I had been told that the Irish are heavy drinkers. However, I was never sure whether to believe it because I had been to Ireland three times but never spotted a single 'over-the-top' drunk. Well, in those three times, I was mesmerized by the places I went to visit and see. Anyhow, because my sister is working in Ireland, I just felt it would be responsible of me to warn her to avoid Irish men. The warning fell to deaf ears as after three years of working as a nurse there, she found the guy to marry.

So for the fourth time, I went to Ireland. My sister got married last 8th of March. And because of that occasion, I saw the Irish drink and got drunk.

Most of them are not really 'heavy drink' drinkers. They usually go for beer (specially the Budweisser) and, of course, the Guinness! The older ones usually go for vodka with water. Simple drinkers, really but they do drink in 'quantity'. The drinking, that went with the reception and celebration, started at three in the afternoon and ended at two in the morning. Most of them though, looked like zombies on the settee. Half were still awake but looking 'catatonic', half already on dreamland.

I occasionally drink but only a glass or two of red wine. But to join with the merriment, I had beer as well ( as I can't take the Guinness!). By seven oclock I was already munching on peanuts and drinking lots of juice as I already felt so drunk.

Then I remember some friends in the Philippines. Oh, they are really heavy drinkers. They do occasionally drink but when they do, they rock. Beers are lightweights, except 'Red Horse'. This drink could really kick you out. And if you want the all-time knocker, you go for the local drink called "tuba" which is coconut wine. Ask for days as day 3 or 5. The higher the days, the stronger the drink. Whew! I bet my 2 cats, the Irish can't take it.

Learn more about this author, Chari Lilley.
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