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AIBU?

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Original poster

Non alcoholic drinks at work

107 replies

SunshineSamba · 17/07/2025 00:15

I work in a professional office for a large company.

Went downstairs for lunch today in my office canteen and new team member pulls out his packed lunch, including 0% ale.

I was stunned. I had a can of Fanta but it feels like non alcoholic beer is different. I hope this doesn’t become the norm. AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineSamba · 17/07/2025 00:25

BudgieHammockBananaSmuggler · 17/07/2025 00:20

It just does. By association, even if it has no alcohol. And yet I know orange juice has about 1% alcohol in it.

Show quote history

Wow - OJ has alcohol, didn’t know that.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineSamba · 17/07/2025 00:24

steff13 · 17/07/2025 00:18

I'm not sure. Why does it "feel different" than a soda or tea or whatever?

In my experience, people drink 0% when they want to replicate drinking alcohol but for whatever reason can’t - driving, pregnant, etc.

So for me, it feels inappropriate and unprofessional to drink 0% at work.

If everyone in the office started drinking non alcoholic wine, beer etc at their desks, I am not sure that would be an environment I’d feel all that comfortable in if I’m being honest.

OP posts:
fizzybootlace · 17/07/2025 00:22

I understand what you mean, it feels like “drinking” in the office but it’s not. I guess it will become the norm. I put apple tango in a glass and people think it’s wine!

alcoholnightmare · 17/07/2025 00:22

I agree with you totally. Tonic water to me tastes exactly the same as alcohol free g&t. I’d never take a 0% can of Gordon’s and tonic to work, but would of course take plenty of fevertree tonic

BudgieHammockBananaSmuggler · 17/07/2025 00:20

steff13 · 17/07/2025 00:18

I'm not sure. Why does it "feel different" than a soda or tea or whatever?

It just does. By association, even if it has no alcohol. And yet I know orange juice has about 1% alcohol in it.

BudgieHammockBananaSmuggler · 17/07/2025 00:19

I was wondering about this the other day, and I don’t think I would do it in a work setting. If it makes you raise an eyebrow, it’s probably not ok or at least not wise when you are just starting a job.

steff13 · 17/07/2025 00:18

I'm not sure. Why does it "feel different" than a soda or tea or whatever?

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