Prior to my thoughts on this particular and rather contentious topic, I should say that I mean absolutely no offense to anyone who drinks. None whatsoever.
And just for kicks, The Budweiser add that I can never get enough of. My best buddy Kailash and me greet each other this way without fail EVERY SINGLE TIME! And the tradition still goes strong! =)
My name is Prarthana and I am not nor have I even been in the close company of Budweiser, Johnny Walker and the like. I don't drink alcohol. No, I'm not attempting to portray the image of a goody two-shoes. It's simply that I've never associated myself with chugging down beer etc. I have of course tasted a few sips here and there but that would hardly qualify as 'drinking'. I think the first time I tasted beer was on a flight with my Dad. The can looked astonishingly fancy as compared to my plain glass cup of fresh Orange Juice ( which by the way, is my specimen of alcohol, I can live on it). And to make it even more interesting, the father figure poured some into his glass and voila! Beer foam! Now I don't know about you lot, but I have an unhealthy fascination for bubbles and foam. I go bonkers. It all dates back to my other unusual obsession with shaving cream. I used to nick my dad's can of shaving cream, press the top with abundant glee, and squidge around with two hands full of the foam.
I spotted the foam and decided that Dad's drink was way better than mine ( even though I hadn't tasted it yet). Grabbed it, took a sip, scrunched up my face, and came to the conclusion that even beer foam was better off forming a mustache on my face than going down my throat. I have tasted Beer a few times after that, but only for the heck of it. It's never really appealed to me as an enjoyable drink. Considering the fact that it is apparently the third most popular drink in the world after water and tea, I've questioned myself many times as well as to why I don't fancy it. Or any of it's cousin drinks either. Although I must say, recently I tasted wine in Sydney, Merlot to be precise, and it was delish! Very warm as it sits in your throat.
Confession #1: Avoiding the urge to succumb to peer pressure.
And trust me, it is a pain in the hind side Not because I can't or because I'm gullible, but because sometimes saying no is not fun especially when it's involves friends, heavy socializing or just having people not respect your decision to be different. Fortunately for me, I have never been in nor put myself in situations where I drinking is the norm. I'm not much of a party animal so that pretty much rules out any possibilty. My parents don't drink either except for Dad who enjoys a good beer only on special occasions. So no pressure there. In addition to that, I have some pretty kickass friends who respect my choice and who don't judge me for it. They also know that I think no less of them if they happen to drink. The one time I came close to drinking, I managed to sniff my way out of it. It was at some random party that I went to, I was engrossed in a conversation with someone I hardly knew about nothing in particular, when a paper cup filled to the brim came my way. The person who offered me it literally shoved it in my face telling me while she did, the thirst that I was apparently feeling and that I should quench. Little was said person aware that I had a rather large glass of water already in my hand. Pity. So I did take the cup with a slight caution, decided to be even more cautious and started sniffing and smelling the cup like I was a security dog of sorts. BEST decision I ever made. What was in it, smelled positively like sweaty feet mixed with coke. At that point, I got up, politiely declined the offer to consume the contents of the cup, and high heeled my way out of that terrace. Got myself a huge carton of Orange Juice on the way home, kicked back and enjoyed the night's football game.
It is hard to make a decision or choice that sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. But you know at the end of it, you've only done what's made you a happier person. Not to preach, but if any of you have been faced with a similar situation of being forced into something, and you don't want to be, the magic words are ' I HAVE A SECRET JEDI SWORD'. Yes clearly I made a joke, but I really do think that would help. Star Wars fans must but agree with me.
Just say No. It's may or may not be hard, but once you do it in support of your choice, you'll be grateful!
Confession #2: Never have understood the concept of drinking and then being hungover.
It has always evaded me, the concept of people socially drinking till they pass out, then getting acquainted with the loo, and waking up with memory loss, people that you have no idea about, and a nasty headache. I'm sure this may sound very stereotypical, because there are those that keep their drinking under control. But the others? How? Is it really fun? Clearly it is! But then my idea of fun I guess differs. What I learnt initially about alcohol and its effects was this: You can say and do really, really stupid things that you may or will regret later. I do a lot of retarded things in general, imagine if I was drunk! I'd rather not blame my insanity or justify my doings on a drink. It just spells trouble.
Confession #3: Answering the battalion of 'WHY' questions:
Being one among the teetotalers, you're always faced with the responsibility of answering why on earth you've taken to such a saintly measure. This is probably what I've faced the most. Actually, I've been asked so much, I almost decided to tattoo " Orange Juice" on my forehead. That way, I wouldn't have to re answer why I don't drink, and I wouldn't have to specify what I really like drinking. Saves me the energy. When people began asking me, I'd give them this elaborate explanation of why I abstain from drinking alcohol and how I think it isn't necessary LA DI DA. Even I got bored of hearing myself. Plus, when I kept explaining it to people, they'd just further ask me questions about the answers I had just given to their previous questions. It's like a loop that you're stuck in. Now I just tell people that very promptly that I'm an Aquarian and I'm staying loyal to my sun sign, which if you didn't know is the water bearer. Although I've always wondered whether he's secretly stashed something else in that giant jug of his. I hope not.
Why I really don't drink? I don't see the point. Nor the necessity. I want to avoid any possible health problems. The purpose is lost to me. You see and hear people suffering with liver problems, their social and family lives, financial problems. I live in India. Been here since I was 6. Sometimes, people here who don't even have enough money for one square meal a day, spend their non existent cash on cheap liquor and end up lying on the road once they pass out. In all honesty, it may be fun, and even harmless to drink, even if it's just a few sips here and there, it's effects in the long run however can be pretty brutal.
But the reason that tops everything else? I wanted people around me to accept me for who I am, and not because I agreed to 'have a drink'. I didn't want my happiness to depend on something such as a drink use that as a scapegoat for my mistakes, a temporary solution to my problems. I also didn't want to have to pretend just for the sake of getting the approval or companionship of other people. And now as I come much closer to leaving the comforts of studying from home and heading back to Australia for Uni, my decision to not resort to drinking, especially to fit in stands much stronger now. I might be inclined to taste and give it a 'shot'. Ha. I love puns.
But I love Orange Juice more!
Although you MUST check this out!. As ironic as it may seem, this amazing folk metal band, one of my favourites, from Lahti, Finland make alcohol the prime focus of their songs. The best thing about folk metal bands is how close to the language and culture they stick to in their music. 'Korpiklaani' in Finnish means 'Forest Clan', another reason why I like them. A lot of their songs are connected to nature. Just like Gojira! Their style is catchy, Yoik singing is something to listen to, and the shamanic drums give their music just the right balance of folk along with thrash vocals! Shaman is what they were called inititally before they became Korpiklaani and their music changed with a shift in focus from 'folk' to 'metal'. WATCH =)
And just for kicks, The Budweiser add that I can never get enough of. My best buddy Kailash and me greet each other this way without fail EVERY SINGLE TIME! And the tradition still goes strong! =)
