to stop drinking alcohol?

[BlackBag]

If you don't drink how do you feel others view you?

I do like a glass of wine but at home have little self control so tend to empty the bottle. Being of stout build this does not leave me the mess that it should although with small children even a mild hangover is hard.

Out in public, I ease back and drink a lot of water. After one long drawn out, over-heated dinner party I was ill from drinking three litres of sparkling water

I find myself the subject of complicated plans by relatives and friends involving lifts, taxis and staying overnight so that I can enjoy a drink/let your hair down/have some fun.

Would I be unreasonable just to give up social drinking altogether or would you see this as being a bit miserable.

Nope. If you don't want to drink, why would that have anything to do with anyone else? I have two friends who are teetotal - one just doesn't like the taste, the other could feel himself heading towards a drink problem so nipped it in the bud. It makes no difference to me.

Also, I often don't drink when we are out, as DH cannot drive and we have 3 DCs, so need to get home for them. No-one is bothered about it (other than some friends get irritated with DH for not learning to drive and always getting to have a drink).

Depends - if not having a drink makes you a misery then don't do it. If you have a great time not drinking, then don't drink.

I can't be doing with people who judge you if you don't drink. It's up to you.

Just don't go making any grand announcements.
Drink if you want to, don't if you don't.
That's all.

Agree with Moondog. You don't have to drink. And anyone who judges you for it is 17, not a grown up.

As long as you don't start judging others when they get a bit tipsy, or start refusing to attend events because there'll be booze, no one will care.

I think that fewer of my peers drank at 17 because of money & transport.

I'm just surprised that 30 years later, that at two recent occasions when the group realised I was n't going to be having another glass of wine it really seeemed to dominate the conversation. I live in a rural area and happily drove, brought a bottle and enjoyed the company.

I just wandered whether friends and family find it easier to accept a strict I don't drink rather then a sometimes.

Honestly it was embarrassing, friends repeatedly suggesting that they ring others friends/partners so I could have another despite me thinking that I was having a really good time anyway.

If you don't want to drink then don't and to hell with with everyone else thinks. I went out a few years ago and took my car (lots of reasons) I was fine with it and had a great night but I was surprised by the amount of people at the party that sad 'oh that's a shame' when I said I was driving! And there were quite a few people who worked out ways for me to leave my car there and get home another way so I could have a drink. It was all quite ridiculous actually. But like I say, I really enjoyed myself and was up bright and early the next morning like I hadn't been out at all :)

x-post with blackbag, same thing that happened to me!

I hardly drink - just don't like it that much. If I'm out I like to be able to drive home, and the only reaction I get is gratitude for being willing to give lifts.

Seems odd that anyone should make a big deal (or any deal) if you don't want another drink. Sounds like some of your friends need to grow up a bit.

Not one of my friends would make a big deal if I was drinking or not. Do what you want.

It really gets to me that people notice that I am NOT Drinking. I have given up alcohol and Caffeine because they upset my blood sugar levels, and I feel better if I abstain from both.
Oh but the grief people give me and the tiresome comments. If the fact that I cannot drink doesn't bother me then why should it bother anyone else.

DH & I went to a Birthday party in November Dh refused all Champagne etc as he was driving and had to get up early the next day (Saturday) forwork. But any amount of people suggested that we took a train home so DH could enjoy himself even though we would have had to abandon the car 20 miles away!

I understand why you're a bit apprehensive. I gave up alcohol (as was worried I was developing an addiction) and was on holiday with a large group of friends. I didn't want them to know the real reason so I just said I was on a diet. They didn't believe me and loads of them asked whether or not I was pregnant! It is a shame that something quite insignificant can cause such discussion!

I've gone through periods when I've drunk lots (in my early 20s), periods where I didn't drink at all (early 30s), and everything in between. Drink if you want to, don't drink if you don't, it's nobody's business but your own.

As a general rule I have found that those people who get all weird about you not drinking - in particular if they try to pressure you into having a drink when you don't want one - are people who are either hugely immature and/or have alcohol problems.

None of my friends bother whether I drink or not. I often go out and just have soft drinks, even if not driving .. I used to drink lots more in my 20's and early 30's but once I got to mid 30's I suddenly discovered hangovers, and hangovers that lasted a couple of days after a mad night out... and I hate feeling rough, so I just dont get hammered any more.

On holiday I am even more of a light drinker as I hate wasting holiday days feeling like shit from the night before.

Nobody ever really questions it, I just say "not in a drinking mood tonight"..

I think it's interesting how deep people link the chance to have a fun sociable time with drinking alcohol in a way that we don't with peanuts, chocolate or any other foodstuff.

Imagine encouraging someone to have more peanuts at a party 'you can always stay over '

Most of our friends are old, reponsible professionals who take the welfare of their kids seriously, none have sterotype 'must have a drink' problems just see it as an essential part of their 'social life'.