>>9181Alcohol is more of a social lubricant than something to be consumed for its own sake, I'll drink at home very lightly when not with others but I only appreciate the taste because I'm used to using it to ease social interactions, to be very scientific and cold about it, it helps overcome social awkwardness and relax, I think its telling that the best nights out are ones where the drinking is relatively slow but the chat is fast
I've sometimes wondered how people from dry countries perceive western drinking cultures, I've been drinking and going into pubs since I was 15 and its so culturally baked in I can't really imagine life without that component, though it seems there are very few naturally dry places, even devout muslim countries have thriving underground drinking scenes so its seems to be a pretty universal thing
Also all alcohol doesn't taste and hit the same, I like beers and vodka, especially when ice cold as well as very occasionally whiskey but can't stand wine or schnapps for example and things like Tequila or liqours make me feel physically ill regardless of how little I have of them
I went dry for about 9 months and found it valuable but at the same time I did miss the social utility (and taste) of a good beer sat in the sun after hard excercise or a drink in the evening with friends