To think people take the piss because I don't drink/don't go out?

[Skipsandskips]

I may be over sensitive here, so please tell me I’m being unreasonable..

I don't drink, and never have apart from the odd one at Christmas or my birthday. I think partly because I'm not interested and partly because both my parents have been alcoholics my whole life (mum stopped 5 years ago but dad still is). They were abusive towards each other (never me) and ultimately divorced because of their problems years ago. I think this has had a long lasting affect on me. I'm also single and have been for around 6 years. I believe these are the reasons why people take the piss out of me.

I never go on nights out, (I don't have an issue with anyone who does btw) but it just doesn't appeal to me at all. I work all week and always look forward to my weekends off. I'm such a home bird. I could quite happily sit in the house all weekend with a good book or film, lounge around and order a takeaway or even just potter around and clean the house. It's what I've planned all week. I normally go out during the day for various reasons - food shopping, to meet a friend for lunch or for a nice walk somewhere and to grab a coffee. On special occasions I'll meet up with family or friends for a meal out during the night but I'm normally home early and I don't drink. Some people might look at this and think what a boring life, but it's what I like and I'm very happy living this way.

People know that I don't go out very often and honestly believe that I will drop everything and pander to them if needed. I get calls/texts regularly asking if I can take them somewhere or pick them up from a meal/night out, or even take them to the city centre an hour away so they can do their Christmas shopping. It's always on a weekend and it's starting to really annoy me the way they assume that I don't have a life. Who wants to drive around late at night, in the freezing cold dealing with drunk people? Not me. Yes, I stay at home most weekends but those ARE my plans and they are constantly being ruined. If I was out drinking with them or with a partner I wouldn't be able to do it so why is this any different? I've done my fair share in the past and would always help out in the event of an emergency, but why the hell can't people just get a taxi or book a hotel if needs be. They are all adults and should be able to arrange their own transport to/from these places. It would be completely different if they asked me a few weeks in advance, but it’s always at the last minute and I'm finding myself telling lies just so I don't have to do it.

I've felt guilty saying no previously so I’ve just done it, but then begrudged them as it’s ruined my weekend. AIBU?

Cost of fuel (and energy at home) another reason.

Time to rehearse using the word that is not 'yes'!

You don't owe anyone lifts/childcare/shopping etc. (They know this.)

Failing all else - if you are struggling and feel you must have an excuse, you need to read/watch 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and to learn about the use of a needy friend called Bunbury.

I think you should start asking them if they'll all do things for you.

Hi could you mow the lawn for me, I've hurt my foot and can't do it.

Hi, could you come and clip the hedge, I've hurt my shoulder and can't do it.

Hi, could you pick some bits up from town for me as my car won't start.

Hi could you pick something up from the pharmacy for me I'm not feeling too good.

It'll be really interesting to see who is actually willing to help you back, who makes excuses and who says yes straight away (if anyone!). It'll then make it a lot easier to say no/make excuses to anyone who does that to you as you won't feel the guilt as you know they did the same to you.

From the title, I assumed you meant that people were mocking you / being unkind to you because you don't drink, but from your opening post, it seems that you presumably must have actually been going out to pick people up when you weren't out with them ??
Why would you do this ?
Some People will ask, if they think they have found themselves a free taxi service, but if you just said "No" or "Why do you think I would want to do that?" I think you'd soon find people wouldn't ask you.
I don't drink that much, but I have never been asked in 40+ years of driving to randomly go and pick someone up from a night out I wasn't even part of. That's really, really strange.

I know I'm not answering your question directly, but I too can spend days alone at home, just enjoying a good book and nice walk

Great, isn't it? I'm lucky that all my family is/was like this so as a teenager no-one was badgering me to go out and have a good time or worrying that I wasn't or that I didn't seem to have a life of constant clubbing/partying.