Generally speaking
-Warning, long message- The only species which I know which actually enjoys alcohol induces unconsciousness are the Anglo-Saxons. Other tribes (the Germanic, the Romans, the French) enjoy their occasional drink but never to the point where awkward photos from your college days could ruin your chance as the future president/prime minister. For years I believed that the American tendency to get “shit faced” come university time was mainly due to the fact that as youths 1. They were having a much harder time to get alcohol (compared to their European peers) – the “forbidden fruit” argument 2. Their parents did not educate them properly regarding alcohol consumption. That is to say that an occasional drink with your parents as a youth disarms the “forbidden fruit” value that alcohol does. If you are allowed to drink with your parents (as most European youths are in my experience), then drinking with your friends does not seem as “courageous” anymore. This theory seems to hold for mainland Europe, as rarely have I seen Germans or Dutch or French drink themselves silly to the point of oblivion. However, upon encountering British drinking culture, I had to rethink my theory. Why do British kids, which can access alcohol relatively easily when young (simple open dad’s whiskey cabinet in most cases), continue drinking excessively upon reaching legal drinking age? Further thinking (and drunken conversations with Brits) led me to a few insights 1. People in the north always drink more because it’s colder and darker. Winter depression is quite a booster for alcohol sales. 2. British people are not known for their social skills. Alcohol provides the perfect social lubricant to overcome their mental barriers. However, while explaining the British obsessions with binge drinking, it no longer explains the American way of life at university. I am pretty sure it’s nice and warm around California, Texas, Florida and other major American University states, so why drink? It seems to be a combination of various factors. “Forbidden fruit” implications and Anglo-Saxons upbringing could be some of the reasons for the US, while winter depression and sheer stupidity seem to fit the British case. The British case and its causes also works pretty well when applied to other Northern European countries with similar problems (Norway, Finland and the sorts, that is to say, Nordic people that around a 1000 years ago invaded the British Island). So what does this all mean? That Anglo-Saxons love their booze more than many other people Is it to do with their Viking blood? Possibly. Is it to do with their undersized reproductive organs? Most likely. Should we point at them and laugh while they drink the few brain cells they have away? Yes yes yes!
