Chances are when you’re out with your friends, the night may get a little crazy but there are always ways to prevent the night from heading down hill. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you go out for a crazy night out on the town. This article is especially useful for those first timers!
Are you heading to a bar or a club? Is the location of this place safe, or is it known to have a bad reputation, such as cases of snatch thieves, or worst case scenario, rape? The best ways to find out more about a place is to look it up online. Look through some photos of what your environment is going to be like, read their Facebook page, and even some reviews, if any. If you have a friend who’s been there, ask them what it was like and whether it’s a good idea for you and your friends to go there.
Make sure to always go with friends of a legal drinking age. Underage drinking is obviously prohibited for a reason. If lets say perhaps, you had a 16 or 17 year old friend who wants to join you, even if he or she claims they have gone drinking before, would you really want to be responsible if anything were to happen? If they got caught and were taken in, your name would be on the line too for encouraging it. Never use fake IDs either, as it only would make matters worse if there was a raid perhaps. Everyone will get their chance to have a good night out when they’re of the right age.
A night of partying and having a good time also means money. How much are you willing to spend? Are you and your friends willing to split the cost of getting a bottle or are you all getting your own drinks and going dutch? Always plan these things before getting there because once alcohol is consumed, most people are not in the right state of mind. The scenario might go something like, “hey, could you cover for me first, I’ll pay you back tomorrow”, and when tomorrow comes, they will say, “what money? I paid my share last night”. The best way to avoid these situations is to make sure everyone pays up immediately when the bill comes or one person pays the whole bill first and everyone else pays them back. Also, if you think you can’t afford to spend your money on alcohol, then don’t.
Before leaving, decide who is driving. That person should be the one who’s not drinking, hence, the designated driver. If everyone is planning on drinking, then hop into an Uber. No one should be encouraged to drive after drinking, no matter what the circumstance. Not to forget, DUI (driving under influence) is also illegal. Safety is the most important thing and splitting the cost of an Uber fare would be much cheaper than putting your life, let alone your friend’s lives, at stake.
Always go with people you can trust. That way, you can look out for each other. Also try to make sure that one member of the group remains sober enough to know what’s happening around them and that way he or she will be the one to make sure that everyone is okay and that no one makes choices they may regret the next day. Also, keep an eye on each other to make sure that everyone stays out of trouble and doesn’t wander off alone or goes around talking to strangers.
Speaking out of experience, getting drunk is not enjoyable at all. I’m sure most of you will agree with me if you have experienced it and for those of you who haven’t, trust me, you don’t want to! Getting drunk just makes you lose the ability to be in control of your surroundings. The phase after that is just feeling nauseous or even vomiting and there goes the rest of your night. Always know when to stop. Once you feel the high, it’s probably time to stop. Also, try to avoid mixing drinks. If you are drinking vodka, stick to that. If you’re drinking beer, stick to that.
Alcohol dehydrates you when it is absorbed in the body. This is why it is important to keep drinking a glass of water in between your glasses of alcohol, whether it’s with a mixer or on the rocks. Always pace yourself so that the body has time to metabolize the alcohol. If you think you’ve had too much, stop and drink only water after that. Warm water usually helps to reduce the high. If you can, add in some lemon or lime juice.
It is always best to have a good meal before a night out, as food tends to slow down the effects of alcohol. If you’re drinking on an empty stomach, chances are you’re going to be the one to get drunk the first. Try to choose foods that are high in protein such as pasta, meat, dairy products, etc. as they take longer to digest. Snacking while drinking helps too.
If you do end up getting drunk, be prepared for a hangover the next day. Some people may not experience anything, but most people do. The only thing you can do to cure this hangover is by drinking plenty of water, getting some rest, eating foods like toast or crackers, or those rich in potassium, and try to avoid greasy food as it would probably only upset your stomach further. Also, never consume even more alcohol as it will only make you feel worse.
With all that’s been said, never forget to have fun. After all, that is the reason you’re going out right? Just try to remember these simple tips and you are sure to have a good night. Remember, you don’t need a drunk night to have a fun night.
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