I’ve never been much of a drinker as
my body never allowed me to do this (Asian genes) but I did occasionally go out
and drink with my friends. The main reason why I never really drank was because
I would get the “Asian Glow” and just felt embarrassed of how I looked. I would
look really drunk with my red face even when I wasn’t. I also never felt that
good when drinking and always became super uncomfortably warm. Unfortunately,
about 50% of Asians
suffer from the “Asian Glow” when drinking. Because of this glow, I often reverted to just drinking in
dim lit places like pubs and clubs. Clubs were more fun to drink at as I got to
let loose and dance the night away. Actually, I think that’s why I often felt pressured to drink at
clubs …it was just really hard to dance sober around a bunch of drunks.
Last
year, I just decided to quit drinking for good for health reasons and realized
that my body clearly rejects this substance.
After
not having any alcohol for about a year, I had some with a couple friends a
couple of weeks ago and boy did it hit me right away! Due to those Asian genes,
my glow quickened to my face and my body too! My stomach felt itchy and my body
broke into a huge skin rash. I truly have an allergic reaction to drinking and
created an infographic to show the difference between those who experience the
“Asian Glow” and those who do not. This allergic reaction reminded me that drinking
just isn’t for me. The pros did not outweigh the cons I experienced when
drinking.
From my experience, I’m going to tell you some things that
happen when you tell people you don’t drink anymore and the effects of not
drinking.
1) People will think something is wrong
with you and think you are weird, lame or boring. You may also start to feel
this way due to what social norms are (Drinking is associated with partying
which is associated with fun). So many of our social gatherings are centered on
drinking and/or food. These are people who don’t really know you and you
shouldn’t care what they think anyways. This took me awhile to learn, but now I
don’t care what people think anymore.
2) People will express frustration and
try to get you to drink again by encouraging you to have “just one drink”.
Being sober can make other people feel uncomfortable and make them hard to
relate to you.
3) People may stop inviting you to social
gatherings and friendships may grow fewer but deeper (depending on the type of
crowds you hung out with before).
4) You don’t feel like binge eating or
ill at night or crap the next morning. You’ll feel lighter, refreshed and more
productive the next day without that hangover and extra calories.
5) You’ll save some of that extra money
usually spent on drinks for other things.
6) You’ll realize that there are so many
other things and activities to do with friends other than going out for drinks.
