Post-College Partying

Twenties

Happy Monday Everyone!

It’s gross and rainy here in Boston, but that’s probably a good thing because I have a lot to do!

  • blog
  • create a beer page for blog
  • clean out inbox and set up a new system for organizing emails
  • gym
  • eat something green
  • grocery shopping
  • laundry
  • pay fall tuition:(
  • hang out with Matt!

I slept late today because I’m still recovering from my trip.  Speaking of the weekend, I thought my recent festivities might be a good segue into a discussion about partying post-college.  There seems to be a lot of variation in terms of going out/drinking/partying among twenty somethings. People can be anywhere along the spectrum from drowning themselves in shots, to enjoying a few brews, to having no interest in ‘partying’ at all. There are obviously many factors that affect people’s preferences and habits, such as being in grad school or working, being single or with a significant other, and tolerance for and enjoyment of alcohol.  Unfortunately, it seems like people get divided into the two categories of those who continue to drink like they did in college and those who do not.  I’m always searching for that middle ground that doesn’t seem as common as the two extremes.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I still like to have a couple of [flavorful] drinks before I go out. I mean who doesn’t agree that the dance floor is more fun when alcohol is involved?  That being said, I also don’t want to feel like I should have to explain myself if I’m drinking less than I used to or less than someone else. And, I definitely, would never want to make anyone feel unwelcome if they do not drink at all. It takes a lot of courage to go out to bars and have a good time when you don’t drink and I really admire those people who are able to do so. I hope that I’m finally at an age where people judge the success of a night out by how much fun they had, not on how many drinks they consumed.  This weekend was a perfect example of a night measured by good company and fun, as it seemed like everyone enjoyed being with friends regardless of whether or not they had a drink in hand.  I’m lucky to have friends who are accepting of all different types of party people and who know that if it’s after 12, they should probably just order me a water:)

I’d love to hear what you guys think about this topic!

What does your perfect night out consist of?  Do your friends still like to do the same things as you do?

You Might Also Like

  • silvershadow157
    August 23, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I agree with you that it shouldn’t matter if you drink or not and people shouldn’t judge you either way when you go out. Personally I generally opt not to drink very often and I frequently feel judged by others who are drinking. I much prefer to just hang out and talk with people without feeling the need or pressure to drink.

  • Jen
    August 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    I can totally relate to this! As you enter college there is the whole “must drink to get drunk” phase but now that I’m 25 and completely past that wild and ridiculous stage I really just enjoy socializing and chatting with friends over wine, beer or cocktails. At this point in my life it is more about learning and enjoying different types of drinks (I mean for my boyfriend and I it’s kind of a fun hobby for us) as a way to bond with friends. In no way does that make me a drunkard — just makes me a mid-twenties and still fun 🙂

  • allieatfood
    August 23, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I’ve never been a huge drinker, but I love wine and mixed drinks. I did take some heat for this in college so I would often drink when I didn’t want to. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realize that I don’t care what others think so if I don’t feel like drinking I won’t. I’d rather enjoy a nice glass of wine then get really drunk anyway. It’s weird how it changes from just trying to get drunk to actually enjoying what you’re drinking! I think it is much better that way.

  • Amy
    August 23, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    I don’t think people should be judged if they don’t drink (or do drink). My boyfriend and I don’t drink at all and we’re in our mid-twenties. All of our friends though seem to go out and get completely hammered and we’re the only sober ones there making it no fun for us, so we’ve found that we just don’t go out with them anymore. I’m tired of being hassled when I order a soda or water when I go to the bar, I wish my friends understood so we could all hang out again.

    • Kaci Higgins
      September 1, 2010 at 6:24 am

      I’m the same exact way! I’m 22 and never had a drop of alcohol. My family has a history of alcohol and substance abuse so I made the decision years ago to never touch the stuff. It is because of this that I don’t “go out” or go to college parties. My boyfriend lives in a house full of dudes who want to play beer pong every night (even school nights with 8am classes the next day of course) so I never really stick around there at night. It’s just not fun and to be honest kind of sad because people sometimes change for the worse when drinking. Just keep true to who you are. 🙂

  • Maeve
    August 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    AMEN LAURA! I just graduated, and this summer have been going out with friends who still have their senior years of college left. The night is not considered a success unless they are drunk enough to black out, getting wasted is the goal. I have noticed a significant difference in how I approach a night out in bars compared to them. Like you, I love to have a drink or two, but unless it’s a really special occasion like a birthday or something, that is really enough for me. I’d rather wake up the next day feeling fresh, if tired. This has been kind of a sore subject lately with my friends…I’m kind of looking forward to when they go back to college and I can be an adult without feeling judged.

  • Kat
    August 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    Lady, I totally hear this. My perfect night involves a fun bar with my favorite people (girls and guys), a couple of glasses of wine and an interesting appetizer. Right now, half of my girlfriends are at that stage, and the others really aren’t. To enjoy spending times with the ones who aren’t, I either go out early to see them, or I schedule brunches/lunch/dinner instead.

  • Sydney
    September 13, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    I am experiencing this issue on 2 levels currently, one being 24 and never having been a big drinker but being even less interested in going out and getting drunk but people still commenting on my not drinking when we’re out. It’s a personal choice that is better for my body, my wallet, and for everyone I drive home haha. Although I definitely have a glass of wine or two when I enjoy a nice dinner out- I just usually go home afterwards! The worst commentor on this habit is my boyfriend’s younger brother who just graduated from college, hasn’t started his full time job, and definitely has that idea that the amount of what you drink speaks to the success of your evening. He is constantly lamenting on our “lameness” and I keep telling him to just wait and see if he can keep up his drinking/staying out late habits when he’s got to be at work at 8. it’s a frustrating issue to say the least. quality over quantity both in alcohol and company is always better! that was a long rant but I just know what you mean. love the blog by the way… spending time catching up.