I appreciate the offer, and under normal circumstances (i.e., not being heavily medicated) I would take you up on it. I love beer. “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” a wise man once said, and I agree with that. But you see, I don’t drink for a reason.
First and foremost, I don’t drink because alcohol is a depressant, and Lord knows I have enough problems with that to begin with.
I don’t drink because when I do, I do or say (or oftentimes both) something incredibly stupid and potentially harmful to myself and/or others.
I don’t drink because I feel that when I drink, I must also smoke, and then I don’t put a cigarette down until I’m done drinking; even then I’ll smoke like a chimney. When I wake up in the morning, aside from the hangover, my lungs hurt.
I don’t drink because I don’t drive drunk, and if I’m drinking with you, chances are I’ll get sick of listening to or seeing you and I’ll want to leave. Since I don’t drive drunk, I’ll be trapped.
I don’t want to come across as preachy, because it’s your perogative if you want to drink. More power to you. Hell, I’d drink with you if I felt comfortable doing so. But if you offer me a beer and I respectfully decline, don’t try to make me feel like I’m a party-pooper or anything like that. I have stated my reasons; please respect them.
And it wouldn’t be a rant without the obligatory word FUCK, so there it is.
-Syko
I’m with you Syko… that is, I don’t wish to explain why I don’t drink alcohol. But that doesn’t make people push it on me any less.
But in these days of more awareness being placed on drunk drivers and all the damage and hurt that is done by them, I simply say “No thanks, I’m driving.”
All of a sudden, I’m the golden child among my friends and their acquaintences.
Worse case scenario?.. Having to drive folks home who’ve had too much. The upside is that I may very well have saved their life.
First of all the wise man who said, paraphrased " …Beer is proof God loves us and wants to be happy…" Is none other than the honorable Ben Franklin…
Some people just do not understand that whilst driving drunk you are a LETHAL weapon. And have the brain power of a gnat. I simply say “NO” Piss off.
unless of course they are a friend…but then again my friends know better to push a drink on me…having lost a dear friend a few years back to a drunk driver…
Absolutely Grizz, couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t drink anymore either, and although I could share many a funny story about time when I was drunk, i don’t think it’s relevant.
Bravo on your rant Syko, you expressed most of the problems with alcohol in a coherent manner.
Perhaps I hang out with a different breed of folks, or perhaps my friends just know me better, but I don’t drink, never have, and no one ever questions me about it. Perhaps alcohol is, in some small way, looked upon as smoking - there was a time when everybody did it and you were looked at odd if you didn’t; now, well, it’s no big deal if you do or if you don’t. (Again, maybe it’s just the type of folks I hang out with.)
I will say that I’m amazed at how important alcohol seems to be to those who attend Dopefests. For those who have met me, they know - I’m scary enough sober! (That usually works as my excuse! )
I have always been amazed how uncomfortable some people can get if you don’t drink with them. I’m an alcoholic, so I no longer indulge myself (or inflict myself on others!). I will freely tell someone that I’m an alcoholic, although some people can’t understand why I don’t drink, if that’s the case! I just smile.
I know some people who say “I can’t, I’m allergic” which usually works. Although, many will still try to “get” that person to drink! Can you imagine someone saying they were allergic to shellfish or something, and having their buddies say “oh come on dude, one lobster won’t kill you!”
I think the OP gave great reasons for LOTS of people I know not to drink!
I don’t drink, except under very controlled circumstances (in that I must not be leaving the house any time soon, I must be with my SO, and I must have no obligations for the next 12 hours). I don’t socially drink (although I’m not yet 21, so that’s not such a big deal), nor do I ever plan to do so. I don’t like having any sort of loss of control in front of people that I can’t completely, unconditionally trust. Going to parties here at college is consequently awkward. The big activities seem to be getting drunk or getting laid, neither of which I will partake in without my SO.
The only problem I’ve run into is the idea that people who don’t drink are somehow “less mature” than those who do. This really, really bothers me; I might not be very mature, but not drinking socially is actually one of the most mature things I do. I personally think that being responsible and true to my own feelings is more mature than getting drunk and putting others’ lives in danger.
With friends, this is rarely a problem, but if worst comes to worst–like it’s your boss or your spouse’s boss pressureing you at the company Xmas party–I don’t think there is anything wrong with just taking the beer and holding on to it. After a few minutes, when the idiot is convinced you are “part of the club”, you can leave it on an end table and walk off. Then, if anyone asks “want a beer?” you can say 'I’ve got one around here someplace." Again, this shouldn’t be needed among friends, but the holidays occasionally put us in social situations with asshoels we have good selfish reasons for not offending.
I, too, do not drink. Most people who know me well enough just accept the fact and get on with their lives. A few give me this “surprised” look, and/or think I must be addicted to soemthing, therefore drinking should be harmless. The very few who are stupid enough to try and force an alcoholic beverage upon me will indeed incur my full-blown wrath - luckily very few have ever been quite that stupid.
I’ve found myself saying “Doctor’s orders” and then getting all pissy and defensive when people ask me why I don’t drink. This building and this campus are full of people who binge drink on weekends and try to get me to join in. And for some reason, the only way I can get them to shove off and stop bothering me is by making them think I’m either schizophrenic or dying. Sad, really.
Like EJsGirl, I too am an alcoholic. Occasionally, I’ll go to a party or a restaurant that serves alcohol. I’ve found that a simple “no, thanks” works. I also carry a glass of club soda or Coke or something non-alcoholic so people won’t feel the need to offer something to drink in the first place.
I do drink, but my personal limit is two. The reasons for this are known to those I regularly drink with.
I have never understood others who try to pressure me into having “just one more” and take it personally if I won’t. I guess they just have a bit more growing up to do.
Does anybody here pressure others to have “just one” or “just one more” ? If so, I’d be truly interested to find out why.
I think many people feel just slightly guilty about drinking and your very public abstinence (which isn’t your fault, THEY are the ones who make it more and more public by not letting it go) only exacerbates that guilt. I’ve known the same thing happen with sweets, desserts, television, dope, whatever. If I don’t partake in this ostensibly social activity, I’m bumming them out.
That said I am having some issues with the ol’ alcyhol at the moment. I’ve never quite been an alcoholic but I’m getting more and more towards the precipice I used to camp on as a student. If anyone’s given to prayer, please do so. I could’t really tell anyone I know.
Thanks my friends. For goodness’ sake, IGNORE THE ASSHOLES.
I’ll have that carved in gold and presented to my child on his or her twenty-first birthday.
I don’t drink for a reason either. I just like a good beer or two.
Kudos to the OP. If someone doesn’t want to drink, that’s their business, and they’re certainly no party pooper for doing so.
Of course, when you’re going out with a group, and everyone gets slightly tipsy (or drunk as a skunk, I don’t know) but you, I’m imagining that must feel a little awkward. Or maybe not, I dunno. I usually make sure I’m not the designated driver.
“Nothin’ like a depressant to chase the blues away.”[/Lenny]
As a high schooler, I get to deal with the whole “Drinking is COOL!” idea quite often, which can certainly get annoying. However, my friends who drink understand quite well that I don’t drink and no, I will not just “try a sip” or whatever.
And Esprix, it’s kind of funny, whenever I am being pressured to drink, I usually use that exact same excuse. Sad thing is, it’s pretty true.
I’ve never had any trouble with “No thank you, I don’t drink”, or even just “No, thank you.” If anyone asks why, I just say “I don’t like the taste,” and change the subject. Or I say, “Drunk people are more amusing when you’re sober.”
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