DRINKING

I came home quite late today. Some of my officemates invited me out to have a round of beer. I have not been going out with them lately, due largely to my nagging concern for the occasional rise in my blood pressure. You see, I have been trying to initiate some gradual changes in my lifestyle, which include a resolve to lessen consumption, if not totally abstain from drinking any alcoholic beverages. But this time, I just could not decline the request of my colleagues. After all, I felt it would not do me great harm if I do take a bottle or two of San Mig Light. So, we hied off to our favorite hang-out, a place we fondly refer to as kambingan, which is located a few meters away from our office. Keeping true to my resolution, I merely consumed two bottles over a span of one hour. After paying my share, I bade adieu to my officemates, who were still in the thick of things, so to speak.

Among men as opposed to women, drinking appears to be a constant element. When male barkadas do go out, one would invariably expect the toasting of glasses or swigging of beer bottles. It is certainly the case that a boys' night out would not be complete should there be no liquor drinking on the side.

I do not know but there appears to be something ritualistic about the whole thing. Perhaps, it is a throwback to the olden times when mensfolk, tired after a hard day's labor in the field, would gather around a bonfire exchanging pleasantries with locally available alcoholic drinks such as tuba and basi providing the necessary stimulus for heartier and livelier discussion.

I have asked some friends about what they thought as to the reason why men do not seem to relish going out with buddies when there is no alcoholic product to partake and share. I have gotten mixed reactions, ranging from the sexist answer that beer or any alcoholic beverage for that matter is a supposedly a true mark of machismo to the rather fatalist retort that men are natural-born drinkers. One answer though that has pricked my attention is the idea that it is rather easy for women to talk about things when they are in group, whereas, men appear to be more reticent and less talkative, even in the company of close associates. It is believed that the alcohol spirit helps loosen up the tongue and enables men to achieve a more free-wheeling interaction.

But whatever it is, it is conceded that consumption of alcoholic drinks does enliven a group. It is important to note though that like anything in this world, alcohol beverages must be taken in moderation. Unless one is trying to desperately forget about something distressing, a trip to a resto bar should be done occasionally.

Care for drinks anyone?...