As my spring semester comes to a close, and the weather grows warmer, I find that more and more students are partying. Whether they go out to a bar or throw it in their own room, it is an increasing activity as the temperature grows warmer. Parties have many elements to them, but one of their main attractions is alcohol. In fact, many people don’t even throw or go to a large party, they just drink in their dorm room or apartment. Regardless, I usually don’t care since that’s the choice of the students around me. If people want to go out to a tavern or club to drink, or just do it in their suite, that’s fine by me. The only annoyance I ever draw from it is when people are loud and rack up damages in my building. Besides that, I probably won’t look down on those who casually drink.

I just wish some of the people who do would have the same respect for those like me.

I have no real interest in alcohol. Some of my friends discuss their plans to drink or to go to a bar as soon as they turn 21 and they offer to bring me out for mine. When I tell them, or any people, that I don’t want to try alcohol, most of them are completely cool with it; but there’s still some who will say, “You’ll change your mind,” and they’ll keep asking, “Why not?” even when I supply reasons. Usually, I’ll say I have no genuine interest in it, and this tends to elicit even more pressing questions or attempts to convince me to try it.

I think that those who have no interest in consuming alcohol during their lifetime are completely acceptable college students, and more importantly, humans. There are some who only want to drink a small amount or just have one on a celebratory occasion, and this is something that gets chastised. In a college setting, there are a lot of pressures to go out with friends and have some beer that are presented before and after the age of 21. Many of the people that back off from it and say no get made fun of and are pressured to try it. This is a problem that is often overlooked.

I’ve been one to always stand my ground while still respecting others’ opinions. Many times nondrinkers don’t care that their friends go out sometimes for beer, wine, or anything in between. Our main concern is safety. We want our friends to be safe, and in a way, staying sober and being around them acts as protection. Whether we volunteer to drive or make sure that no one drinks too much and needs to go to the hospital, we look out for people.

Then, of course, there are some that don’t want to be associated with it at all, and that opinion also needs to be respected. I can be around older friends or family that are drinking and not be effected in the slightest, but there are some who feel completely uncomfortable with it, and that’s okay.

What it all really comes down to is the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. So to the drinkers over 21, keep drinking. All I ask is to be safe. To nondrinkers of all ages, stick to your own views and know that you’re not alone. There’s plenty of people on both sides of the coin.