with all due respect, i think this is kind of an over-generalization. i, and the majority of my friends, are not straight edge, but are creative enough to find plenty of good times, both with and without drinking. i think there may be a misconception that people who drink (or use illegal drugs for that matter) do so because they depend on them for a good time, or do it to cope with lifes struggles. while that is certainly true for a lot of people, i think its worth mentioning that this is not always the case, and some folks just enjoy having a couple beers (or whatever) here and there. its not always about escaping or retreating. all that said, i have nothing but respect for each persons right to make their own decisions for any reason, and hope they respect mine as well.
I don't really care whether someone is straight edged or not, just don't push me to drink and I won't push you to stop.
I had edge friends in high school and I was practicing "edge-ness" by default back then. I certainly wasn't getting laid. I'm a big fat guy who smokes things, but I don't eat meat or drink very often. I quit cigarettes in December, but I doubt I'll drop any of my other substances. Life is full of faux-compromises and blurred lines, and I understand the empowerment of self-definition and self-control. I've always just felt awkward around some sxe people. Why? because in my life I've had a few "extreme" SxE acquaintances who were self-centered JUDGEMENTAL elitists. Those guys can give the rest a bad name. As a non-edger involved in overlapping music scenes at the Jersey shore in the 90s, the culture of exclusion wasn't just based on substances--there was a dress code and look. I've been plump for most of my life, and to be honest young SxE dudes were complete and utter pricks to the fat guy at the show. I guess I spiked my hair instead of shaving it too. My closest Edge friends never preached at me, because they liked me for who I was, which is always a nice thing. I respect SxE people, but I've never been injured more at a show than by Edge people who maybe should have a couple drinks instead of throwing a couple fists. just kidding.
Going to AC, on a Saturday night Fifty on red, I better be right See all the girls looking so nice My luck’s changing with the roll of the dice Caesar’s Palace, Taj Mahal We don’t care, we love them all Monday night, or after the show It doesn’t mattter, we got to go
I think there are self-centered JUDGEMENTAL elitist everywhere but when theyre straight edge, people get extra upset. makes sense I guess. I think most of it percieved though. i still love floorpunch. sue me.
totally right about that. I think ppl get extra upset at SxE folks in the same way carnivores feel indicted by vegetarians and can't help themselves from attacking your choice because, to them, it negates their own choices in a public way. I just want to know whose toys are getting high and whose aren't. Let's make a list. TURF WAR!
Sometimes I'll get drunk and walk into my library (where the toys are) and I look at them and think...what the fuck am I doing with these things? haha.
I'm not straight edge, but I can understand why someone would be, it's just not for me. I drink and smoke an occasional good cigar, but I don't judge people who don't. I don't judge people who drink daily either, because it's not my life, it's yours, do with it what you will! I love everyone for who they are, whether they be a prick or an angel. As long as you're real and don't judge me for something, I like ya no matter what! BTW Missy, what town in western PA are you from? I'm from Johnstown.
bannedindc, skylar, Josh, I know people who are straightedge and people who aren't. The amount of fun that they have is directly related to the proximity to that which is known as the Bryan-party, being me. This is why people on the East coast are such sad sacks.
For real though, I've hung out with straight edge dudes, shot their bands, and they never had any type of elitist attitude towards me or my lifestyle. I even shot a vegan death metal band just after going to in and out, and they didn't preach to me or scrutinize me at all. Most people with true convictions tend to keep it to themselves out of the same respect they would like to receive from others in regard to their lifestyle... an asshole is an asshole, whether they eat tofu or snort K At the end of the day, whatever makes you a good person (not only to yourself but to others) and gets you through this confusing world is what you should live by. Have a lovely weekend.
roadied for Grudge and was the original guitar player for project X and was the guy in the mask on the back over of the DYS record.
notice I said many, but not all. I didn't mean to make a generalization one way or the other, about users or non-users.
your choice of the word "user" displays some amount of negative bias. just as "non-user" implies positivity. the morality of '80s after school specials has infiltrated your mind! I work in Public Service Announcements when my job tells me do less evil work. so I'm sensitive to labelization and the imminentization of a "don't drink, don't smoke. what do you do?" cultural backlash. I fear it more than the possiblity of one day being taken to court for being in violation of "grandparents rights to visitation". those are two fun sentences I wrote while high. your turn soberstuff...
read slower. who are your favorite Straight Edge Authors? oh wait.... (this is just a joke, I'm sure there have been a few teetotallers who wrote good books. there's obviously some good SxE lyricists. and I'm not really high. I'm still at work. How could I possibly be high? )
a few things. 1. i've been edge since jan '04, which was when i was 16 and my final year in high school. surprisingly i actually lost alot of 'friends' because of it but its still the best decision i've ever made. i have various reasons behind it that i won't go into. i still had alot of fun hanging out with all my stoner/coke friends. 2. even though i find myself unable to relate to 99% of the human population, i still find it hard to relate to 95% of edge/hardcore kids too. 3. i don't know if it applies to anyone else, but when i'm at work/meeting someone new etc and i say 'i don't drink' they look like i just offered to fuck their mum in the ass or something. 4. porn rules. 5. trying to 'explain' edge is impossible. as in every board, alot of dudes still don't seem to understand it. just because you don't drink and smoke weed doesn't mean you're straight edge.