The art of drinking. Really?
Enjoy, drink responsibly
From drinking games, drinking pre-parties and binge drinking to serious alcoholism, we all heard of it. This behaviour goes way back in time and seems very persistent in cultures. “It looks as if people were always getting drunk and suffered the consequences”. Although the stats show us some decline in consumption of alcohol these days, it is still significantly present.
Fortunately, in 2022 young adults tend to spend money on premium quality spirits and non-alcoholic innovative beverages. Less on cheaper volume classics pouring their glasses abundantly, taken them to a drunken-status in a short amount of time. In other words, they move to “good taste”, and leave the “fast food” of drinks behind them. Drinking slowly, while really sensing the beautiful smell, the taste and structure of their beverages and craft spirits. Pretty much in line with the general advice of “enjoy, but drink responsibly”.
Antidote to chaos
A little way back in time, the 16th century, a German humanist, Latin/Greek translator, poet and philosopher named Vincent Obsopoeus wanted young men to stay on earth instead of dwelling in deliriums. In other words: to get married, bring in the bucks and act as a shoulder to their wives. He composed his poems De Arte Bibendi resulting in the book named: “How to drink: A classical guide to the art of imbibing”, revealing a set of how-to-rules to drink responsibly. A classic antidote to chaos, one could easily say.
Apply the rules
Intriguing it is, since 500 years ago he promoted moderation and not abstinence of alcohol to lasting sobriety. He advises on adaptive social behaviour and how to resist masculine peer pressure when it is virtually intoxicating the social environment. A more radical view the poet brings forward with saying that one could have drunken excesses from time to time.
If all his how-to advice from Vincent offers solace may be questionable, though it may have some surprisingly positive outcomes when applied.
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