It’s just that I don’t particularly enjoy the taste, have never metabolized it well and certainly don’t enjoy the after-effects.
It’s not that I wouldn’t have a cocktail once in a while. I do. Like I did the other night, on staycation. Just not routinely. It’s just not that important to me.
You’d be surprised at the number of people who raise an eyebrow if I order water or tea.
“Why aren’t you drinking?”
or here’s my favorite:
“Why don’t you have a real drink?”
There seems to be some compelling need for everyone at a table to drink alcohol, whether they want to or not, at least among some. I’ve experienced it for years.
Perhaps some feel reproached. Hey, no judgment, I just don’t like it that much.
Perhaps they secretly feel they indulge a bit too much, and want the affirmation of someone else drinking to feel that their own is benign.
It would never occur to me to comment on someone’s beverage of choice, so it always surprises me when others comment on mine.
Explaining turns into a long, drawn out series of questions, so I’ve learned to say that I prefer to smoke pot. Since I can’t smoke pot in a restaurant, that usually changes the subject.
What do you think a good response would be? (Yes, that Cosmo does look good and I do order one from time to time. Like the other night.)
“Perhaps they secretly feel they indulge a bit too much, and want the affirmation of someone else drinking to feel that their own is benign.”
I think in a way it must be along those lines, whether they care to admit it or not (the ego loves to deny). Something about subconsciously transferring the discomfort by questioning the non-drinker so they end up justifying themselves as the odd-one-out. And have you noticed how no explanation is ever quite received as legitimate? It never feels like the answer is complete, as if they are giving you every opportunity to fit in and say “oh alright then, just one won’t hurt”, which many who are questioned undoubtedly do end up saying.
There was an advertising campaign in my country years back now that went along the lines of “Orange juice? What are ya?”, precisely because of the social pressure to drink (and then drive or do something equally as daft). It did nothing to change perceptions and even those who you would think might not question your non-drinking do in fact comment on it. I’ve found that work functions are the worst, if you don’t drink you are No Fun (TM). “Come on, let your hair down a little why don’t you. Be a lush like the rest of us”, haha. You are always pegged as The One Who Didn’t Drink and there’s often a noticeable shift in allegiances post event. You aren’t invited to the next one or to the drinks at Friday lunch…
“Explaining turns into a long, drawn out series of questions, so I’ve learned to say that I prefer to smoke pot. Since I can’t smoke pot in a restaurant, that usually changes the subject.”
Peculiar how we feel a need to come up with justifications rather than just saying we don’t want to, don’t enjoy it. Personally I think the “body does not metabolise it” is a good one, which could be abbreviated to “health reasons”. The pot preference is also a good comeback. You could also be temporarily or permanently on medications that are contraindicated with alcohol (depending on how many time you need to use the same excuse with the same crowd).
Either that or buy a drink and sit on it/pour it in a plant/buy water in a glass that could pass for vodka on the rocks etc. It’s all a bit too complicated really.
Must say the anti robot text you have to enter to post a reply is damned hard to decipher.
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“Perhaps they secretly feel they indulge a bit too much, and want the affirmation of someone else drinking to feel that their own is benign.”
I think in a way it must be along those lines, whether they care to admit it or not (the ego loves to deny). Something about subconsciously transferring the discomfort by questioning the non-drinker so they end up justifying themselves as the odd-one-out. And have you noticed how no explanation is ever quite received as legitimate? It never feels like the answer is complete, as if they are giving you every opportunity to fit in and say “oh alright then, just one won’t hurt”, which many who are questioned undoubtedly do end up saying.
There was an advertising campaign in my country years back now that went along the lines of “Orange juice? What are ya?”, precisely because of the social pressure to drink (and then drive or do something equally as daft). It did nothing to change perceptions and even those who you would think might not question your non-drinking do in fact comment on it. I’ve found that work functions are the worst, if you don’t drink you are No Fun (TM). “Come on, let your hair down a little why don’t you. Be a lush like the rest of us”, haha. You are always pegged as The One Who Didn’t Drink and there’s often a noticeable shift in allegiances post event. You aren’t invited to the next one or to the drinks at Friday lunch…
“Explaining turns into a long, drawn out series of questions, so I’ve learned to say that I prefer to smoke pot. Since I can’t smoke pot in a restaurant, that usually changes the subject.”
Peculiar how we feel a need to come up with justifications rather than just saying we don’t want to, don’t enjoy it. Personally I think the “body does not metabolise it” is a good one, which could be abbreviated to “health reasons”. The pot preference is also a good comeback. You could also be temporarily or permanently on medications that are contraindicated with alcohol (depending on how many time you need to use the same excuse with the same crowd).
Either that or buy a drink and sit on it/pour it in a plant/buy water in a glass that could pass for vodka on the rocks etc. It’s all a bit too complicated really.
Must say the anti robot text you have to enter to post a reply is damned hard to decipher.