Work night out

[Notfatundertall]

We have had a work night out planned for a couple of months, it is this Friday.

For background...

My boss has known the other 4 people going out for years although they 1 is from outside our work but recently joined the company.

They all drink and in large quantities

I don't drink. I used to but after meds, kids etc I just never bother and now I just don't really like the taste

I buried my best friend this week so I am not in the best mood this week

I have had to endure my boss and 2 others hounding me today to leave my car at home or crash at the boss's house and get drunk with them all.

I never understood the obsession with going out solely to get hammered when I was in my teens. In my mid 40's I still don't get it.

I don't want to drink.

I don't want to stay at someone's house where I don't really know the people.

I have funded everyone's deposit for the restaurant so have already forked out £50 and have said I will happily drive and play taxi to the others as I live over an hour away from the town we are going out in.

I am literally happy at this point to just lose the £50 and tell them to have a fab night but I won't be going.

I am sick to death of being teased and cajoled and questioned over why I don't drink. However, it will go down like a shit sandwich so I have to go.

So wise mumsnetters how the heck do I survive the evening without losing my shit...

Thats really shitty on their part. Id be tempted to skip, but if you do go don't let anyone buy you a drink. Or if you feel you have to, nurse it and then ditch it quickly.
I hate nights out where most people's sole purpose is to drink, it's not attractive in your early 20s let alone 30s and 40s.

I don't think any of them would disrespect me enough to spike my drinks. I just don't see why they feel the need to behave like 14 year olds.

I am sure part of the teasing is because they are trying to cheer me up. But genuinely all they are doing is pissing me off.

As a company they have been bloody awesome. Time off when needed, no pressure on workload (which is insane) to be completed and just massively supportive.

But this bloody obsession with getting hammered if wearing thin

Be 'ill'

Decide on your priority. Their opinion of you or your opinion of you.

I like a drink buy would definitely not drink on that night out. It sounds awful.

What a pain. I like a drink but would never force / tease / cajole anyone else. It's so puerile.
Is the meal the first part of the evening? Could you just drive to that, eat some food then make your excuses and leave them to it ?
Though, if you really don't mind losing the £50, I just wouldn't go and in future, I'd be 'busy' when they're planning their next jaunt.

I'm sorry about your friend. ❤

Is there any way you could "test positive" for covid 😉?

You do not have to go. You are perfectly free to say you're not going. I would.