Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Am I weird.

74 replies

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 19/05/2018 13:56

Hi all not this is not an AIBU I just want to know if I'm weird or something. I choose not to drink alcohol because I don't like the taste and I watched my uncle die from liver failure when people find out that I don't drink they are shocked and think its a bit strange. My friend invited me to her birthday party in August I said I would go and when she found out that I don't drink she was shocked and asked why I said yes to going is there some new unwritten rule that I don't know about that says if your going to a party you have to drink. My family don't see it as being weird or strange its just accepted that I don't drink but when friends find out they all seem shocked by the idea.

OP posts:

Heismyopendoor · 20/05/2018 07:43

Me and DH both don’t think. So I don’t think you’re weird :)

It’s not that we never drink, but the last time I had a drink was months ago and I wasn’t drunk. I don’t like the taste of many alcohols and therefore find it a bit pointless, when I was younger (I’m 28 now) I drank just to get drunk. DH on the other hand does like the taste of wine etc. He took a bottle of wine to Center Parcs and it lasted him a whole week lol

Heismyopendoor · 20/05/2018 07:44

Argh! Don’t drink, not think!! Although sometimes I feel DH doesn’t bloody think lol

DeadButDelicious · 20/05/2018 08:07

I don't drink, I think it tastes foul and I don't like the effect much either.

Some people do seem to take a person choosing not to drink personally or as some kind of insult against them. I had a 'friend' make such a big thing about me not drinking on their birthday night out that I ended up not going. Apparently me having an orange juice would spoil everyone's fun I think that says more about them than me.

OneStepSideways · 20/05/2018 08:24

Not weird but unusual in the UK. In my experience if you don't drink at all most people assume you're a recovering alcoholic! I used to be teetotal until I was about 22, as I didn't like the taste either. When I started having the odd glass of wine people were really concerned as they thought I'd had a problem with alcohol to go teetotal!

It's an acquired taste. I still don't like the taste much but the right wine enhances food. And if you don't drink I think it's important to keep some in the house to offer to guests etc. It sounds a bit childish to say you don't like the taste. I would just say you don't drink and don't elaborate.

Most people drink because it's relaxing and helps awkward social situations, not because they like the taste.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 20/05/2018 08:24

You are not weird, in fact a lot of people have stopped drinking.

However, there's no need to follow up about your uncle. You don't need to give a reason to anyone.

ememem84 · 20/05/2018 08:38

I work with a lady who doesn’t drink. Which is fine. Her choice. But what winds me up is the fact that she declines every invite for lunch/after work drunks & dinner social events etc with “I don’t drink you see” now I know she doesn’t drink. Her reason is that she doesn’t like drunks and doesn’t like having to “look after” everyone so would prefer not to come. I did point out the last time she said this that it was a Wednesday team lunch and we were unlikely to have more than a glass of wine (if that!).

Heismyopendoor · 20/05/2018 16:09

onestep I don’t think it’s childish to say you don’t like the paste of alcohol. I think it sounds more childish that people would drink to help them in an awkward social situation.

I certainly don’t keep alcohol in my house as it’s not important lol. If I was having friends round I would purposely buy what they like but wouldn’t have anything on hand ‘just in case’

Heismyopendoor · 20/05/2018 16:09

Taste. I don’t think much alcohol comes as a paste lol

Whatsforu · 20/05/2018 16:28

I have had my fair share of hangovers in my younger years. I haven't had alcohol probably for around two years. It's a mixture of no longer enjoying the taste or feeling it gives you and seeing too many people become dependant. Unfortunately I shy away from social activities if the focus is drinking as I have also developed an unease of watching people become more and more drunk. I realise this is my problem but it does restrict my social life.

emmyrose2000 · 21/05/2018 03:22

Some very strange beliefs/comments on this thread. I can only imagine some people are very insecure in their choice to drink alcohol.

Like many others, I think it tastes disgusting (ditto tea, coffee and pumpkin), and just don't see the point of the side affects. I've never had anyone say anything negative about it, or try and push it on me. If anyone was immature enough to react negatively to it, they'd be showing that their opinion is absolutely irrelevant and not someone I'd be interested in associating (further) with.

I guess some (most?) of my friends/family/acquaintances drink alcohol. I never take any notice, as each to their own.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 21/05/2018 03:43

I don't drink. I don't like the taste of anything i've ever tried, it gives my indigestion, and i have OCD about using the toilet so the fact it is a dehydrant and makes you need to wee a lot causes me a lot of anxiety.
I won't even eat things that have say, red wine in the sauce, some chocolate deserts that have it in, white wine vinegar in the dressing etc.
It is honestly weird to me that people go out and drink excessively. One or two drinks occasionally ok, but 3 or more, or multiple times a week, let alone nights out where people drink huge amounts to the point they black out, lose control and piss themselves, or in some cases have major accidents or even poison themselves to the point of needing their stomachs pumped, just why? How is it in any way fun to spend a shit ton of money, not remember the night, and for some of them, wet the bed?
Alcohol is literally a poison, you get drunk because of the toxic effect it has on your body, it damages your liver trying to process it out of your body, and too much can literally kill you, either too much at once, or prolonged damage.

But then again, i over indulge in food, so i guess we all have our vices.

sunbunnydownunder · 21/05/2018 04:30

I don't drink, no other reason than it doesn't agree with me.I get shocking hangovers and hate the feeling of being out of control. I haven't missed it and its nearly 12 years. I do get funny looks when I say I don't drink but people move on and I end up being the designated driver. It was never weird for me as my dad never drank and 3 of my grandparents were/are teetotalers.

Everexpandingwaistline · 21/05/2018 04:31

Loads of people don't drink for many reasons due to health, religion/culture, lifestyle, medications etc. It's not unheard of and it's certainly not weird to stay sober and not be a rip roaring drunk. Carry on enjoying your mocktails and soft drinks and don't be pushed into drinking anything that you're not comfortable with.

Graphista · 21/05/2018 06:03

Not weird at all. Lots of people don't drink for lots of different reasons.

Don't like taste, weight loss, recovering alcoholic, witnessed alcoholism, various illnesses/conditions you can't drink with or only very little occasionally so barely worth it, pregnancy (albeit temp), ttc, medication (my reason), cost, they're driving that time (again temp)..., some jobs require no alcohol consumption up to 24 hours prior to starting work, some people in certain jobs choose not to drink the night before work due to the nature of the work (eg professional drivers, those that operate dangerous machinery, medical staff...), religious reasons...and personal choice as in your case.

I'd be more wary of someone who had an issue with others not drinking. It can be a sign they have issues with alcohol themselves.

It's none of their business.

Ememem maybe being around people who are drunk, even just tipsy makes her nervous? I'm the daughter of a violent alcoholic and while it hasn't affected me that way it has my sister. She gets very anxious so avoids pubs, clubs, certain types of restaurants. Please don't press the point with this lady as this may be why and that's her private business.

WelcomeToGilead · 21/05/2018 06:42

You know, i don’t drink much probably average half a glass of wine a week if that. This weekend we’ve had visitors and I’ve been drinking continuously, or its felt like it. I feel like total crap even though at no point have I been pissed. Stick to not drinking, irs actually very common. The biggest drinkers I know are the baby boomers!

Potatolove19 · 21/05/2018 07:13

I dont drink! Because i just dont want to. Simple as that

Theworldisfullofgs · 21/05/2018 07:17

My dh doesn't drink alcohol or tea. My mum found the non tea drinking wierd.

Most people automatically assume he must be an alcoholic. He just doesn't drink alcohol much. (He has the occasional beer - think 1 a year.)

GlitteryFluff · 21/05/2018 07:43

I don't drink alcohol, I'm 28.
I did have some around 18-20 but realised I didn't like the taste of anything, I was just drinking because everyone else was. So I then went to Tesco and bought several different drinks to try. Didn't like any of them so haven't drank any alcohol since.
I don't think I'm weird.

RayRayBidet · 21/05/2018 07:54

I don't drink as it triggers migraine for me. I find some people are really weird about it when I say I don't drink. It's like they think I am judging them, which I definitely am not.
A lot of people I know seem to think you can't have fun without getting rat arsed.

Basta · 21/05/2018 09:37

It's not weird and doesn't affect anyone else, as long as you don't feel the need to wear it as a badge of honour.

Roomba · 21/05/2018 09:41

Not weird at all. I know loads of people who don't drink for various reasons. All capable of enjoying a party!

I think this says a lot about your friend's attitude to alcohol though.

BitchQueen90 · 21/05/2018 09:41

Not weird, no. I do drink but I'm the only person at my work who doesn't smoke and I've never smoked in the past either - they all seem to find that weird!

Roomba · 21/05/2018 09:50

Yes, in my experience you get much more reaction if you say you don't drink tea or coffee! My friend doesn't as it gives him migraines. Everywhere he goes, people are stunned he won't accept a brew and is perfectly happy with a glass of water. People get very Mrs Doyle with him about it - must drive him nuts but he's very polite about it.

ChevalierTialys · 21/05/2018 10:32

My cousin doesn't like the taste either and can taste it in any drink regardless of what it's mixed with. Some people just can, and don't like it, I see no reason to label them as weird for it.

Flip

1 2 3