| The Reality about Americans: (As I see it) - Page 3 |
| Concerning Americans (there are exceptions of course) not being able to handle alcohol. I found that sadly true. It seems to me, that either they do not drink at all, but when they drink they go from use to abuse in a heartbeat. I thought for several years about this social problem and came to one conclusion: I do not think that there is an alcohol-culture existing. Now what do I mean with alcohol-culture? |
 |
 |
| Back to C-Cultures |
 |
| to Index |
| I will try to explain it with my example: When I grew up, I would get a sip of beer or wine on special occasions, way before I turned 18 (legal age in Germany) � that way I was never curious and preferred my lemonade. My family (the adults of course) would have a glass of beer or wine with their meals (lunch or dinner). It was understood, that you have to have eaten something, before you would enjoy an alcoholic beverage. In Germany it is absolutely a social disgrace to drink too much and loose control in public. You may even compare this to loosing your face in Asia. |
| In the States the kids are not taught how to deal with alcohol. Parents set bad examples or tell them not to drink� that�s it. So of course, the curiosity is way higher and the experience is non-existing. The worst are the �binge-drinking� rituals of American kids for graduation or in Colleges. There are even some who die of alcohol poisoning every year. |
| Crazy and unfit parents are unfortunately everywhere. They are just flashier in the States. I think that forcing the failed parental ambitions on to their children is unhealthy in any way: in sports, music or pageants. Yes, there are a lot of parents who treat their pets better then their kids. That too is a sad thing in Germany (thank God, still an outrageous exception). There is actually a joke from the 50�s, how German men treat their families: First comes the family car, then the dog, then the wife and way down are the kids. |
 |
 |
 |
| When I turned 18 my aunt made me tipsy, so I would know, where my limit is. She taught me also never to mix drinks. If you have wine, stick to it and never mix with beer or Champaign. Those rules served me well in my life. If you think now about the German Wine-Fests and October-Fest, there is no exception there. If you see an intoxicated individual it is usually a foreign tourist or an alcoholic. Now I do not mean, that Germans do not like to get a buzz. But, it is to be handled responsibly. You have a designated driver or you share a taxi with friends when you go out. You know your limit and as I mentioned � you have a meal before drinking. Here in New Mexico it is still frightening to see how many people get into their cars when they shouldn�t. It breaks my heart to see the killings and accidents in the local news due to DWI. |
| Treating kids bad and pets better... |
 |
 |