2008 Woodie Awards
A drink deferred
Mixing college with values, life goes on without alcohol
Caitlin Varley
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: OpEd Page
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I know that I used to spend far too much time watching TV. The writers' strike forced me to realize that I could happily make it through a week without watching the drama of Meredith and McDreamy or the crazy lives of the teenagers of the Upper East Side of New York City.
I know that Meredith Viera was better on The View and Katie Couric was better on The Today Show and Rosie O'Donnell just should never have been on TV.
I know that rush can be the most stressful two weeks of a Miami University girl's life, but being a part of a great group of girls that you can call your sisters makes it worthwhile.
I know that girls tend to focus more on finding a boyfriend than making new friends, but since it is the quality-not the quantity-of friends that matter, this may be alright.
And I know that being a college student who doesn't drink-and never has-is considered weird, or at the very least, abnormal.
Yet, not drinking is one of the things that defines who I am-emphasis on the word "one"-so I guess it is also something that I know. The first thing I want to point out about this perspective is that I am not judging people who drink. Most of my friends drink and I still go out on weekends and have fun … I just do it without the assistance, or hindrance in some cases, of alcohol.
When people find out I don't drink, their reaction usually depends on how much alcohol they've consumed at that point. Sober people usually just ask why, but as you increase the alcohol level the question gets more incredulous. Sometimes people just look at me like I have two heads and, on rare occasions, really drunk people decide that they should be the one that forces me to change my mind. There is a certain point of intoxication where I get that, "Wow, that's so cool; I wish I could be like you" response, even though the person obviously isn't really thinking that. Because the truth is, anyone can not drink. There is no special thing about me that makes it easier. It is just a choice I made early on that I haven't given up.
I honestly don't have one great reason why I don't drink, and I usually avoid answering the question if the person I'm talking to is even slightly drunk. There are a lot of factors that play a part of my decision, and if someone has had too much to drink, the conversation gets complicated and they get bored.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Les Houser
posted 4/11/08 @ 8:28 AM EST
After reading countless "Police Beat" columns, it's certainly refreshing to read the perspective of a Miami student who doesn't drink. Your exceptance by your peers on this decision should prove how important "true" freindship is. (Continued…)
Sarah
posted 4/11/08 @ 9:33 AM EST
Kudos to you for sticking to your guns, and to your parents for instilling those values of moderation in you. I find that one of the problems with Miami's "drinking culture" is that students' parents are already complicit in (or ENCOURAGING) their underage drinking even before the students start here. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 4/11/08 @ 2:39 PM EST
Hats off to you Caitlin! As I'm sure you've realized, there are actually a lot of non-drinkers at Miami. And many of them still have plenty of fun uptown at dance clubs, bars, and so forth. (Continued…)
Fasting
posted 4/12/08 @ 7:33 AM EST
You are a great and extraordinary person. If you lived in the South, back in the day, and were against slavery then you would be a weird or strange person. (Continued…)
Response to Les Houser
posted 4/14/08 @ 4:56 PM EST
"Les Houser
posted 4/11/08 @ 8:28 AM EST
After reading countless "Police Beat" columns, it's certainly refreshing to read the perspective of a Miami student who doesn't drink. (Continued…)
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