I DONT drink Alcohol!

I don't drink alcohol for no other reason than I don't like the way it makes me feel and my body reacts pretty badly to it.

People tend to get confused, although it has gotten better. My friends are used to it by now and many of them hardly drink at all either or only small amounts. And they are normally happy to have a driver ;-).

I don't argue with people anymore. I stay calm and just explain that I don't like to drink but don't mind others doing it. That seem to be enough of an explanation, at least that's all they get.

I personally do not drink alcohol. Simple.

People question me when I go out with friends as to why I am not drinking. "Are you pregnant" "Is it because of religion" "Are you sick" "There must be something wrong with you". NO NO NO & NO.

I am not religious. I am not pregnant. I am not sick and as far as I know there is nothing wrong with me! It has been my personal choice not to drink alcohol simply because I haven't found any drinks that I actually like the taste of!

Are there any other non-alcoholic MFP'ers out there that know how to deal with this social situation? I am just sick to death of people trying to pressure me into drinking because they think it's 'cool' or the fun thing to do. I am 21 and our legal age is 18 here in Aus, and obviously I can make my own choices (because I choose not to drink!)

Basically what I'm asking is, what would be your comeback? I am so tired of explaining myself to everyone I see when we are out. I am quite capable of having a good time without alcohol.

End rant! LOL

Wow. I could have totally written that!

I'm from Australia too. The drinking culture in this country is weird. If you don't drink, there's something wrong with you. I hate that mindset. When I turned 18, I tried the going-out-and-drinking thing, and it just wasn't for me. Some people seem to enjoy it, but I really think a lot are just kidding themselves and doing it because they feel obligated to (because if you don't, you get subjected to the weird looks and Spanish inquisition!). I could tell you my theory on why people in Australia drink so much, but it's long winded and probably boring!

My comeback is usually that I don't need chemical enhancers to be a fun and interesting person - I'm awesome naturally! If you turn it back on them and make them feel like the deficient ones, they usually leave you alone!

Anyway, stay with it. Don't do anything you don't want to do. I'm 30 now, and I've never let anyone pressure me into drinking. And don't be fooled by people telling you that you'll appreciate wine once you're older - still tastes like cat pee to me!

i don't drink. in our community men drinking is accepted but unwelcome fact whereas women drinking is an aberrance!!social gender bias at full play..
and
i would rather have my antioxidants from greens and tomatoes , instead of red wine!!

I don't drink either- and when I get asked those stupid questions (I ALWAYS seem to get the 'ooh are you pregnant?" question) I happily tell them all about my fiance's father who is an abusive drunk and has been for 40 years. I give them information about him they really don't want to hear and then they shut up. It works quite well

is your fiance ok with that!:frown:

I drink. I don't question others who don't.

On the flip side, my on alcohol drinking sister will make snippy snide comments when she grocery shopped with me, "Oh look, the alcoholic is buying wine." keeping in mind she doesn't live with me nor does she know my consumption amounts.

Moral of the story, if your friends question why you DO NOT drink they aren't your friends. If your family rags on you because you do drink, they should be kicked in the shins.

This!

I personally do not drink alcohol. Simple.

People question me when I go out with friends as to why I am not drinking. "Are you pregnant" "Is it because of religion" "Are you sick" "There must be something wrong with you". NO NO NO & NO.

I am not religious. I am not pregnant. I am not sick and as far as I know there is nothing wrong with me! It has been my personal choice not to drink alcohol simply because I haven't found any drinks that I actually like the taste of!

Are there any other non-alcoholic MFP'ers out there that know how to deal with this social situation? I am just sick to death of people trying to pressure me into drinking because they think it's 'cool' or the fun thing to do. I am 21 and our legal age is 18 here in Aus, and obviously I can make my own choices (because I choose not to drink!)

Basically what I'm asking is, what would be your comeback? I am so tired of explaining myself to everyone I see when we are out. I am quite capable of having a good time without alcohol.

End rant! LOL

The older one gets, the less one cares about what others think, but rather care more about how we think about others. I don't give a sh** about what others think of my food plan...I wouldn't spend much time or energy on it...you are you and "a gentle answer turns away wrath" (very old proverb). I do have one now and then...but only for recreation and relaxation. For the most part...my blender drinks are full of raw veggies, some fruit, and my vegetarian protein supplement...What would Jimmie Buffet think???

Trek on...and great post!

I personally do not drink alcohol. Simple.

People question me when I go out with friends as to why I am not drinking. "Are you pregnant" "Is it because of religion" "Are you sick" "There must be something wrong with you". NO NO NO & NO.

I am not religious. I am not pregnant. I am not sick and as far as I know there is nothing wrong with me! It has been my personal choice not to drink alcohol simply because I haven't found any drinks that I actually like the taste of!

Are there any other non-alcoholic MFP'ers out there that know how to deal with this social situation? I am just sick to death of people trying to pressure me into drinking because they think it's 'cool' or the fun thing to do. I am 21 and our legal age is 18 here in Aus, and obviously I can make my own choices (because I choose not to drink!)

Basically what I'm asking is, what would be your comeback? I am so tired of explaining myself to everyone I see when we are out. I am quite capable of having a good time without alcohol.

End rant! LOL

Wow. I could have totally written that!

I'm from Australia too. The drinking culture in this country is weird. If you don't drink, there's something wrong with you. I hate that mindset. When I turned 18, I tried the going-out-and-drinking thing, and it just wasn't for me. Some people seem to enjoy it, but I really think a lot are just kidding themselves and doing it because they feel obligated to (because if you don't, you get subjected to the weird looks and Spanish inquisition!). I could tell you my theory on why people in Australia drink so much, but it's long winded and probably boring!

My comeback is usually that I don't need chemical enhancers to be a fun and interesting person - I'm awesome naturally! If you turn it back on them and make them feel like the deficient ones, they usually leave you alone!

Anyway, stay with it. Don't do anything you don't want to do. I'm 30 now, and I've never let anyone pressure me into drinking. And don't be fooled by people telling you that you'll appreciate wine once you're older - still tastes like cat pee to me!

This is so true! I'm Australian as well- I agree our drinking culture is weird! I've had people offer me wine and then get offended when I say no or make some comment about how they are better than me because they like it lol

I'm Australian too, 22, and for the most part, I'm not someone that drinks either. I've just had two and a half years completely sober (due to my health, but stopping was beyond easy for me). Before that, I'd only drink if it 'felt' right for my body, and most alcohol tastes rotten-I only had a few I was comfortable with/actually enjoyed. My friends are generally okay with me not drinking-yours should be too(!), but the overall mentality over here does seem to be that something must be wrong, or you're a straight edge fanatic of some sort. I tend to fall into the habit of not really mentioning it if it isn't relevant, I'll order something like a lemon, lime and bitters and people just silently assume there's vodka in it. After so long not tasting anything, I find it really strong and awful. When I'm not intentionally avoiding it, I find things like malilbu/coke or vodka/pineapple or something like sangria aren't too bad; it all depends on tastes though. But really, whatever the reason, don't let people bother you; you're saving yourself a fortune, your liver, and you'll come out of it knowing how to have a good time without needing to be inebriated. I have friends who already rely on a cold drink after a bad day, and I always wonder if that'll be a bad coping mechanism when we're older.

I have seen people I know get very sick because of long years of alcoholism and I wouldn't want to go down that path.

That's all you need to say, I guess. People say similar about not wanting to smoke.