Alcohol makes one stupid, not cool. I have no idea why it is held in such high esteem in the US tech industry.
An drug-induced culture like that is just hurtful/unhealthy. Regardless of the drug they put into their bodies, I have an internal policy never to mix with druggies.
I am really shocked, that it seems so normal to drink that much booze. Hey, I really like a glas of wine here or there, a glas of good scotch once in a while. But I am not 15 (coming from Germany) anymore. I do not have to be dumb playing cool drinking booze.
So I really hope for the OP, as I really hope for the american tech-conference culture. For the first: I wish her the utmost and very best. For the second: Grow up!
Caffeine culture suffers no such problems.
But I really feeld the withdrawl symptoms in the afternoon at work, if I do not at least drink two cups of coffee till 2pm.
That is why I try to reduce my caffein-intake gradually.
Pigs are going to be pigs. They don't get to say "but I was drunk" Real men don't have it in them to treat others they way pigs do - alcohol or no.
I just don't blame the substance. Blame the man who thinks of his immediate satisfaction without regard to the cost he inflicts on others.
You'd be surprised.
Of course, "real men" who know they turn into pigs when drinking choose not to drink.
Result: people not knowing their limits.
Public drinking is allowed in Germany, however, funny as it seems it's not a barbaric (ahem) hellhole. Nor you see a lot of people "losing it"
That's maturity.
Oh yes you will.
Curiously enough, I've heard some stories about Oktoberfest. Needless to say it's way more popular with tourists than with locals. And the mess (including train stations, hostel vicinities, etc), well, doesn't need explaining.