Clubbing and Getting Drunk - Why!?

[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?

[jaamkie]

probably the wrong person to reply, I rarely go out to clubs and when I do I usually don't bother to drink cos am too busy dancing/talking- yet really I'm a total introvert... but I do understand the attraction- I think the thing about it is getting out of a normal mental state to one where you're acting without too much thought/calculation/worry, where you're floating/moving to music instinctually... but again I'm a silly person who has a glass of wine and dances around alone in my apt singing along- can get in the same glorious happy state without the annoyances of clubbing/drinking too much/being bothered by men... I think it really is all about the music and the decision to let go of normal worries.

[awakentransform]

Spartan, you're so lucky if you're in your early 20s and already realized that drunken clubbing is a waste of time. I have been there, done that. I haven't had alcohol in years.

From my own experience, I used to drink because it helped me loosen up. I love dancing but I always used to feel so self-conscious unless I was drinking. So there is a certain sense of freedom and courage that would come with drinking. Also, it makes people feel connected, like they're a part of something.

I'm not defending it. I really wish I didn't waste so much time and money partying when I was younger. Some people need to go through that stage before they realize that it leaves them feeling empty inside. Most people grow out of it. Just consider yourself mature and lucky.

[Superficial Serenity]

Spartan, I totally agree with you, some of my friends live for the clubbing and wastin away on weekends, they call it "enjoying life"........
to me, partyin with people you dont care about and acting like a complete idiot is pointless...
I'm 18, 'young', in uni, and enjoyin life without the booze , its not too hard lol

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Spartan

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

Why do so many people think that watching soccer is the only way to enjoy yourself?

Do you feel you are missing something because you don't club? No? Good! Let the clubbers enjoy their clubbing and you do whatever you do to enjoy yourself - everybody happy!

[Stephen]

I dont necessarily agree with it, but if it has to be gotten out of your system; better at that age than when you are marrued with two kids in your 30s

PS If your still doing it at that stage. you are a complete loser

[Plato]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Why do so many people of university age insist on going clubbing

A selection of reasons for clubbing&drinking
1- girls like dancing
2- some guys like dancing
3- people drink because their worries disappear, and it helps them get a temporary high.
4- it's a place where courtship get's thrown to the wind...
5- people enjoy expressing their wild side in a way that they won't get judged for ("oh, he was drunk")
6- it's social, not everybody is too drunk to communicate with and it's cool to meet new people.
7- hot girls probably enjoy the validation of being hit on.

The big one: *alcohol gets everybody in the group in the mood to party*

But yeah, I don't like it any more. Overdid it last year. Alcohol is a massive waste of money, horrible for your health and is a depressant, no matter what it may seem like in the early stages of getting drunk. Clubs smell, and I notice the superficiality more than before.

[robertanthony]

Hi Spartan

I live in England. The funny thing is that English people always make jokes about the Irish yet the Irish Police would never allow this. For Americans looking at the pictures with this link - this is what really happens in the U.K. It's crazy.

Ambulance service receives emergency call every 8 seconds as Binge Britain welcomes in 2008 | the Daily Mail

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I dont necessarily agree with it, but if it has to be gotten out of your system; better at that age than when you are marrued with two kids in your 30s

PS If your still doing it at that stage. you are a complete loser

I am 35,and i only recently started to get sick of going to bars and clubbing and drinking. I've known TONS of people who were married with kids who still did it. Sometimes you have to let loose and get crazy. It doesn't mean you're a loser.

The reason why i did it was because drinking helped me make friends. I suck at making friends. But if you're drinking with people,you are suddenly REALLY good friends LOL You can talk to ANYONE. You dont give a crap about your problems. Music is better when you're drunk too! I just got sick of it in the last few years cuz i started to get more interested in music and realized i would rather sit home and play piano or listen to my cd's. That and alcohol is expensive,and makes my heart beat funny LOL But i've had some of the best times of my life while out drunk dancing the night away with friends (and near strangers). Good memories!

[robc]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

I am 35,and i only recently started to get sick of going to bars and clubbing and drinking. I've known TONS of people who were married with kids who still did it. Sometimes you have to let loose and get crazy. It doesn't mean you're a loser.

The reason why i did it was because drinking helped me make friends. I suck at making friends. But if you're drinking with people,you are suddenly REALLY good friends LOL You can talk to ANYONE. You dont give a crap about your problems. Music is better when you're drunk too! I just got sick of it in the last few years cuz i started to get more interested in music and realized i would rather sit home and play piano or listen to my cd's. That and alcohol is expensive,and makes my heart beat funny LOL But i've had some of the best times of my life while out drunk dancing the night away with friends (and near strangers). Good memories!

Everyone looks better & is more attractive when you're wearing beer goggles.
But drinking in the long term is destructive, it's horrible for the liver & your heart not to mention your brain. Drinking leads to impaired decision making processes (like drinking & driving and waking up with a stranger the next day).

I'm sure you had fun while you were drunk but if you were really drunk, I'm sure you can't remember half the details of the "best times in your life".

Drinking is ok in moderation but I've seen it hurt alot of people too plus drinking regularly to have a good time sets up a pattern of behavior which teaches you that to have a good time you have to be drinking and when you stop drinking you don't know how to have a good time.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Superficial Serenity

Spartan, I totally agree with you, some of my friends live for the clubbing and wastin away on weekends, they call it "enjoying life"........
to me, partyin with people you dont care about and acting like a complete idiot is pointless...
I'm 18, 'young', in uni, and enjoyin life without the booze , its not too hard lol

Cool, glad to hear it! You sound like a very intelligent person.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Plato

Alcohol is a massive waste of money, horrible for your health and is a depressant, no matter what it may seem like in the early stages of getting drunk.

Nice criticism - I agree with you. Alcohol does make people feel depressed, I don't know if this is what you mean by the word 'depressant', but it has that effect on me. After the initial buzz I feel sad, alone and empty. It's ok in moderation though.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

Sometimes you have to let loose and get crazy. It doesn't mean you're a loser.

Have you ever been to a mosh pit? - Now they look crazy!

[Plato]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Nice criticism - I agree with you. Alcohol does make people feel depressed, I don't know if this is what you mean by the word 'depressant', but it has that effect on me. After the initial buzz I feel sad, alone and empty. It's ok in moderation though.

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant and I'm told it's also true in a strictly biological sense. I've actually given up alcohol totally now. Everybody tells me it's OK to drink in moderation but I don't see the point in drinking at all. At 19 with a social circle who delight in making themselves borderline on puking 4 nights a week my decision goes against the grain. But heh I never liked playing pot luck on whether I was gonna have to clean my toilet the next day anyway, so I don't feel I'm missing out.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by robc

Everyone looks better & is more attractive when you're wearing beer goggles.

But i wasn't going out to hook up with anyone,i never did that. So i didnt care what they looked like.

But drinking in the long term is destructive, it's horrible for the liver & your heart not to mention your brain. Drinking leads to impaired decision making processes (like drinking & driving and waking up with a stranger the next day).

LOTS of things are horrible to your body. You can't get away from it. Smoking,drinking,sitting on the couch,stress,eating fast food...at least drinking took away your stress temporarily while it hurt your body LOL Not saying its a wonderful thing but,i'm just answering the original posters question about why people do it.

I'm sure you had fun while you were drunk but if you were really drunk, I'm sure you can't remember half the details of the "best times in your life".

I didnt get THAT drunk...even on my worst nights i still remember details. I never passed out,never went home with a strange guy,never got any DUI's...i was a resonsible drinker.

Drinking is ok in moderation but I've seen it hurt alot of people too plus drinking regularly to have a good time sets up a pattern of behavior which teaches you that to have a good time you have to be drinking and when you stop drinking you don't know how to have a good time.

Well you get over that,you grow out of that phase. I didnt have to make myself stop drinking to know i can have fun sober...i just grew out of it and didnt care if i drank or not.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Have you ever been to a mosh pit? - Now they look crazy!

lol Yes i have! They're not bad at all,the shows i go to,girls go in them just as much as the guys do!

[Fullcrum]

I go to dance parties all the time. I just never drink. I'm not old enough for clubs yet.

Clubbing is not a waste of time. You can get your social skills super sharp in no time. You also learn different ways of having fun. And you can meet a high volume of people. Don't think "clubbing" and "drinking" go together.

[jaamkie]

reading 'Tis and just learned a new word for waaay too drunk- "stocious" trust the Irish to have good words for stupid-drunk

[YourSelf]

To be VERY honest... I do go to parties often. Not as I did when I was 14-17 (I know, in Europe we become old earlier, I don't know why... but on the other hand many Europeans leave their parents' home and establish a new family only when they're 40 years old :P), but I do so for several reasons:

- I like to dance (I'm a guy, but I like all forms of music, including dance)
- I like to act crazy and say senseless things: and NOBODY criticizes me because they are drunk :P

But you know what? There has never been any alcohol in my body. NEVER!!!
I am completely mad by myself :P

I also used to club a lot because I used to enjoy casual /nostrings encounters, but I'm fed up with that since long time. Especially because I have lot of other things to think about and would like to start looking for a real long-term thing that might help me establish a family

You should bear in mind one thing: if you want to party, club or drink, do so in premises that you choose and you like. If you don't like electronic pop music, there's no sense going to a club that does that music...

Also, don't make it a HABIT to party. Do so only when you want and when you like.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

Clubbing is not a waste of time. You can get your social skills super sharp in no time. You also learn different ways of having fun.

I never thought I'd hear someone postulate a relation between clubbing and improved social skills! I can't even hear myself think in clubs, let alone hold up a conversation!

And I'm curious, what are these different ways of having fun?

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by YourSelf

- I like to act crazy and say senseless things: and NOBODY criticizes me because they are drunk :P

But you know what? There has never been any alcohol in my body. NEVER!!!
I am completely mad by myself :P

Lol. So the mindset of someone who enjoys clubbing without alcohol is that of a madman?

Originally Posted by YourSelf

I also used to club a lot because I used to enjoy casual /nostrings encounters, but I'm fed up with that since long time.

Really? Were the girls you hooked up with drunk? Personally I don't care for those types of girls, or their STD's!

[YourSelf]

To be honest, most of them are horny girls looking for their first experiences :P It really depends on what kind of parties you go to, where, which kind of subcultures, etc.
And you're right. Drunk girls stink But that doesn't mean they can be nice...
Anyway I'm over with that since long time.

Originally Posted by Spartan

Lol. So the mindset of someone who enjoys clubbing without alcohol is that of a madman?

No man, that's just me, and I'm an exclusive case.
There are people who enjoy clubbing without alcohol as well who don't act mad; but I just like to say BS and wreak havoc.

In general I like to make people laugh.

P.S. Sometimes, I say sometimes, I also happen to make very intelligent philosophical discussions with random people I meet at the club. And I also keep in touch with most of them after the party.
The world is big and strange, there are so many different kinds of people, you can't put them all into the same box.

[YourSelf]

Originally Posted by Spartan

I never thought I'd hear someone postulate a relation between clubbing and improved social skills! I can't even hear myself think in clubs, let alone hold up a conversation!

And I'm curious, what are these different ways of having fun?

In my personal view "social skills"... is a very corporatist expression.
I think everyone is social (see my other thread) but simply has different channels of expressing it.

What clubbing can do is extending the social range, i.e. meet new people, sometimes boring, other times very interesting.

But I believe you can extend your social range through other means as well (e.g. internet, hobbies, sports, other activities involving groups, concerts, conferences etc.). As long as the parties are free, though, I don't really mind...

[Fullcrum]

"I never thought I'd hear someone postulate a relation between clubbing and improved social skills! I can't even hear myself think in clubs, let alone hold up a conversation!"

"Really? Were the girls you hooked up with drunk? Personally I don't care for those types of girls, or their STD's!"

Spartan, honestly, you're deluding yourself.

If you really want to know, go out to these "crazy STD filled environments" and see what actually happens when you drop your judgements and labels and just flow and act in the moment (while of course practicising safe sex and being intelligent about it). You might be surprised that clubs are more than what you learned in health class.

Caustic tone aside (I just did that to shake you up and get your attention), I can have fun just staring at a wall, or drinking water from a bottle, or saying random crap to anybody in the vicinity (spreading my own enjoyment, not for their attention). This happens when you drop mental labels and allow your core to just flow. You see the depth of things, not the superficial surface.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

Spartan, honestly, you're deluding yourself.

If you really want to know, go out to these "crazy STD filled environments" and see what actually happens when you drop your judgements and labels and just flow and act in the moment (while of course practicising safe sex and being intelligent about it). You might be surprised that clubs are more than what you learned in health class.

Really you just have to ask yourself what kind of girl would be willing to have a one night stand with someone they had just met in a club?

Answer: Someone who doesn't mind sleeping around, i.e someone who may have an STD.

Q.E.D.

Condom or not, I'd rather go solo.

[DayInTheLife]

There is a lot of elitism in this thread.

If you don't drink, fine. There's no reason to look down your nose at others. You are not superior to those who do choose to drink.

Drinking does not have to be unintelligent or immature. Yes, it is possible to genuinely enjoy life while you are drinking. I seldom drink these days but some of my most memorable times have happened while enjoying some drinks with friends.

Try enjoying your own lifestyle without putting down others, it is even more enjoyable!

[Joukai]

Originally Posted by DayInTheLife

There is a lot of elitism in this thread.

If you don't drink, fine. There's no reason to look down your nose at others. You are not superior to those who do choose to drink.

Drinking does not have to be unintelligent or immature. Yes, it is possible to genuinely enjoy life while you are drinking. I seldom drink these days but some of my most memorable times have happened while enjoying some drinks with friends.

Try enjoying your own lifestyle without putting down others, it is even more enjoyable!

QFT.

I used to be in the bandwagon of those who looked down on people who drunk themselves to death. Then, I started drinking.

Drinking did a very important thing for me: it gave me the courage to open up to my friends about some very important issues that I was bottling up inside of me. A few nights drunk, talking ourselves off, and I had the clarity I needed to face my problems.

Also, it's fun. Now, I tend to only drink when I'm in a knit-tight environment with some close friends.

Bottom line is, if you don't drink, you should.

Just kidding... If you don't drink, don't put down those who do and vice-versa. My group of close friends have people that drink more than me, people who drink as much as me, people who drink less than me and people who don't drink. Not once drinking was a problem (only when people vomit! ).

[Fullcrum]

I agree with DayInTheLife.

Spartan, I agree when you say this: "Really you just have to ask yourself what kind of girl would be willing to have a one night stand with someone they had just met in a club?

Answer: Someone who doesn't mind sleeping around, i.e someone who may have an STD."

Well, almost. This is theory, judgement, and asumption. You'll find many many more women than your standard club fair are willing to "sleep around." In fact many of them don't, but that's why we improve ourselves, so we can have choice.

These are just limiting beliefs protecting you from the real world. The world does not work according to your presupposotions (you're not a bad person or anything it's just that these particular beliefs are inaccurate). But don't take my word for it - go out yourself and see.

[Joukai]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

I agree with DayInTheLife.

Spartan, I agree when you say this: "Really you just have to ask yourself what kind of girl would be willing to have a one night stand with someone they had just met in a club?

Answer: Someone who doesn't mind sleeping around, i.e someone who may have an STD."

Well, almost. This is theory, judgement, and asumption. You'll find many many more women than your standard club fair are willing to "sleep around." In fact many of them don't, but that's why we improve ourselves, so we can have choice.

These are just limiting beliefs protecting you from the real world. The world does not work according to your presupposotions (you're not a bad person or anything it's just that these particular beliefs are inaccurate). But don't take my word for it - go out yourself and see.

Funny enough, I was listening to some program and it was said that (and I quote from memory):

There are guys who get laid every other day and never caught a STD.

And there are virgins that get it on their first night.

Not everything is black and white.

[vapourmile]

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?

Avoid, if you feel that way, one of the key reasons people do it, you mentioned, in other words, they're prepared to be idiots to try to fit in with the crowd... sheep mentality. I used to think the same as you and eventually as peer pressure convinced me all the cool people did it I just succumbed to wanting to see what I was missing out on. Sad? Exactly! I never really enjoyed it and to this regret ever letting myself get led. Lesson learned: If you don't think you'll like it, don't do it.

And the moral is, in the long run, you're better off doing something productive, like homework, than throwing time and money away on deteriorating your mental and social faculties. My warning is, every time you over do it, there's no going back. You can't fix your brain if you break it on beer or other things. I'm talking from experience. The only danger of Not conforming is having other people accuse you of being boring, don't be fooled by phoney manipulation tactics like that one; if there idea of fun and yours are different, go your own way. And it's true what they say, people will respect more for keeping your own council than being a sheep... even if they're the same ones trying to control you. Resist! And by all means ask them if they want to do what you were going to do instead, with you, they may be hiding the fact that they don't really want to go either, they're just trying to fit in. They'd probably rather fit in with you and do something worthwhile. Try it, you'd be surprised.