Wine for a teenager.
May 29th, 2007, 08:27 AM
#41
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Hi Simsy-
One more tip- I remember from my college study abroad program that in France (and maybe other European counties) we were warned that the big crime is viewed as public drunkeness. So... they will serve anyone but arrest or fine you for making a spectacle of yourself in public.
Have a fabulous trip! I know it will be a life-changing experience.
One more tip- I remember from my college study abroad program that in France (and maybe other European counties) we were warned that the big crime is viewed as public drunkeness. So... they will serve anyone but arrest or fine you for making a spectacle of yourself in public.
Have a fabulous trip! I know it will be a life-changing experience.
May 29th, 2007, 08:31 AM
#43
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No matter what you think about teenagers having a glass of wine or two: All the countries outside the U.S. have a lower age limit re. alcohol. I doubt that a chaperone can fence in a bunch of 16 yo forever when a student group is going to Italy, for example. It's perfectly legal for any 16 yo to order wine or beer (but not liquor) in most European / EU countries. So expect them to give it a try. They'll discover that getting a beer in a pub is cool. Two beer is even cooler. Three beers will make them throw up. Not cool. Lesson learned (hopefully).
So if you don't like that as a parent, don't send them. If you send them, expect them to drink (IF they want to).
So if you don't like that as a parent, don't send them. If you send them, expect them to drink (IF they want to).
May 29th, 2007, 08:33 AM
#44
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Congratulations on your upcoming trip!! Have a great time. Don't forget to eat lots of gelato!!!!!!!!!
Please report back when you return if you have the time. I would love to hear about your trip.
Please report back when you return if you have the time. I would love to hear about your trip.
May 29th, 2007, 09:44 AM
#45
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Simsy will be fine... but DO NOT take aspirin if you are hung over. The USDA does not recommend aspirin for children under 19, I think Canada opts for anyone under 21, due to the connection with Reyes Syndrom.
May 29th, 2007, 11:14 AM
#48
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Simsy, I just want to echo those who have suggested that you simply order the house red or house white...and in small quantities.
Most of all, have a blast. You only get to be young once, and you should enjoy it.
Most of all, have a blast. You only get to be young once, and you should enjoy it.
May 29th, 2007, 11:25 AM
#49
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simsy, if you are a US student and participate in any school sports or other competitive activities be very certain of your school policy regarding any alcohol consumption and school trips. Students at our local high school faced some stiff penalties because of alcohol consumption, not abuse merely consumption approved by the chaperones, on a school trip to Europe. Several lost sports letters, were not allowed to attend prom and could not walk with their graduating class because of an incident of social drinking in Europe. Whether you agree or disagree with the policies, just make sure you are aware of them and let that guide your behavior. Have a great trip. Deborah
May 29th, 2007, 11:32 AM
#50
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It's always nice to have a first time poster attacked on the first response from the grammar and spelling police. I also didn't see your response as a tantrum considering the silly responses of the supposed adults. Don't worry about it.
Now, I don't have children so according to at least one poster on this board, I'm not qualified to post on the matter. None-the-less, my sister raised a couple of children, both adults now. She and her husband allowed them a drink in their own home during their mid to late teens. Neither of them became addicted and in fact, both are very responsible about drinking. Yes good people, even a few fodorites I'm guessing have been in a situation where they had a drink or so too many. Both my niece and nephew have always arranged for this, or called a cab. They were taught responsible drinking at an early age and have stuck with it.
You won't become an alcoholic if you try some wines while in Italy. Hang in there and welcome to fodors.
Bill
Now, I don't have children so according to at least one poster on this board, I'm not qualified to post on the matter. None-the-less, my sister raised a couple of children, both adults now. She and her husband allowed them a drink in their own home during their mid to late teens. Neither of them became addicted and in fact, both are very responsible about drinking. Yes good people, even a few fodorites I'm guessing have been in a situation where they had a drink or so too many. Both my niece and nephew have always arranged for this, or called a cab. They were taught responsible drinking at an early age and have stuck with it.
You won't become an alcoholic if you try some wines while in Italy. Hang in there and welcome to fodors.
Bill
May 29th, 2007, 12:22 PM
#51
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<<You won't become an alcoholic if you try some wines while in Italy.>>
40 mothers and a prophet
The young lad is probably sitting with his buddies laughing himself sick over the replies... Remember what it was like to be sixteen???
40 mothers and a prophet
The young lad is probably sitting with his buddies laughing himself sick over the replies... Remember what it was like to be sixteen???
May 29th, 2007, 12:27 PM
#52
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funny thing US and 21 yrs drinking age and Europe with no enforceable one usually and oft 16 or lower for beer or wine.
US kids can drive at 15, on their own 16
Europe kids rarely drive until 18 or so -
weird how society sets the age of majority in different ways.
US kids can drive at 15, on their own 16
Europe kids rarely drive until 18 or so -
weird how society sets the age of majority in different ways.
May 29th, 2007, 12:27 PM
#53
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<i>"Students at our local high school faced some stiff penalties because of alcohol consumption, not abuse merely consumption approved by the chaperones, on a school trip to Europe. Several lost sports letters, were not allowed to attend prom and could not walk with their graduating class because of an incident of social drinking in Europe."</i>
Wow. Just...wow.
That is just so very wrong.
Wow. Just...wow.
That is just so very wrong.
May 29th, 2007, 01:23 PM
#54
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mr go, that is what I thought but our schools have a "zero tolerance" for alcohol consumptions by underage students at any school function, kids sign pledges when they participate in activities to conform to the rules, these kids thought because the school chaperones gave them permission to have wine with a dinner that it excused them from the rules. I'm not commenting on whether it was right or wrong, but I just wanted the OP to be certain of any rules his school may have regarding underage drinking, even if it happens to be in countries without such laws. Deborah
May 29th, 2007, 02:46 PM
#55
I did not read any of the replies, but too your question I suggest simply ordering the "house wine" offered in restaurants. It comes in various size carafes or small pitchers in red, white, or rose. If you don't like the taste, dilute it with a little still or sparkling water.
You should get a money belt and wear it hidden under your clothing. You keep only enough cash for 1 day in your pocket or backpack to spend (do not access the moneybelt in public, the idea is that it stays hidden keeping your valuables safe).
You should get a money belt and wear it hidden under your clothing. You keep only enough cash for 1 day in your pocket or backpack to spend (do not access the moneybelt in public, the idea is that it stays hidden keeping your valuables safe).
May 29th, 2007, 03:17 PM
#56
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About 5 years ago, my nephew went to Europe on a school trip when he was 16. Prior to leaving, the parents were given the chance to sign a form saying it was okay for their children to drink wine with dinner. My sister did give her okay as others did.
The interesting thing is that my nephew said that most kids whose parents had given permission for them to have alcohol drank some at dinner and sometime a bit more at evening events, but none over did it.
However, the kids who didn't have permission, snuck in alcohols in the room and one of them got extremely sick from drinking.
Moderation and not driving after drinking is the name of the game!
The interesting thing is that my nephew said that most kids whose parents had given permission for them to have alcohol drank some at dinner and sometime a bit more at evening events, but none over did it.
However, the kids who didn't have permission, snuck in alcohols in the room and one of them got extremely sick from drinking.
Moderation and not driving after drinking is the name of the game!
May 29th, 2007, 03:38 PM
#57
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I agree with the general advice to try house wines in moderate amounts with food and lots of water --all assuming that the trip sponsors and chaperones really allow you to drink. You will really regret it if you have a hangover and spoil part of the trip.
I recently went to Rome with my husband and 16 year old son. I offered him the chance to taste wine there. (He didn't like it) I am not a moron or an irresponsible parent. I do not offer him alcohol at home on the theory that I follow the local laws, however much I disagree with them. So your parents may or may not be willing to help educate you with a pre-trip wine tasting.
A few other random pieces of advice:
Try to learn a little Italian before you go and use it when you are there. Take a phrase book with you (helpful for ordering in restaurants and many other situations)
think about reading some books set in Italy before you go. Angels and Demons (by Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code) is a fast, light read about Rome/the Vatican.
I Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves are great historical novels. My older son and I loved them at about age 15. My younger son (the one who just went to Rome) would not follow my wise advice to read these novels or watch the excellent BBC series based on them. He did read Angels and Demons.
I recently went to Rome with my husband and 16 year old son. I offered him the chance to taste wine there. (He didn't like it) I am not a moron or an irresponsible parent. I do not offer him alcohol at home on the theory that I follow the local laws, however much I disagree with them. So your parents may or may not be willing to help educate you with a pre-trip wine tasting.
A few other random pieces of advice:
Try to learn a little Italian before you go and use it when you are there. Take a phrase book with you (helpful for ordering in restaurants and many other situations)
think about reading some books set in Italy before you go. Angels and Demons (by Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code) is a fast, light read about Rome/the Vatican.
I Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves are great historical novels. My older son and I loved them at about age 15. My younger son (the one who just went to Rome) would not follow my wise advice to read these novels or watch the excellent BBC series based on them. He did read Angels and Demons.
May 29th, 2007, 04:44 PM
#58
I'll join with <beaupeep>.
Someone who hasn't learned the rules of grammar of his/her own language, and has no respect for them ("Get over it."
or for those who do, probably hasn't learned what moderation is.
Seems to me that Natalie Holloway's chaperones in Aruba were also "OK with it"; now where do you suppose she might be?
The reason for the cautionary advice from some of us is that we have also been 16, and still remember our, or others', excesses. Like the football game we lost to a rival because the left guard and left tackle had each killed a case of beer the day before, and could barely move in the game.
Someone who hasn't learned the rules of grammar of his/her own language, and has no respect for them ("Get over it."
or for those who do, probably hasn't learned what moderation is.Seems to me that Natalie Holloway's chaperones in Aruba were also "OK with it"; now where do you suppose she might be?
The reason for the cautionary advice from some of us is that we have also been 16, and still remember our, or others', excesses. Like the football game we lost to a rival because the left guard and left tackle had each killed a case of beer the day before, and could barely move in the game.
May 29th, 2007, 06:12 PM
#60
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i agree that there shouldn't be a problem if you want to try wine and are responsible.
however, i don't think that because Europeans allow young people to drink alcohol that there are fewer alcoholics in europe than in the usa. my ex-husband grew up in europe and drank from age 8 - he is an alcoholic and it had nothing to do with the country he grew up in.
however, i don't think that because Europeans allow young people to drink alcohol that there are fewer alcoholics in europe than in the usa. my ex-husband grew up in europe and drank from age 8 - he is an alcoholic and it had nothing to do with the country he grew up in.
