pub sessions and alcohol abstinence

Romulo · Post by **Romulo** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:06 am

Maybe I'd better had this posted at the "poststructural pub", anyway I was just wondering how many people usually go to sessions and don't drink any alcohol. Usually there is this strong association between a session in a pub and alcohol and many justify its presence even with a certain "lyrism", being a constant in songs, jokes, poems, etc.

Actually I have never been to a session

and I worry I would be a boring company exactly because I don't drink and maybe wouldn't match in an environment where everybody else is drinking. Of course people can argue that alcohol can be a tool for communication and that's very true here in Japan. There is even a pun saying "nomunication" (contraction of the verb NOMU - to drink and communication), pointing the importance that they give to drinking and socializing. Because of that, sometimes I'm left apart and considered weird.

On the other hand, without wanting to offend fellow alcohol lovers, I find quite weird that some people depend on that for happiness, when (in a session) for me the main event and main source of fun would be the music itself, being the alcohol totally dispensable.

I'm tempted by the idea of travelling around, listening and getting experience in pubs, but I just wonder how weird it could get to be in a pub and order everything else but alcohol (or is that normal?) just to be able to be there to listen to the music.

Tom Dowling · Post by **Tom Dowling** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:12 pm

This is (or should be) a non-issue and it should not stand between you (or anyone else) and the music.

Please check your e-mail.

Thanks,

Tom D.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:23 pm

I go to sessions and often don't drink any alcohol at all.

I agree: this is a non-issue. No one will notice or care if you drink a soda -- or water, or even nothing at all -- instead of an alcoholic beverage.

Go to the session, ignore what other people are drinking, and have fun playing the music and interacting with the other musicians!

Best wishes,

--James

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:29 pm

Most likely thing people say when you don't drink is 'nod,nod wink wink say no more, how long are you dry now?'

edit to add :

That said, there is a definite drinking culture in Ireland and around Irish music with alcoholism rampant. I don't drink a drop and it's never a problem but you need to fend off the free pints sometimes and make it very clear you really don't want them. It's not a problem. Most pubs are quite happy to make you a cup of tea if it's not busy, loads of soft drink available otherwise.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:34 pm

The closest session here is in a coffee & sandwich shop. The coffe is free for those playing music.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:41 pm

I agree with not letting it be a real issue for yourself. Go, have fun, stick to your guns, and absorb the music.

I would probably have a Stout if we sessioned in a place that served it, as I really enjoy one now and again... no more than that though, as I know that I don't get better as I get 'tighter'... but 'luckily' we session in a Pizza joint

so soft drinks are the norm. (I don't consider most readily available alcoholic brew offered in the average place in our area to even be worthy of drinking

)

I used to participate in jam sessions that *always* included an abundance of imbibables, and very little was made about the fact that not everyone took advantage of it... it was the music that was most important... very few people 'need' "fiddler grease" to play, and most that have more than a bit actually get worse, not better, so it is not usually a big pressure thing.

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:48 pm

Not a problem when I was in the UK. I wouldn't assume that players are dependant on ETOH for their happiness. It's just a social thing, and I agree that there's no hard feelings if you don't want to drink.
Dave

a.mellifera · Post by **a.mellifera** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:04 pm

I've never had a problem not ordering alcohol in a pub or bar. When I've been the designated driver I've even been offered free soft drinks. The fact that you don't drink shouldn't dissuade you from attending a session.

greg · Post by **greg** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 5:15 am

while i eNjoooy mi drink m-ore) than most after one drink i cant play a darn thing if i were up to playing a session i certainly wouldnt drink untill it was over

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 5:44 am

anniemcu wrote:(I don't consider most readily available alcoholic brew offered in the average place in our area to even be worthy of drinking )

.

Yeah-- it's association with Clydsdales is very apt.

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:20 am

Don't drink, and don't be ashamed of not doing so. The music, and participating in it, should be intoxicating enough.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:01 am

I am underage, so I never drink, but there's several people at our session who I've never seen drink a bit of alcohol.

Crysania · Post by **Crysania** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:12 am

I go to sessions all the time and don't drink. In fact, in my 30 years of life I've never touched alchohol -- just a personal decision.

I've always felt welcome at sessions and never felt like anyone thought I was boring because I didn't drink (except one jerk, but he doesn't count for much). I regularly attend a small, closed session and of the 6 regular members, 2 never drink and 1 very rarely has anything except diet soda. No one has ever said anything bad to us about our lack of alcoholic consumption.

~Crysania

Screeeech!!! · Post by **Screeeech!!!** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:58 am

I would have thought there would be a lot of people driving to sessions, and i would hope they don't drink either.

Azalin · Post by **Azalin** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:45 pm

The only "problem" with not drinking is that it seems buying rounds is a cultural thing in Ireland. I know someone who accepted a pint the first round, mostly to be polite, but stopped drinking after that. It didnt sit well with a few fellows. So, as Peter is saying, you need to fend off the rounds agressively, some people can't even conceive the idea that you might not be drinking, it's as if you were telling them you were not breathing. Also we need to keep in mind that there's often a social aspect to music. If you just sit down with some folks you don't know, don't say much, don't drink and only play tunes, it might be seen as a lack of motivation to integrate. But if you talk to them and try to know them, etc, it won't matter if you're drinking water or Pepsi

My own "problem" is that I don't really like beer much but like "girly drinks" like Bailey's Coffee, hot Port, rhum & coke, etc, so lot of people are making fun of me, but I often resist social pressure and keep on drinking girly drinks!