The rule
Stop one drink before you need to. You know the point: when the next one would be for its own sake and not for pleasure. The best-remembered guests are those who leave while still good company.
Why it matters
Nobody has ever woken up wishing they'd had one more. Knowing where your limit is, and staying on the right side of it, is simply part of being a grown man who enjoys a drink.
How to do it well
- Decide roughly how much you'll have before the evening begins.
- Alternate with water, and eat properly.
- Don't drive after drinking, ever. Plan your way home first.