Just re-reading my op and the sentence...
"It brings the very worst out of people and completely changes their actions."
...should have really been...
"It brings the very worst out of
some people and completely changes their actions."
I have some friends who can happily sink 5 or 6 big bottles of Chang, yet remain a pleasure to chat with. On the other hand, I once knew this Canadian chap who was a great guy until he was halfway through his second Leo. At that point he would turn into the most foul mouthed, crude person I have ever met. Everyone at the table knew
his limits and would make their plans to leave accordingly.
Myself... well I generally just talk far too much, not allowing others to join in. On the odd occasion, I can become extremely argumentative over something as trivial as *insert trivial thing here*. This is why I stopped drinking beyond my limit.
When I used to venture into town though, you would always see the worst of the worst on most occasions. Johnnie Walkers is the only place I really go to now when I am down in Hua Hin as Johnnie is always a pleasure to chat to and the place is generally free of the 'Great Unwashed'.
So, it's just understanding your limits and being able to gauge the reactions of others around to see if you are a welcome contribution or... it's time to go home.
Nothing wrong with a few beers... as long as it doesn't change you that much which it certainly does to many.
