The Evolution of Drinking Habits
Drinking culture has undergone a remarkable transformation, and nowhere is this change more apparent than within the walls of my own home. My 22-year-old daughter indulges in beverages with the enthusiasm of a pharmaceutical sales representative exploring the boundaries of her first expense account. For her, an $18 Hugo Spritz is merely an invitation to order another round.
Meanwhile, my 19-year-old son embodies the spirit of an aspiring fraternity member. Just a few weeks ago, I strolled into the kitchen to find him and his friends grappling with the challenge of opening a bottle of Stella Artois. Upon closer inspection, I noticed they were attempting to use a lemon zester for the job.
As both drinkers and individuals, my children are still evolving. It’s essential to acknowledge that, while alcohol is essentially a toxic substance, its effects can be quite enjoyable, at least in the short term. No, it won’t improve your physical health, but it might just soothe the soul, as anyone who has drifted off in a hammock after a couple of glasses of Chablis can attest.
Humans have an innate affinity for drinking, and some of those humans happen to be your children. However, witnessing their drinking escapades can test your patience, challenge your ability to hold your tongue, and even provoke your gag reflex. It forces you to reflect on your own relationship with alcohol and prompts a series of uncomfortable questions, such as, “Did I ever act that foolishly?” The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.
As a society, it might be wise for us to adopt a more thoughtful perspective on our ritualistic celebration of drinking as young adulthood begins. But for now, I can only share that my young adult children, much like yours, enjoy their drinks. However, their drinking skills leave much to be desired.
- They mix rum with Diet Coke.
- They savor Peanut Butter whiskey alongside Corona Sunbrew Citrus Cerveza.
- They concoct strange pickle brine mixtures they discovered on TikTok.
- They indulge in vibrantly colored punch from oversized jugs known as Borgs during daytime parties they refer to as “darties” or “dagers.”
But this is all part of the college experience, where drinking tends to reach its most chaotic and, at times, repulsive extremes.
