Maybe I’d better had this posted at the “poststructural pub”, anyway I was just wondering how many people usually go to sessions and don’t drink any alcohol. Usually there is this strong association between a session in a pub and alcohol and many justify its presence even with a certain “lyrism”, being a constant in songs, jokes, poems, etc.
Actually I have never been to a session and I worry I would be a boring company exactly because I don’t drink and maybe wouldn’t match in an environment where everybody else is drinking. Of course people can argue that alcohol can be a tool for communication and that’s very true here in Japan. There is even a pun saying “nomunication” (contraction of the verb NOMU - to drink and communication), pointing the importance that they give to drinking and socializing. Because of that, sometimes I’m left apart and considered weird.
On the other hand, without wanting to offend fellow alcohol lovers, I find quite weird that some people depend on that for happiness, when (in a session) for me the main event and main source of fun would be the music itself, being the alcohol totally dispensable.
I’m tempted by the idea of travelling around, listening and getting experience in pubs, but I just wonder how weird it could get to be in a pub and order everything else but alcohol (or is that normal?) just to be able to be there to listen to the music.
Most likely thing people say when you don’t drink is ‘nod,nod wink wink say no more, how long are you dry now?’
edit to add :
That said, there is a definite drinking culture in Ireland and around Irish music with alcoholism rampant. I don’t drink a drop and it’s never a problem but you need to fend off the free pints sometimes and make it very clear you really don’t want them. It’s not a problem. Most pubs are quite happy to make you a cup of tea if it’s not busy, loads of soft drink available otherwise.
I agree with not letting it be a real issue for yourself. Go, have fun, stick to your guns, and absorb the music.
I would probably have a Stout if we sessioned in a place that served it, as I really enjoy one now and again… no more than that though, as I know that I don’t get better as I get ‘tighter’… but ‘luckily’ we session in a Pizza joint so soft drinks are the norm. (I don’t consider most readily available alcoholic brew offered in the average place in our area to even be worthy of drinking )
I used to participate in jam sessions that always included an abundance of imbibables, and very little was made about the fact that not everyone took advantage of it… it was the music that was most important… very few people ‘need’ “fiddler grease” to play, and most that have more than a bit actually get worse, not better, so it is not usually a big pressure thing.
Not a problem when I was in the UK. I wouldn’t assume that players are dependant on ETOH for their happiness. It’s just a social thing, and I agree that there’s no hard feelings if you don’t want to drink.
Dave
I’ve never had a problem not ordering alcohol in a pub or bar. When I’ve been the designated driver I’ve even been offered free soft drinks. The fact that you don’t drink shouldn’t dissuade you from attending a session.
while i eNjoooy mi drink m-ore) than most after one drink i cant play a darn thing if i were up to playing a session i certainly wouldnt drink untill it was over
I go to sessions all the time and don’t drink. In fact, in my 30 years of life I’ve never touched alchohol – just a personal decision.
I’ve always felt welcome at sessions and never felt like anyone thought I was boring because I didn’t drink (except one jerk, but he doesn’t count for much). I regularly attend a small, closed session and of the 6 regular members, 2 never drink and 1 very rarely has anything except diet soda. No one has ever said anything bad to us about our lack of alcoholic consumption.
The only “problem” with not drinking is that it seems buying rounds is a cultural thing in Ireland. I know someone who accepted a pint the first round, mostly to be polite, but stopped drinking after that. It didnt sit well with a few fellows. So, as Peter is saying, you need to fend off the rounds agressively, some people can’t even conceive the idea that you might not be drinking, it’s as if you were telling them you were not breathing. Also we need to keep in mind that there’s often a social aspect to music. If you just sit down with some folks you don’t know, don’t say much, don’t drink and only play tunes, it might be seen as a lack of motivation to integrate. But if you talk to them and try to know them, etc, it won’t matter if you’re drinking water or Pepsi
My own “problem” is that I don’t really like beer much but like “girly drinks” like Bailey’s Coffee, hot Port, rhum & coke, etc, so lot of people are making fun of me, but I often resist social pressure and keep on drinking girly drinks!
I got no problem drinking girly drinks..I usually drink goldschlager, but I try to order different things every once in a while to keep the bartenders on their toes. I got a tequila sunrise a while back…was pretty good, if I recall.
I guess the consensus is, nobody minds if you don’t drink. But it would be a bit awkward if you don’t mix in and socialize. The music is the main thing, yeah, but being with other folks is a big, huge part of it.
Here in the states, drinking might not be so prevalent a part of the culture as in Ireland (although it’s prevalent enough), but there’s certainly the expectation that drinking makes you more fun to be with. I’ve never found that to be true for myself. I love to socialize with a mug of Coke in my hand, and it’s never been a problem. If you’re a fun-loving, friendly person, you’ll be welcome wherever you go.
I was going to chime in with the "Go enjoy yourself and don’t worry about it) but it seems the point’s been made.
Our session is in a pub, drinks are free for musicians. It’s a rare night anyone playing has more than two. Not a rare thing when the waitress brings a round , for the majority to be soft drinks.
Hmmm Tequila Sunrise, sounds good. Last saturday, while playing tunes with friends in an appartment, I had a small bottle of good sake, the type of sake you drink at refregerator temperature. The sake, not the room That’s the stuff I like, and I love Port, too, but good Port is really expensive in bars.
Related to what Peter said, In my two-week Irish Tour I was permanently amazed to me how many pints can people drink in such a short stretch of time. I’m supposed to live in a drinking area within a drinking country, but to tell the truth, I’d never suspect nobody able to have so much beer till I got to Ireland. I perceive some alcoholism issue around.
This said, I have to remark that I’ve seen lots of musicians at sessions in Galway, Dingle, Wesport, etc. drinking mere water (really hot days though) No sissy music or guys at all.
and I worry I would be a boring company exactly because I don’t drink and maybe wouldn’t match in an environment where everybody else is drinking. Of course people can argue that alcohol can be a tool for communication and that’s very true here in Japan. There is even a pun saying “nomunication” (contraction of the verb NOMU - to drink and communication), pointing the importance that they give to drinking and socializing. Because of that, sometimes I’m left apart and considered weird.
so soft drinks are the norm. (I don’t consider most readily available alcoholic brew offered in the average place in our area to even be worthy of drinking 
)
