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Originally Posted by Rankor you live in america, it's different there. i take it you've never lived in another country with a lower drinking age either?
growing up in germany i had my first encounter with alcohol at 13, at house parties whenever parents were gone. its quite bad in germany because kids start drinking at really early ages, but if they are raised in decent environments and have some common sense, i believe it does more good than harm. By the time they can legally drive they know their limits, they know how much they can drink and the dangers of alcohol, giving them a more responsible and respectful attitude towards it than most american teenagers i know.
added to that i can drink more than most americans in their 20's 
only sucks how the government thinks i'm mature enough to drink yet and is forcing me to wait till 2009 to be able to legally do it >< |
First of all, Growing up in Germany isn't all it's made out to be, I would know. I had my first taste of liquor at the age of eight but didn't acctually start drinking till I was around 12. I drank, but I never got drunk. However, just because I knew enough not to do stupid things like get drunk and set fire to a house, some of the other people my age didn't. It doesn't matter where you grow up, ignorance is all around us, in every location.
Secondly, being German doensn't naturaly make you a good drinker. I mean, sure, I'm German and can hold my own, but I don't drink just to see how many people I can put under the table. I drink socialy, and drink just enough to take the edge off of things. Regardless of being from Germany, I know a lot of German friends that can't hold more than six beers.
As for the government thinking you are mature enough, age has no relevancy in maturity. And just because they may overlook some of the things done as minor doesn't mean they will ignore it completly, especially if flaunted.
My opinion, it doesn't matter what age you start drinking, or what age the law says you are legaly able to drink. People are always going to drink, no matter of age and laws, and there really isn't much the government can do about it. I think everyone should just have to learn from their own mistakes. You get drunk enough and feel bad enough the next day, that will have you second guessing doing it again. That's certainlyt he case with a majority of the youth these days.