nondrinker = outcast?

[lars_from_mars]

If I tell people that I don't smoke, nobody cares.
If I tell people that I don't do drugs, nobody cares.
If I tell people that I hate radishes, nobody cares.
But when I tell people that I don't drink, I get puzzled looks as if I'm from an alien planet; and they ask "Why?"

This makes me painfully aware of how important drinking is in our culture. It's a social lubricant. It's integral to the business world. It's synonymous with "fun".

An ex-drinker still gets respect because they were "one of the boys" before. But a no-not-now-not-never drinker is an outcast.

Are there any other nondrinkers out there who have done a better job at staying relevant and connected?

 

[VanessaofBC]

Maybe it is because I am female or it just happens that the crowd I keep does not drink a lot. I do not have a pallette for wine so water it is for dinner. There are occasional times where I designate a 'party night' but those are few and far between. Especially with the drunk driving laws how they are it is just wiser not to drink and drive, which I know is all to common with regular drinkers, sadly.

 

[cjac7214]

Your observation is 100%. My sister is a rehabilitated alcoholic and she faces this all the time, and finds it very tiring to have to make excuses.

 

[GREYFOXX]

I am an ex Drinker, I can relate to what you are saying but it is really up to you on how you handle the situation.
When i first stopped drinking i got asked all the time how come or why dont you drink. I just became honest and told them i became another person when i drink. A person who is not very nice. No one ever asks an ex drug addict how come you dont want to do a line
I can go out with drinkers and fit in , but it is completely on me.
Instead of wasting my money on booze these days i spend money on Ladies, and toys like sports cars and motor bikes.
I do not feel like an outcast, i refuse to let people make me feel that way. I dont make excuses i just say i dont drink any more. If some one asks i tell them i am a recovered alcoholic and I dont want to be that ass hole any more. I am the guy who lives live instead of sitting on the bar stool saying i wish i had the money to , or some day im gonna.
As a non drinker I live life and enjoy it. Focus on what you do and can do, not what others think.
Any one can be made to be felt like an outcast m its up to you to know that is not the case.

I have a son who has never had a drink in his life, he is in his mid 20's. He goes to house partys bars and has no issues with feeling like an outsider. He also does not do drugs or smoke. His friends all have no money and are broke, He has money in the bank. My son also has no problems talking with ladies as a non drinker.
I asked him once about feeling like he was left out, his response what wtf do i care what those drunk broke idiots think.

 

[Esenar]

I'm a non drinker and I tell those who ask that I don't like the taste of alcohol. They haven't given me a hard time about it and I still get invited to social events. If someone judges you for that, do you really want to hang out with them?

I'm waiting for the day when "I tell people I see escorts, nobody cares"!

 

[1nitestan]

I have a son who has never had a drink in his life, he is in his mid 20's. He goes to house partys bars and has no issues with feeling like an outsider. He also does not do drugs or smoke. His friends all have no money and are broke, He has money in the bank. My son also has no problems talking with ladies as a non drinker.
I asked him once about feeling like he was left out, his response what wtf do i care what those drunk broke idiots think.

I think life gets way easier when you start not giving a fuck about what others think of you.

Here's how you handle the next time you get asked

Q: You wanna drink?
You: no thanks, I don't drink
Q: What do you mean you don't drink?
You: I quit. I also quit killing people who ask my why I don't drink

 

[VanessaofBC]

I think life gets way easier when you start not giving a fuck about what others think of you.

I'm a non drinker and I tell those who ask that I don't like the taste of alcohol. They haven't given me a hard time about it and I still get invited to social events. If someone judges you for that, do you really want to hang out with them?

I'm waiting for the day when "I tell people I see escorts, nobody cares"!

No doubt! I want supportive friends!!

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

I was never 'one of the boys', but boy did I drink like one. It's coming up on 17 years since I last had a drink, although I've been known to enjoy some herbal relaxation on occasion.
I don't generally tell people I'm a recovering alcoholic, I just say I'm a perpetual designated driver!

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

I was never 'one of the boys', but boy did I drink like one. It's coming up on 17 years since I last had a drink, although I've been known to enjoy some herbal relaxation on occasion.
I don't generally tell people I'm a recovering alcoholic, I just say I'm a perpetual designated driver!

 

[johnsmit]

I never was a drinker.
When i turned 19 i had half a bottle of beer .. and the room turned sideways.
also got a head ach.. That was
enough to tell me i could not drink..
On top of that there were way to .many acoholics in the family...so i had no
interestet in being one too

It never bothered me to tell people i dont drink..and i could care less about hanging with a bunch of drunks..
I just never saught those kind of friend.

But as i got older..and into see escorts . at my place.. I would have a glass of wines..or a bit of bear..
but i dont do it very often.. and still have no interest in drinking with the boys

.

 

[newkind]

you need new friends if that is what they care about

 

[Unpossible]

Q: Wanna drink?
A: No thanks. I'm allergic.
Q: Allergic?
A: Yeah, every time I drink I break out in handcuffs.

 

[sdw]

I think life gets way easier when you start not giving a fuck about what others think of you.

Here's how you handle the next time you get asked

Q: You wanna drink?
You: no thanks, I don't drink
Q: What do you mean you don't drink?
You: I quit. I'm also trying to quit killing people who ask my why I don't drink

fixed that for you

 

[Cami Parker]

You shouldn't have a problem staying relevant... You can go out and just drink Perrier
Or how about just, no thanks instead of no thanks I dont drink...
No need to explain yourself...