To be fed up with being treated as boring because I don't drink

[Generallyok]

I stopped drinking any alcohol for health reasons a while ago, but I have never been that fussed whether I had a drink at a party or not. My kids go to a very middle class school (we are in the catchment area but we are very ordinary in comparison to most). If we are invited to any social gathering ( even school functions) it seems the norm to drink excessively. I have lost count of the number of times people make rather sarcastic comments about not drinking. I thought that people would have grown up a bit by the the time they are in the 40's. I can't believe how it seems the norm to have a hangover after the weekend. These are educated people. I'm not a kill joy and don't have a problem with people drinking but I'm amazed by people's attitudes to not drinking.

Totally agree. People that don't drink (me, because of meds) are seen as boring/alcoholic/or something wrong with you.

Personally, I find drunk people seriously alarming and unpredictable and hate having to deal with them on a night out. I don't have a moan to them about their drinking habits and wish they'd mind their own bloody business when it comes to my choices.

My husband and I recently went out for dinner with some friends. I'm pregnant and he's teetotal, so we didn't drink. Alcohol bill was over £60. Is the poster above seriously suggesting that we should have paid for booze we didn't drink at all?

OP, you're right and it is so tiresome. I hate the social pressure to drink.

No way would I be funding other people’s drinking!

When people ask why I don't drink, I used to say I just didn't enjoy it, or the hangovers were too awful, or I was on medication. But they'd still try to get me to drink. Now, I tell them the truth; "I don't drink because I'm in recovery."

They usually react with "Wow! Good for you, how long has it been?", I've never had a bad response (although I'm in no rush to tell my colleagues, so make sure I'm always driving if we go out!).

It's been 6 years and I'm incredibly proud - it's been bloody hard work - for me and for those around me, I'm lucky to have such a supportive DH and family. I think being in recovery is one of the only 'excuses' not to drink that people seem to respect, and not try to force you to have 'just the one'.

I rarely drink and I think part of the problem is a) people are far more dependent on drinking than they are comfortable admitting and b) often groups of drinkers think they are very funny but to someone not drinking they can unfortunately appear to be twats.
It is difficult to be a non drinker surrounded by drunk people because it really isn't particularly funny.
Sometimes I will have a drink but as a disabled carer full time it's often not worth it as you're on call 24/7.
I would definitely not split bills with people drinking because alcohol is so expensive.
I guess you need to find more like minded people.

Next time they say anything OP just reply sweetly that you don't miss the hangovers or the hundreds of excess calories that do tend to show......😋

On the splitting the drinks bill unless you're on tap water non alcoholic drink costs can mount up too.

And Coke probably has similar calories to a gin and slim.

Non alcoholic drinks are usually still a lot cheaper than booze, and IME harder to drink in high volume!

Ok my point with money has been misunderstood. I’m not saying people should pay for others drinks when they’re not drinking. But it isn’t just alcohol that adds cost. One night we all went for a meal and said friend had a starter, expensive main, and desert and I had just a cheap main and one glass of wine. On that occasion she was happy to split costs as it benefitted her. On a different night, when she ate less, then she wants to just pay for herself. Then she almost yells as the bill arrives “I didn’t drink anything”. It’s annoying.