Turning 21 in the USA... What's the big deal?!

Being raised in a multi-cultural home and having the opportunity to grow up in the Caribbean, I have always been able to enjoy the best of many worlds as it relates to location, culture, beliefs, and customs practices. I agree, an opportunity that not many other people ever get to experience, (one that I am thankful for).

I always had the opportunity to have a drink of alcohol from an early age and it is not because my parents were negligent, it is because it was never illegal here to sell alcohol to minors, (if it was illegal, the law was never enforced). This didn't mean that I had the ability to sit at a neighbourhood dive and have a drink libation among local alcoholics drunkards, however, I could physically go to the store and buy alcohol.

As a result, I had my days of being drunk, disorderly and hungover the day after. Not moments that I am proud of, at all. Now owing to this, when I turned 21, I was somewhat responsible about my alcohol intake, I knew my limits and therefore didn't have the 'Big 21' celebrations as American 21ers do.

"My life takes me in many directions, giving me the pleasure of randomly spending time in different places of my choice at different times, meeting different people and developing lifetime friendships."

 Spending six months in Minneapolis The Mini Apple last year, and talking to people from different walks of life, I became to realize the hype surrounding the 21st Birthday Celebration was all about throwing back tequila and any other shots available at the bar. PERSONALLY, I find that is a less than festive thing to do to celebrate such an important auspicious occasion.

Being drunk intoxicated is so far removed from attractive. Just as embarrassing yourself in front of seasoned veterans of libation isn't cute to say the least. C'est la vie, I will probably never convince anyone that the custom is outplayed and downright stupid.

What I never understood was why the United States does things in reverse. In my honest and humble opinion (not saying it counts), I believe that teenagers should legally be able to start drinking at 16, giving them at least 2 years to understand what alcohol is all about, and then legally driving at 18 or 21. This will decrease the alcohol related deaths caused by drunk idiots driving home after the bar stopped serving them (be it as a result of their condition or closing time, whichever came first).

Drink Responsibly... Bless