Social Drinker?

So what is considered a social drinker in eastern Europe? Seems pretty broad a term, but is kinda important to me as i am a non drinker... and while some light drinking doesn't bother me, i see "social drinkers" who are absolutely smashed on a regular basis in my cab....

Good question...

The only thing I know for a fact is.. if you drink "alone".. you are considered an alcoholic.

I had a girl tell me once, she "didn't drink".. Later, she said she enjoyed beer.

So maybe there is a distinction between, Hard, such as Vodka.. or soft, such as beer/wine.

Anyone know the answer to this?

First of all if a person has a drink alone that does not constitute alcoholism. I would believe the term social drinking refers to a person who drinks when in a social setting. It is misleading as some drink in a social setting and get smashed on a constant bases. I believe what these check blocks really mean if you drink but not heavy you are a social drinker if heavy then mark heavy. I for one have a hard time marking this block because I can go months with out a drink or go camping a tie one on. I can say however I have not been falling down drunk since I was a young man in the military in Germany (love those beer fest) Drinking responsibly is far different than drinking just to drink or out of habit. If one drinks and can not recall what they did while drinking or one regrets what they did while drinking then you need to evaluate whether it’s worth a cocktail or not. When I lived in Germany I saw more public drunkenness then I have ever witnessed I hear it can be far worse In Russia but since never traveled there not sure.

I have read that russian drink a lot, for every ocassion, for celebrating or relaxing, even for doing businesses. And some russian that I have asked them if it is true have confirmed me this, but a russian girl I met personally told me that there are men who drink a lot like in all the countries but not all of them, she wanted to mean that is like a general myth, but I noted that she was like in a deffensive posture about her country.

When I travel this year to Russia maybe I will have a more accurate perspective about this.

Social drunker in my country means somebody who can drink in a party for example without getting drunk, keeping the control of ifself. I think is the same in Russia.

I have herd stories as well about the drinking problems in russia, mainly about the men, untill I gto to russia in person I can only speculate, maybe they are sociable drinkers too, who knows. V-Man I lean toward your description of a social drinker, one who controls itself but doesn't drink daily.

It sounds like a perfect avenue of discussion with whom ever you might be interested in.
There are many different aspects to social drinking, that you can never tell unless you ask.
If you abstain for drinking and have negative thoughts towards alcohol,
you could just focus strictly on the non drinkers on site.
Personally, I am sure there are many nice women here, who might enjoy a glass of fine wine every once and a while.
I wouldn't want to rule them out too soon.
just my 2 cents..

well yeah, a true social drinker does not bother me....but im sure others would agree, having to deal with someone who gets smashed, socially at that, is what i worry about.

i just see it as being easy for someone to generalize social drinking as going out and getting drunk, if its normal to them...

I suppose ill just have to ask when the time comes.

Of course, I joke with this stereotype but...
Isn't a Russian without some vodka- kinda like a vampire without blood?
LoL!

lol

I have spent time around a few Russian families that had just come here to the states. All the ones I had the pleasure of being around did drink. But handle it better then most of the people I know. It is a social event for them and a time to share with friends. Again amongst those I have known.....

that is good to hear

Mike...

I have been told that directly by more than one person..

The concept is: "people who drink alone, must be an alcoholic"

When asked if i drink, I replied "sometimes with friends or meal... I never just sit and drink alone.."

Here is her quoted reply for you: "I also drink wine and beer, dear. But drinking just for drinking or drinking alone is called alcoholism, I think."

This lady is not the first to mention that to me. This is a concept they have....

ALSO, another drinking concept they have: Once the bottle is open, it should be finished.

Another Quote: "For example here, it is a bad tone to drink alone, or to pour the drink to your own glass. And also one must immediately take the empty bottle away from the table, and put it on the floor… it is a bad sign to leave the empty bottle on the table!"

James

let me set one thing straight... and this i know from experience, drinking alone does not necessarily constitute alcoholism, and no one other than themselves can decide who is an alcoholic

Let ME set this strait....

I am NOT saying you ARE an alcoholic.. I am saying they "CONSIDER" drinking alone as a "SIGN" of alcoholism and frown upon it..

If you tell a girl... "I like to drink when I sit around the house alone".. they will say to themselves.. "Hmmm... He must be an alcoholic"

It doesn't matter how YOU feel or believe about alcoholism, I am showing you "written quote" examples of what THEY think... and this is only one!!

This is their "Concept".. it may or may not have any relationship at all with facts..

I think I know where this comes from.. but I am not sure. In Russia, when a bottle is opened, it is normally shared by 3 people and finished.. A common question is "will you be the third" meaning of course, help us drink this bottle.

So I "think" the belief comes from a person who drinks alone "MUST" finish the bottle alone. Therefor, the only person who would finish a bottle alone is an alcoholic.

There are many rituals around drinking.. including how you may address a Russian in speach... if you want to use the familiar "ty" form of Russian instead of the "vy" form for instance.. traditionally, you must perform a ceremony with the person called "bruderschaft".

Though not widely required anymore, "Bruderschaft".. a drinking ceremony performed while locking arms, is considered serious business and indicates mutual support and defense.

The whole point of this forum is to learn and share ideas and information about the Russian women we are hoping to meet. If you are serious about a Russian woman. I think it wise to learn about and try to understand THEIR beliefs and customs BEFORE trying to impose our own.

Your question was a good one, It prompted me to examine the information I had and to begin online research into Russian drinking. I think this is a good idea for everyone.

Yes I think drinking alone is a sign of alcoholism, especially if it happens daily, and for a long period of time. Most people who do this would deny being a alcoholic, Of coarse the person doing this would know better than anyone, but what is obvious usually tells the story.