Not to hijack, but yes, in fact, if I tell people I’m a vegetarian I get asked why almost every time. And for added fun I get to hear all about how the person asking could never be a vegetarian because they love meat so darn much (often with a listing of some of their very favorite animals to cook and eat).
OTOH, if I’m out and happen not to be drinking I don’t recall ever being asked why not.
I’ve always just said “I’m not really a big drinker.”
I’m not. I’ll have wine every now and then, or a beer every now and then - but when we go out to karaoke every Saturday night, guess who volunteers to be the DD?
I have had this asked me before - company picnic this year my boss (the Editor in Chief of our newspaper) kept asking me why I didn’t get the unlimited beer wristband. I just shrugged and would reply “Not much of a drinker.” He offered to buy me one and I said “No, but thank you for offering.” (Note: He wasn’t flirting with me; my boss and I get along great, and after I refused the wristband he offered it to my boyfriend, who accepted).
If they persue it I’d say something like “I don’t know why you’re complaining - more for you.” That usually shuts them up.
I don’t drink because it would react negatively with some of the medications I’m taking. I’ve only been asked “why” a couple of times, and I’ve explained. Most people, however, don’t seem to give it a second thought, especially if you decline in a causal manner.
I once had one guy grin and say, “Good! More for me!”
With work, I always say “I don’t drink around people I work with.” Its an easy, professional excuse. If they say anything more I say “I’m a horrible flirt when I drink, and I don’t need to go there with people I work with.”
I don’t drink often, and I don’t eat dairy. I’ve never once been hasseled for not drinking, but I’ve spent far more of my life than I want explaining what “lactose intolerance” means. I’m not a vegetarian, but I’ve had lots of vegetarian friends, and without exception, everyone of them routinely gets shit for not eating meat. Up to and including people trying to sneak meat into their food!
Surley a clever guy like you can come up with a few graphic examples. In my case, a picture of my toilet after I have gotten stupid and eaten a slice of pizza would do the trick.
Yes, I’ve heard that quite often. I’m not vegetarian so it hasn’t been directed at me but do know people who are.
Yes, and this time directed at me since I don’t care much for cheese and avoid it as much as possible. It definitely throws people for a loop. I get it even more in regard to seafood and often have to lie that I’m allergic to get them to stop trying to get me to try seafood that’s “been prepared correctly”. Sorry folks, that’s not possible. It’s all disgusting, inedible swill and while I’m happy for you that you enjoy it please stop trying to save me from a life without fish.
To the OP, driving, having to be up early, meeting kids or SO or other people later are all plausible options if somebody is rude enough to push the questioning. Either that or the fact that tomorrow you have to take a drug test as the last part of your entry to the CIA/NSA/Navy Seals/KGB…
I don’t drink much these days. I’ll have a glass of wine occassionally, but (for some odd reason) alcohol upsets my stomach these days. In social situations, I usually just say “no thanks, I’m driving” or “I just don’t feel like drinking tonight.” It hasn’t been a big deal.
However, it was more of an issue in my 20’s. Back then a woman not drinking when everyone else did would often cause people to suspect she was pregnant. Now I guess they figure I’m too old for that.
I very rarely drink, and only at home. At work there’s only 10 of us, and I think everyone by now knows I won’t drink with them.
Sometimes people (co-workers or otherwise) have asked why, and I’m perfectly honest with them: “Personal reasons. I don’t really want to get into it right now.” I have a few reasons why I prefer not to drink, and they are personal. That response is a great, polite way to say “It’s none of your damn business.”
If they press the issue, then why should I care if they think I’m a prude? They’re being jerks and I wouldn’t want to be buddies with them, anyway.
Like Lissa, I don’t drink because it reacts with the medication I’m taking. The only time I’ve ever been questioned about ordering a non-alcoholic drink was by people who knew me when I did drink.
“Hey! Since when did YOU stop drinking?”
“Since the doctor told me, I could take this wonderful prescription that I need, or I can drink alcohol.”
But 99% of the time my being the only one who doesn’t drink doesn’t even get a glance.
Yes. I hate this. I am reguarly amused/irritated by people who, upon hearing that I don’t care for seafood, invariably say, “Oh, but you’ve never had <insert favorite seafood or famed local catch here>!”
If you don’t mind, though, I may start using that line.
Or if you don’t want drinks that are either sweet or tasteless, find out what some of the good mocktails are and order those. There must be dozens; they hold bartending contests on them alone. Some people object to them because they seem to imitate alcoholic drinks. Of course, they do, in many cases, but hey, just because you don’t want booze doesn’t mean you want liquid candy, necessarily.
I’m not a teetotaler, but I love a good Virgin Mary if it’s too early for the real thing.
As a fellow non-drinker (I have purchased and consumed about three alcoholic drinks in my life, all of which were Sex on the Beach) I can tell you that the only real misstep is refusing a drink from someone who is trying to buy you one – i.e. by saying “no, thanks” rather than “Oh, thank you! I’ll have a (non-alcoholic drink).” (That is, of course, unless you want to reject them.)
If you were in a situation where you felt self-conscious about being sophisticated, the tonic water and lime idea is excellent - it’s “dressy” enough.
I’ve rarely been asked to justify my non-drinking, any further than “I don’t drink alcohol.” If asked for an explanation, my answers include “I don’t like the taste” (prosaic); “I don’t need to drink; I’m like this all the time” (humorous); and “You don’t need to get me drunk, honey” (flirtatious).