Down to Drinking

Australia has this current problem of 'binge drinking' so they say.. Well I can imagine if you are getting so hammered you vomit two days a week this could be a problem. But what about the rest of us? What is the new etiquette on drinking publicly, privately and alone?

Out and about

How much you are able to drink without looking like a total moron has a lot to do with your metabolism, height, weight and tolerance to alcohol. Limit yourself and check how you're acting in front of people. Are you sobbing to your best-friends boyfriend about being dumped? Or, are you dancing with your girlfriends and having a good time? When I go out for a bit of a drink and dance session I like to throw back a few Jager bombs I must admit. But you must allow yourself a good amount of time between each shot (no matter what it is) for the alcohol to take effect on your body. In between, sip things like Vodka and Cranberry or Orange, keep the vitamins up, and there's no harm in having a glass of water every now and then. I like to dash around to the nearest 7/11 or Quick-e-Mart and grab some poweraide to make sure I don't have a horrible hang-over and it also helps to walk off some of the alcohol. When I know the bar is going to shut soon I stop drinking and dance some of the alcohol off so that I don't end up being shoved out of the doors, missing heels and handbags and shouting profanities at bouncers. Smoking also has an affect on you when you drink (if you're a social smoker) and if you are partial to a puff during the night, try not to do so when feeling a bit wobbly or nauseous as it will just make you want to throw up. Don't make the aim of the night to be drunker than everyone else, make it your goal to have a load of fun and meet some awesome new people. Alcohol is best used as a social lubricant so they say. Not as a remedy to remove your logic and manners. Always remember to calculate money for the cab ride home and don't spend it on drinks whatever you do. If you and your girlfriends all live on opposite sides of the city, calculate the cost before going out and see if it'd be cheaper to get a hotel room for the night. That's more fun anyway!

Private Parties

These can be a bit tricky. Is it BYO or is there an open bar? If its BYO always bring enough to share around and be sure to bring a large amount of mixers if what you are bringing is straight. Always always offer the host something to drink! Limit yourself to what you know you can handle and for gods sake don't throw up on anything. If you do, offer to pay for all cleaning costs and leave immediately. If it does happen to be open bar, score! But that's even more reason to limit your drinking, the host has obviously put in a lot of money and effort to entertain their guests and you shouldn't go ruining it by drinking a whole bottle of Bacardi and making out with the bartender. Even if he is gorgeous. (Just slip him your number at the end of the night) Remember not to sit at the bar scarfing down drink after drink, take one and walk around! Mingle! It might be a work function and you could always use that SOBER chat with the CEO to get ahead. If it is a work thing, remember to drink but try to stay as sober as you can while still having fun. You don't really need the rumors floating around the office about being caught with your knickers down in the copy room with Terry from accounts.

Drinking with the girls at home

This one is a lot easier to do than the rest, but there is always one girl somewhere who has a bit too much red and blurts out that she has slept with her friend's hubby-to-be or father. Do not be this girl. You don't need more than one bottle. If that! Remember you are there to gossip, bitch about how all men are essentially bastards and console anyone who may have been dumped. Not to drown your sorrows and spill red wine on your carpet and assault your pets. Keep the mood happy with some fun music, always always have food to nibble on and if you are a guest to such an event, bring a nice bottle of wine. Not that $6 cleanskin rubbish either. Spend at least $20 or more.

Drinking at dinner parties when you're bringing a man

What I have learnt is that when you are invited to such parties to always bring more than one bottle of wine. Couples shouldn't be able to get of the hook and be cheap by showing up with a single bottle. Single bottles are for single people. How would you like it if a singleton showed up at your dinner party with one of those little bottles of wine you get at work functions and fashion events? Always bring two bottles of NICE wine. When the wine starts flowing, remember to keep the conversation flowing too. You and your 'man-friend' should definitely not hold hands and rub noses at the table. Not only is it rude, but it rubs it in the singletons faces. Keep conversation with other people at the table and be sociable and make eye contact with other people. When you do drink, do not guzzle your wine like a trucker, sip like a lady. Getting drunk during dinner is unacceptable. So is getting drunk, disappearing and being found 3 hours later having sex in the hostess' bed. If you must get handsy, save it for the end of the night when everyone is everyone else is a little drunk and getting ready to leave. For gods sake no eating each other in front of other guests. Offering to do the washing up is a good way to get away from the others for some alone time if you two desperately need it. But remember you *will* have to do some washing up in the end.

Drinking with your housemate

This is a fun activity you can do to bond with your house/flat/room mate. Pace yourself and try and keep to a happy conversation. You don't want to be holding each others hair out of the toilet at 10pm. If your housemate has recently had problems and needs to vent, remember to let them do so and watch how much they're drinking. Always be on their side. Otherwise they are likely to blame it all on themselves, drink way too much and ruin your lounge and carpet. This etiquette should also be used for pre-going-out drinks.

Drinking alone

This is a perfectly acceptable thing to do, as long as you don't scull a bottle of gin the second you walk in the front door. A glass of wine, bubbly or brandy is always a nice way to end a stressful work day. Don't sit there glaring at the TV and necking from the bottle though. Run a nice hot bath, put on some Enya or something, light some scented candles and read while you drink.

My Hangover remedies
My remedies include sleep, water, more sleep, tea, poweraide, berocca (you have one BEFORE you pass out), running and again, more sleep. Hangovers are never fun. I remember when I was a bit younger I had awful hangovers that had me on the floor screaming for the room to slow down. When you feel like that, eat something. Like dry biscuits and tea or toast with jam. Have a coffee. And drink lots and lots of water. Having a nice long shower or bath can also help you to feel better. If your budget allows, go and get some reflexology or a massage.


Remember girls, drinking is super fun, but please try to keep it fun for everyone. Don't drunk-n-dial ex boyfriends (why do you still have his number anyway?), don't have sex with strangers in public, don't vomit on people and don't start fights or go through peoples possessions. Be classy.

When you are single, you tend to go out a bit more, this really plays havoc with your body, try to have at least one weekend at home every two months, eat healthy and exercise as drinking can give you bad breath, spotty skin and ruin your metabolism.

Stay classy ladies! (And always bring back up stockings!)

xo-xo