Comments on: BNT asks: Do we need alcohol to connect on the road?

By: Hostel Etiquette: Does Anti-Social Have to be Bad?

Hostel Etiquette: Does Anti-Social Have to be Bad? — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:05:25 +0000

[...] the loner. “What’s wrong with him?”; “I feel sorry for her.”; “Why isn’t he drinking and partying with us?” But maybe there’s nothing at all wrong with him. Maybe she [...]

By: AdventureRob

AdventureRob — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:36:47 +0000

Drinking has definitely enhanced my experience on the road, my happiness improves when I indulge a bit, as does my social interaction. Do I need it? No. Does it make things better? Yes. Therefore it’s going to take quite an argument to stop me.

So I’m with you on this Carlo!

By: Lauren Quinn

Lauren Quinn — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:16:23 +0000

Like you guys said–more than anything, I was surprised by the intensity of people´s responses, the urge to condemn or celebrate drinking. I´ve never drank while traveling, so it´s all a bit foreign to me. I thought about this for a long time and thought I´d have more to say about it, but was surprised that I didn´t. So, like any good blogger, I wrote a post about it: http://lonelygirltravels.com/2009/10/17/no-port-in-porto/

By: No Port in Porto « Lonely Girl Travels

No Port in Porto « Lonely Girl Travels — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:05:50 +0000

[...] the gamut, and revealed a lot about the people the wrote them. On his personal blog, Matador editor Carlo Alcos offered his ruminations on the subject. “Okay,” I thought, “I can totally write a [...]

By: Straight-edge, but not viceless « zerotres

Straight-edge, but not viceless « zerotres — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:00:37 +0000

[...] and saw so many travelers defending alcohol. I was amused by some of the responses in other travel blogs and websites, most which implied that drinking alcohol is a necessary evil. But what was most [...]

By: Candice

Candice — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:08:38 +0000

Dear god I am SO glad you brought that up, because I was actually infuriated when I read that comment. Such an unnecessary condescending attitude…I certainly don’t look down on others for abstaining…to each their own. Tipple! New favorite word.

By: Carlo Alcos

Carlo Alcos — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:06:20 +0000

Thanks for the comments y’all! I was pretty irritated at some of the responses on the article, particularly the one that said “If you need to drink to meet people then maybe you should get some help.” There’s certainly a holier-than-thou attitude that some abstainers like to take on towards those who enjoy a tipple now and again (I do believe that is the first time I used the word ‘tipple’ before – I like it!).

By: Christine Garvin

Christine Garvin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:09:22 +0000

Hey Carlo,

Thanks for writing about your experience. Currently, I am having a glass of wine after day 4 on the road!

I do agree that many, many (most?) cultures throughout the world have a particular alcohol that is deeply ingrained in their heritage. I used to think we drank a lot in the US until I studied abroad in Florence. And visited Germany (I mean, for chrissakes, it’s in my DNA!). And really, using substances to connect goes beyond alcohol, from drugs on one end of the spectrum to coffee and cake on the other end (yes, caffeine and sugar affect the way we act and lubricate social situations).

I don’t think drinking alcohol, caffeine, eating sugar or even doing drugs are in and of themselves bad things. But as I mentioned in the comments of my piece, I was forced to abstain from all of these things for about 4-5 years in my early 20s, certainly one of the hardest times in life to try and accomplish this type of feat (at least for my personality type). But it taught me a lot about myself, what I was hiding, the people I thought were the best of friends, and issues of confidence that I was not truly confronting. Like anything and everything, it is about the why and not the what. So each of us has to define for ourselves what is happening, and if and when alcohol takes the front seat in connecting, being, and living.

Moment enhancers, not crutches or something we need every moment, is hopefully what most of us are shooting for.

By: Candice

Candice — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:05:45 +0000

I was a little surprised by how much malice this article sparked from the anti-drinkers. It also made me think about about whether or not I could actually socialize and make friends while being sober, and for awhile I doubted myself. The answer is of course, “yes”, otherwise I wouldn’t have met people through classes, work, etc. But alcohol does help, and that’s just a plain fact. I think it really only becomes a problem when it’s the ONLY way you can interact with people, but that’s a whole different level that really has nothing to do with drinking for fun.

And drinking is a super-ingrained “cultural” aspect of being a Newfoundlander, to the point where we boast about it proudly. People either call us “stupid Newfies” or we’re admired for our jolly, good-natured attitudes. All a matter of perspective.

Hah. Actually, the only worthwhile thing I have to say about this whole issue is…drink responsibly!

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:09:21 +0000

I dunno. Carlos. I can’t drink anymore. It’s been more than 4 years now. I also know that forming true friendships is not something that happens every day with or without alcohol (though for me it was less with alcohol).

Whatever works for you!