Is under age drinking acceptable at a Buffett Concert?

isuparrothead · Post by **isuparrothead** » April 23, 2003 9:25 pm

Being a Parrothead since my freshman year in high school, I have participated in many of the experiences which are associated with the whole Buffett experience... drinking is one of em. Many people twice my age had no problem with giving beers and margaritas. Do the rest of you Parrotheads find under age drinking to be ok?

tnbuffettfan · Post by **tnbuffettfan** » April 23, 2003 9:37 pm

This is a touchy subject,i guess it really depends on what age you are.If you're a teenager then you would say yeah,but i'm sure other people would say it's wrong.I'd just say that if you give a 18 or 19 year old that can handle beer one,not anymore,i think it might take the curiousity out of drinking.I don't think there's a right answer on this question.

Tampico · Post by **Tampico** » April 23, 2003 9:58 pm

I figure if you are old enough to vote and die for your country in a war then you are old enough to have a drink. However, the powers that make the laws say you have to be 21 and I have witness at several shows where underage drinkers have been busted and had their tickets confiscated as well as anyone in their group who may be over 21 busted with them for allowing them to drink.

So bottom line; I wont give you a drink in the parking lot because I want to see the show not because I care if you drink.

phinzup · Post by **phinzup** » April 23, 2003 10:11 pm

yes!, However if you are going to get drunk, please, PLEASE learn that there are more albums than SYKBH out there.

Mustang Mike · Post by **Mustang Mike** » April 23, 2003 11:04 pm

I recently went to the Nashville show (or so they tell me) and took my friend's brother who is a junior in highschool. i encouraged him to partake in the experience of Buffett! underage drinking (drinking period) done in the spirit of Buffett is acceptable. you can tell weither or not you achieved this by developing the film from the pre-party. if you see 26 shots of you standing,smiling, and dancing with strangers dressed a-fool then you have done well. if all you have are pictures of your feet and random boobs, then you might have to start listening to some havana daydreaming or living 3/4 time

isuparrothead · Post by **isuparrothead** » April 23, 2003 11:51 pm

I see where many of you are coming from. Just to set the record straight, now I am of age (not that it real matters). I have the same problem many of you had made mention to, there are to many under age kids that just go to the concert to drink, and that is just not right. I have been a huge Parrothead for a long time, and do listen to the old school Buffett. The only problem that I have with underage drinking is that it is made a big deal in our society. Just like Tampico said if you are old enough to vote and die for your country why can't you drink. This is a touchy subject... But is it going to happen regardless of the cops. Hopefully everyone, of age people too, have a DD!!!

Dlish · Post by **Dlish** » April 24, 2003 1:05 am

I attended my first Buffett show at the age of 17. I drank a lot, so much so that I lost my group of friends right inside the gates. The drinking is a big aspect of the tailgate experience, but not the only part. I do think that I wouldn't have had the full experience if I didn't drink the margaritas coronas, and shots of tequila. It all depends upon the person and whether they can handle the adult activities that go on in the parking lot.

sirgumby77 · Post by **sirgumby77** » April 24, 2003 3:05 am

Personally, I am one of those believers that ALL concerts should be 21 and over. Just so much easier keeping all the trouble out of underage drinkers. I do know that the TPPD is very strict on underage drinkers, esp if you look like a teeny bopper, I have seen kids NUMEROUS amounts of times, being escorted out of the World in handcuffs for drinking beer. So if you are underage and are gonna drink, Dont get smashed, If your one of those people who have 1 beer and get drunk, You should just stick to Cherry Coke.

ph4life · Post by **ph4life** » April 24, 2003 3:27 am

Underage drinking shouldn't be such a big issue in the US. I like Europe's system; drinking age is 16, but you can't get your driver's license until you're 18. That's gives them 2 years of drinking to understand how impaired it gets 'em, so DUIs aren't as common.
As for drinking underage in the states, if you're over 16 and can hold your liquor, I'll give ya a drink at a concert. I don't want some kids getting me into trouble because they've never been drunk before. Don't drink for your first time at any concert, let alone one of Bubba's. That's just not the place to learn

daddymention · Post by **daddymention** » April 24, 2003 3:37 am

I don't think underage drinking is a good idea at concerts...that's really who the police are targeting at the shows. Too many good people get into lots of trouble and-- missing the show because of alcohol is just not worth it...

I don't think it would be a good idea to have the shows 21 and up...so many people would miss out on the experience including my 4 year old son (who has seen 2 shows already)...This would send the message that a show is all about drinking...when it should be the show that matters. People just need to be responsible....If you're underage and you're drinking--be prepared and willing to pay the consequences of your actions.

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » April 24, 2003 8:02 am

f2cdlzrd · Post by **f2cdlzrd** » April 24, 2003 8:02 am

There is a difference between underage drinking and an underage drunk. Some older Parrotheads get more trashed than the younger ones. Think about it.....it's a fine line.

frognot · Post by **frognot** » April 24, 2003 8:05 am

i think it's the responsibility of old pharts like myself to watch these young whippersnappers . . . if ya see a kid with a beer, take it away & drink it quickly . . . that'll show em!

tripdaddy · Post by **tripdaddy** » April 24, 2003 9:35 am

Well, I am the first to admit that I did way too much under-age drinking in my youthful days. As I look back upon it 15 years later, I think I made some stupid decisions by doing so. Now that I have three boys of my own (triplets....reason for the screen name) I dread the days that they hit their teenage years and are faced with the decision to drink or not to drink. So, I would have to say that I don't think it is a good idea. I STILL love beer but have toned it down a lot over the years. As much as I drank in my younger years, I never found the point to get smashed at a concert....you end up sick or you forget what happened. A Buffett show is SO easy to enjoy without altering your state. I did have two beers at the Houston show, but that was it.....of course paying $6+ for a beer limits the amount that you may want.

All I can say is that when you are young, you think you can handle everything when it comes to drinking. But from my personal experience, when I look back, I was not in control. I put my life and many other peoples lives in danger and I admit it was foolish.

NYCPORT · Post by **NYCPORT** » April 24, 2003 10:23 am

I have no problem with it, most of us did it when we were that age. The key is being somewhat responsible, nothing wrong with getting a good buzz. Getting fall down stumble drunk is a waste of alcohol, a ticket, and will only attract the attention of the authorities.
To those of you who have said that they won't help those who aren't legal due to the police...I ask you, do you have a problem with under age drinking (back to my theory on we did it too) or do you just not want to get busted???
And to those who say it an age thing...I've seen just as many "older" folks making asses of themselves as the young ones. Maybe if we helped out the younger ones and gave them a little more experience they would know how to carry themselves.
One last thing...I think it's a joke that we have people dying in Iraq that can't legally by a drink in the country they are defending!

Cousin Baxter · Post by **Cousin Baxter** » April 24, 2003 10:40 am

As long as you don't get caught and more importantly don't throw up on me while on the lawn.

fins26 · Post by **fins26** » April 24, 2003 10:42 am

your only young once, ill bet most of us did it when we were that age, but you gotta take the consequences if your caught, dont bring anyone down with you if you are. it's going to happen and those of us over 21 will probably even look back and reminesce (sp?) fondly about those days, when we still got ID'd everywhere, and when i had hair, and no beer gut....sorry what were we talking about again?

Fribble · Post by **Fribble** » April 24, 2003 11:02 am

There's an age limit????????????

NYCPORT · Post by **NYCPORT** » April 24, 2003 11:10 am

I've been waiting for the master of the Fribble out to chime in.

Fribble · Post by **Fribble** » April 24, 2003 11:13 am

NYCPORT wrote:I've been waiting for the master of the Fribble out to chime in.

ooooo you say that with such reverence!