Turning 21 is a milestone in life that people play up to be the time to get hammered or "white girl wasted." As to be expected, most people will get absolutely trashed on their 21st birthday. But why do we do this? Do we drink because that's what''s expected of us? Do we drink because people told us it's fun?
This week was my 21st birthday. And, while working in a bar, I did have a drink for my 21st. All my coworkers were expecting me to get absolutely crazy drunk. To their disappointment, I had two drinks and didn't get drunk. YES IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY AND I DIDN'T GET DRUNK! This is a possibility.
I hate that people think that because you are legally allowed to drink now, you have to drink as much as you can, as often as you can. You have to drink until you're black out drunk and you don't remember what you did. How is that fun? You wake up the next morning sick with a hangover and you don't remember hours of your life from the night before. Why is this so entertaining to people? You don't want to remember moments in your life?
Shots! Shots! Shots! Alright, let's talk about this for a second. You don't have to take the shots people buy and put in front of you. You don't have to drink any drink given to you if you don't want to. Also, it's not a competition or a race! You are NOT in competition with your friends as to who can take the most shots. You do NOT have to finish your drink within a certain period of time or faster than your friends. That makes you drunk faster and makes your night end faster. Do you really want to spend your 21st birthday bent over the toilet throwing up everything in your stomach? Just to wake up the next morning with a migraine and a stomach ache or repeated vomiting?
The entire purpose of celebrating your birthday with friends and family is to make it memorable. Y'know the key word "memorable," in other words, BEING ABLE TO REMEMBER IT! Birthdays are meant to be spent with those you love most and those that make your life special. So, by all means, go get drunk with your friends and family. But why not make it a night to remember?
So, lets bring it back around to the first few questions......
Why do we do this? Well, its a freedom that we feel. We finally get to step out in the world as an official, legal adult. All those years, waiting to be able to legally buy alcohol, to get into that club that only the elite members of the 21 and older club can get into. No more begging your older friends or siblings to buy you and your friends booze. Its merely a right of passage...a celebration of hey, I can finally go and do what I want.
Next question: Do we drink because its expected of us? Maybe for some people. Peer pressure, especially when celebrations are involved, is pretty amazing! You may not want to take that fifth shot of Jack, because you know it's gonna put you over your limit, and make you prey to the porcelain god the rest of the night. You know that sour feeling you get, right after you take that one you knew was not a good idea? But, I feel that once you know how to say, hey give me like 10 minutes, the person that keeps bugging you, will eventually forget. Especially if you are an artist at changing the subject! So, to answer the question, the expectation of drinking in celebration is strong; but as long as you bring your Jedi mind power with you, you can get away with partying hard, and not giving in to expectation.
Do we drink because people told us it was fun? Well, lets look at this one closely shall we.....Who doesn't like to get together with friends and kick back a couple? It relaxes you, makes you more open to conversations that you probably wouldn't have. It's that liquid courage, to help you introverts talk to that handsome man or woman, you have had a crush on for months now. When going out dancing with the girls, well I know for me, i'm not getting on that dance floor without a couple! I don't think that people tell us it's fun to drink. I think that the occasions that come along with drinking, is what makes it fun!
Ok, so lets wrap this up. Turning 21 is a big deal! The stereotypical expectations are only there if you let them take control. Go out and enjoy yourself, be safe, and try to remember all the crazy moments your day of enlightenment brings you!
