Trying to stay sober
I finally see the attractiveness of drinking. The catch is: it is not for everyone.
They say intoxication reveals who one actually is. It doesn’t get any more accurate than that. In the same way I begin to learn more about the real side of others, I am happy to know more deeply about myself. That said, however, it is not something I would want to go through often.
Catching up with friends, peers, and cohort mates is an enjoyable thing because of the commonalities, experiences, and preferences we share. That night, we shared the latest gossip and engaged in tag team bashing of those hated ones, at the same time reinforcing our identity and affirming our closeness with one another. In fact, that is pretty much what everybody does everywhere. I expected that drinks would help us loosen up, but I didn’t expect to gain more insights than I would have expected.
In my group, I saw one clearly suffering the aftereffects of a difficult break up. I saw one struggling to manage changes at home and changes at work. I saw some with much grievances and hatred for their work and colleagues. I saw a handful of people staying sober just so that the group will be safe when it is time to call it a day.
Beyond my group, I saw couples enjoying some quiet time by themselves (although it is pretty noisy everywhere). I saw people drowning their sorrows for whatever reasons. I saw people celebrating achievements and significant life events. I saw people camping like eagles, hoping to pick up others.
I was probably on the verge of getting drunk. Dim environment accompanied by loud music and alcohol is the perfect environment to let your hair down and savour the moment. It is also likely that you have to shout at the ear of the person next to you if you wanted to say something. Somehow that further adds to the excitement. In that instance, everybody around you seems happy.
However as the night progressed, at the back of my head, I could figure out how the music changes in style and volume — all in the name of getting you hyped up and high, and I thought they were pretty good at that. Still at that time, despite Tequila shots and bottles of champagne, I was still typing in perfect sentences and remembering what plans I have for the next two days. The only thing that I could probably feel is that I’ve become more relaxed and was thoroughly forthright. I’m thankful for how I have been doing things all along because I don’t mince my words with friends, and I do not waste time with people I don’t want to be with. Therefore in this group of friends, I can safely carry myself the same way I did all the time, without worrying about spilling the beans or utter things that some are not supposed to hear. Beyond that, I see how places like this encourage people to talk to strangers, picking up attractive men and women, because somehow you are expected to be forgiven for any advances under the influence of alcohol. Pretty cheap excuse right? All in the name of having fun. Well, maybe.
All in all, the night was enjoyable. But I did not enjoy figuring out whether last night was real when I woke up in the morning. Perhaps a little drop too much!
