The Responsible Social Drinker

Social drinking is an accepted part of life.  What exactly is a social drinker?  More importantly, what is a responsible social drinker?  A social drinker is someone who takes part in the culture of drinking at parties, get togethers and special occasions without going overboard and being irresponsible. 

Such occasions include going out with friends to a club.  Having a beer or two adds to the atmosphere of fun and allows you to relax and cut loose for a while.  Perhaps you are on a date.  Having a glass of wine with your dinner or over candlelight can add to the romantic aura of the evening.  Weddings and funeral wakes could have you toasting the happy couple or the memory of someone special.  Some religious ceremonies have long included alcohol in some way. 

A social drinker can have one or two drinks at any function and behave maturely, responsibly and still have fun.  There is no unpleasant reaction to the alcohol involved.  It is simply a part of the scene and the social drinker can take it or leave it. 

Some people enjoy a glass of wine for the feel of the wineglass itself as this writer does.  That same wineglass? It could hold water or tea or a soft drink and still feel nice.  Some people can enjoy a cold beer on a hot day or even a couple over the course of the Super Bowl, eat a nice dinner and go home feeling no effects whatsoever. 

Part of the success of being a social drinker is being able to take it or leave it.  If a drink is offered and you are in the mood for one, you say okay.  If you prefer a soft drink or cup of coffee, you say no.  Alcohol is not something you spend any length of time thinking about.  You are either in the mood for an alcoholic beverage, ice water, hot tea, lemonade or some other drink just as sometimes you are in the mood for pizza, sometimes meatloaf and sometimes a steak.  It is a matter of personal preference that moment in time, not because you have been craving alcohol all day. 

The social drinker is the person who acts responsibly and yet does not even think about what he or she is doing because alcohol just does not have a priority in his life.  The restaurant is out of her favorite wine?  No problem, she could not really decide between that or a flavored cappucino anyway.  Life does not revolve around alcohol for a social drinker, it is simply part of that particular special occasion and can be enjoyed or done without.  If the drink is available, the social drinker stops at one or two.  That is what a responsible social drinker is.