To think this isn't being teetotal

[UCOforAC12]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/susanna-reid-reflects-on-sobriety-and-a-social-season-without-alcohol-2pz0lv2l5

If it's behind the paywall in essence Susanna Reid has been not drinking/sober/teetotal for 7 months. Except she says 'I’ve been unfaithful to sobriety precisely eight times. And I remember every single one (which makes a change from the way I used to drink).'

So the story really is 'Susanna Reid drinks once a month now'. Which is absolutely fine but isn't, to my mind, teetotal. My boss hadn't drunk in 2 years. Not a drop. He is 'teetotal' in my book.

I'm not questioning her reasoning (health rather than concerns over alcoholism) just the description of her behaviour. She's cut down which should be applauded because with alcohol less is always better for your health.

But since when did drinking 8 times in 7 months make you teetotal? Wikipedia describes it as: 'Teetotalismis the practice or promotion of complete personalabstinencefromalcoholic beverages.' Sobriety I'm fine with but it's not synonymous with teetotal. 'Stopped drinking' also isn't accurate. She says 'I should really put “stopped drinking” in inverted commas, because since August 26, which is the day I decided to put an end to my relationship with alcohol, I haven’t been entirely dry.'

Her decision to reduce her alcohol intake is admirable but the reporting of it is misleading or AIBU?

Wow, that’s the sort of misleading shit I expect from the Daily Mail, not The Times

I agree it doesn't meet the definition op, and that does irk me a bit. Having said that, it seems petty to quibble when someone says they're doing a generally laudable thing!

I have experience of this as a vegan. People who say they're vegan except for that burger they have when on their period (real example) make me do an inner eye roll, but my predominant feeling is being pleased that they eat less animal-derived stuff in general, so I don't voice the pissy thought in order to not scare them off

I haven't had alcohol in a glass ( some leftover Christmas Baileys) for 10 years , and I was never a drinker anyway but I use Amarretto in my Christmas cake and marzipan so I don't class myself as teetotal .

"I'M DOING A THING, LOOK AT ME"

It's absolutely an admirable thing but as Contessa says I wonder if the term might be being misapplied by part time non drinkers as part time vegans. It's great to cut down but if my friend says she's teetotal I would meet her in a cafe rather than a pub (for example). If she says she's vegan I'd make sure the restaurant has vegan options. Only for her to order a glass of wine/burger I'd be a bit at her misdescribing herself.

She's like those 'vegetarians' who eat fish, or only eat meat once a month, but want the attention and kudos that they perceive the label brings them.

@BarbaraofSevillle that's it. Kudos.

I didn't drink for over a year in my early 20s but I just 'didn't drink' rather than any label. I didn't have sex either but I sure as hell wouldn't label myself celibate just unlucky

She’s no way teetotal - she’s cutting down on alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol because I hate the taste but I don’t consider myself teetotal because I’m not denying myself anything I’d want. When people make the conscious decision to stop taking alcohol and don’t have it - to me that’s teetotal.

I often wish I could sit down and enjoy a glass of wine with friends because they seem to enjoy it so much but to me it’s like taking medicine.

These days I think people are too quick to adopt certain lifestyles and just as quickly drop them when the occasion demands. Who cares what others eat or drink anyway? Sometimes with celebrities I think they reckon any publicity is good publicity.

Absolutely I wouldn’t laud myself in an article about it.

However I find that semantics make “teetotal” preferable to say when offered a drink than “oh I don’t drink very much” as you don’t immediately get the barrage of “oh go on, just one”.

I used to smoke but stopped 14 years ago. However sometimes I’ll still have one —when— —I— —am— —pissed— —enough— occasionally. I feel it’s the same as this! I’m not a non smoker but I’m not a regular addicted smoker but I’m in control of what I’m doing and I don’t really think it needs a title to it.

I think the difference is that she's trying not to drink at all but has slipped up a few times. Which would be different from cutting back to just once a month. So I guess she's an unsuccessful teetotal.

I guess 'my experiences as a teetotaller' sounds like a better proposal for an article than 'my experiences cutting down my alcohol intake'. It might have been an editor who asked her to spin it like that.

I read that article too and quite agree with you OP. She is an infrequent drinker rather than a teetotaller. I’m very impressed by her new life style though. I couldn't do all the socialising she does without a few drinks.

Like 70IsALimit above, I don't drink alcohol (clashes with my painkillers) but I don't class myself as teetotal. A couple of years ago I had a single small glass of fizz at a work celebration, same about a year before that. I think my SiL, who loathes the taste of alcohol so never drinks it, considers herself a non-drinker rather than teetotal.

I'm close to teetotal however would never label myself that as I do, on occasion, have a drink. Happens probably five times a year.

I just don't particularly like the taste of alcohol and don't get any enjoyment over having a drink.

If you are having a drink at any point you are not teetotal, and it does diminish it a bit especially when considering there are people out there who are genuinely teetotal after overcoming alcohol issues, for instance.

She's cut down on her drinking, not given up. To say "I am well past the halfway line to a year without alcohol" is simply not true.

Maybe she’s saying she has the odd, controlled, drink to make sure no one thinks she’s an alcoholic.

I guess it's because it feels like a big change from her behaviour before. But I agree she is still a drinker. OTOH, unless you have a massive need to be (teetotal, veggie etc) I'm all in favour of people being mostly without 100% that thing. Eat veggie lots of the time, rarely drink - that's good!

Im assuming she was drinking a lot before if once a month fees like teetotal.
Once a month is as much as I do and I’d describe myself as social drinker.

Bit like the vegetarians who eat fish!!!! Grrrrr!

I am not vegetarian but my DD is and since she has been (3 years) we all eat less meat as a family. I have been surprised at the amount of people that have said they or a family member is vegetarian but then mention they eat fish.MIL even said a relative of hers was vegetarian and only ate chicken breast!! LOL

Teetotal? Of course she's not. Stupid reporting!!

@PeachyPrincess

A Times article today used the word 'canoodling': 'He [Assange] is being defended by Jennifer Robinson, an Australian barrister who was pictured in 2017 canoodling with Seumas Milne, Corbyn’s director of communications.

The Times using canoodling is not OK. It's such a pejorative term. She's a qualified barrister for God's sake. Canoodling dumbs her down. I'd expect it from The Sun rag but always found The Times above Murdoch's usual drivel.