They call it Mellow Yellow

[RocketMan]

Is it socially acceptable to drink alone in America?

Only if you're alone.

[MicroBalrog]

Only if you're alone.

You're joking, but in Russia it is generally believed only alcoholics and drunkards drink alone.

[Uncle Bubba]

You're joking, but in Russia it is generally believed only alcoholics and drunkards drink alone.

The modern day Prohibitionists like the current power-wielders in MADD are trying to make it the same here. I've heard/read the propaganda in that vein from them more than once in the past twenty years.

[Perd Hapley]

I thought drinking alone was sometimes regarded as a sign of depression or alcoholism?  'Course, there are other factors involved.  I don't think anyone would draw that conclusion just because you happen to be home alone, drinking a beer. 

[crt360]

I drink alone, not because of depression or alcoholism (or George Thorogood), but because I would have to drive somewhere to drink with others, then drive home.  The law here frowns heavily upon drinking and driving, so I avoid it by enjoying an occasional few beers at home, by myself.  I rarely drink when I go out.  As for Russians, don't they all drink, all the time?

[MicroBalrog]

I left Russia when I was six, but I have a lot of friends who drink and my father used to drink on a very.... constant basis until he crossed the 60 mark.

The idea behind Russian drinking is to buy a bottle (or N+1 bottles) of alcohol and food (sprats or cheese are popular) and split it up between friends (the customary number is three). The notion is that you can 'hang out' better once you're all slightly drunk. Of course, this being Russia, the definition of 'slightly' drunk can be malleable, and the next thing you know, you're trying to drive into a night club...

[Balog]

Sprats?

[White Horseradish]

Sprats?

Sprats!

[Angel Eyes]

You're joking, but in Russia it is generally believed only alcoholics and drunkards drink alone.

Pedantic question: what's the difference between an alcoholic and a drunkard?

[MicroBalrog]

Pedantic question: what's the difference between an alcoholic and a drunkard?

Alcoholism is a medical condition.  Being a drunkard is not. :)

[AZRedhawk44]

Fresh urine is actually sterile, assuming the animal is healthy.

I heard something about it being a brief fad in Japan for awhile... back in the 90's.

That quote was quite enlightening, MTP.  I daresay it was even... tactical.  I've been meaning to read more CS Lewis.  I've read God in the Docks as well as the whole Narnia series, maybe I'll give this "Pilgrim's Regress" a read next.

[Balog]

"The Screwtape Letters" are a perennial favorite of mine.

[red headed stranger]

I think this is a market that the US agricultural market could serve really well.  This couldhelp reduce the trade deficit. There are a lot of Indians. 

[Perd Hapley]

I heard something about it being a brief fad in Japan for awhile... back in the 90's. 

Ah, the Japanese.  Is there any fad they won't try?     Don't answer that.   :|

That quote was quite enlightening, MTP.  I daresay it was even... tactical.  I've been meaning to read more CS Lewis.  I've read God in the Docks as well as the whole Narnia series, maybe I'll give this "Pilgrim's Regress" a read next.

It helps if you've a passing familiarity with philosophy, especially that which was popular in Lewis's youth. 

But before you read that, read:  Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Abolition of Man, and the space trilogy.  And Til We Have Faces.  Oh forget it.  Just find some Lewis and read it.  The man was a powerhouse.   

[bmitchell]

You could read the Space Trilogy whilst drinking cow urine alone and eating sprats.
If you wanted.

Ben