Everyone has been there at least once or twice in their college experience. Some choose to drive almost every weekend, but we all can agree that it pretty much sucks. Drunk people are generally unappreciative, and they do not realize that you had to interrupt your Netflix episode to drag yourself out of bed to go pick them up. However, there is the occasional one or two nice tipsy people that genuinely thank you for driving them around. The designated drivers either have been sober while being around drunk people all night, which is not very much fun, or they had to get out of their comfortable bed to come save the day. Either way, the designated driver is the person who made a sacrifice so that you could have an awesome, alcohol-infused night. Plus, you do not have to spend seven dollars on a cab or walk back home. Here are the pros and cons of being the designated driver.
Pro: You have all the crazy stories that people tell you while driving around, and people always love you for making the sacrifice to do so. The drama, the laughter, and the potential sickness that happens in your backseat are fun to hear about and certainly even better to retell.
Con: You get to watch people have fun while you are on the sidelines. Even if it is your choice to stay sober, sometimes you feel a little left out—although it probably is not on purpose.
Pro: You are known as the reliable one. Everyone always trusts you and goes to you when they need help. You are like the "mom" of the group for that night. And later, you can use this as leverage, and maybe next time, they will be your designated driver because they "owe" you one.
Con: Intoxicated people never seem to be satisfied with anything. You are driving too fast, you went over that bump too hard, the music is too loud, the song is not good enough, the air conditioning is too high, etc. The list is never-ending, and you have to hold yourself back because they are your friends; they are just having a temporary, super annoying moment.
Pro: You know everything that went on that night because you are the only one that remembers it all, and you also had to take the role of "group therapist" and console everyone with their problems. Use this intelligence wisely.
Con: The worst nightmare for designated drivers is when you have someone get sick in your back seat. It is just awful, so come prepared. Bring the plastic bags and the paper towels.
Everyone has to pay their dues at some point, so take your turn, and be the responsible friend for a night. Trust me, it's not that bad all the time.
