David Stearn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:33 pm

violet wrote: ↑Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:14 pmDear Dr Stearn (or are you a German Mr Stearn?).
I manage to go out and drink non-alcoholic drinks. Finding things to do socially without drinking is easier than it used to be, although many events are held in bars...comedy nights, trivia nights, games, some acting stuff, documentary viewings, art exhibitions, various charity events, movies, live music, drink and draw evenings (just don't drink). Finding others to do it with without finding yourself among company you usually wouldn't associate with might be difficult. I would NEVER stalk you across two forums but... Waves ..... Kidding. I am dreadful at small talk and not much of a looker. What would you normally do somewhere else to socialize that didn't involve drinking?

Dear Violet, I am not anti-alcohol, I can drink a beer like I would any refreshment, but I would not drink 12 beer just like I would not drink 12 cokes. Not drinking at a bar is like being on a train that's not going to your destination. All the other people are pumped and growing exponentially more excited, and you do not share the same enthusiasm because they are going to a different place than you are.

Anecdotally, almost all the trouble I have known, for myself or others in my life, has been alcohol related.

As far as the rest of your query, I guess I just don't go out much for socializing. However, I am planted in community and family, so there are things to do. When I travel to another country, I will not have that luxury, and I do not plan on becoming a happy drunk.

Jamie_Lambo wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 12:54 am i find i actually drink more when im around Khmer friends haha
even something as simple as going to get my moto cleaned,
after they clean my bike (for $1) they then want me to sit and have a drink or 3 with them and eat some pong tia koun(fertilised duck eggs) to which is their treat, have had to turn them down a few times if im busy but ive given in a number of times,
its worse when im out in the provinces, my breakfast of Pork/dried fish and rice is usually served with a can of ABC lol

shnoukieBRO wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:41 am If you don't drink then try becoming a monk

BklynBoy wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:42 am

David Stearn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:33 pm

violet wrote: ↑Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:14 pmDear Dr Stearn (or are you a German Mr Stearn?).
I manage to go out and drink non-alcoholic drinks. Finding things to do socially without drinking is easier than it used to be, although many events are held in bars...comedy nights, trivia nights, games, some acting stuff, documentary viewings, art exhibitions, various charity events, movies, live music, drink and draw evenings (just don't drink). Finding others to do it with without finding yourself among company you usually wouldn't associate with might be difficult. I would NEVER stalk you across two forums but... Waves ..... Kidding. I am dreadful at small talk and not much of a looker. What would you normally do somewhere else to socialize that didn't involve drinking?

Dear Violet, I am not anti-alcohol, I can drink a beer like I would any refreshment, but I would not drink 12 beer just like I would not drink 12 cokes. Not drinking at a bar is like being on a train that's not going to your destination. All the other people are pumped and growing exponentially more excited, and you do not share the same enthusiasm because they are going to a different place than you are.

Anecdotally, almost all the trouble I have known, for myself or others in my life, has been alcohol related.

As far as the rest of your query, I guess I just don't go out much for socializing. However, I am planted in community and family, so there are things to do. When I travel to another country, I will not have that luxury, and I do not plan on becoming a happy drunk.

why don't you guys go out and not drink together and let us know how it goes? but seriously you guys should meet up. Seems like a good fit

Regarding people over drinking in bars/ restaurants etc. I think you will find that anywhere possibly. Just go and enjoy yourself and do whats best for you. I am not saying go to street 104 ..but just like anywhere else, you will find all sorts of people. Just relax and enjoy yourself. You don't wanna be the guy at the bar/restaurant watching everyone's alcohol intake

“Son, never trust a man who doesn’t drink because he’s probably a self-righteous sort, a man who thinks he knows right from wrong all the time. Some of them are good men, but in the name of goodness, they cause most of the suffering in the world. They’re the judges, the meddlers. And, son, never trust a man who drinks but refuses to get drunk. They’re usually afraid of something deep down inside, either that they’re a coward or a fool or mean and violent. You can’t trust a man who’s afraid of himself. But sometimes, son, you can trust a man who occasionally kneels before a toilet. The chances are that he is learning something about humility and his natural human foolishness, about how to survive himself. It’s damned hard for a man to take himself too seriously when he’s heaving his guts into a dirty toilet bowl.”

― James Crumley