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(Hitting the writing funk.)
Last week, while out enjoying a nice glass of Angry Orchard, I realized that people around here are overly competitive and obsessed with the numbers game. It doesn’t matter why we’re gathered. What matters, it seems, is whether or not I’ve out-competed you by having (done) more of something.
Tavern Interior – Adriaen van Ostade/artelista
The repetitive, gloating announcement of “I’ve already had four, and what number are you on?” made me realize how competition and numbers play a huge role in this social culture. It’s not just how many Buds your friend has consumed, but bars with TVs mounted to every corner have non-stop displays of numbers all around (scores, polls, statistics).
Why does it matter so much if you’ve out-drank (and out-drunken) everyone else in your “social” group? Do people really care how many drinks their friends of consumed? Is that consequential to a person’s self image? Self respect?
Where’s the “social” in this social culture? What’s the point of “going out” with friends if the only thing that matters is consuming as much as possible for as little money as possible? Why is it such a game to try and match, or out-drink the very people who you consider friends?
In the end, no one cares how many you’ve had to drink. When you’ve gone over your limit, and you’re too intoxicated to actually do anything or your body reacts to how much you’ve consumed, you just look horrible and you’ll be judged for that. Congratulations. You can drink five glasses of Miller. Do you have anything interesting to talk about?
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I'm an intern in Bethesda, Md.
When I'm not working, I'm writing, photographing, reading or enjoying some other equally leisurely activity.
All my opinions are my own, and do not reflect anyone else's views or endorsements. Guests posts are views of the guests, and are not a reflection of my own views.
