent up frustration at living the rat race 5 days a week) enables you to tune in to a primal, heightened sense of being.

Haha modeca, yeah. That's true. You get all kinds of different clubs out there, and I think since you're living in London you have a larger variety.

I'll be in London for a couple of weeks - do you have any suggestions regarding really good clubs (both from the type of people who go there - not university students but nevertheless a young audience - and the type of music: I generally like electronica and heavy metal most.)?

I'd be grateful for any suggestions

[Ak47]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Why do so many people of university age insist on going clubbing, only to consume large amounts of alcohol and act like complete idiots? Please someone tell me why, becuase I really can't understand its appeal.

You hear so many young people at university talk about getting wasted and partying hard in the different night clubs. Some talk about it with such exuberance, that I wonder what I'm missing. People say things like 'your only young once.' I say 'so what!?'

I've tried clubbing a few times, but I always felt like a complete idiot, dancing just to fit in with the drunken crowd.

Why do so many young people think getting drunk and acting immature is the only way to enjoy yourself?

Wow, hehe, i could really tear this post up, but i'll be nice.

First of all, i'd like to say that suggesting that someone needs a reason for doing anything that they enjoy is ridiculous. The same goes for needing a reason to be happy. Happiness is intrinsic, there is no rhyme or reason to it.

Yes, you only live once. Also, life is short. People enjoy different things. It's just not your place to judge someone else for what they enjoy. Judging people is far, far more immature than drinking, let me tell you.

Frankly, this entire post, i'd say, is an expression of your own discontent with life. While i can most definitely understand why unhappiness might lead you to be so judgemental of your peers... i can tell you right now it is NOT going to help in any event.

Maybe instead of focusing so much on other people's happiness, you should be more concearned with what makes YOU happy... because calling people names (i.e. idiot) and passing judgemnt on others is not going to do it for you, i can garuntee that. Good luck.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Ak47

Wow, hehe, i could really tear this post up, but i'll be nice.

First of all, i'd like to say that suggesting that someone needs a reason for doing anything that they enjoy is ridiculous. The same goes for needing a reason to be happy. Happiness is intrinsic, there is no rhyme or reason to it.

Yes, you only live once. Also, life is short. People enjoy different things. It's just not your place to judge someone else for what they enjoy. Judging people is far, far more immature than drinking, let me tell you.

Frankly, this entire post, i'd say, is an expression of your own discontent with life. While i can most definitely understand why unhappiness might lead you to be so judgemental of your peers... i can tell you right now it is NOT going to help in any event.

Maybe instead of focusing so much on other people's happiness, you should be more concearned with what makes YOU happy... because calling people names (i.e. idiot) and passing judgemnt on others is not going to do it for you, i can garuntee that. Good luck.

Firstly, I don't want people preaching to me how they think I could be more happy (unless I ask them to).

Secondly, I'm not judging people, I'm judging their behaviour. And judging behaviour is certainly not 'immature'. You are in fact judging my behaviour by calling me 'immature'. Opinions, by definition require judgments. Furthermore, many great moral philosophers, psychologists and judges do this for a living!.

I'm just stating my observations. I'd appreciate your observations, however you seem to be too concerned with judging me.

[kingabubakr]

seems like the older guys are advising younger people not to go clubbing and drinking.

that makes me really happy.

it feels like i have accomplished something.

im 17, im in UNI, i never went clubbing or drinking, and i don't plan to either.

seems like that will give me a better life i deduce it from the sayings of the first few replies.

thanks guys.
- reason for not doing it is - islam.

[livewire516]

perhaps you shouldn't be too judgmental---YOU may say they look like idiots, but I hardly think dancing, smiling, being open and laughing constitute being an idiot. Sometimes you got to stop aiming towards your lofty goals, get off your thrown and enjoy life with the (god forbid) average people. I wish most people could be as uninhibited as they are when they're drunk--I forged my best friendships when I was partying; these friendships continue to this day even though i live 1,000 mi away and no longer party with them.

[Blanks00]

I have a theory about this:

In England, most students and people in college binge drink every time they go out, and go out quite often. However, in countries such as France or Italy binge drinking is pretty rare in comparison; if you go to a club most people are pretty sober.

I think it's part of our national mentality. I'm going to say something controvertial here:

English people often find it hard to have fun without alcohol.

Of course it's a generalisation, but on the whole I believe it's true apart from occasional situations. Think about what having fun is, it's getting into that state where you find stupid things hilarious and feel free to laugh about it and enjoy yourself.

In English we have the word 'cheesy', which pretty much sums up anything that's diffrent in a stupid, fun way. Think about it, whilst sober:
Dancing= cheesy
Singing= cheesy
Wearing stupid clothes= cheesy

And whilst drunk:
Dancing= fun
Singing= fun
Wearing stupid clothes= fun

I'm saying that cheesy things are pretty much the same thing as fun things.

The problem is that doing anything cheesy is frowned upon in England; if you started singing a pop song with the vast majority of English people they'd say 'that's so cheesy' and you would feel embarassed. Feeling embarassed is worrying that people will judge you negatively; in this case for being cheesy.

Do this with French or Italian people and you'd get a much better response.
Why? Because in those countries, there is no concept of cheesiness. You can't translate it. Somehow, in England 'fun' has a synomym 'cheesy', which has a negative connotation, so doing anything fun is judged negatively.

This is why people can't have fun; they are embarassed that someone will judge them as cheesy.

This is where alcohol comes in. When drunk it is generally accepted (by friends that is) that you have little responsability for your actions, that if you do something wrong it's not really your fault. Being drunk can be an excuse for all kinds of things. And it is an excuse for being cheesy: I was drunk, it's not my fault I ended up singing, you can't blame me.

So doing cheesy things whilst drunk is accepted.

I think this is why the English binge drink so much. They cannot have fun (by doing 'cheesy' things) because that's considered bad, so the only way they can have fun is to get drunk so they have an excuse to do cheesy things.

This is all subconscious, there is no conscious thought that goes into this.

Hope I've explained this clearly. Criticism is welcome.

Blanks00

[Blanks00]

p.s. I'd like to say that I enjoy binge drinking and going to clubs immensely. To the people saying that missing that stage in your life is like being 'mature beyond your years', I think you have made a big mistake.

There are two types of maturity here which are being confused:
1) Maturity in yourself: how you feel you have developed as a person and how well you know what you want in life and how life works.

2) The natural progression of desires in life: as you get older, having fun and being crazy is less important. Relaxing and comfort becomes more important. That's why almost everyone who goes roughing it on a world tour is under 30; as you get older you naturally feel less need for adventure and fun.

It is very beneficial to be mature beyond your years in the case of (1). However, in the case of (2) you are just missing out on the possibilities of one stage in your life.

I feel that in terms of (1), I have reached a high level of maturity. In terms of (2) I am where I want to be: the right level for my age.

Please read with an open mind. Criticism is welcome.

Blanks00

[kayumochi]

Somewhere in this thread a poster mentioned how wonderful it is that the originator of this thread realized at a young age that getting drunk is meaningless. I am not so sure. Imagine the man who has had sex with 10,000 women telling a virginal teenage boy that sex doesn't mean a thing. I am sure that a man who has sex with 10,000 knows the truth of this but the boy has to discover it for himself.

Develop socially while you are young however you do it for it will make you better at everything you do later in life.

[Riddle]

Originally Posted by Blanks00

There are two types of maturity here which are being confused:
1) Maturity in yourself: how you feel you have developed as a person and how well you know what you want in life and how life works.

How does life work exactly?

[Riddle]

Originally Posted by kayumochi

Somewhere in this thread a poster mentioned how wonderful it is that the originator of this thread realized at a young age that getting drunk is meaningless. I am not so sure. Imagine the man who has had sex with 10,000 women telling a virginal teenage boy that sex doesn't mean a thing. I am sure that a man who has sex with 10,000 knows the truth of this but the boy has to discover it for himself.

Why? Lessons can be taught.

[Byron]

Spartan is right. These are low consciousness activities, and lead to superficial forms of connection and socialization.


Almost everyone else here is trying to rationalize ingesting poisons, lowering consciousness, and other casual activities that are both morally and socially artificial.


These activities, although there seem to be fleeting benefits, are actually quite degrading both to the individual and to society in the long term.

[esmas]

Lets beat the fun out of getting drunk why don't we.

I agree getting extremely trashed is stupid. Even though I a self confessed raging 18 year old alcoholic who drinks a bottle of Jim Beam plus 6+ Beers on a night out which happens a little bit to frequently

One thing I've noticed with learning and applying personal development is that you can often become TOO immersed in developing yourself. Every decision you make should not revolve around making yourself this "better person".

"Ignorance is bliss"

Having a good night out with friends whilst getting moderately drunk would have nothing but beneficial outcomes. It can create an open outlet for your emotions to become exaggerated, just flow and ride the drunken train.

It seems you've chosen to not drink at such an early age. I respect that but many of my best experiences have been the result of me being drunk. Although I do think that the best things in life do not include or result from any sort of substance.

[Blanks00]

Let's not get bogged down in semantics ;-) you know what I was trying to express

[kayumochi]

Originally Posted by Riddle

Why? Lessons can be taught.

Why does it take the mystic 35 years of meditation to realize the truth of "I AM" when his master told it to him the first day of practice?

Lots of people run around saying things like "I am one with God in the Web of Life," but don't know the truth of it.

Anything of worth is experiential. Otherwise it just doesn't stick.

[cassiopeia]

Personally, I have too many times heard the whole "drinking is evil" thing from people who have never drunk before (or have drunk only once maybe), only for them to be completely converted once they actually try it. I'm not saying people *should* try it - merely that most anti-alcohol people are that way because they have no personal experience of it. Then you have people that have had bad experiences because of alcohol, and I respect that, but try not to project your experiences onto other people.

As a person who has experimented copiously with both alcohol and different drugs, I'm 50-50 about it, in that I know personally alcohol and drugs are capable of creating many problems, but also, they have afforded me many beautiful experiences which have turned me into the person I am today. But by beautiful, I don't mean only good... There were difficult times too, but that is all part and parcel of human experience and what makes you grow as a person.

Ideally, I'd say: If you feel moved to, then experiment as safely as possible with these altered states of consciousness, and eventually try to come to a state where you can reproduce them without any external substances. Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to do this from day one. If I had never been drunk, no doubt I'd still be painfully shy. But drinking made me come out of my shell, and even though this would only last as long as the drunkenness in the beginning, over the years, I have become more like this in sober life.

I'm not glorifying the use of alcohol and drugs. They come with their consequences. I'm just saying it's not black and white. They come with their benefits too.

As for people not liking clubbing... Dancing is one of the most powerful, primal tools we have of merging body and spirit, ever since our cavemen forefathers were dancing naked round fires. I just love dancing, whether sober or drunk (more when sober actually, although it takes a little longer to loosen up). I have not experienced anything more powerful than being in a club, with music that truly resonates with me, where everybody is completely in tune with it, and we're all allowing our bodies to ride on the waves of emotion... actually, words are insufficient to describe it, as modeca said. It's more than just 'emotion'. It's instinct, and spirit, and soul... It's just pure, sublime beauty.

That said, it is totally dependent on music. I have been on many painful nights out in clubs that played music which I deplored (i.e. mainstream pop hits, britney spears type), and I just couldn't get into it. However, give me some good tribal psytrance with primal drum beats, and I'm in heaven. if I get into the music enough, I can feel like I'm on drugs without having taken any.

All I'm saying is... try not to judge something if you can't really understand it. If no harm is done, what's the problem?

Also, I agree with kayumochi. Lessons are more powerful if they are learned from experience. I can say that at the age of 23, I am approaching a place where I am not as interested in getting drunk/high as I was before, but I would not trade my experiences for the world, because both good and bad have enriched me and I feel more qualified to make a judgement as to the pros and cons of intoxicating substances than I did when i hadn't tried any of it. Not that I'm averse to indulging now and then... But having had that world opened up for me, I'm more interested in finding out how I can reach it on my own, without substances.

[steveo4]

During high school/college I avoided drinking for lots of the reasons mentioned above, plus the fact that I have some history of alcoholism in my family. I didn't start drinking until the tail end of college because I realized that all it was doing was alienating me from my friends (i.e. they'd have a party and not invite me because I didn't drink 'so they didn't think I'd want to come'). Once I started drinking, I found it much easier to socialize at parties, not only because I was a litte looser but because when you don't drink and other people are, people think you're judging them (reading some of the comments on this board, they may have a point). People open up around you more when they know that you're drinking as well. And the idea that everyone who drinks/get drunk is a lowlife is pretty stupid....some of the smartest/most talented people in the world get drunk on a regular basis. Long story short, if I had to do it over again I would have started drinking earlier because I think I missed out on some pretty fun experiences because of it.

[dice]

I am so with you.

Personality types and conformity. Some people think videogames are the core of human life, others think that clubbing is the core of freshly-legal life - and their friends just hop on the bandwagon so that they'll still be able to relate.

if i refuse to go clubbing, i refuse to do the only thing my friends really do for 'socializing' these days.

yeah so i have to :
a) go clubbing
b)convince friends clubbing is not as much fun as they think it is (unfair and imposing)
c)stay home alone, post on forums (currently residing here)
d)make new friends
e) wait 3 years for friends to come out of drunken spells (by that time, they have found other people to hang around and reminisce with)



thus is college life..

[Corey]

Originally Posted by jonarmis

Instead of clubbing and consuming large amounts of booze,I suggest you go do something worthwhile.

If you want some guidelines, you check this video out:
http://sil4u.com

Maybe some of us find drinking to be worthwile.....and you dont (along with others) so let it be.

[bunnyman]

Originally Posted by Plato

Prostitution is a woman giving herself away for money in spite of the fact she doesn't want to but she's so desperate for money she has no other choice.

Not all of them are like this. Some of them choose to do it. I read about call girls in New York City who get paid over $1000 an hour. They like it because they make more money in a few nights than most people do working all month. Many of them have college educations and certainly could do something else for money. But, they like having many rich boyfriends.

Conscious prostitution? Yes.