Let's talk about booze.
Depending on who you are, you're thinking one of two things:
1. Oh my gosh, that is so scandalous — Don't you dare talk about that.
OR
2. LET'S PARTY!
I, on the other hand, am the third option.
3. Let's just talk about it.
Hi. I'm Molly and I don't drink. I am an almost 22-year-old senior in college who has never drank. I have never been drunk or wasted or even buzzed. I don't drink socially or sip it for the occasion. No, my religion doesn’t forbid it and I'm not the designated driver. No, I’m not pregnant, taking medication nor have health issues. Yes, some of my family and friends drink and no — they don't pressure me.
I don't drink for common sense reasons: It doesn't appeal to me nor has it ever. I grew up not being surrounded by it, I never felt like I needed an "extra boost" to have fun, I do know how to have fun without it, I find joy in simple pleasures, and anything that takes away control of my own body is 100 percent a no-no.
However, never would I have ever thought that this personal choice would sometimes isolate me and change the way others view me so significantly. I'm automatically filed away into the "she's a goody-two shoes" pile, in turn, making me uncool and not fun.
When people ask me what I'd like to drink, of course I respond with "no thank you, I don't drink." This is followed up with a "whaaaat" or a "come on, what do you want?" I still respond the same way. And then comes the why. After I explain to them that it's a personal preference and just a decision I've made on my own, I get the approving head nod and the "good for you!"
But really, are they proud? Do they actually think I'm doing a good thing or being a stick in the mud? I am a member of a sorority and loving to go to my sorority's swaps and date parties and not getting hammered while I'm there doesn't make it less fun. It means I'm enjoying myself completely coherently and my dancing isn't any worse because of those 6 shots you wanted me to take.
But one of the biggest reasons I don't drink: it's so bad for me. Not just the decision making that comes with clouded judgement, but the way it affects my body. There's a reason it's called a "beer belly." Any diet you go to says the same thing: cut the alcohol. So no thank you. I have enough trouble with my body now from eating cheese fries and cookies from the university bakery. I'd rather eat my calories than drink them any day.
So no, I'm not a prude or a snob or a stick in the mud. I don't judge those that drink or condemn them to hell. I don't think it's a sin or wrong or even bad in moderation.
I simply choose to not. It's not who I am and thats A-OK. I'm still going to go to my sorority's parties and tailgate at football games. I just don't have to ingest it myself or put myself in dangerous or inappropriate situations. And honestly, I get some great blackmail stores of my friends!
But people who don't eat chocolate ... that's a whole new ball game.
