For some reason, it seems that this role is often associated with the boring friend or the friend that doesn't go out often. This doesn't have to be true. There are a lot of perks when you are the responsible friend.
1. You are always in control.
All of your other friends who are making dumb decisions ultimately look to you to make the tough calls throughout the night, regardless of whether they like them or not.
2. Your friends will always appreciate you keeping them alive.
They might be mad in the moment at you telling them to not jump off of a roof, but when everything settles, they are usually pretty appreciative of your efforts. Always remember, no man, or woman, left behind. If you end the night with everyone alive, you did a job well done.
3. It makes you look a lot better.
If you do it the right way, people around you will notice that you are the responsible one. You might even get a few acknowledgments of your efforts. Nothing is cooler than looking like the dude that has everything under control. And if you can't get everything under control, nothing looks better than trying to keep your friends from death.
4. You always remember exactly what happened.
The classic "what happened last night" question is nonexistent because you are able to tell the whole group all of the dumb, hilarious things that they did. Nothing is better than actually remembering first hand the memories that you and your buddies will talk about for years.
5. When you want to leave, everyone is leaving.
Whether you drove or not, once you are able to wrangle everyone up, there's an understanding that when the dad friend thinks it's a good time to leave, it's probably a good time to leave.
Being the "dad friend" doesn't mean that you aren't able to have any fun, it's just a different kind of fun. If you are this type of friend, I salute you, and for those of you who aren't, be sure to thank your dad friend next time you get the chance.
