I was born and raised in Ireland and...
I don't drink, and I'm generally regarded as quite sane.
Yeah, those comments sadden me rather than make me mad. It shows how quick people are to judge without experience, and how much ignorance still exists all over the place.
I'd take it with a pinch of salt if it weren't for the fact that people really do seem to believe that bollox, not to mention all the crap I have to endure at bars/clubs/parties :-(
Merry Christmas.