Attitudes toward Alcoholism in the DR

[El Rey de Mangu]

Originally Posted by pedrochemical

Whatever happened to binge drinking?
I still practice the art occasionally.
Getting rip-roaring drunk is a fine thing to do now and again.

Whilst living in Italy I drank like the Italians - Sambuca with my espresso in the morning, glass of wine for lunch, evening meal would involve an aperativo, wine with the meal, a digestivo, and a few beers afterward. Oh, and the odd Grappa. And doing this I never got sloshed in those days.
The key may be to blend the two styles of drinking.

I realised at one point that the only people I knew who never drank were alcoholics.

And therein lay the bottom line in all of this. It's not the Dominicans. Old rummies, alcoholics, drunk drivers, street drunks, etc. are pervasive on a global level. I tend to see the Dominicans managing consumption in a moderately successful fashion.

Although this may be an oxymoron, due to the fact that alcohol's primary effect on the brain is to impair reason and judgment. THAT SAID, now it's just the difference of some drunk freshman linebacker throwing fists or a 21-year-old Dominican man with an unregistered 9mm. Oh, let's not forget the American soccer moms who get high, drunk and then go pick the kids and friends' kids up from practice in their Middle-America mini vans.

[dulce]

I like the culture surrounding drinking in the DR. People know how to have a good time. Drinking is a part of just about every social outing. BUT... I never saw unruly angry drunks looking for a fight like they do in the US. As much as Dominicans drink it was explained to me that you are expected to not appear drunk off your a**. The motive for drinking is to have fun, sing, dance, laugh and ummm other fun stuff. I drank much more while living there (daily) and certainly did not feel like an alcoholic.

[bienamor]

Its all good until a long holiday, then with the drinking and driving I would rather stay at home. Refuse to leave the Capital during Samana Santa.