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What are Beer Goggles?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Is there no limit as to what a generous supply of alcohol can accomplish? One notable side effect is the creation of selective visual aids known as beer goggles. Beer goggles, also known as Stellavision or the Cider Visor, are fictitious eyeglasses which purportedly cause an inebriated wearer to see members of the opposite sex as more romantically attainable or physically attractive than they actually are. As a result, both the hunter and the hunted may find themselves in a difficult or embarrassing situation the following morning.

It is no secret that bars informally known as "meat markets" are popular destinations for those seeking short-term liaisons with a willing member of the opposite sex. The difficulty lies in losing enough of one's inhibitions in order to approach a potential partner. This is where beer and other potent potables usually enters the pictures. As a bar patron consumes more alcohol, he or she often becomes more sociable and less inhibited by fears of rejection.

Consuming more alcohol often leads people to lower their inhibitions.
Consuming more alcohol often leads people to lower their inhibitions.

As the evening progresses, however, the herd may begin to thin appreciably and the beer goggles come out. Suddenly a room previously filled with 4s and 5s is now saturated with 8s and 9s on an attractiveness scale. Nothing has actually changed in the real world, but for those wearing beer goggles, their chances of success have shot up dramatically. A man or a woman previously dismissed as unattractive or unattainable may now become the newest target on the goggle wearer's social radar.

Beer goggles may make someone believe they have a greater chance of obtaining a sexual partner.
Beer goggles may make someone believe they have a greater chance of obtaining a sexual partner.

There have been a number of popular songs written about the unfortunate phenomenon of beer goggles. In general, an anxious but socially inept bar patron becomes extremely intoxicated and suddenly sees the world through rose-colored beer glasses. What he or she believes to be an extremely attractive partner when viewed through beer goggles often turns out to be quite the opposite upon sober reflection the following morning. Results vary from a shotgun wedding to an object lesson on the perils of cross-dressing.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

I've seen some guys whose beer goggles were almost visible on his face! You could tell by the way his walk changed, to say nothing of the boozy grin.

There's no end to the amount of trouble a drunk guy can get into because he's had too much and not only does he think the girls are extra pretty, but that *he's* extra sexy! Those are the ones who are the hardest to get rid of.

Girls can get beer goggles, too, though. I have a friend who got into some pretty icky situations because she didn't curb her intake and she found herself with guys she would never have allowed to be around her if she had been sober.

Scrbblchick

Country singer Mickey Gilley had a song for this phenomenon: "The Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time." Neal McCoy sang, "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On" and Brad Paisley refers to it in "Alcohol."

I heard this phrase when I was in college and thought it was a pretty good description of what happens in a bar.

There's nothing worse than some drunk dude sidling up to you with a, "Hey baby. Want to dance?" Not a good idea to take him up on it, unless you want to get in a clinch with an octopus, because if the beer goggles are on, they've lost the other inhibitions, too.

There have been times when I was thrilled I could say, "Thank you so much, but I only dance with my husband" and be telling the truth.

My husband is a man of peace, but he's a big guy, so he can be a little intimidating if the situation calls for it.

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    • Consuming more alcohol often leads people to lower their inhibitions.
      By: Hoda Bogdan
      Consuming more alcohol often leads people to lower their inhibitions.
    • Beer goggles may make someone believe they have a greater chance of obtaining a sexual partner.
      By: vgstudio
      Beer goggles may make someone believe they have a greater chance of obtaining a sexual partner.
    • Drinking may be used as a way to cope with rejection.
      By: lassedesignen
      Drinking may be used as a way to cope with rejection.
    • Many songs have been written about the consequences of wearing "beer goggles."
      By: BRAD
      Many songs have been written about the consequences of wearing "beer goggles."