Why so critical of "universal" flex radiator hoses?

I was 5, 6, or 7 years old. My dad had an "Old Fashioned" cocktail (water/ice, sugar, bitters, Jim Beam) every evening before dinner was served. I don't know why (still not much of a drinker-a beer now and then) but I used to ask him for a "sip" and he said go ahead. Then one of those evenings mom called us for dinner. As I walked from the family room to the kitchen table, I found I was dizzy and banging into the walls. Mom and dad put me to bed.