NationStates Jolt Archive

My uncle finally admitted something to me.

no I was not assulted, nor was I adopted...

this has to do with Beer and alcohol.

apparently, my Grandfather told him (and his other children) to give your kids a sip of beer before they turn 5. just a taste. and you will not have to worry about them drinking until they become adults.

he claimed that for my father's kids, he never got that opportunity, but I do remember him letting me sip from his beer bottle. (no this is not some sexual innuendo.) and it's that memory that keeps me from drinking... I hated the taste. My sister and one of my brothers also remember getting a taste of alcohol from him.

My eldest brother, is a drinker... not a drunk, but drinks socially, or did until he became a father.. and he didn't start till well into college.

My second oldest brother and sister hasn't touched the stuff... yet.

and me, in the mid 30's can say I probably drank an equivalent of two bottles of beer. and that includes champaine, wine, wine coolers, etc...

so for you drinkers out there, at what age did you start, and do you believe that giving your kids a taste before 5 will keep them from drinking?

I do remember that when I was about 8 my step-father let me take a stip from his Milwaukee's Best. I didn't even consider touching alcohol again until I was 18 and stationed in Germany. Of course, "The Beast" will put just about anyone off of beer...

yeah its true. It works. Same with smoking too.

yeah its true. It works. Same with smoking too.

and heroin

Early Seventeen. The same time my sister started to forget what responisblility meant and thought it was funny to give me booze. I was old enough so I should have known better, but if she hadn't I wouldn't have.

yeah its true. It works. Same with smoking too.
My dad and his friends were hangin out, I came down and they gave me a cigar.. (I was nine, no, I didn't smoke the whole thing..)

I love cigars!

This didn't work for me at all. Before the age of five I had tasted wine, beer, whisky... My parents were big on parties, and glasses were often left unattended. In any case, I started drinking socially and enjoying it around 14, and have done so since. The only thing I don't drink is beer, because I've never liked the taste.

yeah its true. It works. Same with smoking too.
Didn't work for me. Kids hate the taste of countless things, blue cheese for example. It doesn't stop us from eating and drinking things we used to dislike.

My dad and his friends were hangin out, I came down and they gave me a cigar.. (I was nine, no, I didn't smoke the whole thing..)

I love cigars!
Yeah, but you're a special case.

It's partly about the taste aversion, and partly about taking the mystique out of it. If you've had alcohol before, and disliked it, there's very little that anyone can do to try to convince you to drink.

No it doesnt work. My Dad tried it with my sister; she was getting drunk at parties at 10, and grew up to be a teenage alcoholic...I think the only ones calling that a success story are the breweries.

Didn't work for me. Kids hate the taste of countless things, blue cheese for example. It doesn't stop us from eating and drinking things we used to dislike.

I used to hate cauliflower and broccoli as a kid. Nowadays I can't get enough of either.

I think I tasted beer at a very young age, but I dont honestly remember.

I was never really interested in either drinking or smoking until I was 17, dunno why not. Now, at 18, I drink a pretty good amount for an 18 year old, about once a week averaged out... but I drink to get drunk, so usually a 40 or two when I do drink, depending on the beer. I do drink hard alcohol at times, but it really fucks up my stomach(Hurts it alot... The taste doesn't bother me that badly).

Meh. I honestly don't care if my kids drink, or smoke. I'm not going to buy them 12 packs every other day, but if they want to try what I'm having, I'll let them. Though I would hope they didn't start really doing anything until they were at least 14-ish.

Of course, if its a girl, different story. I'd try to build up her alcohol tolerance at an early age... and a strong appreciation of guns, for that matter.

id beleive that, only because im the opposite
never drank until i was sixteen, and the past year or so i can't get enough of any sort of alcohol
i know getting drunk isnt the best thing to do, but its hell funny

When I was 11. After my Father's Ex-girlfriend gave me a Mudslide in a huge Glass, then 2 more later on, none of this without telling me what was in it.

I was vomiting for hours.

That's a major turn off to booze.

Ah, the old Innoculation Theory of Substance Abuse Prevention.

There is no real evidence to support the validity of this theory.

so for you drinkers out there, at what age did you start, and do you believe that giving your kids a taste before 5 will keep them from drinking?I had my first sip of alcohol at a new years party when I was four or five. I hated it. I still don't like sekt and usually don't drink that often.

This worked for me, too. One sip of beer when I was 4, and know I don't plan on touching the stuff. Ever.

My uncle finally admitted something to me.

no I was not assulted, nor was I adopted...

this has to do with Beer and alcohol.

apparently, my Grandfather told him (and his other children) to give your kids a sip of beer before they turn 5. just a taste. and you will not have to worry about them drinking until they become adults.

he claimed that for my father's kids, he never got that opportunity, but I do remember him letting me sip from his beer bottle. (no this is not some sexual innuendo.) and it's that memory that keeps me from drinking... I hated the taste. My sister and one of my brothers also remember getting a taste of alcohol from him.

My eldest brother, is a drinker... not a drunk, but drinks socially, or did until he became a father.. and he didn't start till well into college.

My second oldest brother and sister hasn't touched the stuff... yet.

and me, in the mid 30's can say I probably drank an equivalent of two bottles of beer. and that includes champaine, wine, wine coolers, etc...

so for you drinkers out there, at what age did you start, and do you believe that giving your kids a taste before 5 will keep them from drinking?
i used to regularly have sips of beer (or lager) down the local pub in the village where we lived till i was about 3. i used to call it "gaga" (or lager)...

didn't stop me from drinking - started probably when i was about 14. 16 was happy drinking time, and then 18 to being at uni was a bit of a blur :p
that said, i never really did - and still don't - like the taste of beer, and generally choose to drink other things (cider, snakebite, scotch, etc)... so i wonder if there's some truth in that after all? :)

My uncle finally admitted something to me.

no I was not assulted, nor was I adopted...

this has to do with Beer and alcohol.

apparently, my Grandfather told him (and his other children) to give your kids a sip of beer before they turn 5. just a taste. and you will not have to worry about them drinking until they become adults.

he claimed that for my father's kids, he never got that opportunity, but I do remember him letting me sip from his beer bottle. (no this is not some sexual innuendo.) and it's that memory that keeps me from drinking... I hated the taste. My sister and one of my brothers also remember getting a taste of alcohol from him.

My eldest brother, is a drinker... not a drunk, but drinks socially, or did until he became a father.. and he didn't start till well into college.

My second oldest brother and sister hasn't touched the stuff... yet.

and me, in the mid 30's can say I probably drank an equivalent of two bottles of beer. and that includes champaine, wine, wine coolers, etc...

so for you drinkers out there, at what age did you start, and do you believe that giving your kids a taste before 5 will keep them from drinking?


I was way too young to remember, to be honest. In Germany, you're more or less raised on beer... I remember my grandmother giving me a little bit in an egg cup to have with dinner whenever I stayed with her. I must have been 3 or 4 maybe...

i think i was 8 i mixed vodka, gin, and whiskey together. gulped it down. got sick and passed out(of course i was only wee). luckily it was at a family party so my parents were too drunk to notice.
i only then drank at special occasions until i was 16. then i started drinking heavily weekly. increased during the years.
i'm trying to stop going out of control at the moment so i've cut down alot recently. i only get blackouts twice a week now.

My parents often gave us kids a glass of wine, mixed with water, at meal times. It hasn't made any of us alcoholics, nor has it made us abstain.

Ah, the old Innoculation Theory of Substance Abuse Prevention.

There is no real evidence to support the validity of this theory.I thought 'learning' was pretty well established theory. If you experience something and don't like it, you won't seek out to do it again very soon (and contrariwise, if you like it, you're likely to seek it out again).
Of course, you can also get used to something if you're exposed to it frequently. Or you might not instantly dislike it the first time to begin with. I suppose you could additionally use association to create an aversion. Give someone a beer and then throw them down the stairs. After a few times they'll associate beer with intense pain, and be averse to it (or have become used to falling down stairs). Simple pavlovian reaction.

I don't think it really works.

Then again, there was an incident when I was 2 where i was given wine in place of grape juice because of the way a friend of the family kept him home-made wine. I don't drink, but taste has nothing to do with it (beer and wine taste like shit, but that hardly means all alchoholic beverages do. I'm more concerned with the mental effect of drinking.).

my mom used to make me white russians so that I would sleep, so in effect I started drinking at about 4. I still don't really like white russians, so I guess that worked. However I was regularly drinking (like more than one a day everyday) by age 8, so really it didn't stop me much. The abundance of alcohol in the house I grew up in was horrible though, we had 2 orange juice cartons in the fridge, one normal and one spiked with vodka, it didn't take me long to figure out a few glasses of the "good" orange juice made my day at grammar school go just a little bit nicer.

However the downside is until there is a trigger for a flashback, I don't remember much of my childhood from ages 3 to 17:(

My uncle finally admitted something to me.

no I was not assulted, nor was I adopted...

this has to do with Beer and alcohol.

apparently, my Grandfather told him (and his other children) to give your kids a sip of beer before they turn 5. just a taste. and you will not have to worry about them drinking until they become adults.

he claimed that for my father's kids, he never got that opportunity, but I do remember him letting me sip from his beer bottle. (no this is not some sexual innuendo.) and it's that memory that keeps me from drinking... I hated the taste. My sister and one of my brothers also remember getting a taste of alcohol from him.

My eldest brother, is a drinker... not a drunk, but drinks socially, or did until he became a father.. and he didn't start till well into college.

My second oldest brother and sister hasn't touched the stuff... yet.

and me, in the mid 30's can say I probably drank an equivalent of two bottles of beer. and that includes champaine, wine, wine coolers, etc...

so for you drinkers out there, at what age did you start, and do you believe that giving your kids a taste before 5 will keep them from drinking?
If it is Home brew or sometihing with a bit of a kick too it then i'd say it is an interesting theory and might work, 1 of my sisters hates the stuff while another one once in a while took sips out of my parents drinks.
I'd give it a go.

But in saying that, what about all the Catholics taking Communion?

Well, it worked for me, except I believe it's all circumstancial. I didn't really start drinking until I was 19, but I think that has more to do with me 'hanging out with the right crowd'. My friends and I spent most of the time hiding out in the basement playing Dungeons and Dragons and Axis and Allies, instead of going to parties and chasing skirt. Great for keeping me out of trouble; bad for keeping me out of trouble... :(

Didn't work for me either. I started drinking in my teens, like most people I suspect, but didn't get serious about it until about ten years ago. I have a daughter who's nearly 16 now, and I've been teaching her how to drink for the last three years, with the reasoning that 1) she's going to be in situations where she'll want to drink, 2) some guy her age or slightly older is probably going to try to get her drunk and take advantage of her, and 3) if she learns from me, she'll be able to drink any teenager under the table and still keep her wits about her, assuming she doesn't get roofied. It's for her own protection.

My dad says he gave me half a shot glass of beer when I was 2 and that I didn't seem to particularly dislike the taste and that I seemed happy till I slipped and busted my lip open on a chair. Heh. I don't know if this experience has a whole lot to do with it, but I've never been much into drinking and have only had tastes of things; never getting drunk or buzzed or anything. (I'm 18 now.)

Ah, the old Innoculation Theory of Substance Abuse Prevention.

There is no real evidence to support the validity of this theory.
except personal experience... and it does seem kinda 60-40 so far.

perhaps I did word it wrong. instead of Not Drinking... I think he said Abusing Alcohol.

but some of the stories so far are very interesting.

Oh and it's the memory of the taste that keeps me from drinking heavily.. or even moderately.

If it is Home brew or sometihing with a bit of a kick too it then i'd say it is an interesting theory and might work, 1 of my sisters hates the stuff while another one once in a while took sips out of my parents drinks.
I'd give it a go.

But in saying that, what about all the Catholics taking Communion?
our Communion, (Baptist Church) was done with Grape Juice... even for the adults.

Well, it worked for me, except I believe it's all circumstancial. I didn't really start drinking until I was 19, but I think that has more to do with me 'hanging out with the right crowd'. My friends and I spent most of the time hiding out in the basement playing Dungeons and Dragons and Axis and Allies, instead of going to parties and chasing skirt. Great for keeping me out of trouble; bad for keeping me out of trouble... :(
Mustangs and Misserschmidts?

I haven't had an alcoholic beverage yet in my 18 years. Not a single one, not a sip.

Another thing could be parents. Both my parents drink moderately, and I absolutely hate when they are drunk. Consequently, I've turned down alcohol even where it's legal (trips to the Caribbean, etc). I even avoid kids who drink.

Same with smoking. My grandfather, God rest his soul, was a deputy police comissioner and couldnt drop it. My mother cant kick it, and my father barely kicked it before I was born.

Another thing could be parents. Both my parents drink moderately, and I absolutely hate when they are drunk. Consequently, I've turned down alcohol even where it's legal (trips to the Caribbean, etc). I even avoid kids who drink.

Same with smoking. My grandfather, God rest his soul, was a deputy police comissioner and couldnt drop it. My mother cant kick it, and my father barely kicked it before I was born.both my parents don't drink. and my father quit smoking while I was growing up... no fanfare, he just quietly stopped.

Apparently when I was teething I was having a hard time, and so giving my mom a hard time.

My grandmother suggested rubbing some Scotch on my gums to anesthetize them.

My mom thought, "That's gross to do to a little kid! I'll put a teaspoon in her last bottle, doctor it with sugar, and let her drink it.... maybe it will dull the pain."

So, um, a bottle of milk to a fifteen month old on the scrawny side with a teaspoon of Johnny Walker Red in it....


I was apparently so drunk I could not sit up. I kept falling over and laughing my head off. Then I started hiccuping and it smelled like pure scotch, if my mom remembers correctly.

She thought 1) I would die 2) if I got sick and had to go to the hospital they'd take me away.

Apparently I fell asleep and slept REALLY well that night. Maybe I had a massive hangover -- maybe not. I don't remember, thank God!

Since then, I am not much for drinking. A drink maybe at a wedding, or VERY occasionally out. My friends basically put my Fresca in front of me without asking when we're together. ;)

yeah its true. It works. Same with smoking too.

Except... it worked that way for me, but my brother was smoking Marlboros by the time he was nine.

Apparently when I was teething I was having a hard time, and so giving my mom a hard time.

My grandmother suggested rubbing some Scotch on my gums to anesthetize them.

My mom thought, "That's gross to do to a little kid! I'll put a teaspoon in her last bottle, doctor it with sugar, and let her drink it.... maybe it will dull the pain."

So, um, a bottle of milk to a fifteen month old on the scrawny side with a teaspoon of Johnny Walker Red in it....


I was apparently so drunk I could not sit up. I kept falling over and laughing my head off. Then I started hiccuping and it smelled like pure scotch, if my mom remembers correctly.

She thought 1) I would die 2) if I got sick and had to go to the hospital they'd take me away.

Apparently I fell asleep and slept REALLY well that night. Maybe I had a massive hangover -- maybe not. I don't remember, thank God!

Since then, I am not much for drinking. A drink maybe at a wedding, or VERY occasionally out. My friends basically put my Fresca in front of me without asking when we're together. ;)
a drunk baby Kat.... I love the image in my head! :D

you gotta ask her if she got it down on film... those can come back to haunt you...

at least your friends stock up on Fresca... I gotta hunt for my own. :(

Another thing could be parents. Both my parents drink moderately, and I absolutely hate when they are drunk. Consequently, I've turned down alcohol even where it's legal (trips to the Caribbean, etc). I even avoid kids who drink.

Same with smoking. My grandfather, God rest his soul, was a deputy police comissioner and couldnt drop it. My mother cant kick it, and my father barely kicked it before I was born.

My grandpa died when I was 5 of lung cancer caused by his smoking habit....he was 54 and yet my mom still picked up the habit even after she saw her father die of it.

I think(but hope not) its goes back to the old "monkey see monkey do" thing,
people have an unconscious urge to emulate their parents


Lead by example

I first started at around 10 or 11, stealing sips from my cousins well stocked alcohol room. Never got more than a bit tipsy there though. I started drinking properly at about 16 or so. And over this summer I'd estimate I've had easily more that 100 litres of Foster's.

My parents through-out the course of my life tried to get me to have a sip everytime they had wine. I didn't like it, and mostly refused afer the first few times. Then I found the magic that is mixed drinks and went from nothing to kinda heavy drinking (I blame my bf at the time :rolleyes: ). I got to the stage of drinking spirits, but something changed when I went to University, and now I only have one or two drinks per night out, sometimes none. *Shrugs*

If it is Home brew or sometihing with a bit of a kick too it then i'd say it is an interesting theory and might work, 1 of my sisters hates the stuff while another one once in a while took sips out of my parents drinks.
I'd give it a go.

But in saying that, what about all the Catholics taking Communion?

i think, sometimes i abuse that privilege at my church....
the kids dont normally take the wine
but once they told us yr 12s at school that we could, i never turn it down.

there's a fine art in looking like you are taking a small sip, when a large gulp travels down your throat.

Not sure the advice of your grandfather was very sound. But my parents let me drink a little from 15 onwards and I think it was the best thing. I never went overboard with alcohol after that. They didn't do it with my brother and well ya they learnt their mistake!

Well, it worked for me, except I believe it's all circumstancial. I didn't really start drinking until I was 19, but I think that has more to do with me 'hanging out with the right crowd'. My friends and I spent most of the time hiding out in the basement playing Dungeons and Dragons and Axis and Allies, instead of going to parties and chasing skirt. Great for keeping me out of trouble; bad for keeping me out of trouble... :(
Axis and Allies huh? I played a lot of that, as well as Risk.

As far as sipping and avoiding, did not happen that way for me. There are many things that I like now, but did not like as a young child. I don't believe that the method as described in the OP is scientific, or reliable at all. Several posts on this thread seems to confirm that.

Had my first taste of beer at 3, drank the whole bottle then stumbled around laughing hysterically.
This statred my love-affair with the drink.
Had my first shot of vodka at 5, at my birthday party, nearly choked on the vapours.
Smoked a first cigarette at 7, my grandmother had a huge stash, even though she never smoked.
Odd....
Now I chain smoke, drink daily, and on really bad days medicate with up to two or three bottles of schnapps or vodka per day.

So I guess that this form of deterrant does not work on everyone.

My parents often gave us kids a glass of wine, mixed with water, at meal times. It hasn't made any of us alcoholics, nor has it made us abstain.
Indeed. I was raised thinking alcohol is something to drink and enjoy with friends and family. Unfortunately, I have overindulged on a couple of occasions, leading to sacrifices to the porcelain god.

I think part of the key to making this "innoculation" work is to give the child something that doesn't taste good. Giving them a good beer like Anchor Steam will probably make them like it, but giving them something like Budweiser or Milwaukee's Best should turn them off of it.

Axis and Allies huh? I played a lot of that, as well as Risk.

As far as sipping and avoiding, did not happen that way for me. There are many things that I like now, but did not like as a young child. I don't believe that the method as described in the OP is scientific, or reliable at all. Several posts on this thread seems to confirm that.
LOL! Never claimed it was scientific or anywhere near 100% reliable, it was an observation and I just wondered about others who drink, when did they start? :D

I think part of the key to making this "innoculation" work is to give the child something that doesn't taste good. Giving them a good beer like Anchor Steam will probably make them like it, but giving them something like Budweiser or Milwaukee's Best should turn them off of it.
that might be it. after all, some people did say that they had theirs watered down or mixed with other drinks and they some liked it.

Axis and Allies huh? I played a lot of that, as well as Risk.

If it involved moving little plastic soldiers (or little cardboard 'chits') around a foldout cardboard map (sometimes paper), odds are that I played it. Drinking and playing wargames never really seemed to go well together. Sounds like fun, but then the gaming stops, and it turns into full-on drinking. Which, don't get me wrong, is good, but leads to everyone just giving up on wargaming in general.

Warning: My ninja from my Shogun game has been missing for several years. He could be anywhere. No one is safe.