You are probably more sensitized to it now but it is true that our culture is one where alcohol is pretty front and center.
The messages are pretty clear:
Wine is pretty much synonymous with romance in movies and television. Hot date=fire and a nice bottle of red. You wouldn't want to be watching sports without beer in hand. What commercials are you looking forward to most during the Super Bowl? Budweiser probably. Binging on alcohol is a rite of passage from teenage years to early adulthood around 21 years old. A kegger, walks of shame, beer bongs, all make up a "typical" collegiate experience if you go by media standards. Sophisticated city folk drink cocktails after work à la Sex in the City. You are single and free and meeting men. I don't know— I am almost hard pressed to find "fun" situations presented by the media that are alcohol free. Weddings? God, that would be a boring wedding. Parties? Nope. Alcohol is extremely accepted in our society. It is interesting to think about what that means.