3 ms·

The unfortunate thing is how much people actually buy into it. I remember once in university, I was at a national entrepreneurship conference for student entre

by PakG1 8y ago

The unfortunate thing is how much people actually buy into it. I remember once in university, I was at a national entrepreneurship conference for student entrepreneurs. One night, there was a party at a club type of venue. I was sitting with a pretty female friend from my university when she asked me to get her water. So I went and got her a bottle of water. This jerk from another university walks up to us and incredulously asks me, "You got her water??? Here??? You got her water??? What's wrong with you???" Nerdy, socially awkward me at the time couldn't think of a comeback and I felt embarrassed that I didn't get her a beer or cocktail. But I was also really annoyed, like logically, why am I the embarrassed one here? Today's me would have a lot more confidence and some witty comebacks. :) But... part of me wonders... how much did that guy really believe what he was saying, and how much was that guy also just a scared kid inside trying to act cool and fit in due to the imagery he's been bombarded with?

stronglikedan 8y ago
> how much did that guy...and how much was that guy... Neither. It's a common joke used when people get water when there's a bar close by. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't have to be believed, and one does not have to be a "scared kid inside" to say it. I think you just read way too much into it, perhaps since it was your first encounter with said joke.
- 50656E6973 8y ago
  Indeed, I've experienced this joke many times while drinking water at bars/alcohol events and I just laugh it off. On the inside I think about how much better I'm going to feel than everyone else the next day.
- PakG1 8y ago
  I can get that, but if true, the fact that this joke is considered funny and acceptable makes parent's point about the imagery bombardment and how culturally ingrained drinking is: >> It’s actually crazy how lightly we treat this addictive, toxic substance that we joke about despite how many people it kills every year and harms directly and indirectly. As a personal aside, I find jokes that put down others to be distasteful. You don't need to denigrate to be funny. Unless the target is in on the joke. Laughing at oneself is OK. Laughing at others when the target is not laughing is not OK.
- scott_s 8y ago
  It's a common joke because drinking water at a bar is seen as wimpy or uncool. Put another way, the only way the joke works is if we all agree that there's something wrong with drinking water instead of alcohol. I agree with PakG1's reading.

by PakG1 8y ago

stronglikedan 8y ago

> how much did that guy...and how much was that guy... Neither. It's a common joke used when people get water when there's a bar close by. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't have to be believed, and one does not have to be a "scared kid inside" to say it. I think you just read way too much into it, perhaps since it was your first encounter with said joke.

50656E6973 8y ago
Indeed, I've experienced this joke many times while drinking water at bars/alcohol events and I just laugh it off. On the inside I think about how much better I'm going to feel than everyone else the next day.
PakG1 8y ago
I can get that, but if true, the fact that this joke is considered funny and acceptable makes parent's point about the imagery bombardment and how culturally ingrained drinking is: >> It’s actually crazy how lightly we treat this addictive, toxic substance that we joke about despite how many people it kills every year and harms directly and indirectly. As a personal aside, I find jokes that put down others to be distasteful. You don't need to denigrate to be funny. Unless the target is in on the joke. Laughing at oneself is OK. Laughing at others when the target is not laughing is not OK.
scott_s 8y ago
It's a common joke because drinking water at a bar is seen as wimpy or uncool. Put another way, the only way the joke works is if we all agree that there's something wrong with drinking water instead of alcohol. I agree with PakG1's reading.