I was raised in a Brazilian household with two parents whom immigrated to the U.S. East Coast when my older sister was a baby. I was later born in New York and happily learned English and Portuguese hand in hand. Socially and educationally, I learned in English with my friends outside of my home. At home however, I was taught morals and culture in Portuguese with my sister and my parents. As any other bilingual person would say, both of the languages and cultures are balanced in my life, sometimes mixing together due to similarities.

There’s one aspect of one of my cultures however, that doesn’t seem to translate well into the other. This aspect would be alcohol, something that is considered a rite of passage for my age group in America. People my age do everything they can to get their grubby little hands on the alcohol that can make them throw up and giggle like maniacs. Which, I must stress, is very illegal. We're eighteen and nineteen year olds, why do we have to go after something with such passion and need?

In America, it is a society thing. There's a stereotype that makes it seem like those who drink "let go" more and tend to have more fun. Now, let me get a little science-y here for you because I must (Nerd school does this to you). Alcohol is categorized as a depressant which affects the central nervous system, slowing it down. If you didn't already know, the central nervous system comprises of the brain and the spinal cord. You know, those things you need to be a sentient human being? Anyways, when people get hammered and their brain relaxes, their words tend to slur and they sometimes laugh more or get angry easier. Not to mention, they can't think properly because their brain is being inhibited by the alcohol, so they become annoying and confusing to others, sometimes saying things they didn't mean because they literally couldn't think their words over.

That's the main aspect of alcohol that turns me off; the effects. But somehow, that's also one of the main reasons why so many people love alcohol. They get to forget and let themselves go. This is something that I don't understand. I was raised in a Brazilian household and both my parents are sober, happy people, both originally from Brazil. Now you know that stereotype that Brazilians have the most fun at parties, dancing all night long? With my family, it's true. My dad once danced at a party for Carnaval in Brazil for 16 hours straight, only stopping to eat churrasco (barbecue) a few times. My mom always went out partying with her friends, usually having the most fun even though she was always the sober one, takingcare of her hammered friends.

Imagine growing up with such great examples as parents! Growing up, we had and still have alcohol around the house, in plain sight. My sister and I never touched it even while home alone, not finding an interest in it. We were raised to have a low interest in it since our parents only drink for social purposes, my mom only drinking about one sip of wine before switching to water every time. My older sister drinks now since she's of legal age, but I don't really feel a need for it even as I approach the legal age. I'm more like my mom in that sense.

I prefer having fun with friends and remembering every little part so I can smile at the thought of it rather than cringe at the terrible mistakes I made.

Oh and alcohol tastes terrible and my tongue burns just at the thought of it, for those who will say "you just have to try". I have. I was introduced to alcohol at a very young age because culturally and morally, my parents decided to educate me on things rather than hide it from me and tell me not to touch the bottles of alcohol.

American kids usually drink alcohol at a young age as a way to rebel against their parents. Teenagers are supposed to be rebellious and alcohol is a great way to rebel because mom and dad said, "no". On the other hand, the culture I had at home taught me that using alcohol for rebellion was unnecessary and futile because mom and dad said, "sure, whenever you want to try". You see what I'm getting at here?

I don't want to sound like a prissy, annoying person that puts down people who drink, that's not my goal at all. What I'm trying to explain to you, dear reader, is why I made the decision to be sober at a young age. I want to explain this properly because once I came to college, a lot of my friends have asked why I don't like to drink with them. Simply put, it's because of the way I was raised and my experience with alcohol, not much else, I promise.

To my friends who may be reading this and may go to a club or a party with me in the future, be aware that just because I'm not drinking doesn't mean I'm not having fun. I'm with you, my friend, so I'm already having fun. While you drink, I'll most likely be on the dance floor, having the time of my life.

Drink all you want, I promise to babysit you and herd you back to your apartment safely.

Sincerely, your sober friend.