so? either surround yourself with other like-minded people or deal with/ignore it.

I hear ya, NWF. The ridicule rampant on this thread points toward the ostracization that occurs by even talking about it. But what's mixing everyone up is your use of the word "morals" in connection with lifestyle choices, as if one is universally better than another. Maybe in your world, but you got to be careful about assuming it's that way for everyone because most people really like a few of those things and will get offended if you frame it in moral terms. It's a touchy balance.

But not to fear, there are other straight-edge people around and you've just got to look for them if it makes you more comfortable. Then you won't be rubbing others the wrong way and vice versa and all will be a happy time.

...especially when all your friends (and maybe some family) have some kind of vice like drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sugar, red meat, unprotected sex, etc. It's real easy for me to indulge in all that stuff, but I think I would be the person that would easily get addicted and wouldn't be able to control it.

But I know in my heart that all that stuff is bad for me, and that it'll only be detrimental to my mind, body and spirit. But when peers (and society in general) pressures you to give into these painful pleasures it can be tough trying to avoid them. You want to fit in, but you're excluded because of your choice to be straight-edge.

I can't speak for you because I only know you online, but a lot of straight-edgers are obnoxious, pretentious fucks about their choice. A lot of other people will try to goad a person into a drink or a smoke just to knock them off their pedestal.

i've known five or so, and they were ALL like that.

I would totally read your advice column.

I also understand that people are different and have different values and stuff. I'm just doing what is best for me. But I'm not the kind of person that goes around and judges or chastizes people for the choices that they make in their life. If they wanna drink, smoke, get high, and fuck like rabbits then that's their choice. But they should take responsibility for their actions if they feel they're grown enough to get into that. They should also be smart enough to know the consequences of their actions too. They should know the perils of excessive consumption.

Apparently to some people it is. If you were in High School and you hadn't done it, then you just weren't in the know. Sad, but true.