Expectations Flash Game - Text Description

Screen one: A smaller screen pops-up after you click on the Expectations home page. The first text reads, “Well what do you expect? Sometimes expectations are right on, but often they are totally off, especially when talking about alcohol. Check it out…”

Screen two: This screen contains eight boxes, four on the top and four on the bottom. The question, “Well what do you expect?” is between the two rows of small boxes. Each box links to a different discussion about things some people expect about drinking.

Box one title: Well, what did you expect… to have more fun and excitement?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect…to have more fun and excitement?”

Girl says: Some kids think people who drink have more fun and excitement.
Boy says: Yeah, TV and movies can give you that idea.
Girl: But in real life, people who drink to get drunk don’t have more fun. In fact they are more stressed and depressed.
Boy: Not good. If you want to have more fun, it’s better to go to new places or take on new challenges.
Girl: Right like working out or mastering a new game, or maybe tying a musical instrument or braving the great outdoors.
Boy: Tell us how you like to have fun times without alcohol or other drugs?

Input box: On the right side of the pop-up there is a box that reads:
Please tell us how you have fun and excitement. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.) You can enter your ideas here.

Box 2 title: Well, what did you expect… to fit in better?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to fit in better?”

Girl says: Some kids think drinking will make them fit in better.
Boy says: I guess they may fit in with drinkers, but most teens don’t drink.
Girl: If they want to fit in better they should choose friends who don’t drink.

Box 3 title: Well, what did you expect… to impress others?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to impress others?”

Girl says: Some people think drinking will impress others.
Boy says: No way! Acting stupid, throwing up, and starting fights doesn’t impress people.
Girl: Instead they should show their talents, and focus on the things they can do well.
Boy: And it really impresses people if you’re polite and a good listener.

Box 4 title: Well, what did you expect…to feel good or improve your mood?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to feel good or improve your mood?”

Girl says: Some people think drinking will make them feel good or improve their mood.
Boy says: But if they’re feeling down, drinking can make it worse. Way worse…
Boy: If people want to feel better, they need to talk about their problems with someone they trust. And if they’re depressed, they shouldn’t wait.
Girl: It also helps to exercise and do things they know they’ll enjoy.
Girl: Tell us what puts you in a better mood without using alcohol or other drugs.

Submit box: Please tell us how you get in a better mood. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.)

Box 5 title: Well, what did you expect… to be more attractive?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to be more attractive?”

Girl says: Some people think drinking will make them more attractive.
Boy says: Yeah, right! Throwing up, being visibly drunk, and saying stupid things aren’t attractive.
Girl: To be more attractive, they should start by being confident and showing that they respect themselves.
Boy: Another way is to exercise. I found some good fitness ideas on the web at BAM.gov. (This link will pop up in another window http://www.bam.gov/fit4life/fitt.htm).
Boy: Tell us how you make yourself more attractive.

Submit box: Please tell us what you do to be attractive. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.)

Box 6 title: Well, what did you expect… to relax, feel less shy or nervous?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to relax, feel less shy or nervous?”

Girl says: Some people think alcohol will make them feel more relaxed and less shy or nervous.
Boy says: People may feel more relaxed but alcohol can also relax their judgement. So they say and do things they regret.
Girl: Yeah, like crying or arguing or getting into fights.
Girl: To feel less shy at parties, they can they think ahead about things to talk about.
Boy: Yeah, like maybe video games or sports. Or movies and TV shows.
Girl: Tell us what you do to feel less shy or nervous without alcohol or other drugs.

Submit box: Please tell us what you do to relax or feel less shy. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.)

Box 7 title: Well, what did you expect… to be funny?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to be funny?”

Girl says: I know some kids who think drinking makes them funnier and helps them say clever things.
Boy says: Puh-leeze. People who haven’t been drinking usually think that drinkers are not funny at all.
Girl: If people want to be funnier, they can learn some jokes and practice telling them to friends.
Boy: Or just tell funny stories about things that happen to them.
Girl: Tell us how you make others laugh.

Submit box: Please tell us how you make others laugh. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.)

Box 8 title: Well, what did you expect… to solve your problems or forget about them?
A screen pops up with two characters facing each other. There is a girl on the left side and a boy on the right side. Across the top it says, “Well, what do you expect… to solve your problems or forget about them?”

Girl says: Some people think drinking will help them solve their problems or forget about them.
Boy says: Actually, alcohol messes up a person’s thinking. You can’t solve problems that way.
Girl: That’s true. And drinking to escape problems can lead to even more trouble—a serious drinking problem.
Girl: A better way to solve problems is by talking them over with someone you trust, like family, friends, or a counselor.
Boy: Yes—and if one approach doesn’t work, it’s important to try another and not give up.
Girl: Tell us how you solved a major problem.

Submit box: Please share how you solved a major problem. (No names, please--just "boy" or "girl" and your age.)