You do excellent social commentary.

Hm, I don’t see drinking or not as an issue of proving one’s adulthood, but more of how the drinking is handled. I can drink a decent amount to be in a happy, social buzz and remember everything…and yeah, I’d feel the effects but that’s why you drink responsibly, over or underage. I’ve been lucky to never experienced a hangover, and I’ll admit that I’ve been immature enough before to push that limit…just to see what it is.

A lot of people use drinking as an excuse for doing certain things, and repeatedly. I don’t think very highly of people who NEED alcohol to have a good time. I mean, I’ve done a girls’ night in with and without alcohol–both were equally entertaining and fun. People who argue that alochol is just part of socialing pre-21 and definitely post-21 don’t know the true meaning of socializing. Like you said about the social butterflies not really paying attention to the conversation…that’s all mingling to be seen, not really living up to the meaning of being social perse. To really socialize, you can’t be drunk…how do you expect to be coherent or connect to another person on a memorable level??

I think trends give people the illusion of confidence, so when people follow “what’s in” it boosts their confidence level. When a person can be different, do something uniquely them, or just be daring…people will admire it if it’s done with a surety of confidence. That aura of confidence in being your own individual is attractive. It stands out in a good way, a way to be admired.

Agree there’s a fine line between being childish and just plain juvenile…sometimes people take it overboard or worse, use it as a justification or excuse (just like with drinking). I think of child-like as being curious, daring to explore, and in wonderment for the world. And being goofy every once in awhile is just something we all need to do, with all the seriousness of other things in life.