Going to nightclubs has gotten a bad rap over the years, but not everyone who goes to them is a drunk party animal. The latest hot spots can be great places to meet friends, meet other singles, and socialize. It’s about controlling yourself and being moderate when drinking if you want to remember what happened the next day.
When my friends and I used to go to clubs, we would meet at a restaurant in downtown Cleveland, a central place for all of us. After a light dinner, we’d go to our favorite club, a popular nightspot that looked like a bombed-out European shelter during WWII (the place was appropriately nicknamed “Bomber”) that had war-time Jeeps and jets. Strategically placed ancients. around the property. I knew about this place because my ex-boyfriend used to meet his friends there. Everyone liked to go there just to hang out. It wasn’t sinister, just a friendly meeting place to dance, people watch, talk to the “regulars” who came every week, and listen to popular music.
Going to Bomber was exercise, since we used to dance to all the songs. We dress nicely and wear high heels. By the end of the night, my feet were really sore, but that was fine as it was all about looking good in those heels. Dances back then were things like the electric slide, slow dances, and laid-back regular dances. This was before the dances became too sexual. Things are quite different now, from what I’ve been told. But back then, we’d go out to Perkins’ Pancake House for breakfast after the club closed. It was good, clean and fun. If we planned to have a few drinks, we would choose a designated driver. The most dangerous thing I remember seeing in the club was a drunk woman who came up to me and for no reason tried to fight me and my friend. We just turned her down, as the doorman kicked her out for being a mess. We never met her before her, and we never saw her again. Drunks sure do stupid things.
Over the years, my friends and I would stop meeting at our club when we had a long-term relationship, but would come back later when the relationship ended. I got tired of the club scene in my late twenties. It was time to grow up and change course. What it did for me was when a guy who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer (but was initially nice) slipped a date rape drug into my drink, and I spent the next hour in the bathroom before I had to leave. to home. . The punk ran away in the crowd and was never caught, while a great friend of mine had to carry me to the car. I was sick for a week. My friend Linda and I had never met someone who did anything like alcoholic beverages. Being cautious is probably a “given” these days. We were very naive. That was enough for me, clubbing was no longer carefree.
Watching these young stars and celebrities do drugs, throw themselves at every man they meet, and walk around without wearing any underwear shows that things have changed a lot since our decade of going dancing for fun. It’s a shame that young people have to worry about the dangers of people getting high with their drinks or worse these days. Our carefree era has passed and responsibility has taken over our lives, but those good old days were fun while they lasted. Over time, these young people of today will grow up and remember their days together in the city fondly as well. We take our lives for granted, especially when we are young. We feel invincible and attractive while flirting, chatting and having fun with friends, with endless energy. I’m sure it would be great to have some more of that energy now, but I no longer have any interest in staying up all night. If my friends want to go out for breakfast these days, we do it during normal hours in the morning.
Now, in my forties, socializing is smoother. I don’t feel like going to clubs anymore, because it was a temporary diversion, but nothing more. My friends and I grew up, moved on and settled down. Seeing how many famous young women now end up in jail or rehab because of their clubbing exploits, I’m glad none of us have ever drunk and driven or used drugs. We knew better, because our parents instilled in us certain values. Hopefully, these misguided young women will learn that being cute, wearing nice clothes, and flirting isn’t everything. We all get old. The smug and party girl of today will become a mother and/or a responsible professional later on. Many of us mature emotionally without aging and move on to more important matters in life. Physical aging is inevitable. If you try to push it away too much with plastic surgery, it will start to look like you’re stuck in a wind tunnel. Enjoy the beauty of youth but stay realistic, or your friends will swoon over the look later on.
Being too caught up in looks gets really boring for everyone after a while. Just ask Paris Hilton. Beauty is, as beauty does. Life is much more than partying and looking in the mirror. To make a difference in the world, we need to focus on the things that matter most and use the party for downtime, but in moderation. Partying isn’t a career that lasts forever unless you’re maybe Hugh Hefner. He made it work for him, but most people haven’t. It’s about priorities, being responsible and smart about life choices.