Goa is India’s party destination, and rightly so. With its epic party venues, festivals, and live music, once the sun goes down, the (party) animals come out. Ever since we were youngsters, being a part of the state’s vibrant nightlife was more important than eating our vegetables. But somehow as the years went by, it’s safe to say that the tables have turned, and those tables now have, well, vegetables – among other major dietary changes; and that’s not all that’s changed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that we are slowly becoming the version of ourselves we fought so hard against in our youth. We’re becoming adults, grown-up decisions and early morning exercise routines included. That being said, here are 5 signs that you’re (unfortunately) an adult living in Goa.
You find yourself talking about politics
10 years ago, you probably didn’t know which political party was in power, who the members of cabinet were, how many seats made the majority, or which MLA was heading which constituency. Now as an adult, however, you find yourself rattling off statistics that would give your civics lecturer a complex, while you slowly swirl your bourbon.
All your friends are buying real estate
Remember when Baker’s Street in Porvorim was all about the red velvet cupcakes, and the rissois was akin to the Loch Ness Monster – talked about highly, but never seen? Now almost every table at pretty much any time of the day is buzzing with adult conversations about upcoming developments and ‘amazing deals’ that you need to be a part of. You can also join the conversation at your party of choice. Just look for the group of guys in the corner that look really serious while they slowly swirl their bourbon.
Home is the new party place
There was a time when we would sneak out of home to go to parties. Now we sneak out of parties to go home. Better yet, we just have parties at home, and avoid going out altogether. You’re definitely ‘adulting’ when you find yourself saying something to the effect of, “why don’t we just hang out at your place – we can order in. It’ll be fun!” and strangely, it is. The only part I haven’t figured out yet is how to get people to leave when it’s 10:30 pm and I want to tuck into bed and read a good book while I slowly swirl my bourbon.
College days were the ‘good old days’
It’s been just about 10 years. It’s really not that long ago. Yet every anecdote that starts with the phrase ‘remember that time …’ is somehow related to college, no matter how many adult life experiences we’ve had in the decade that has transpired since. But you have to admit, those are the best stories to share while you sit around a table of finger foods, recanting the ‘good old days’ while you slowly swirl your bourbon.
Everything has to be planned
Whether it’s going to check out this new party venue called Soho in Panjim, or yet another new restaurant in Assagao, IT HAS TO BE PLANNED. But most importantly, people stopping by your house is a strict no-no. Sure there was a time when your door was always open, and someone stopping by to say ‘hi’ was a welcome distraction. Now, however, the door is closed, and the sound of the doorbell gives you a panic attack. “Who on earth could that possibly be?”, “Why would someone just show up at 7 in the evening?”, “I really wish you would’ve called”, are just a few of the phrases you find yourself using as an adult, when you know that the greatest plan of all, is eating a home cooked dinner alone in front of the TV while you slowly swirl your, you guessed it, wine.
Bonus sign
You swirl a lot of Bourbon. And the occasional wine.
What are some other tell-tale signs that you are involuntarily ‘adulting’? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear them!
