To want to know your not-drinking excuses

[Lambzig]

I need an excuse for not drinking when I visit my d parents next weekend.

My father usually starts in on the gin and tonics at the stroke of 6, opens a few bottles with dinner and gets the cognac out with dessert. Usually this is lovely (except he gets a bit argumentative by coffee), but I cant drink at the moment, and dont want to tell him why, and need a good excuse - the old antibiotics excuse wont wash.

Has anyone got a good excuse?

Just accept the drink and eke it away somehow.

Seriously, nothing says "I'm pregnant" like turning down a boozy drink when you normally accept. I don't know if that's the reason, btw, but that will be the assumption.

I used to accept a drink then either tiip it away if I couuld, or DH would drink mine for me and give me his empty glass.

Detox?

Illness? Set the scene by telling them midweek you have a bad stomach, and so when you get to the weekend you could still be a bit "tender" as it were!

I like the sound of your FIL btw.

You've got to to work early the next day so will just have (and not drink it)

Cystitis.
Hopefully it willbe TMI for them and they will not press.

No help, but your father sounds ace.

Hangover

Lent

Or some kind of social experiment.

Lent is a good idea, actually.

Loads of people seem to be giving things up this year, even strident atheists.

I just say 'no thanks'

Some depression pills come with instructions not to drink alcohol.

Lent, but add sponsorship - you can't let all your sponsors down etc etc. You'll have to think of a charity though.

Agree with Ephiny - just say no. His problem if he thinks that's odd.

Mrsrobertduvall I used to do the 'upset stomach' one!
'I've got a bit of a... err... upset er... stomach :( '

I would pretend to be really embarrassed, and they would never want to ask any more!

Either that, or swap it with your OH's drink?

MrsRobertDuval has it, cystitis is perfect and tmi.

You've become a Muslim?

That's the excuse you could use I mean!

You're an alcoholic and your AA sponsor wouldn't approve?

Lent. Say you've either come over all religious or you just like the idea.

You're very tired and you know even one drink will send you to sleep at the table, and you don't want to be unsociable?

Trying to lose weight?

you've got AWFUL problems with your bowels. Be as specific as poss.

DH has bet you £100 you can't stay off the booze til Easter.

Hmmm I can see I am going to be killing off a lot of pot plants. DH away so not coming with me, so we cant do timely swapping of drinks with him.

Any mention of lent will set my DF off on a Brian Blessed style anti-religion rant that I can do without (he heckled the vicar at my nephew's christening), so thats out.

Upset stomach will stop me stuffing my face with D step-mother's delicious cooking.