Poll: Drinking alone at public drinking establishments

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Orca, Apr 15, 2024.

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How often do you drink alone at public drinking establishments?

  1. 0%–20%

    113 vote(s)
    41.2%

  2. 20%–40%

    52 vote(s)
    19.0%

  3. 40%–60%

    34 vote(s)
    12.4%

  4. 60%–80%

    41 vote(s)
    15.0%

  5. 80%–100%

    34 vote(s)
    12.4%
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  1. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the response. The quote above exemplifies what it is that I'm curious about. Why, specifically, do you feel "weird/awkward" in that situation? It's not because George Thorgood wrote a song. Do you fear that people will think you have an addiction to alcohol? Do you fear that they will think you have some kind of problem creating/maintaining friends and/or romantic relationships? Is it both? Is it something else? Again, I get the narratives that are out there, but I want to know what the specific fears are that folks have. Also, having such fears is totally normal, we're pack animals, so no judgment here, I'm genuinely curious.
     
    #101 Providence, Apr 26, 2024
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  2. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    No worries at all, happy to try to answer this for you—if I’m weird I’m weird and I’m fine with that.

    It’s definitely more the social aspect than any misconceptions about alcoholism. And it’s not a fear, just a kind of weird feeling. I guess when I go out it’s usually a social occasion of some kind. I can eat and drink at home whenever I want, and usually do—alone or with a group (in my case, usually my family). So going out seems like the kind of activity that’s only worth the effort if you’re also sharing the experience with someone close to you.

    Maybe the best way to describe it is the “phantom limb” phenomenon I’ve heard about that amputees experience—because going out is usually a social experience, and because I’m usually around people at home, doing the same thing without people to engage with socially just feels like something is missing. And then I’m just sitting there by myself, and unless I brought a book to read I quickly run out of anything to do but just sit there and stare at my beer. And that’s where the awkwardness seems to set in. I’m not really aware of any feeling that other people might be noticing that I’m alone, this is all just internal. But if I’m out and I see lots of other people also out, and they all seem to be with their friends/family, it just feels kind of odd to be by myself in that environment. It’s kind of a subtle self-consciousness but beyond that it’s hard to describe. And again, I’m just not the type of person who will be inclined to strike up a conversation with another person unless some unique situation presents itself that leads me to do that.
     
    #102 Orca, Apr 26, 2024
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  3. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    This makes a lot of sense to me.
     
    #103 Providence, Apr 26, 2024
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  4. not2quick

    not2quick Grand Pooh-Bah (3,600) Dec 1, 2015 Missouri
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have zero problems grabbing a beer or dinner by myself at a restaurant or bar. Actually, I enjoy being by myself at times.
     
    #104 not2quick, Apr 26, 2024
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  5. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think you're misunderstanding the character in that song, he seems to be comfortable drinking alone:

     
    #105 BBThunderbolt, Apr 26, 2024
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  6. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I mean, if having your family give up on you, which makes you feel oh so bad, makes you feel comfortable, then I guess more power to you? Seems like the reason he drinks alone is because he is unloved and has been rejected by those closest to him.

    To-may-to, to-mah-to
     
    #106 Orca, Apr 26, 2024
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  7. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    He had to rhyme the name of Old Granddad whiskey somehow. I think you're making too much out of a silly little song.
     
    #107 BBThunderbolt, Apr 26, 2024
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  8. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think poor old George is in denial about the degree to which he craves human companionship, and rather than facing the emptiness in his soul he hides inside of a liquor bottle. Either interpretation is valid. :grin:
     
    #108 Orca, Apr 26, 2024
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  9. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I always figured the song was more than a bit tongue in cheek... for all that it's my very favorite George T. song.
     
    #109 John_M, Apr 26, 2024
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  10. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,419) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Rarely, if ever. As with many of the respondents, I drink alone at meals when traveling. If a local wishes to talk to me, that's OK. But in general, I'm a George Thorogood fan.
     
    #110 Ozzylizard, Apr 27, 2024
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  11. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Fixed it for you :wink:
     
    #111 Resistance88, Apr 27, 2024
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  12. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I'm still that guy reading a book in the corner, or at the bar, or wherever. Then I usually run into somebody I know at said bar or brewery, and just like that I'm not drinking alone anymore :slight_smile:
     
    #112 champ103, Apr 27, 2024
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  13. TwilightBeerCareer

    TwilightBeerCareer Pooh-Bah (2,260) Feb 13, 2021 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Thanks! :crazy_face:
     
    #113 TwilightBeerCareer, Apr 27, 2024
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  14. LXIXME

    LXIXME Grand Pooh-Bah (4,966) Oct 3, 2007 New Mexico
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I intentionally go to brewpubs and microbreweries alone, because I have found that I like beer more than humans.
     
    #114 LXIXME, May 1, 2024
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  15. TrojanRB

    TrojanRB Grand Pooh-Bah (3,779) Jul 27, 2013 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I travel about 50% for work. I’m perfectly happy to drink in the airport lounge or on the airplane alone, it’s my happy place. Time to myself.

    Sometimes I have business dinners, but otherwise If I’m at a new destination, I’ll usually seek out a brewery or famous restaurant, and enjoy it alone. I don’t mind a little conversation with the locals in those settings.

    If I’m at a repetitive destination, I usually just want to enjoy a gin & tonic at the hotel bar in peace and quiet. It irritates me the F out of me when other road warriors try and start meaningless conversation in a hotel bar though. I’m trying my best to keep to myself, watch the game on tv, or scroll on my phone.
     
    #115 TrojanRB, May 2, 2024
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  16. AzfromOz

    AzfromOz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,225) Aug 22, 2020 Australia
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I tend to drink alone because I'm the only guy I know who cracks me up, has the answers to all my questions, and is a good-looking rooster to boot.

    But seriously, I'm an introverted extrovert (or is it extroverted introvert?), so while I'm happy with a big group, I often feel compelled to be the version of me that everyone else wants to see - the wisecracking, fun guy - when I'd much rather be home reading a book and contemplating a beer for an hour or so. Drinking alone lets me be me; lets me nerd out on my beer, read my book, or plan my next murder, and I'm cool with that. Whoops, did I use my outside voice then?

    If I am out having a beer, I try very hard not to use my phone, so I will always have a book at the bar with me. If someone wants to chat, the book goes away, but I'm unlikely to be the guy starting the conversation. Again, I'm cool with that.

    I will say one other thing - I hate nothing more than going for a beer with work colleagues, and then all they want to do is talk about work. I don't want to talk about work when I'm at work, so why the hell would I want to talk about it while I'm trying to have a beer?

    Cheers!
     
    #116 AzfromOz, May 3, 2024
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  17. Nighthawk302

    Nighthawk302 Initiate (119) Sep 12, 2023 Delaware

    This guy gets it
     
    #117 Nighthawk302, May 3, 2024
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  18. Treyliff

    Treyliff Grand Pooh-Bah (5,025) Aug 10, 2010 West Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I travelled and worked primarily alone for 14 years with my job. I would often stop at a brewery for dinner by myself on the way home. However since I've left that job, I rarely drink alone.
     
    #118 Treyliff, May 3, 2024
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