Beer Goggles Explained

I don't drink alcohol (never did when I was younger, and now my metabolism has slowed down too much to start), so aside from the constant joy of being the lifetime designated driver, I've also never had the "beer goggle" experience, in which alcohol causes one to misjudge someone's attractiveness while in a bar, often to leading to regrettable awkwardness the next morning. But that doesn't make this story any less interesting:

SCIENTISTS have figured out why alcohol makes ugly people seem more attractive - otherwise known as the "beer goggles" effect.

Far from being a simple matter of how much you have to drink, the researchers have devised a complex formula which takes into account the level of light in the pub or club, the drinkers' own eyesight, the smokiness of the room and the distance between two people.

"The beer goggles effect isn't solely dependent on how much alcohol a person consumes, there are other influencing factors at play too," said Professor Nathan Efron, Professor of Clinical Optometry at the University of Manchester. Amazingly, scientists now believe you don't even need to have had an alcoholic drink to suffer from the beer goggles effect.

Hey, now. Didn't I just say I never had a beer goggles moment?!? Jeez!

I should probably say that one shouldn't be looking for love in a bar anyway, but the thing about that is, that's where I met Krissy. And as you can see, there were no beer goggles involved:

However, do me a favor and don't ask her if she had beer goggles on when we met. I'm not sure I want to know the answer to that.

Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry

This entry has 9 comments: (Add your own)

#9 Comment from happinessdreams
11/28/05 12:37 AM | Permalink

Very nice picture. Oh the beer googles stories.
Elisa
#8 Comment from lurkynat
11/27/05 1:46 AM | Permalink

well..She is a rising star to be sure! hugs,
nat
#7 Comment from glopsey
11/26/05 6:30 PM | Permalink

Hey, yeah, who's hand is with krissy in the photo? I didn't think the post was serious, until I noticed the thumb is on the wrong part of her hand to be on that side of her body. John, is it your hand, hmmmmm....... ;D Thumbs point up when one turns their palms to their bodies, it's down in the photo. Are you sure you wanted to post this one, maybe it's a bit private.

But, aside from stabbing some fun at you, she is a very beautiful woman.
#6 Comment from plittle
11/25/05 3:47 PM | Permalink

The beergoggles phenomenon doesn't really have anything to do with eyesight anyway. It is a lowering of inhibitions that comes along with the alcohol consumption that causes one to 'deem as acceptable' a wider spectrum of choices. There, is that euphemistic enough for you? Oh, and Krissy? I think she was wearing the old Tequila goggles that night...
-Paul
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/
#5 Comment from lsfp1960
11/25/05 12:03 PM | Permalink

I'm like you, never have been a drinker and don't intend to start. But, I've always heard about all those "beautiful" people in bars, now I know the other side of the story. Linda
http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1960/LindasWorld/

Show all comments (4 more)

By The Way... Public Journal
Back to Journal	Archives \| Alerts x Entry Alerts Comment Alerts \| Feeds

By The Way...

Beer Goggles Explained