Alcohol and the Dating Game

Is it easier to date (or meet people) if you drink alcohol? Or maybe I should ask, are nondrinkers at a disadvantage when dating?

A friend once said that it just gives something in common, like for something to do a guy and girl (or another guy) can go to a new club and have a few drinks. Or it's just a way to reduce anxiety and socialize.

And if someone doesn't drink, do they come across as an oddball, as someone that doesn't want to conform? or someone that doesn't like to have fun?

I hear more stories of problems that drinking causes in relationships, from cheating to becoming abusive to spending too much time with drinking buddies. So it seems like it should be a plus in the long-term if someone doesn't drink. But it seems like a lot of young women go after the bad boy partying drinking types. I guess it's the whole culture of clubbing.

So what's your take on alcohol and the dating game?

Afraid so... Yes, yes and yes.

Dating doesn't depend on drinking, and if you don't want to you shouldn't feel pressured into conforming.
It's about being adult enough to respect the other persons personal choice.
There a lot of places you can met a nice girl that isn't a bar type sitiuation.
The park, Starbucks, the Hardware store, the Gym etc.

Yeah, but people usually aren't at those places to meet other people, so it's more difficult.

It's much easier to meet people whilst drinking, yes.

I drink but I respected those who chose not to. Some are abstainers for various personal reasons. One of my dates was a former alcoholic so I understood his need to stay away from imbibing. I've never had a problem going out on dates with guys who didn't drink. If I wanted a drink, i'd buy one.

I think the worst dates were the ones who kept trying to get me to drink more. My rule of thumb was two drinks on a date and when guys started pushing me to drink more, it would irk me. I wanted my wits about me when I was out with someone i'd just met.

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Originally Posted by Jovial Is it easier to date (or meet people) if you drink alcohol? I don't know. I've never met anyone I dated in a bar. Or maybe I should ask, are nondrinkers at a disadvantage when dating? Only if they think they are. I used to hang with a kinda fast crowd. So I would have a vodka and cranberry first, then drink vodka and seltzer the rest of the night. The people getting drunker around me never realized and most importantly I was safe to drive myself and others home if need be.

I think if less people drank there would be a drop in the pre-dawn walk of shame.

[quote=onan_mann;1137020]Afraid so... Yes, yes and yes.[/quote] No, no, no. What are you 19?

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Originally Posted by Jovial;1137046[B ]Yeah, but people usually aren't at those places to meet other people, so it's more difficult[/b].

If I had $1 for every bar or nightclub I have been to with friends or classmates or just because it was Thursday night and thats what everyone did I could get one of those cute VW Beetle convertibles.

The only men I have ever met in a drinking establishment are one night stands. None of which I am proud of, nor can I remember their names. Sometimes the best place to meet someone is where you least expect to. I picked up a guy at the Cingular Wireless store once. He ended up having anger issues so it didn't work out. That wouldn't stop me from noticing or asking out a guy in an unusual place again. As a matter of fact our first date was to Starbuck's it's got comfy chairs, cappuccino, clean restrooms, and the background music isn't usually too loud.

You can go to a Club or Bar and not drink. While the other men get drunk and become slobs you will shine and become more relaxed as you see how others act.

Totally agreed! The one asshole I talk about on here was one of those who tried to get me to drink more. Sorry, but I really prefer not to get sick and have a hangover, you know? The next guy I dated after him, though, was my LTR, who is a non-drinker because he's allergic to alcohol. He's fine with being designated driver and all that though. I personally don't drink all that much either - again, I really don't like getting sick and having a hangover! I'll drink a little but not that much.

Drinking, carousing and having a blast is huge fun. It's probably not the best way to meet a life partner, but then again, one never knows what one will find out and about if always on the computer .

But drinking, drugs and sex are not a wise combination. Along with inhibitions it's too easy to loose judgment and wind up with something (DUI, pregnancy, STDs) you hadn't anticipated.

I hate those guys.

What I don't understand is why not drinking is something that requires acceptance. It like it's a flaw that other people are willing to accept. It's like if a smoker said he respected and was willing to date a nonsmoker most people would laugh because we'd think the smoker should be the one looking for acceptance not the other way around.

I've seen many relationships in my life where the guy's drinking was a problem in the relationship, at least a source of friction. And I'd bet most of the women on here have had boyfriends that they wish drank less. It seems like the women accept the drinking because they figure most people drink so it's just something they need to accept in a relationship.

And while some drinkers point out the studies that show a drink of wine each day can lower the risk of heart disease, most people drink amounts that are clearly not healthy. It's not something that happens overnight, but getting drunk every weekend for 10+ years will show its effects.

Given these things it seems like it should be a plus to find someone that doesn't drink whereas in reality it seems like a minus. The reaction when someone tells someone else they don't drink isn't "That's great!", it's usually a confused look wondering what is wrong with the person.

I guess because most people drink, if someone chooses to only date nondrinkers they would severely limit their dating pool. So even if someone thought nondrinking was a desirable quality, in practice they don't actively seek it.(?)

On the other hand, most people for better or worse like to have a few drinks every so often, so they would want their partner to enjoy that time with them. Which is my point that not drinking is probably a disadvantage when trying to meet someone for a long-term relationship.

And you think you look cool laughing at the guys on the dance floor too.

One thing I know for sure is that I wouldn't have engaged with two other guys in a threesome the first time if I hadn't been shit-faced! The second time, sans the alcohol, it was easier and a hell of a lot more fun.

If I wasn't drunk as fuck I wouldn't have had a girls tongue down my throat the other weekend.