The case for boycotting alcohol

I've not posted on my potential boycotts for simply ages. Some people may think this is so I can go on swilling coke after coke whilst munching on a never ending stream of Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets. These are the kind of people at whom I shake my head with a world weary resignation. I pity you, I really do.

But now it's the time to make my most controversial suggestion. Perhaps I should become tea total. Entirely. Not allowing another single drop of alcohol to pass my thirsty lips, no matter how hot and tired.

I could argue a case against alcohol that included the social harm it can do. Violent crimes and belligerent behaviour - when taking place outside of boardrooms and cabinet offices - are often linked directly to the consumption of alcohol for example. Except of course *my* alcohol example has never been linked to any such thing. I far prefer to fight sober.

I could mention the physical damage alcohol does to its consumer, which is far greater than that done by those drugs deemed too dangerous to be stocked on supermarket shelves. But that road, alas, leads to the abolition of greasy spoons, late night Double Deckers and/or simple indolence, and this would never do. I shall not be boycotting any of these!

I think the reasons why I'm willing to put it to the public vote that I simply stop drinking alcohol are three fold;

i) I don't need it

As an experiment the other night I went to a party in the full knowledge I was not going to allow any intoxicants to enter my system. I had a better time than I would have had if I'd been drinking, I stayed up later and danced much more.

Whilst others were smashing themselves on the head with mugs (why?) or pouring champagne (of all things) all over the floor in a reckless disregard for all and sundry I was simply having a good time.

This is not a one off.

ii) It's too expensive

For the poverty stricken getting wasted is a big deal. By opting out of the alcohol system and sticking to water, coke and coffee I have both a cheaper evening and a far more civilised one. All well and good.

iii) All my stupidities will be my fault

There will not be a single occasion when I can blame the booze. If I feel like dancing like a mad man it's because i want to - not because I'm pissed. If I want to get in a fist fight or proclaim undying love it's because it's my option to behave like a prat not because I was forced into it.

It's also possible these occasions may occur less frequently which may also be advantageous.

So that's my proposal - that when (eventually) I come to end of my list of things to boycott and it's put to the public vote it's quite possible it will put paid to my drinking days. Cheers.