A waaay too long post about alcohol

Since the purpose of this blog is to compare my beloved Sweden to euphoric Ireland, in any sense, here is what first struck me:

In Ireland, alcohol is such a big part of the culture apart from where I come from.  In Sweden we have a monopoly on alcohol, which for most Irish people I've met, or actually people in almost any other part of Europe, is an unknown word. Monopoly on alcohol, what does that even mean? Well you see, in Sweden there is one store and one store only that you can buy alcohol and they have an age limit of 21. Of course, there's not only one store - we have plenty of them, everywhere. But there is only one place, except for pubs and clubs of course, where you can purchase alcohol.

And I know, that for Irish people, this must sound crazy. You can't buy liquor at the supermarket?! No. We can’t. But why?! Well you see, it is brilliant way to prevent overconsumption of alcohol and reduce the profit motive on it. Sweden has a harsh history of being the most ruthless alcoholics. In the 1400 century you would often get paid for your hard work in liquor. People made their own alcohol at home, out of food supplies such as potatoes, and used the hembränt (as we call the liquor in Sweden), as a currency. And that, of course, was not a very healthy way to live since... Well yea, of obvious reasons. One example is how people used up their food resources, potatoes, to make alcohol instead of actually eating it since they became alcoholics - and then starved to death. Good times, indeed.

So, now I feel like I’m giving you guys a yawn-breeding historical lecture, which is not what I intended to do… But I’m trying to make a point, and that point is:  For me to come here, from my pretty alcohol tolerant home country, was kind of a shock. Al though, I came here with those expectations since Ireland is pretty famous for its pubs, and Guinness of course. But still – my first two weeks here was such a smack in the face. I got drunk every single day, how could I not when there all of a sudden was great liquor available for a cheap price just across the street from where I live and its open every day until ten!? I had the best time ever!

Al though, I must say it hit back on me when school started. I was so worn out, without an ounce of vitamins in my body, just alcohol pounding through it. I got sick, the flue or whatever, and ironically missed the most important drinking day except from St Patrick’s day – Arthur’s day. From that point I got back on my Swedish feet, and decided to only drink once or twice a week during my stay here, which Irish people seem to find acceptable but still kind of ‘boring’. There is the big difference though: In Sweden, I would never be called boring if I got drunk once a week, more likely the opposite. The  Swedish people I know would most likely call me an alcoholic.The standards are so different; the drinking culture. It’s pretty fascinating, really. I ought to look up the alcohol history of Ireland, and see what differs in our ways of living with it. I can’t stand now knowing things, always gotta look them up.

Oh, I sound like such a bore. I promise, I’m a very lively person, really! I don’t spend all my days doing research on the internet about countries history and compare them… Al though it is kind of enjoyable, I must admit.

May the force be with you.