Observations on Americans, Part ... 4?

[tealin]

Americans cannot hold their liquor.

Going out for drinks and having a selection of alcoholic drinks available at social gatherings is a standard part of life in Canada, so I thought I was familiar with its effect on people. But HOLY CRAP. I went to a party last night and was one of the first people there, so I got to see most everyone come in, and they went from jolly sober to smashed drunk in about fifteen minutes, apparently on wimpy American beer.* I am used to comrades downing six or seven pints and a couple of shooters still being able to walk straight and hold a decent conversation, but after what could only have been two or three bottles these people were finding stairs a challenge. There were some people who by the end of the evening had the cognitive powers of a slow five-year-old. How can this be? Is it because the higher drinking age prevents gaining a tolerance of the stuff in developing years? Do you seriously expect me to believe none of these people drank before they were 21?

And then this morning I was auditory witness to one of our new downstairs neighbours making comically exaggerated offerings to the porcelain throne. Lovely.

At any rate, I can understand, now, the attitudes towards alcohol of some of my more puritanical acquaintances, if this is the sort of context they have.

*American beer is 4% alcohol, as opposed to 7% in Canada and, what, 73% in Europe?

Comments

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to try mead, what is it like?

My drunken nights out are always thwarted by the unavailability of port in North American pubs. ;) That, and so few people have rosé at their parties. My taste in alcohol evidently indicates that I am a delicate female.

Drinking with SCA friends sounds like a lot more fun anyway. :)

[mellifluous-ink.livejournal.com]

I've only ever had clover mead, which--like clover honey--is a bit sugary. However, I tasted the potential for really good mead (i.e. home brewed). Good mead you pretty much have to go into the SCA for. Fortunately for you? The SCA is international.

SCA friends are great, if you get with the good ones. (Drunken Bards are MADE of hilarity! Especially drunken VIKING bards, omg. XD)

[anathelen.livejournal.com]

Home-brewed mead is sweet without being cloying and very smooth and delicious. Most meads that you can buy in stores are rather sugary, but mulling it is a great way to get rid of that downside (the inexpensive brand Chaucer's Mead comes with mulling spices), and hot mulled mead tastes lovely on a cold winter evening.

[mellifluous-ink.livejournal.com]

Have always wanted to try mulled sage mead, yes. Also mulled wine, and toddies! Hee.

[veronikamg.livejournal.com]

Drunken Viking Bards exist in 2008?


(And I suppose you're not talking about football supporters in plastic helmets and N-O-R-W-A-Y painted on their bellies, one letter each, celebrating the unusual occurence of our team winning a match.)

[mellifluous-ink.livejournal.com]

O honey, ya'll need to find the SCA in your area. :D