This was my Friday night drinking session last night:
Well it's a change from the non-alcoholic stuff and a heck of a lot cheaper. Less than 3 Euros.
I finished the evening with a milky drink of hot chocolate. All I need now is my pipe and slippers. I got my allotment over thirty years ago.
I watched a You Tube video and this man who was talking about giving up alcohol for a while or for good even. He said you shouldn't be look for an alternative drink You just don't think that you need a drink. It's a different mentality isn't it?
Growing up in England in my younger days. You worked all week then on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night you would meet your friends and have a scoop. Especially at the weekend.
I used to dread going to work on a Monday morning.
I think this song by Canadian band Triumph that says how I felt when I was growing up:
Did you grow up in a drinking culture and the only place where you could meet your pals on a weekend was in a pub?
When I was working on Whiddy oil terminal the other year. I said to my work mate that I met my wife at a pub football fund raising disco I had organised. He told me he had met his future wife in a West Cork pub. I said:
"Well you wouldn't talk to a female sober would you?" He said:
"Of course not!"
We both laughed. I think a bit of Dutch courage helps you break the ice. I couldn't do like Rachel did on ( "The Road To Kazakhstan" blog) her post today and go for a "nice cup of tea or coffee") in a cafe with someone.
Any one else a bit shy or if you're like me, a bit backwards coming forward? It's easy to talk/ write to my daily 1000 plus blog viewers. I bet a quarter of them are me?😊 I would have a conversation with a scarecrow or a complete stranger. But they would have to start the conversation.
I have read that it is very popular for young people to not go out drinking days. Fair play to them.
Any road. I have decided that I am not stopping drinking I am just cutting down. I haven't been in a rub a dub dub since I was in Wetherspoon's in England in August. I can't afford to drink in a pub over here. Who would ever think the day would come when you couldn't afford to buy a few pints?
Your liver should thank you for your abstinence, Dave. Although the odd one or two now and then would be enjoyable I should think.
ReplyDeleteSince my health issues over the past 6 months have meant that I gave up drinking wine every night, I do think it has helped. Not only with my weight but also fewer headaches and better sleep. And my supermarket bills!
I usually don't drink alcohol when I go out these days. Mainly because I like to be able to drive myself home whenever I please, and I'm far too cheap to pay for a taxi :) I've thought about 'going sober', and I could quite happily go without drinking, in fact I can go for weeks without noticing whether I've had s glass or not. But I don't like to put labels to myself. So, if I fancy a glass of wine, I will have one.
ReplyDeleteI find it so boring not having a drink at night JayCee. When I lived in England I would go out most nights for the last couple of ours. I would be offered lots of gardening and building labouring work. I don't think it's just the alcohol it's socialising and meeting people.
ReplyDeleteTaxis are too expensive here Jules. 15 Euros each way if you are lucky enough to get one. A pint is around 5.50. I get 8 cans of Guinness with the return deposit for 17.20 from Lidl I was paying one pound seventy a pint in Wetherspoon's in Kent and Dorset last August. I like wine but I drink it like it's pop. Too many years supping pints me thinks.😊
ReplyDeleteOur small village in Somerset had 4 pubs, there was nothing else to do, we would walk to the furthest from home at the start of our night out and pop into each pub, meeting friends on the way , a perfect night out.
ReplyDeleteYour little village sounds wonderful Marlene. I know of a village in Ireland that use to have 16 pubs. Now it's only got two and one only opens at weekends. It must be very difficult for rural pubs and shops to make a living. Property is so expensive and people have no way of getting about.
ReplyDeleteOur village has only 3 pubs now and one is struggling, but they are the best meeting spots. We used to go home for New Years eve, when everyone would be out. The pubs have live music in one and a great restaurant in the other.
DeleteEverything seems to be changing so fast these days Marlene. I love live music and having a drink. I think concert venues where you can walk about are my favourite. I saw The Beautiful South at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1994 in Oldham. It had two bars and you could walk about and watch the band. It was one of my favourite gigs. Your village sounds really good Marlene.
DeleteI had an evening job in a pub as well as drinking in pubs until I was mid 30s. Worked in all kinds of bars. Always had two jobs. Definitely part of my culture. Now I don't bother much unless I am on a day out to London and then I pop into Wetherspoons in St Pancras and have a glass of wine as a treat but I haven't had a day out in London for two years. Or if I am on holiday I like local bars to see the way of life. But I haven't been on holiday for over two years either. Thanks for the blog mention Dave.
ReplyDeleteI bet you have lots of tales Rachel? You would be a social worker, entertainer and friend for a chat and a barmaid. I never go anywhere socially in winter and usually it's on holiday abroad or in England. There's a lot to be said for a city break and a concert or two.
DeleteIf I got to a “ date” stage ( as if) I would need a few gins to get me going
ReplyDeleteWell at least three
Totally agree John. Buying beer goggles (drinks) certainly settles the nerves and shyness.
ReplyDeleteI like Lidls 3way cola. I buy half a dozen 6 packs when we shop, which isn't often. It's much cheaper too than other brands. The authentic zero is far more expensive. I often drink cheap zero when others are having alcohol.
ReplyDeleteMen here drink far too much. That daily-glass-with-lunch is usually 2 and more in the evening. They do drink less now because of the economy and it's usually at home.
Yes Lidl cola is not bad at all Linda. My weekends when I was young revolved around seeing rock bands or meeting friends in pubs both town centre and countryside. At least young people have social media these days. I don't think this happened for me until I was middle aged. Apparently 37 is middle aged these days?🤔
ReplyDeleteI look back and I am kind of sorry that alcohol was at the heart of most of my socialising. When I was young, I went out all the time seeking to connect with women and alcohol was always thereabouts. Sobriety is an underrated condition.
ReplyDeleteI totally relate to what you are saying YP. We hardly want to go back to Cromwell and banning Christmas Day but isn't it sad that the only way of socialising is a place where there is alcohol? It's easy when you have your own place but there is nowhere to mix when you are young and don't have anywhere. Work hard play hard seems to be a symptom of our upbringing.
ReplyDelete