To drink alcohol but not take any?

[Userone1]

A friend of mine has invited me round for a 'drink' for her birthday.

Due to other circumstances I am struggling financially at the moment. I will be taking ds with me to her house, so I will only drink one/two drinks all evening.

I will have to get a cab to and from her house, which is money I could do without spending at the minute, but I don't want to let her down.

Usually I would never dream of turning up empty handed ie bottle of wine, regardless of whether I was drinking or not. I have got her an inexpensive gift, card etc.

I feel embarrassed. Should I not drink at all?

Take the card and gift, have like one or two drinks. Not an issue not to take booze. She invited you!

Alice, I'm the only person going, which is why I don't want to bail out and not go. It's not a party, just a couple of drinks and a chat on her birthday

Lidi's do wine for 3.99 sometimes 2.99. And it pretty nice too, well I think it is! 😊

Issuppose aww thank you.....party at issupose's later everyone

The cab fare is going to be bloody expensive. But I think I'm going to have to just take a more medium priced wine and claw it back during the week somehow.

Take something your DS can also drink, like sparkling apple juice, and drink that and maybe a glass of wine if she offers you some of hers.

Is there anyone who could drop you off at your friend's as a favour, and at least then you're only paying the cab fare one way?

You should tell her! Just say "I really want to come, but I feel bad as once I've paid my taxi, I won't be able to spare anything for a birthday bottle of wine for you!"

She will say it doesn't matter.

Butter I already have soft drinks at home for ds to take. I have been invited round for a 'drink' friend would find it odd if I didn't.

I've been trying to think of all kinds of excuses why I wouldn't be drinking! I doubt very much that my friend would begrudge me a drink or too. I just feel really uncomfortable drinking and not taking any.

'Two'

Your friend absolutely won't begrudge a couple of drinks!

Well, I think it's fine. She's has invited you for a drink - that means she supplies the drink, in the main. You're taking her a gift. I think taking a bottle round to someone's house is actually a bit odd - unless it's a sort of bring a bottle party and it's specified on the invite. If you're invited round to someone's place for dinner, you don't turn up with half the meal, do you, as a gift? I'd take some flowers or a box of chocs. Take a soft drink, if you want.

call her and say, you would love to come for a drink but finding it a bit hard financially at the moment and would feel awkward turning up empty handed and suggest another date when you have the money to contribute, honesty is always best in these circumstances, then she may say "don't be silly, I have plenty of wine/whatever please come over"

That's my thoughts

I think it's fine too. I recently had some friends to stay, planned visit, they have no finanicial concerns, in fact the opposite. I made them dinner and breakfast, they had quite a bit to drink, stayed over, and never brought a thing. On previous visits they have done the same. They have never so much as brought s bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, or even some flowers, nothing.

We like them and happily have them to stay, but I do find it curious that they don't, as everyone I know does, and I also do every time.

Your friend won't mind, the only awkwardness could be if she also had financial concerns and doesn't have anything for you to drink.

If some says 'Come around for a drink', I don't take a bottle.

If I ask someone to come here for a drink, they don't bring a bottle.

Different if it's a party or if you're going for a meal.

Given you have to take taxis & you always go there, I think her 'share' is proving the food/drink. Seems fair to me.

If someone invite you for drinks then they are providing them.

When you take wine to a meal it is taken as a gift and not to be drunk at the meal.

My older ds has just texted to say he has had a change a plan and will be back in time to babysit!! Problem solved, I can get a bus and have more than one drink if I wish!!

My first 'night out' in years, il take it easy!

Thanks all

have a lovely night x

Ahh - good. Have a fun night OP. I'm sure she wouldn't have minded anyway.

If shes your friend she wouldnt bat an eyelid about not bringing a bottle. I invite my friends to see them regardless of the ocassion not for gifts

Take some nibbles instead.

Are you brining a gift? I think brining anything (sparkly fruit juice, flowers, a gift, chocolate, baked stuff...) would be ok. :)

Oh, ooops!

Awesome :) how lovely and thoughtful of your son, you must be very proud :)

Have fun.xx

Aldi do good wine very reasonably priced.

My friend phoned to see what time I was arriving, apparently she has no alcohol in and is waiting for me to arrive to go to the shop!

Luckily my wonderful older ds is not only going to babysit, he is also going to give me a lift there and back!

So I can now treat my friend and say the drinks are me

God stuff... Enjoy