Abstaining from alcohol on nights out.

[mintich]

For the past few months, I have been enjoying not drinking on evenings with friends. We don't have big nights out, it's normally a meal and drinks every few weeks. I drink on some nights but lately I have preferred not to.
I have 3 kids so hate feeling hungover in the morning, it's cheaper, I enjoy the evening just the same. I'm not tee total, just some nights I don't want to drink.
However I get the feeling my friends don't like it when I don't drink. They now always pointedly ask if I am, seem disappointed if I answer yes. Then through the night they will be commenting on it, and also say "hopefully you can drink next time" I'm starting to feel awkward about it but why should I drink for them?
Has anyone else had this happen with friends?

My friends have never questioned me not having a drink when I've chosen not to. Yours are probably envious of your self-control.

No, never. Usually I'm driving anyway so cast-iron reason not to drink!

It’s a weird response but not an unusual one. I think it makes people question their own drinking and wonder if you are taking the moral high ground. I’m sure you aren’t though - it’s just personal choice.
I’d just say you have stuff to do tomorrow or are taking a month off or whatever. It’s their issue, not yours

What annoys me is that I have be open and said I don’t drink (had a serious prob years and years ago) but I still get Oh Harold you can have just one it won’t hurt… yes it fucking will. If I smoked and I offered Jo a Ciggy and she said No, I don’t smoke.. I wouldn’t behave the way they do.

Friends don’t ask me (to be fair, I’ve now been tee-total for 23 years).

Colleagues are the worst.

Their telling you they can’t imagine not drinking.

These replies have made me feel a bit better! I have been starting to think they find me boring or something to keep wanting me to drink. I participate just as much when I'm not drinking, it's not like I'm just sitting there silently!
Most of the time I'll just have a glass of wine with my dinner then move to soft drinks so it's not like I'm judging them