No pop:until 12 yrs.

[Owlie]

I grew up with it as a treat--if we went out to eat (not common until I was 10ish) or for special occasions. I really only drink it now if I need a caffeine boost and don't want to drink coffee. I usually drink water...but Cleveland's water is nasty.

[GLC1968]

When I was a kid, we had it for special occasions. I remember that it was always offered at birthday parties but they always only had Coke and I hated the flavor of cola. I'd always ask for water and my friends parents always seemed surprised by that. My brother drank it though. He's no worse for the wear, either. No weight problem, no teeth problem and he looks easily 10 years younger than he really is. Of course, back then, soda was sweetened with real sugar...none of this fake HFCS crap.

I don't remember ever having soda at home, but I'm sure we did. I just chose not to drink it. We had sugar cereals, tons of candy at Halloween, baked goods out our ears at Christmas... but a meal was not a meal with veggies, so it all balanced out.