When you're at a dinner party and there's only wine, no other drinks

[Anonymous]

Rare consensus on DCUM!

[Anonymous]

I get you, OP. Food doesn’t taste right to me with plain water. I drink iced tea or Diet Coke with almost every meal. I know it’s considered low class, but it’s my one vice in life.

Am also underweight, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

OP, it's not about logic...it's just reality. The majority of people don't like what you like. It doesn't make you a bad person or wrong...it just means that you are unusual. Dinner hosts aren't catering to your tastes, because very few other people have them.

But I do find it very odd that you say water doesn't quench your thirst. Physiologically, that doesn't make sense. And if you are truly dehydrated, then sugary drinks alone are insufficient to replenish you since you need salt/electrolytes. In India, people make lemonade with sugar and salt, which is actually the right combination to rehydrate you (similar to what's in pedialyte or gatorade). Some people genuinely don't like water, and it sounds like you are one of them. But you have to recognize that in DC in 2018, you are in a tiny minority.

[Anonymous]

If it’s a formal plated meal, you don’t serve soda, beer, coffee, tea, or sweetened drinks. It doesn’t go. I’m not super fancy but even I know that. The host should have had water - still and/or sparkling.

If it’s a more casual meal, you should have a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

[Anonymous]

I drink soda at home and at restaurants and don't see what the big deal is. To each their own. I'd be more concerned about someone only having wine and drinking every night and my child going to that home than someone drinking soda. I find it interesting as many of the people here probably give their kids soda when they go out, Gatorade and all that other crap but judge another adult when they drink it. In our home, kids get milk or water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why is soda and juice ok for cocktail hour but not for a dinner? I truly don't understand this. I'm an adult who doesn't like water and doesn't drink alcohol. When I eat dinner either at home or at a restaurant I either have soda or juice. I know sugary drinks aren't good but I don't eat dessert/sweets and I don't smoke/drink alcohol, so I figure it's ok. I just find that if I only drink water the food just doesn't taste appealing and I have very little appetite.

Because for formal dinners, wine or water is meant to enhance--or at least not distract from--the flavors of the food. That's what wine pairings are all about. Making a beautiful filet mignon only to have someone bring Diet Coke to the table is tacky--it just lowers the level of formalitly that your host was trying to achieve. Again, for a pizza dinner, soda is fine; but not for formal dining.

NP. I'm not going to judge you for drinking a Diet Coke with dinner. I love DC...and I love wine with my dinner. I probably won't specifically offer it with dinner, because it's just so rare that someone wants it. If I was serving it before dinner, though, you are absolutely welcome to ask for a second glass and I won't think twice if you want that glass at the dinner table.

All of this comes down to the fact that OP is asking for something fairly unusual. Even among adults who don't drink, very few want a sugary drink with their meal. I know many people who don't drink and have dined with them at restaurants, so I know what they do when they have an unlimited selection of drinks. Lemonade at a formal sit-down dinner is just unusual. I'm not going to get all judge-y about it...I just don't provide it because no one drinks it.

Exactly. I hope OP realizes she's the one with the unusual taste; a taste so rare that the vast majority of hosts would never dream of serving anything other than water, sparkling water or wine at a formal, sit-down dinner.

OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

You're unusual because not to many adults are like this (at least in DC). You know, the definition of unusual. Your rationalizations are beside the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why is soda and juice ok for cocktail hour but not for a dinner? I truly don't understand this. I'm an adult who doesn't like water and doesn't drink alcohol. When I eat dinner either at home or at a restaurant I either have soda or juice. I know sugary drinks aren't good but I don't eat dessert/sweets and I don't smoke/drink alcohol, so I figure it's ok. I just find that if I only drink water the food just doesn't taste appealing and I have very little appetite.

Because for formal dinners, wine or water is meant to enhance--or at least not distract from--the flavors of the food. That's what wine pairings are all about. Making a beautiful filet mignon only to have someone bring Diet Coke to the table is tacky--it just lowers the level of formalitly that your host was trying to achieve. Again, for a pizza dinner, soda is fine; but not for formal dining.

NP. I'm not going to judge you for drinking a Diet Coke with dinner. I love DC...and I love wine with my dinner. I probably won't specifically offer it with dinner, because it's just so rare that someone wants it. If I was serving it before dinner, though, you are absolutely welcome to ask for a second glass and I won't think twice if you want that glass at the dinner table.

All of this comes down to the fact that OP is asking for something fairly unusual. Even among adults who don't drink, very few want a sugary drink with their meal. I know many people who don't drink and have dined with them at restaurants, so I know what they do when they have an unlimited selection of drinks. Lemonade at a formal sit-down dinner is just unusual. I'm not going to get all judge-y about it...I just don't provide it because no one drinks it.

Exactly. I hope OP realizes she's the one with the unusual taste; a taste so rare that the vast majority of hosts would never dream of serving anything other than water, sparkling water or wine at a formal, sit-down dinner.

OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

Nobody “needs” dessert to enjoy a meal, though. Most people certainly don’t eat it every day. It is often served at formal dinners because it is a special occasion worthy of an indulgence.

Your dependence is odd and unhealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drink soda at home and at restaurants and don't see what the big deal is. To each their own. I'd be more concerned about someone only having wine and drinking every night and my child going to that home than someone drinking soda. I find it interesting as many of the people here probably give their kids soda when they go out, Gatorade and all that other crap but judge another adult when they drink it. In our home, kids get milk or water.

That's a pretty silly assumption. And almost certainly wrong in many instances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drink soda at home and at restaurants and don't see what the big deal is. To each their own. I'd be more concerned about someone only having wine and drinking every night and my child going to that home than someone drinking soda. I find it interesting as many of the people here probably give their kids soda when they go out, Gatorade and all that other crap but judge another adult when they drink it. In our home, kids get milk or water.

None of that is a big deal if that's your thing. OP is going to someone else's house and expecting something that she has discovered now to be quite unusual. And is upset they can't accommodate her, and apparently can't help herself to a glass of water. That's the big deal. Do you understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just say- “oh I’m just going to get some water” and use the sink. Why is this a big deal?

+ 1. No one minds unless you make a production of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why is soda and juice ok for cocktail hour but not for a dinner? I truly don't understand this. I'm an adult who doesn't like water and doesn't drink alcohol. When I eat dinner either at home or at a restaurant I either have soda or juice. I know sugary drinks aren't good but I don't eat dessert/sweets and I don't smoke/drink alcohol, so I figure it's ok. I just find that if I only drink water the food just doesn't taste appealing and I have very little appetite.

Because for formal dinners, wine or water is meant to enhance--or at least not distract from--the flavors of the food. That's what wine pairings are all about. Making a beautiful filet mignon only to have someone bring Diet Coke to the table is tacky--it just lowers the level of formalitly that your host was trying to achieve. Again, for a pizza dinner, soda is fine; but not for formal dining.

NP. I'm not going to judge you for drinking a Diet Coke with dinner. I love DC...and I love wine with my dinner. I probably won't specifically offer it with dinner, because it's just so rare that someone wants it. If I was serving it before dinner, though, you are absolutely welcome to ask for a second glass and I won't think twice if you want that glass at the dinner table.

All of this comes down to the fact that OP is asking for something fairly unusual. Even among adults who don't drink, very few want a sugary drink with their meal. I know many people who don't drink and have dined with them at restaurants, so I know what they do when they have an unlimited selection of drinks. Lemonade at a formal sit-down dinner is just unusual. I'm not going to get all judge-y about it...I just don't provide it because no one drinks it.

Exactly. I hope OP realizes she's the one with the unusual taste; a taste so rare that the vast majority of hosts would never dream of serving anything other than water, sparkling water or wine at a formal, sit-down dinner.

OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

Nobody “needs” dessert to enjoy a meal, though. Most people certainly don’t eat it every day. It is often served at formal dinners because it is a special occasion worthy of an indulgence.

Your dependence is odd and unhealthy.

Exactly. Dessert is a rare treat. Your “need” for sugary drinks daily is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just say- “oh I’m just going to get some water” and use the sink. Why is this a big deal?

+ 1. No one minds unless you make a production of it.

Yep. And don’t beseech the hostess to be allowed to get some water. It is just a passive aggressive way to let her know you noticed she forgot to fill the water glasses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why is soda and juice ok for cocktail hour but not for a dinner? I truly don't understand this. I'm an adult who doesn't like water and doesn't drink alcohol. When I eat dinner either at home or at a restaurant I either have soda or juice. I know sugary drinks aren't good but I don't eat dessert/sweets and I don't smoke/drink alcohol, so I figure it's ok. I just find that if I only drink water the food just doesn't taste appealing and I have very little appetite.

Because for formal dinners, wine or water is meant to enhance--or at least not distract from--the flavors of the food. That's what wine pairings are all about. Making a beautiful filet mignon only to have someone bring Diet Coke to the table is tacky--it just lowers the level of formalitly that your host was trying to achieve. Again, for a pizza dinner, soda is fine; but not for formal dining.

NP. I'm not going to judge you for drinking a Diet Coke with dinner. I love DC...and I love wine with my dinner. I probably won't specifically offer it with dinner, because it's just so rare that someone wants it. If I was serving it before dinner, though, you are absolutely welcome to ask for a second glass and I won't think twice if you want that glass at the dinner table.

All of this comes down to the fact that OP is asking for something fairly unusual. Even among adults who don't drink, very few want a sugary drink with their meal. I know many people who don't drink and have dined with them at restaurants, so I know what they do when they have an unlimited selection of drinks. Lemonade at a formal sit-down dinner is just unusual. I'm not going to get all judge-y about it...I just don't provide it because no one drinks it.

Exactly. I hope OP realizes she's the one with the unusual taste; a taste so rare that the vast majority of hosts would never dream of serving anything other than water, sparkling water or wine at a formal, sit-down dinner.

OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

Water is dry?!? This thread slowly becomes a classic...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I don't get why I'm so unusual. Why is dessert served at the end of a meal--because people want something sweet and sugary. Well I usually eat fruit for dessert but prefer something sweet and sugary with the meal (i.e. juice). I also don't find water at all thirst quenching, it's very dry. If it's a 90 degree day and I've been outside water does not quench my thirst, but lemonade does. I rarely drink soda but instead buy a lot of organic juices from Trader Joes. I don't see anything wrong with this at all. I just find it intersting that so many people aren't like this. I will say though that growing up my parents always had sugary drinks in the fridge so maybe that's why.

OP, it's not about logic...it's just reality. The majority of people don't like what you like. It doesn't make you a bad person or wrong...it just means that you are unusual. Dinner hosts aren't catering to your tastes, because very few other people have them.

But I do find it very odd that you say water doesn't quench your thirst. Physiologically, that doesn't make sense. And if you are truly dehydrated, then sugary drinks alone are insufficient to replenish you since you need salt/electrolytes. In India, people make lemonade with sugar and salt, which is actually the right combination to rehydrate you (similar to what's in pedialyte or gatorade). Some people genuinely don't like water, and it sounds like you are one of them. But you have to recognize that in DC in 2018, you are in a tiny minority.

This.

[Anonymous]

This is so american. I would never drink juice with dinner and it would never occur to me to serve that!! Tacky!! I serve wine, still and sparkling water.