I think they probably have very good reasons that are none of my business.

My honest opinion is that they usually have really good skin. Something about not drinking is great for the complexion. I try to minimize my drinking but it's great for my social anxiety!

I think anyone who is asking this question, and is concerned about people not drinking around them, may need to look at their own drinking habits. When I was an active alcoholic I was very concerned about people who didn't drink with me and could not understand people who did not drink.

I have been sober for 8 years and sometimes feel like I am left out of events with old drinking buddies because I don't drink. It sucks and hurts but I have a large amount of friends who don't drink or friends who do drink but don't care what I do.

In early sobriety I would be nervous to go to normal drinking events (happy hour, wedding) and people noticing that I didn't drink. Experience has shown - most don't notice. The ones who do notice are heavy drinkers themselves.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If someone declines a drink, I don't think anything of it.

Also, I can very happily hang out with my friends while they (or me) are sober, and we have tons of fun.

But *most of the time*, people who "don't drink" are not someone I'm likely to click with, because I find they are typically socially off, religiously kooky, low self esteem, culturally sheltered, or something else.

See I find the opposite. I find most drinkers have low self esteem and anxiety. And that is why they drink! It takes the edge off so they aren't nervous. So, I am glad you find me "too odd" to hang out with!@

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I rarely drink but when I do go to a wedding, Xmas party or football game like a few beers.

Thing I hate is a religious kook, ex drunk or health nut standing over me judging.

We all know you guys are on Xanax, beat your wives and embezzle money. But drinking a beer while watching a football game is a sin.

Not religious, don't do any drugs and don't embezzle money. Also don't care if you drink a bear watching a game where grown men give themselves brain damage.

haha beer, not bear!

Anonymous wrote:I rarely drink but when I do go to a wedding, Xmas party or football game like a few beers.

Thing I hate is a religious kook, ex drunk or health nut standing over me judging.

We all know you guys are on Xanax, beat your wives and embezzle money. But drinking a beer while watching a football game is a sin.

Not religious, don't do any drugs and don't embezzle money. Also don't care if you drink a bear watching a game where grown men give themselves brain damage.

Anonymous wrote:If someone declines a drink, I don't think anything of it.

Also, I can very happily hang out with my friends while they (or me) are sober, and we have tons of fun.

But *most of the time*, people who "don't drink" are not someone I'm likely to click with, because I find they are typically socially off, religiously kooky, low self esteem, culturally sheltered, or something else.

See I find the opposite. I find most drinkers have low self esteem and anxiety. And that is why they drink! It takes the edge off so they aren't nervous. So, I am glad you find me "too odd" to hang out with!@

Anonymous wrote:Would you still want to go out or be friends with them?

Np I have found as a non-drinker that real drinkers don't like to be around you despite what people are saying. Even if we don't judge them they feel judged and don't want to hang out.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I run in a different crowd. In three decades of drinking I don't think I've ever had anyone criticize nor "judge" me for drinking. Most people I know drink but there are a good number who do not. Some for health reasons, some because joining AA has kept them alive for many years and a few abstain for religious reasons. It seems like none of them care that I drink.

The thing I question is how often and in what circumstances are people getting all this static for drinking (or NOT drinking for that matter)? Is this one of those "southern" or bro-culture or "New England" things?

Wrong.

Maybe I run in a different crowd. In three decades of drinking I don't think I've ever had anyone criticize nor "judge" me for drinking. Most people I know drink but there are a good number who do not. Some for health reasons, some because joining AA has kept them alive for many years and a few abstain for religious reasons. It seems like none of them care that I drink.

The thing I question is how often and in what circumstances are people getting all this static for drinking (or NOT drinking for that matter)? Is this one of those "southern" or bro-culture or "New England" things?

If someone declines a drink, I don't think anything of it.

Also, I can very happily hang out with my friends while they (or me) are sober, and we have tons of fun.

But *most of the time*, people who "don't drink" are not someone I'm likely to click with, because I find they are typically socially off, religiously kooky, low self esteem, culturally sheltered, or something else.

My DH doesn’t drink. He grew up with an alcoholic father and brother. He’ll have one drink at a wedding or special event but that’s it. He’s fine with me drinking wine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
That we're normal?

No one in my circle drinks regularly. My American and European friends open a bottle of wine for Holidays with guests, but usually not for regular dinner parties. I also had Muslim friends who never drank, ever, and we're Asians who can't tolerate a lot of alcohol, so the rare times we drink alcohol we don't finish our glass.

That’s pretty weird, sorry.

It's weird that people are Asian. Or Muslim. That's what you are saying, PP.

East Asians developed tea for clean water so they can't metabolize alcohol the way that Europeans can- we had to brew beer instead. It's not weird. Nor is it weird that people have religious restrictions against alcohol.

PP you need to get your head checked. There are billions of people who are Asian or Muslim or BOTH. The only reason it's weird to you is that you are uneducated and insular.

-American mom who loves pinot noir

Anonymous wrote:I rarely drink but when I do go to a wedding, Xmas party or football game like a few beers.

Thing I hate is a religious kook, ex drunk or health nut standing over me judging.

We all know you guys are on Xanax, beat your wives and embezzle money. But drinking a beer while watching a football game is a sin.

You are an anti-faith bigot! GO AWAY TROLL!

I rarely drink but when I do go to a wedding, Xmas party or football game like a few beers.

Thing I hate is a religious kook, ex drunk or health nut standing over me judging.

We all know you guys are on Xanax, beat your wives and embezzle money. But drinking a beer while watching a football game is a sin.