User Post: How Do You Know When You've Had Too Much To Drink?

I'm suffering from jet-lag. You know the kind when the room is a little unsteady and you have a migraine. Kind of like a hangover. So I figured now was as good a time as any to write about drinking. Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm a total light weight when it comes to alcohol. A good sniff of the cork is almost all I need.

I don't mind a nice buzz, but I don't really like being too tipsy or worse, drunk. Walking unsteadily and slurring my words holds no appeal for me. I have a hard enough time walking in my heels when I'm sober. I'm not judging. Really. I just don't want that to be me. I know my limits and I don't want to embarrass myself or share something that's too personal. At least notthat way. If I'm going to make a complete fool of myself or spill some juicy secrets, I want to be fully present when I'm doing it. And remember having done it the next day.

Which brings me to a small dinner party I was lucky enough to be invited to a few weeks ago. The champagne was flowing, the food was fabulous, there was dancing on the table and a lively dancing train (which some say I started). We were all having a great time, but there came a time when some of us seriously needed to be cut off from more libations. (Names protected to protect the not so innocent.)

Here are some signs that you or your host might want to say "No" to more of the bubbly:

1. Sharing family secrets. I don't really want to know that so and so's marriage is hanging by a thread or how often they have sex. If you're saying intimate things you wouldn't say sober, maybe it's time to scale back a bit.
2. The mean drinker. Tell me how you really feel. No, please don't.
3. When you can't stand, walk or pee on your own volition. Or other gross stuff. No explanation needed.
4. Can you hear me? Why is everyone yelling in here? They start to speak very loud.
5. You start hitting on my husband. Hands off girlfriend!

Aside from that, please do dance on the table or chair. (I'm all about celebrating life!) And with the right 70's Disco and half a Mimosa, I'll be next to you swinging the napkin over my head. But that's as far as I go. I've got things to do tomorrow.

Cheers!

Do you stop yourself when you think you've had too much or is a nasty hangover the ultimate goal?