The Super Bowl Sunday party has become the new American tradition. But unlike other parties more and more bosses are hosting parties and expecting their employees to show up. This means the average alcoholic cannot just skip out on the party.
It’s easy to say “Just don’t drink” but that is only half the battle. It is important to minimize the opportunities that liquor is pushed on you. Peer pressure can be tougher than any football player. You also don’t want to have to explain to every single person who offers you a beer that you are a recovering alcoholic. That process would get old fast. You are there to make an appearance and to enjoy the game. Let’s look at some tips that can accomplish those goals while minimizing your temptations and peer pressure.
• Don’t show up early. While the host might appreciate the help most Super Bowl parties are not well organized. The pre-party usually involves the tapping of the keg and storytelling around that same keg. So show up just as the game starts. The crowd will be settling in and even the host will be concentrating on the game.
• Bring a non-alcoholic beverage with you. Always bring 2 Liter type bottles of soda and not cans. This way you are forced to pour your drink into a cup. A host of a party will look around the room and anyone not in possession of a cup will be offered beer or booze. This keeps the host from offering your beer a million times.
• When you want refills get up and pour them yourself. This way the crowd doesn’t know you are just drinking Sprite. It will keep the drunks some harassing you and saying “No beer for you?”
• Be a helper to the host. If during the game the host needs assistance setting out food or grabbing chairs be sure to lend a hand. This keeps you busy and makes you feel like you are a contributor to the party.
• Do not eat before you arrive. If the party is going to have food you should fill your plate up during half time. So while others are refilling their drinks you have your hands filled with a plate of food. A host will not push booze on you if he sees you are eating. IF THERE IS NO FOOD then either bring yourself food to eat at half time or offer to make a run to get food. Running to the store will put you out of the house when the half time drinking hits its peak.
• Leave the party if one teams blows out the other in the second half. If one team runs away with the score in the second half then the party will move away from the television and back to the bar or the keg. This is when drinking games usually break out. It’s best to tell the host that you have another “best friend’s party you have to stop in at”. Leaving early to go to another party is not considered bad party manners.
• If the game is close leave when the game is over. A good football game will keep the crowd’s attention towards the television which is good for you. The minute the game clock stops the party crowd will look for ways to keep the party going. It’s a great point in the night to break away and go home without looking like you don’t care.
• If at any time the party becomes wild (or insane) and the game is no longer the focus of the gathering then just walk out the door. You do not have to say “goodbye” to the host. The next day you can always tell the host you were feeling sick at your stomach and had to leave quickly. They will understand that. Slipping out prevents the crazies from attacking you with pressure to do what they are doing. At one party I was at this included charging doors in the house and trying to break them off the hinges. That’s a fine example of insane behavior.
Lastly just be sure to enjoy yourself. The best part about a Super Bowl party is the conversations. The reason people gather is to enjoy each other’s company. So in order to be a good guest all you need to do is have a few conversations. Good luck out there and let’s hope the game is a fun one.
Save some cheese dip for me,
Paul Udouj
http://www.myspace.com/pauludouj
Sobriety…just like the picture says…Who wants it more?
A 12 Step Recovery Guide 