I am a woman who used to drink (sometimes alot). I quit drinking about 10 years ago for medical reasons. It wasn't an issue with all the people that knew me already, but I find that it does make some people uncomfortable. Now I'm divorced and dating. I know that my not drinking has been an issue for a couple of men, but it doesn't seem to matter to the majority of them. Most are fine once they realize I don't mind if they drink (I'm always happy to be the designated driver).

However, I can say that my most significant relationships have been with men who are not heavy drinkers. The more someone drinks, the more likely they are to be uncomfortable around non drinkers (just my opinion).

I find people who don't drink odd, to be perfectly honest.

I don't drink. Never have. My body cannot process the alcohol so when I drink I go from perfectly sober to I want to die (think the worse hangover you have ever had in your life) without having the pleasant buzz in between. I would rather drink rat poison than alcohol since it has the same effect on me.

That said, my friends, former boyfriends, my DH have never held my lack of drinking against me. I was a VERY social person when I was younger, went to all the parties, openings, fundraisers, signings, etc in NYC literally every night. No one ever held the fact that I never drank alcohol against me. Not a big deal. It just left more booze for everyone else

Anonymous wrote:I don't care at all if friends and acquaintances don't but I think it would be annoying if my husband didn't. At the end of the day it is a social activity (drinking alone all the time is bad news bears) and my husband is my #1 social companion.

+1
Makes perfect sense to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don’t drink, and my husband does very occasionally. I don’t care if others drink. I don’t offer people alcohol when they come over because we don’t have any around, and why would it be necessary? Do people really expect booze every time they go somewhere? I might not offer steak or chocolate pie on a given day either. Why would it matter?

To any sort of party or celebratory function, yes. Especially one held in the evening.

In some countries alcoholism seems mandatory.

Okay.

DH doesn't drink. He hasn't had a drink in 10+ years (and before that, I bet he had 1 drink a year.) I drink and he doesn't care. Most (not all) of our friends drink and he is fine with that. It is a personal choice for him and he is fine with whatever people choose.

Anonymous wrote:I was never a drinker, but I still went out to happy hours, bars, watched the super bowl with friends, etc. I am still able to talk, socialize, hang out, and the like even if I'm not drinking a beer.

And my friends definitely appreciated me b/c I could drive them home.

I was never a drinker, but I still went out to happy hours, bars, watched the super bowl with friends, etc. I am still able to talk, socialize, hang out, and the like even if I'm not drinking a beer.

Do people even notice things like this? If I don't feel like drinking, I get a cranberry and tonic and go about my business. I would never dream of thinking differently of someone if they weren't drinking.

Friend of mine drank heavily for years. When they finally sobered up all I heard about was when was I going to see the light, are you still drinking, that's not healthy.
No one wants to be lectured, because you had a problem doesn't mean I do

Do you judge those who drink? If not, you're fine.
One of my close friends doesn't drink. Never has and never will and it doesn't impact her ability to have fun.

I had one friend that both openly and silently "tsked" those who drank. She slowly stopped being invited to things, even if there was no drinking planned

Yes, especially if you drive a car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d never date a non-drinker.

+1
I'm a woman who would've never married a non-drinker. Unless he's in recovery, I just don't trust men who completely refuse to drink for any occasion.

This is a stupid comment. What does trust have to do with non-drinking?

I don't care at all if friends and acquaintances don't but I think it would be annoying if my husband didn't. At the end of the day it is a social activity (drinking alone all the time is bad news bears) and my husband is my #1 social companion.

One of my closest friends doesn't drink. We just went to Vegas together - I drank, she didn't. Who cares? Do you care if your friends drink soda / eat low carb / avoid sugar?