Day: 15 October 2011

Below some students share their experiences of being a non-drinker at university and beyond.

James, a 3^rd year French and Arabic student

“Personally, I haven’t really had many problems. I enjoy going out anyway – the only thing is that I end up having to go home when people get too drunk to realise who I am. But apart from having to leave separately to other people some of the time, it doesn’t really bother me. What I think the main problem is is that a lot of societies (mainly rugby to be honest) go out with the sole aim of getting pissed, so I can’t join in from the beginning with drinking games and whatever, so I’m kinda counted out of those.

“As if I’m the rugby society sort though, let’s be honest. I think one problem is that a lot of people who don’t drink also don’t like the social side of going out, and that’s what puts them off. Yes it’s true that a lot of societies go out with the intention of just getting smashed, but with most societies (from my experience anyway) if you’re with like-minded people, that wouldn’t be the aim.”

Sarah, a 3rd year linguistics student

“I have been heavily involved in societies throughout my time at university, where I admit most of the socials held are often at bars/clubs. Having said that, I have never felt isolated at socials, or peer pressured to drink to be cool, so when I’m at the bar I will just order a coke. As let’s face it, a lot of students drink to give them the confidence, they lack without it. But aren’t we missing the point, society socials are about being social? Besides, it’ll be a waste of a night, if you can’t remember it!”

Laura, a 3^rd year student

“Nearly all socials focus on drinking and drinking games and club nights. The ones that don’t are just seminar based or academic societies.

“It’s uncomfortable being around drunk people because you’re more inhibited, and end up as the ‘responsible’ one who walks them home and ends up looking after people. And not being able to drink does leave you behind in a lot of the drinking games that happen in initiations. Sports societies are the worst for it, and a lot of teams (not only based on skill) pick people who ‘get actively involved with the team’ which I was told by the president of one society meant doing the socials with them (all at vodka revs).

“You get labelled as boring if you don’t drink or as though you think you’re ‘above it all’ so as soon as people find out they get a bit awkward. Funnily enough, even though you explain it’s not out of choice and just for health reasons, they think you’re just being a prude and go ‘COME ONNN, ONE WON’T KILL YOU!!’ and it’s quite awkward trying to decline a wasted person at a bar.

“Flat parties are slightly better, but again if you’re sat with a glass of coke or lemonade you feel self conscious that everyone can somehow notice you’re not drinking. It feels like having a big sign above you saying ‘I’m not cool. Kick me.’ On the plus side, avoids all of the university mishaps associated with drinking, and being sober in lectures and not buzzing from the night before (although slightly less fun) means I actually understand the work.”

“I drink, but as of late I have decided to not drink alcohol extensively as getting ‘wasted’ and not remembering what happened the night before, no longer interests me.

Shefali, 3^rd year Business Management with French

“I think socials can definitely compromise the needs of non-drinkers, without totally withdrawing the ability to drink at a social. I think events should accommodate both drinkers and non-drinkers by not focusing on the drinking aspect. Pub Crawls for example, are clearly targeted at those who plan on drinking. If another aspect were added to the Pub Crawls, i.e. a challenge or the like to be completed during the pub crawl, then non-drinkers could get involved through that. This is just an example of how socials can be non-drinker friendly.

“There could also be events put on that don’t include drinking entirely, so non-drinkers can meet and make friends so they can socialise outside of societies also.

“Let’s not forget our non-drinkers because they want a university experience too.”

Justine, a graduate from Urban and Environmental Planning, now living and working in Malta

“I finished my 8 year university career last year, 3 as a very light drinker then 5 teetotal.

“I never felt excluded from anything by my non drinking – I was active in many societies, from Warped (sci fi/fanctasy soc)to the Burlington Society (postgrad soc), fencing to CAOS (choir and orchestra), and none of them made me feel that I was some kind of freak for not drinking. Sure, the AU socials were always focused on drinking, but I never went as I couldn’t stand the music, not because I felt excluded as a teetotal person. CAOS after show parties had a ‘Boat Race’ about which team could drink a pint the fastest – I didn’t mind these, and I think other drinkers that didn’t like beer but wanted to take part felt more excluded than I did!

“I have quite a strong character and will never give in to peer pressure, but I never ever felt that at student events. I have felt it much more now I have begun to work, with people repeating ‘but WHY don’t you drink? It’s ace!’ throughout the evening and not taking my explanations as enough, or not inviting me to parties as they think I wouldn’t like it as I am not drunk but they are. I don’t find this a problem – I am happy enough around drunk people, they are quite amusing, but I do tend to call it a night when they start repeating themselves again and again!”

Drinking culture is a large part of university life. Yet a large proportion of students choose not to take part, and thus can feel excluded from many social events where they know drinking is on the agenda.

Making the decision not to drink may be down to a number of reasons. It is often cultural or religious, or sometimes it is purely personal; someone may not like the taste, or they may not enjoy the feeling of being drunk. Whatever the reason, their decision should be respected and they should not be treated differently on that basis.

For some, it’s not a problem and they do not mind being around people who are drinking while they remain sober. Sarah, a 3^rd year student who drinks a little but has never been drunk, has never had a problem about not really drinking. “To be honest, a lot of students drink to give them the confidence they lack without it. But aren’t we missing the point, society socials are about being social? Besides, it’ll be a waste of a night, if you can’t remember it!”

However, it is understandable that for many this is not an enjoyable or comfortable situation as, let’s face it, we may not be the most lucid or entertaining bunch whilst drunk.

The practicalities of being the non-drinker can be tiresome. Laura, a 3^rd year student, says “It’s uncomfortable being [sober] around drunk people because you’re more inhibited, and end up as the ‘responsible’ one who walks them home and ends up looking after people.” And whilst a drinker’s memory of a night may be that everyone had a great time dancing, the sober one’s (probably more accurate) memory of the night may be that between slurs and hiccups their friends spent most of the time dry humping the nearest member of the opposite sex.

There is also a stigma attached to being a non-drinker that you are boring, or ‘above’ the people who do drink. Laura describes the feeling like “having a big sign above you saying ‘I’m not cool. Kick me.’”

So what are the implications for societies? All societies want to, and have an obligation to, let anyone get involved. It’s impossible to keep everyone happy all of the time, and this is not what I’m suggesting you aim to do. The key is balance. This means holding a range of different socials throughout the year, respecting the varied needs of your members.

Events like pub-crawls are perhaps one of the most obviously alcohol focused socials. This is not to say you shouldn’t ever do them, but be aware that some may feel immediately excluded. Shefali, a Manchester student, suggests adding another aspect such as “a challenge or the like to be completed during the pub crawl, then non-drinkers could get involved through that.”

Also be aware of how you publicise your events, being careful about the language you use and the impression you’re giving.  The event you’re holding may not have an alcoholic focus, but if the first thing you mention is the cheap bar then you might have got off on the wrong foot.

Why not look into holding some events in an alcohol free space? This is especially important for key society events, such as elections, where everyone should have equal access to participate. For a list of venues that have an alcohol free space you can look at the Manchester Venue Guide compiled by the UMSU Welfare Officer. Using rooms at the Students’ Union is also a good option as it is a well known and accessible venue.

The key point to remember is that it’s not always about alcohol, more often it’s about exclusion. Non-drinking students will be aware that being at university means a level of exposure to people who will want to drink, but this should not mean that they are then excluded from the things everyone else has access to. The challenge is to ensure that the activities we provide do not exclude anyone and that everyone feels able to participate and make the most of their time at university, whether they drink or not. It’s only fair!

Written by Emma Fernell

The University of Manchester Drama Society has always been massive (the university’s biggest non-sporting society) but this year we’re determined to make it bigger and better than ever, and so far we’re doing pretty darn well. Our autumn showcase is already underway with three amazing shows, and this year there’s a bit of a twist. For the first time ever, there is a special prize at the MIFTAs (Manchester In Fringe Theatre Awards) for Best Autumn Showcase play. This should inject an extra something special into the Showcase, hopefully making some brilliant plays even more extraordinary.

The first play, ‘Overspill,’ follows three girls whose night out in Manchester takes a turn for the worse when the city is bombed. It runs from the 16^th to the 18^th of November at Club Underground.   This year’s John Thaw Studio production is new student writing play, ‘Not My Cup of Tea’, running from the 23^rd to the 25^th of November. This play explores ideas of escaping Capitalism and the dream of living for free. Finally our second new writing play, ‘Solve,’ set in an anonymous totalitarian state, runs from the 30^th of November to the 2^nd of December at Club Underground. Tickets for all plays are £5, £4.50 for students, £4 for Drama Society members and are available from the Martin Harris Centre Box Office and the Box Office in the Student Union. Performances are bound to sell out so book fast to avoid disappointment.

An exciting first for us this year is that we are able to offer an amazing opportunity to perform in the professional space; the Contact Theatre. In line with the work of the Contact this production will be a devised, physical performance, providing Drama Society members a chance to get involved in a wider variety of theatre. This is a really unique and exciting opportunity, so reach out and grab it with both hands!

We may be bringing in a lot of new things but we haven’t forgotten the old favourites – the time for submitting MIFTAs proposal forms is nearly upon us. If you’ve ever thought about being a director, if you’ve written something you really want to get on the stage, or maybe you just have a play in mind that you’d love the chance to put on then this is your chance. We will be putting on seven plays, each of which will be submitted by Drama Society members. All you need to do for a chance to get your play into the festival is to think about your vision and a breakdown of what you will need in terms of budget, tech and rehearsals and when the time comes put it together to make a cracking proposal form.  There will be a panel of four theatre and film professionals judging the plays so this is a great chance to get your work noticed.

And last, but certainly not least, we have teamed up with Eurotrips to treat our lucky members with a trip to Berlin! We will be going in early February, so bring your duffle coats and thermals, and it will be for a ridiculously cheap price, including transport and accommodation for four nights.

If you are not yet a member but want to get involved, contact us via our Facebook group: University of Manchester Drama Society or Twitter: @umudramasoc. This is where you find out about all our latest opportunities and events, speaking of which we have our amazing Christmas Party coming up in early December, so keep your eyes peeled for that. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at [email protected].