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I no longer drink alcohol, why is that weird?
- Thread starter CraigerGamer
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TemplaerDude
Member
There is nothing wrong with it, your friends are just jackasses.
DoktorEvil
Banned
Well, you can certainly get so baked that you can't really function, and for all intents and purposes that's an overdose, it just isn't lethal.
Alcohol poisoning on the other hand kills people all the time. 3 people I know have died from alcohol poisoning, including a cousin. So yeah, make jokes about alcohol induced unconsciousness.
CraigerGamer
Member
Why can't someone just feel comfortable in their own skin and not need a chemical to make them feel better, more outgoing, and free of all pain and worry? I like who I am sober. Why does this make someone anti-social and not part of the community?
Never tried cockroaches l, dont plan on trying it.
A lot of times there are personal reasons that they aren't going to tell you about. Could be family history that they aren't telling you about. Maybe a close friend died of alcohol poisoning and they aren't sharing that with you. Could be a religious thing. It isn't your business.
WAR recon zero
Banned
I don't drink. I have to invent a shitty excuse every single time. Everyone looks at you like you are a weird fuck
If people are that dead-on about you not having a drink in your hand, order a Shirley Temple and sip on that. Heck, I get them for free because they assume I'm the designated driver. It's good to be sober.
Muffdraul
Member
I know, I hate it when I go to a party where I'm the only one not eating cockroaches and everyone is giving me weird looks like something's wrong with me.
CraigerGamer
Member
I have ordered sparkling water on occasion when I don't feel like justifying to a group of colleagues why I no longer drink. Even asked for a lime and a one of those red straws to complete the rouse. In my line of work, not drinking socially can actually be detrimental to your career. Which is kind of crazy.
SmackDaddy
Member
It's not about making up for something you don't have... It's just about making the current experience better. Or at least being game to try to do so. If you don't like the way alcohol makes you feel, thats fine too!
What I meant by my statement... people saying "it makes no logical sense"... that's pretty idiotic. Life has no place for such rigidity, especially around friends and family, when it is usually in the pursuit of a better time.
Are you saying neurotransmitters are not chemicals?
Because someone having self-esteem and feeling happy/content needs good balance of those molecules, yo.
I get the weird remarks even though I've never drank. It's not even like I changed my mind one day and people were used to seeing me plastered or having the odd drink at a dinner or whatever. Never have. Probably never will. Still get shit every time for it. "God doesn't have to know." God isn't even my reason for not drinking, but that's the common response.
MMBosstones86
Member
Friends who bust your balls for not drinking are strange friends.
I had to basically abstain from drinking for over a year due to unknown health reasons (would give me migraines, severe dehydration from the smallest amount of alcohol. Guess I was deficient in Magnesium).
My friends would still offer to be polite, but didn't give me shit because of it.
Strange friends man.
I had to basically abstain from drinking for over a year due to unknown health reasons (would give me migraines, severe dehydration from the smallest amount of alcohol. Guess I was deficient in Magnesium).
My friends would still offer to be polite, but didn't give me shit because of it.
Strange friends man.
SuperSonic1305
Member
Alcohol tastes like shit.
BlueLiquid
Member
There's nothing wrong with it at all. I used to have a cold one almost every night either with dinner or watching TV but then I realized it was a big factor in my weight gain and contributing to some pretty bad heartburn. I cut back, then cut back some more, then I realized I didn't miss it that much. I still like a gin and tonic every once in while though. They're especially nice during the warmer months.
Team Alucard
Banned
Yeah, I feel your pain OP. I absolutely hate alcohol but I force myself to drink anyways simply to avoid the stigma.
Where do you live that they don't? From my experience the vast majority of people are extremely judgmental, even about something as petty as abstaining from alcohol.
Where do you live that they don't? From my experience the vast majority of people are extremely judgmental, even about something as petty as abstaining from alcohol.
Whenever I go through a health kick, people are always funny with me the first time. To be fair, I guess I am better company when I've had a few drinks. I'm pretty introverted, and drinking makes me come out of my shell a bit more. I drinking again now anyway because it's brilliant.
Squirrel Killer
Member
It seems like a few of you are making mountains out of molehills. Seriously, "What's a good lie to tell?" should not even enter the picture.
Friend: "Hey, can I get you a drink?"
You: "Sure, I'll have a Coke." or "Nah, I'm good."
Friends: "You sure you don't want a beer?"
You: "That's okay, I'm not drinking tonight."
Maybe a while later they come back with...
Friend: "Hey man, come on, we're all drinking, let me get you something."
You: "Nah, you guys go on, I'm good."
Just tell the truth in a way that doesn't make people wonder if you're trying to harsh their buzz. They are enough judgemental, self-righteous pricks out there that it's a legitimate concern. If they still keep pushing, a) they are purposely making the situation weird, b) they're way too invested in your beverage preferences, and c) if you feel like it, fine, let them give you a canned beer and just hold on to it. If they monitor how much you're drinking after all that, they've revealed themselves to be assholes you don't want to associate with. I know peer pressure is a bitch, but if you don't want to drink, don't.
Friend: "Hey, can I get you a drink?"
You: "Sure, I'll have a Coke." or "Nah, I'm good."
Friends: "You sure you don't want a beer?"
You: "That's okay, I'm not drinking tonight."
Maybe a while later they come back with...
Friend: "Hey man, come on, we're all drinking, let me get you something."
You: "Nah, you guys go on, I'm good."
Just tell the truth in a way that doesn't make people wonder if you're trying to harsh their buzz. They are enough judgemental, self-righteous pricks out there that it's a legitimate concern. If they still keep pushing, a) they are purposely making the situation weird, b) they're way too invested in your beverage preferences, and c) if you feel like it, fine, let them give you a canned beer and just hold on to it. If they monitor how much you're drinking after all that, they've revealed themselves to be assholes you don't want to associate with. I know peer pressure is a bitch, but if you don't want to drink, don't.
Why not just get a Coke in a highball glass and let people assume you're drinking rum and Coke? Sparkling water with a lime? Grape juice in a wine glass?
Easystride
Member
Nothing wrong with that. I rarely drink myself (maybe one glass of red wine a month, if that). You save a lot of money, and alcohol is full of empty calories.
DoktorEvil
Banned
Why don't you share your thoughts with us.
It does for the most part for me. Some beer is delicious, mostly ales actually. But I do enjoy harder liquor, especially whiskey mmm.
Empty calories is a good point. I remember reading a while back that most people put on weight and fat through liquids, and I'm sure alcohol is a prime suspect.
I do stick to harder alcohol (mostly) for this reason.
CornBurrito
Member
Well for one I wonder if they are someone like:
Apparently drinking on a night out means you can ONLY have fun with alcohol and are pathetic.
Apparently drinking on a night out means you are a rebel teen wannabee. That single glass of wine I had with dinner when I saw my family over break? That's because I wanna FIGHT THE SYSTEM. Those two hard ciders I had last weekend? FUCK DA POLICE.
Yeah I'm such a coward for enjoying an occasional glass of wine or cider. Oh and I had a glass of champagne at a wedding two weeks back. I'm so spineless and cowardly.
Drinking alcohol makes you worse than Hitler. There's no such thing as responsible drinking.
One glass of wine? Or one beer? Say goodbye to the entire night as you won't remember it at all apparently. Also you have no real friends if you drink ever.
It is the same phenomenon when someone says they are vegan and people instantly assume they are THAT sort of vegan who will preach that meat is murder at the family thanksgiving and demand that only Tofurkey be served.
How do you know that somebody doesn't drink? They'll tell you how much better of a person they are. They're more courageous, more mature, more rational, and more moral all because they don't like something you like.
Squirrel Killer
Member
They are enough judgemental, self-righteous pricks out there that it's a legitimate concern whether a conspicuous non-drinker is going to try to harsh their buzz.
Not really all that weird at all.
Personally, I've never been much of a drinker, and while I may occasionally drink a lot on the weekends, I barely drink at all during the rest of the week.
Frankly, alcohol doesn't do a lot for me in general. And after a while, it is kinda empty calories.
Usually when I do drink, it's mostly in moderation. (Though I'll admit I've gotten pretty carried away a few times...to ill effect.)
I don't much care for liquor or harder stuff (usually because I often gotta make my way home, and I really hate getting drunk and absolutely hate being hungover).
That said, I do think people are being kinda stupid if they tear into you for not drinking (or vice versa; giving you shit for drinking unless it's out of legitimate concern).
Personally, I've never been much of a drinker, and while I may occasionally drink a lot on the weekends, I barely drink at all during the rest of the week.
Frankly, alcohol doesn't do a lot for me in general. And after a while, it is kinda empty calories.
Usually when I do drink, it's mostly in moderation. (Though I'll admit I've gotten pretty carried away a few times...to ill effect.)
I don't much care for liquor or harder stuff (usually because I often gotta make my way home, and I really hate getting drunk and absolutely hate being hungover).
That said, I do think people are being kinda stupid if they tear into you for not drinking (or vice versa; giving you shit for drinking unless it's out of legitimate concern).
breadtruck
Member
Your friends and family are probably alcoholics. I like to drink, but I dont think its weird when people dont care to drink. Its their prerogative.
Even better when those non-drinkers want to be my DD. High-5 for that yo!
WAR recon zero
Banned
I can taste the alcohol from any cocktail. It tastes awful and has a depressive effect on me.
gutter_trash
Banned
pretty much this,
red wine makes me sleepy (fuckin' sulfites), beer makes me pee allot. I understand drinking is a social thing but I don't like to fall asleep in social events and I don't like going to the bathroom a dozen times during social events
The Dutch Slayer
Member
Sorry but fuck them
Its your life and nobody decides other wise.
I have not really drunk anything in 10 years and new people who can't understand that I don't need in my life
Its your life and nobody decides other wise.
I have not really drunk anything in 10 years and new people who can't understand that I don't need in my life
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
I've lived my entire 31 years of life without touching alcohol at all. Just ignore them OP
It's been 8 years for me and I don't miss it. My girlfriend of 6 years also doesn't drink. My friends do but they respect my decision. I have no problem with people who choose to and my friends and people i know have no problem with my not drinking.Sorry but fuck them
Its your life and nobody decides other wise.
I have not really drunk anything in 10 years and new people who can't understand that I don't need in my life
In the past the only ones who had a problem were the one's who drank too get drunk because they thought that was how they have a good time. I even met a girl at a party who felt if you don't drink you're secretly judging her and laughing at her behind your back. That was awkward for my gf and I and this girl wouldn't drop it until the host made her or told her to leave.
As you get older you can weed those people out and stick with those who can have fun with or without alcohol. People who will respect your decision and be more responsible about their alcohol use.
heh, this happened to me and my wife recently. We went for a meal but you could bring your own alcohol as they didn't have a licence. So we stop off at Bargain Booze and 4 of my friends get 2 bottles of wine each, my wife and I just stand and watch, they look at us and go "what you getting", we say "nothing, we don't drink", queue 4 people staring in stunned silence followed by "Are you two ok? Why not? What's wrong?". Funny.
Look at it as being part of a club, if you choose to leave, whether you mean it or not, you're actions are saying "I don't want to be in the club", which is hard for people inside it to hear.
Look at it as being part of a club, if you choose to leave, whether you mean it or not, you're actions are saying "I don't want to be in the club", which is hard for people inside it to hear.
Its because its so ingrained in society and its the one legal way to get out of it. I drink myself so its hard to be objective about it but if you step back alcohol is tied up with nearly every social event. There an otherness to people who say they don't want to drink. It breaks away from the conformity of the group. I'm Irish and it really isn't a stereotype, we drink a lot. It genuinely is a problem in Irish society. Weddings, funerals, christenings and practically every other gathering I can think of all involve a trip to the pub. I have to go to a wedding tomorrow and its basically just a whole day of drinking. once the ceremony finishes thats all it is.
TheKingOfPain
Member
First of all, I don't think you have to justify to anybody about it, but in case you want to just tell the truth: alcohol is bad for your health.
I used to drink, then I decided to quit and every time I mention it someone says "life without alcohol is just sad". Do you think I care? Just forget about it, and do whatever you think it's best for yourself.
I used to drink, then I decided to quit and every time I mention it someone says "life without alcohol is just sad". Do you think I care? Just forget about it, and do whatever you think it's best for yourself.
Alcoholikaust
Member
BladeoftheImmortal
Member
It's fine. I don't drink now either because it gives me gout. :-(
Alcoholikaust
Member
thats awful- my father suffers from Gout flare-ups due to seafood-
astroturfing
Member
i never want to drink because i don't want to put myself in a mental state where i might do something really stupid, or get robbed/beaten up too easily. i want my mind to be sharp at all times, especially if im out at night with a friend or the gf.
just me?
there are other reasons why i avoid alcohol too though, like saving a lot of money. and aren't some of the by-product molecules of your body breaking down alcohol carcinogenic? some chemist dude explained it to me but what do i know, maybe it's bullshit.
just me?
there are other reasons why i avoid alcohol too though, like saving a lot of money. and aren't some of the by-product molecules of your body breaking down alcohol carcinogenic? some chemist dude explained it to me but what do i know, maybe it's bullshit.
FrontalMonk
Banned
I like to drink, but I don't usually. Mainly because I don't really have occasion to, and I don't have it in me to drink just to drink.
Meaning: If I have a get together with friends, I'll have a few beers, sure. Maybe enough to get me a little fucked up, maybe not. But I only have big get togethers like that a few times a year. Outside of that, I might have a drink with dinner or something, but I don't sit at the bar and drink, and I don't go home and pound a few just because. There has to be an occasion for it, and as I'm not a terribly social person, I don't have a lot of those occasions. Realistically, I'd say I have on average about 20 beers a year, and I'm okay with that.
Meaning: If I have a get together with friends, I'll have a few beers, sure. Maybe enough to get me a little fucked up, maybe not. But I only have big get togethers like that a few times a year. Outside of that, I might have a drink with dinner or something, but I don't sit at the bar and drink, and I don't go home and pound a few just because. There has to be an occasion for it, and as I'm not a terribly social person, I don't have a lot of those occasions. Realistically, I'd say I have on average about 20 beers a year, and I'm okay with that.
DoktorEvil
Banned
That's a damn good reason. Nothing ruins a good night like being taken advantage of or doing something very stupid/out of character.
There are college bros that I cut my friendship ties with because of how nasty they became intoxicated.
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