A Guide To Drinking & DatingBy Lyra Pappin [Dating]
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Many of us have had that 'one drink too many'. Is there a rulebook for how to drink? Lyra Pappin lays it out with intoxicating charm.  For some reason, once the booze begins to flow, we start thinking we’re superheroes, capable of metabolizing alcohol faster than a speeding bullet. The truth? The only superhero-esque notion we should keep in mind is Alcohol = Kryptonite. On dates anyway, that is. The only thing worse than getting drunk on a date is being on a date with a drunk. Why Do We Do It? “I’m so nervous, I just don’t know what to say!” Either on a date or just out for a good time, it can be hard to relax. Often, alcohol is the easiest solution. Nothing makes you quit second guessing yourself quite like alcohol, which everyone around the table you just danced on can attest to. “Get me out of here – I am so bored!” Is your date more boring than the idea of Al Gore reading the phone book out loud? Have a drink! Or maybe you’re at some party and the people aren’t exactly getting jiggy wit’ it. (Or they are…That song’s not really cool anymore, is it?) Who cares – have another drink! “I need to catch up!” You had to rush to get ready and meet her in the bar. She’s already on her fourth and you’ve just started. Yes, alcohol needs some time to work its way into your system, but it hasn’t just suddenly “stopped working” like we’re prone to thinking for some reason. Also, keep in mind that the words “I don’t know what’s going on! I’m not drunk!” usually mean you are definitely drunk. Quite drunk. “But everyone loves me when I’m drunk!” Some people worry that they are only entertaining or interesting when they are drunk. They rely on alcohol not only for having a good time, but ensuring everyone else has a good time. And let’s not forget how great it is to hear how much someone loves you when you’re drunk! Let’s also not forget how horrible it is to hear how much someone loves you when you are not drunk. Your friends shouldn’t rely on you for amusement, nor should they prefer you in an altered state. This is just a path to disaster and eventually people will stop taking you seriously all the time, not just on weekends. It also hinders your ability to socialize without a crutch, which will make dating a lot harder. How to Avoid these Pitfalls It all comes down to self-control. If you’re someone who is familiar with the midnight bathroom pep talk – i.e., you, alone, in the bathroom, struggling to see just one reflection of your face, saying things like “Okay, get it together. You have had enough. You are annoying everyone!” – you might want to pay attention. While Out Doctors recommend not exceeding one drink per hour (One drink equals one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits). This is the rate at which the average person can metabolize one drink. This is good to keep in mind, hard to maintain in social gatherings, but an excellent rule to strive for on dates. In other situations, you can drink water to slow down. If you can’t have water in between each drink, at least try for every 2 drinks. Water helps your metabolism and will take some of the pressure off your liver. You can also try adding Perrier to white wine to make a refreshing spritzer. This lowers the alcohol content and the carbonation makes gulping drinks a little more difficult. Drinking enough water throughout the night should also help prevent hangovers from getting really nasty. Before You Go Out Also helpful in fighting off the drunken disaster is to only bring a specific amount of money with you. Leave extra cash at home. It’s hard to get very drunk with only twenty dollars. Another preventative measure is to choose a good pre-drinking meal. Anything with carbohydrates will prevent the alcohol from entering your bloodstream too rapidly. Ignore Dr. Atkins and have some pasta and bread on your date or before the big night out. __________________________ |
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