PSA in social situations with alcohol...

[Anonymous]

People comment ALL THE TIME! “Oh you are no fun now” etc. I barely used to drink and am not an alcoholic but take an anti seizure medicine and will forever so can’t drink. I don’t miss it at all and would rather not discuss my medical problems at a party. Bc then I literally would be no fun! So let’s talk about literally anything else!

And rude PP!! Why should we not go to parties just bc we don’t drink. Seriously?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so sorry people are giving you a hard time, OP. I don’t drink because I don’t like the taste, and it’s so weird to me how invested people are in convincing me that I should. No one gives me anywhere near this much grief about the fact I don’t eat leafy greens (which I also don’t like) and those are at least good for me.

I also dont like the taste of alcohol, and I HATE the taste of beer. Is that a thing?
Because I also feel so harassed, enough that I have figured out how to like wine.
I have never had a problem or anywhere near it with alcohol, and yet I am irritated at all the people who push it on me, AND I drink wine because of it in social situations!

PP who doesn’t like the taste. I HATE beer. I cannot understand the appeal of hops. I will drink apple cider or wine sometimes but I almost always would just prefer apple or grape juice.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I don't like the taste of alcohol, which probably comes from a low alcohol tolerance, something a lot of Asians are predisposed to, and our adult son can't drink at all due to a medication.

No one, in any of the countries we've lived in, has ever commented. I can't imagine anyone who'd be rude enough to push someone else to drink. It's not like it's good for your health!

[Anonymous]

I think I would say “I’m on a medicine that I can’t take have any alcohol on” just to shut people up. They don’t really care and are either just making (tiresome) conversation or might feel defensive abt their own consumption. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

When the person jokingly deflected and said you’re a recovering alcoholic, I would have loved to have seen their face had you said, “As a matter of fact, that’s exactly it. Is that a problem?”

[Anonymous]

So sorry this happened OP. I think perhaps the people who are so invested in getting others to drink think that the person’s decision not to drink is somehow a judgement on their decision to drink? Who knows. It’s just obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. Alcohol as the star of an event stopped being fun after college. Lately we’ve been skipping events that we know will be fueled with alcohol. Even DC’s end of year party for his sports team will be full of party moms. They drink together before games. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Alcohol culture is no joke. There’s no other substance that is socially acceptable to push on others like alcohol. It’s truly bizarre.

OP, Im happy for you. My mother was never able to stop and lost her battle in her 50s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alcohol culture is no joke. There’s no other substance that is socially acceptable to push on others like alcohol. It’s truly bizarre.

OP, Im happy for you. My mother was never able to stop and lost her battle in her 50s.

Agreed!!! How to Quit like a woman is a transformational read!!!

Like you I’m an alcoholic- and a very successful female.
Many don’t know and yes- still foist it at nearly 50!! Such a good PSA thank you

[Anonymous]

That's so weird. My social circle drinks a lot, but it wouldn't occur to me to make a big deal of someone not drinking. If I asked if I could get you anything and you asked for water, I'd get you a water. I feel like it's probably easier if you have something in your hand, regardless of what it is, so you don't stand out as much from the drinkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never notice or care or comment on what people are drinking or not drinking. It's so bizarre that anyone would.

Peer-pressure by adults is so immature.

As in: really cringe-worthy.

If you do this, stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I would say “I’m on a medicine that I can’t take have any alcohol on” just to shut people up. They don’t really care and are either just making (tiresome) conversation or might feel defensive abt their own consumption. Good luck!

Just say you’re driving home.

[Anonymous]

I don’t drink either and hate how it’s a “thing” to everyone that needs commenting on and everything. American culture is so into drinking it’s crazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If someone is not drinking alcohol at a party or function it's really ok, and even preferable, to not comment on, or make a big deal out of it. There are a lot of reasons why someone might not be drinking. And if you've just met the person then it's totally fine to just not comment.

I was at an event/special occasion yesterday where lots of drinking was involved. I stopped drinking about 8 months ago after struggling with alcohol for years. Not many people know this because I was able to hold it together publicly/work wise, and of course I didn't share how much i was drinking in private. I was meeting most of the people at this event for the first time as it was for someone we all know for different reasons. I'm not particularly interested in sharing the whole story with them.

Anyway, my NA drinks were commented on by a couple people and by one person who was very invested in getting me to drink something alcoholic. Like I had to publicly refuse them numerous times. One of the other people there even joked that I was a recovering alcoholic as a deflection. I had never met that person, so it's not like they had any idea.

Late in to the evening I finally blurted out, "I don't drink" after have yet another alcoholic beverage foisted on me. At that point I was sitting next to a woman who doesn't know me hugely well, but certainly knows that I used to drink as I drank a whole lot during a dinner at her house once.

I'm thankful that I'm at the point where I was comfortable to continue to refuse. But just want to put this out there - please don't do this to people. Thanks.

Anyway,

I’m sorry that happened to you OP. That guy is a jerk, and sobriety probably makes him uncomfortable - his actions are about him, not about you. But it’s sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If someone is not drinking alcohol at a party or function it's really ok, and even preferable, to not comment on, or make a big deal out of it. There are a lot of reasons why someone might not be drinking. And if you've just met the person then it's totally fine to just not comment.

I was at an event/special occasion yesterday where lots of drinking was involved. I stopped drinking about 8 months ago after struggling with alcohol for years. Not many people know this because I was able to hold it together publicly/work wise, and of course I didn't share how much i was drinking in private. I was meeting most of the people at this event for the first time as it was for someone we all know for different reasons. I'm not particularly interested in sharing the whole story with them.

Anyway, my NA drinks were commented on by a couple people and by one person who was very invested in getting me to drink something alcoholic. Like I had to publicly refuse them numerous times. One of the other people there even joked that I was a recovering alcoholic as a deflection. I had never met that person, so it's not like they had any idea.

Late in to the evening I finally blurted out, "I don't drink" after have yet another alcoholic beverage foisted on me. At that point I was sitting next to a woman who doesn't know me hugely well, but certainly knows that I used to drink as I drank a whole lot during a dinner at her house once.

I'm thankful that I'm at the point where I was comfortable to continue to refuse. But just want to put this out there - please don't do this to people. Thanks.

Anyway,

I’m sorry that happened to you OP. That guy is a jerk, and sobriety probably makes him uncomfortable - his actions are about him, not about you. But it’s sucks.

Also, and more importantly- congratulations on nearly 8 months of sobriety!