This past school year I attended my fair share of fraternity/sorority parties filled with drinking, dancing, and more drinking. During those nights, I more than happily went out without the intention of drinking anything but water or a soda. For me, this isn’t a problem seeing as I don’t drink. To me, I get to enjoy most of the aspects of a party while also not having to deal with any memory loss or headaches in the morning. As a fraternity member, my sobriety usually makes me the odd man out, but I think that’s also what makes me a unique and important member.
As the sober person I feel that I’m still able to have fun. I can talk to people, dance, and even play most of the games as long as I don’t take a drink. I have to be responsible, but that doesn’t mean I have to be a stick in the mud. I think that some people have trouble having fun if they aren’t drinking, often saying something along the lines of, “I’m too sober for this.” Well what’s wrong with being sober? I really think it’s possible to have fun at a party without drinking or at the very least without having to get hammered. I get it, it’s weird to be the one not drinking, but anyone who judges you for not drinking shouldn’t even be someone you worry about. Hell, I’ll not drink with you, that way we’re both the odd ones out. People want to fit in, but I think the best way to fit in, truly, is by doing what you want, not what others expect you to do.
Also, it’s really funny to talk to your drunken friends. They say the funniest things, and more often than not, they’ll be extremely honest with you. People act like you have to drink just to have a conversation with someone who has been drinking. This is not true. Yes, it can difficult to have a genuine conversation with someone who’s eight shots in, but most people hold their own pretty well and are able to have lively conversations, especially as their filter slowly slips away. Parties are an opportunity to unwind after a long week, or in the middle of the week for some, and have a good time with both friends and new acquaintances. I love having the opportunity to meet new people regardless of what’s in their cup.
Another part of being sober that I enjoy is looking out for both my fraternity brothers and the other people present at the party. Things can go wrong, and I’m glad to help out. Did a fight just break out in the front lawn? I’ll break it up. Is the neighbor complaining about the noise? I’ll calm them down and turn down the music. Is someone throwing up in the bathroom? I’ll get them a glass of water and bread. I don’t know why, but I genuinely enjoy looking out for everyone at a party; it’s my way of saying thanks to all my friends—and even to the people I don’t know who might not have a friend there to help them out. I joined a fraternity for multiple reasons, being there for my brothers is one of those reasons.
My favorite part is driving people home. First off, when I drive people home they are usually very lively and funny. It might seem bothersome to most, but who doesn’t like a car full of people complimenting you by saying how great you are for driving them home, blurting out how “you’re the best,” even if they don’t know you that well. It’s a strange sort of reward to know that everyone has gotten home safe thanks to me. I would gladly drive every single person home to make sure that they didn’t drive home drunk.
At the end of the night, I’m glad to have been sober. I meet people, talk with old friends, and I make sure everyone gets home safe. Sure, it makes it a bit tougher to fit in, but with the right people sobriety shouldn’t be a problem.
On a side note, I genuinely don’t get the point of blacking out. Maybe it’s kind of cool to go around and ask people what you did the night before, but I can’t imagine doing that more than once. The point of a good time is to remember the good time, right?
