I dont drink Alcohol

jesshall281

Hello,

I am a non drinker, not for the health reasons (although that's an added benefit of not drinking) but because i just dont like the taste of it, and i know people who abuse it and i dont want to be like them.

Im getting really tired of meeting people, going to events, seeing my family and having this pressure to drink alcohol. I have maybe half a glass of wine one a year on my birthday, just to stop people bugging me about it. I dont like how when i meet people for the first time, they put so much pressure on me, as if i wont be able to have fun if i dont drink, or that im miserable and boring, its very upsetting. (they call me boring to my face, even though im a very happy person with a sense of humour, without the drink doing it for me)

Is there anybody else who doesn't drink here? what do you say to people when they almost try to force it down your neck so you can 'have fun'?

When i say 'oh sorry, i dont drink' they have a face of dissapointment, buy me a alcoholic drink anyway, and i get really annoyed at that.

BeautyAndTheGeeks

I drink, but I'm choosing not to drink for all of May to save a bit of extra money for my holiday and assist my weight loss. Also, to prove to myself that I can go out with my friends and have fun without spending loads on cocktails and wine. It's only been a week and it's been incredibly hard. People look at me like I have two heads when I say I'm not drinking this month, a bunch of my guy friends insisted on buying me alcoholic drinks on saturday night despite me saying I'm not drinking and then they got angry when I didn't drink them because I wasted their money - like really, are you freaking kidding me?!

KungfuPanda14

I don't drink either. (I never really enjoyed the taste of alcohol or the affects)

I used to have the same issue as you when I was at Uni so I can understand where you are coming from; it really made me feel like a loser when I wouldn't drink. I guess as time went by I just became more confident in the fact that if I don't want to drink, I won't. Nowadays when I meet people and tell them I don't drink, a lot of people find it admirable.

If you're out and about and someone asks you why you're not drinking, just smile and say "I'm not a fan of alcohol, but I'll have a diet coke if you're offering"

annlouise2

Jess also a non drinker for the same reason as you i just dont like it. I have never really drunk alcohol but i am older than you (31) and what i can say is it will eventually get better, people will stop going on about it and accept it. I got it a lot more when i was younger. I've been on girly holidays Ibiza, Magaluf, countless hen nights and lots of party places with my friends and managed to have the time of my life without it. My husband drinks but he totally accepts that i dont and has never made me feel like I must-plus he like the free lifts home when we've been out-no taxis for us just ignore the pressure, it'll soon disappear xx

USAF_Trooper

If you're out and about and someone asks you why you're not drinking, just smile and say "I'm not a fan of alcohol, but I'll have a diet coke if you're offering"

Love it!!

Beezil

I drink very VERY rarely, and when I do, it's an expensive mixed drink I get with a very nice dinner when I go out with my husband. I only like mixed drinks because they can hide the taste of alcohol almost completely so I can tolerate it. I like once in a while to have one just to relax a little and be a little goofy, but I hate the feeling of being "drunk". I just like a very light buzz if / when I do drink at all. My husband is the same way. Both of our fathers were alcoholics. His father passed away from the toll the drinking took on his organs at a very young age. Mine passed away at a young age as well, not because of the alcohol but I know it couldn't have helped his condition any. So, we rarely drink. Once or twice a year, if that.

You shouldn't be pressured into drinking by anyone. That's seriously not cool. What kind of person tries to make someone else drink? I'd be very offended by some of the things you have experienced... so would my husband. I guess some people just don't understand how the world works. You don't have to be drunk or under the influence of drugs to be fun or "have a good time". Sheesh. There actually ARE people in this world who can be entertaining with only their natural wit, humor and creativity.

TurtleCrush

Non-drinker here too. I know the feeling. Sounds like you need a new circle of friends. My friends are boring like me and love to go for a walk, movie, skating, swimming. I eliminated everyone out of my life that doesn't support my new lifestyle. Hard, but better for your health in the long run. Smiles!
Big hugs,
Rebekah

runnercheryl

I don't drink. I don't have the experience of having people question it or try and force me, though. In my experiences, people appreciate having a sober person to deal with general health and safety and to offer lifts. I just tend to keep an eye out, enjoy the night as much as everyone else, and get people home safe at the end of the night without them having to deal with the cost of a taxi - who'd encourage you to drink when they're getting a lift to their door, free of charge? :happy:

Designated Driver duty is the answer.

Edit: That said, I don't actually like going for nights out that are drink-focused. I tend not to, and only go when there's a meal or bowling involved or it's a special occasion.

js25698

I don't drink either. I don't really like the taste AND I've seen too many people do stupid things or get hurt because of it. When I am out with people and they find out that I don't drink I usually get a shrug of the shoulders or a slightly raised eyebrow. That's about it. True friends will understand. Jerks will push it. Stick to your guns.

Package02

Agree 100%. I just don't enjoy the taste of alcohol whatsoever. It tastes gross to me. I remember I was invited to a friends kickback and was told to "just bring whatever you wanna drink". I brought chocolate milk lol needless to say that led to a lot of jokes but jokes don't phase me. I don't need to be drunk to have fun. I'll often get called some of the same things you mentioned, such as "boring" simply because I'd rather not drink. I suggest you just find a group of friends with interests closer to your own, at least that's what I did. It's actually kind of ironic that I don't like alcohol because my family owns a couple bars around the city here XD

wendyannie1976

I don't drink, rarely have since I was 18 just never enjoyed it, hated the thought of wasting money on it I can have as good a time without drinking and probably better the only way I could find to stop the bugging was to offer to drive them home :-) that doesn't always work but I just ignore it - we all get ribbed for something and I have no problem in being ribbed for being healthy :-)

jesshall281

im so glad im not alone!

Thanks for all your responses, i wouldn't say its my close friends, they understand. But a work outing for example (in South Africa, its all about how much you can drink, so there is a lot of negativity towards me). Or even when you go to a club because I DO like to have a good time, and you order a water, and you get ridiculed by the barman because he thinks your on some kind of drugs drinking water.

Anyway, i have my dads wedding coming up in 2 weeks, and he is incredibly proud that i dont drink, but there will be a few people my age there who will be, but I will rise above it and be proud that i have a near perfect liver :laugh:

stayxtrue

I do not drink and have not for sometime... PLus it messes with your metabolic rate which in the end sucks for building muscle and so on... Plus I just dont see the appeal of being drunk and losing control

athensguy

I do not drink and have not for sometime... PLus it messes with your metabolic rate which in the end sucks for building muscle and so on...

I don't know where you got that one.

Anyway, I drink moderately, primarily because so much research indicates that it is a life extending and health improving practice.

tehzephyrsong

Not to interrupt the sober circlejerk happening here, but I'm just chiming in on the behalf of folks who *do* drink but aren't a**holes about it to those who don't. If your friends give you grief about not wanting to drink with them, find new friends.

As far as pushy guys in bars go, "No thanks, I'm driving tonight" is an effective refusal of both the explicit offer of a drink and the implicit offer of sex.

ElizaRoche

The only stuff Id have..... is baileys, a piña colada (both of these cause I love the flavor), or beer on a really hot day. I dont drink to have fun at parties, i rarely go to parties or clubs/bars anyway..

jesshall281

Not to interrupt the sober circlejerk happening here, but I'm just chiming in on the behalf of folks who *do* drink but aren't a**holes about it to those who don't. If your friends give you grief about not wanting to drink with them, find new friends.

As far as pushy guys in bars go, "No thanks, I'm driving tonight" is an effective refusal of both the explicit offer of a drink and the implicit offer of sex.

circlejerk?

Not heard that word before, hoping it isnt rude.

I never said people who drink are a**holes, and i never said the people who put pressure on me are my close friends. I also never said i get chatted up.

So thank you for your very defensive input.

dreamshadows

I never drink the stuff. The smell of beer turns me off. Not interested in trying anything else.
Designated driver is about my speed, but I'm never at bars. The few friends I have that do enjoy alcohol respect that I don't drink.

emmalecras

I am a non-drinker by choice but have no problems with people drinking around me - at least I remember all the stupid things that happen when they are drunk!!

All of my friends know that I choose not to drink (although I will have a sip occasionally) and there is no pressure.

aquasw16

OR (if you are from the US) tell them, HELLO I am not 21~ I can't drink!

dreamshadows

im so glad im not alone!

Thanks for all your responses, i wouldn't say its my close friends, they understand. But a work outing for example (in South Africa, its all about how much you can drink, so there is a lot of negativity towards me). Or even when you go to a club because I DO like to have a good time, and you order a water, and you get ridiculed by the barman because he thinks your on some kind of drugs drinking water.

Anyway, i have my dads wedding coming up in 2 weeks, and he is incredibly proud that i dont drink, but there will be a few people my age there who will be, but I will rise above it and be proud that i have a near perfect liver :laugh:

when at a bar, I tip the barman for my glass of water, and tell him I'm the DD tonight. They are good with that. Actually they are usually surprised to be tipped for water.