Why don't you drink?!

[PontypandyPioneer]

What do you say if someone asks why don't you drink alcohol?

There's no particular reason I don't drink, I don't want a hangover (have two young sons), the cost of getting a taxi to and from home and I never sleep well after a drink. So I'm usually at a loss at what to say other than I just don't want it, but it seems this isn't a good enough answer for most people! My husband doesn't drink either so it's not like it's because I'd have to drive.

I'm usually hit with a puzzled look and people saying "can I not even tempt you with one?"

Sometimes I feel like saying back "why do you drink alcohol?" but feel like I'd come across rude and defensive haha.

Any good responses?

Btw, I used to drink when I was younger and it just got less and less over the years until now I just never fancy one.

I say it doesn't suit me. Which is true. It makes me feel sick (apart from proper champagne, which is far too ££ for most years!)

Why are people so threatened by a non drinker? The inevitable cutting remarks about joyless lives, being a fun-sucker etc, are so defensive.

I watched my brother die of liver failure is true, shuts them up but somewhat kills the mood.
Usually something like "it doesn't agree with me".

Agreed, i'd much prefer a dr pepper or orange juice.

I hate wine, the smell makes me gag 😂

I love the idea upthread of saying it’s because I’m pregnant. I’m 47 now and this will just amuse me more and more the older I get.

I say it lowers my mood - that I’m prone to depression and that alcohol makes it worse. It’s kind of true.

I don’t get asked so much these days. It’s more and more common not to drink, and thank god. In the 1990s, when I was a teen, this country had such a problem with alcohol. The number one goal on a night out was to get as drunk as possible. Not just pleasantly tipsy/buzzing but so drunk you collapsed. And people were proud of it. Even at 15 I knew something was seriously wrong.

Life is more fun without it.

I have a friend who says she’s a recovering alcoholic, she isn’t, but it usually shuts people up.

Many but mainly

1 I prefer to drive,. If i feel i need to leave before everyone else or something
2 too many hangovers put me off

I have maybe 6 drinks a year? Never spirits.

I've got two main answers, both of which are true.

I did a one year no drinking challenge and felt so much better in so many ways I decided to just carry on.

I think I've already drunk my quota for my whole life.

Not really bothered by alcohol, prefer to relax with a hot drink and a biscuit. I also developed Rosacea a few years ago and I'd end up with bright red burning cheeks if I had alcohol now so another good reason to stay away from it.

I'm glad alcohol doesn't bother me to be honest because it's bloody expensive now isn't!

I think I've already drunk my quota for my whole life

I love this answer. It’s also very true.

Loving the 'I've reached my lifetime quota'

I don't see a need to pry into people's choices but from what you've said OP, a simple 'it doesn't suit my lifestyle any more' seems to cover it

I'm using this! Thank you!

"No particular reason. Just don't fancy it really."

Works for me. Sufficiently vague and boring that people don't usually follow up.

But you've given a reason there and that's enough of a reason.
I do drink but actually wish I didn't and my excuse would be 'because it gives me severe depression the next day'

I don't get hangovers and drink over a long period but really any reason is valid and it's really rude to push someone on it and I don't know why it's acceptable at all.

I just say it doesn't suit me and I can't be arsed with a hangover.

I'm a white, non-religious, (as far as a know) healthy male and have never touched alcohol. It is more of a principle than anything... I've just never had the desire and haven't liked how people got when they were drunk... I didn't want to ever be that person.

I would be very tempted to say it’s too expensive for something I don’t enjoy.

I've seen too many people drop out of AA and return to the madness. However, when anyone says to me "not even a glass of champagne on special occasions?" I really enjoy it if I discover they're a vegetarian and can ask "not even a roast on Sunday?"

I'm normally truthful - I got very "into" drinking at 15, got carried away and drifted into the wrong crowd and other substances at 17 until two of my friends died in drink and drug related circumstances. By the time my 18th birthday rolled around I had no desire for it anymore, alcohol does absolutely nothing for me.

Because I find drunks nauseating and often need to make a fast exit hence my car is just outside.

"Because the last time I drank I vomited all over someone's head. It's amazing how quickly that happened after I took a sip, but if you insist I'll have a red wine please"...no more questions asked and no objections to me having a soft drink. Works every time.

I have been known to say I can't drink because it plays havoc with my heroin habit.

But normally I shrug and say I just don't like it any more and/or I get terrible headaches and dizziness when I drink (not entirely untrue.)

In a serious note, and my facetiousness over the heroin remark, I think it's very rude to ask. No one wants to disclose a pregnancy when they choose not to yet, and if you do have a problem with alcohol, people can be judgy fucks so who would want to say they're an alcoholic?

I don’t like the taste of it, especially with my medication. Makes it taste funny

I tell the truth, I don't like the taste of alcohol.

I have a phobia of being sick, so I have never got drunk. I've had a couple of men try to persuade me to change my mind when I was young. Wish I'd asked them why they were so bothered!

I don't miss what I've never had.