AIBU?
to pretend to be a recovering alcoholic?
OliPolly · 15/04/2011 16:38
I bumped into someone in the city centre today and she invited me out to a girly night out tomorrow. I told her that I would come for the meal only and won't be joining them on the nightclub prawl later. She was with her friend who was surprised that I was saying no to free alcohol at which point I said that I didn't drink.
She seemed really 
that I don't drink at all and said that there must be something wrong with me 
I said to her 'I used to be an alcoholic' and it shut her right up!
I know alcoholism is a disease and I wouldn't make light of the situation but I was really annoyed at her ignorance. I did tell her that I was joking and she still found it strange that a 31year old woman has never tasted alcohol.
tooshorttonotice · 15/04/2011 16:52
No you are not weird but you could be more upfront about it. Just tell her that you don't drink and ( if you think you need to and you know) the reason. Making her feel guilty for offering by saying you are an alcoholic is horrible and then saying it was a joke is even worse - there are alcoholics that really struggle with this sort of thing.
It doesn't even sound as if you like the person
JaneS · 15/04/2011 16:57
How odd. I am an alcoholic, who's sober currently, and I hate admitting it. A cynical part of me rather wonders how plausible you'd sound making your 'confession'.
Selfishly, I guess I wish more people just said 'no, I don't drink' and then maybe it'd become more socially acceptable.
SkinittingFluffyBunnyBonnets · 15/04/2011 16:58
It's not weird to have never tastd alcohol....I don't drink and it gets right on my nerves when people take it personally!
I just cant hndle it...two glasses of anything and I'm staggering and falling over and sobbing....literally.
YANBU....the silly woman deserved to be lied to!
OmShantiJacks · 15/04/2011 17:00
It takes a lot to get some people to shut up. Personal preference or belief doesn't seem to count with certain members of society (such as choosing, for whatever reason, not to drink).
So for that reason, I don't think you were being unreasonable to say whatever came to mind to get this woman to shut her gob.
But. A tiny part of me thinks that saying you're a recovering alcoholic when you aren't is maybe a bit disrespectful to people who really have struggled to overcome alcoholism?
I don't mean to be critical of you at all, in some situation we just say whatever comes to mind without thinking of the wider ramifications. She left you alone after that, job done.
I was just thinking that maybe for the future, because sadly I'm sure you'll find yourself in this kind of situation again - seeing as people can be oh-so-accepting and non-judgemental about other people's choices 
- maybe we can help you come up with another response?
MoonGirl1981 · 15/04/2011 17:03
I don't drink either.
I discovered a while back that friend of mine is an alcoholic (didn't realise for years, is bloody obvious now I've stepped back). This led to him lying to people, overspending and eventually losing his house.
I now can't stand the sight of the stuff.
beesimo · 15/04/2011 17:03
Just be true to yourself Op don't tell lies. I think you were worried being teetotal would make you sound boring and by saying you are a alcholic it somehow made you sound a mysterious/interesting person with a huge amount of 'back story'
Actually there is nothing wrong with being a bit 'boring' there is quite a lot wrong with being a lying fantasist so don't do it again!
FutureNannyOgg · 15/04/2011 17:07
YABU, you don't drink, your choice, now lets move on to the next topic.
I don't drink either (well very rarely, but only ever one drink and never to get so much as tipsy, I hate the sensation and it can trigger my migraines), and I do understand, being pregnant was a welcome break.
But lots of people don't drink, for religious reasons, because they don't like the taste, alcoholism in the family, intolerance, whatever, and admitting to being one of these people shouldn't be something to be embarrassed about.
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